Author: Rhys Gregory

Europe’s biggest trailer maker is looking to train and recruit 20 new welders to cope with a bulging order book. [aoa id=”1″] Ifor Williams Trailers has joined forces with the leading commercial training company, Gatewen Training Services, who are based in Wrexham. Jobseekers are being invited to a training and recruitment day at the newly-opened arts centre, Tŷ Pawb, in Wrexham on Thursday, August 23. The would be welders will be able to apply for a place on the five-week training programme that will be run by Gatewen Training Service, an associate company of gap Personnel. The first course starts…

A young father who defied the doctors and made a “miraculous recovery” after being diagnosed with an inoperable cancer is joining his brother on a marathon trek in aid of a hospice. [aoa id=”1″]Things looked bleak for Ceri Dawson, 29, two years ago when he was given the bombshell news that he had pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma – a rare type of cancer – just days before the birth of his son. His younger brother, Ashley, 27, and his colleague, Rob Challenger, 29, who are colleagues at the Village Bakery, in Wrexham, are planning a four-day, 120-mile hike around Anglesey’s…

Wales’ most famous and saddest love song has inspired a new beer. [aoa id=”1″]The song Myfanwy tells the tragic story of the unrequited love of a penniless young poet called Hywel ab Einion for a beautiful young noblewoman who lived in Dinas Bran castle high above Llangollen in the 14th century. The new brew, appropriately a bitter, being unveiled at Llangollen Food Festival later this year is called Hearbreak Hill as a tribute to Hywel’s spurned passion. It’s the brainchild of Ynyr Evans, the head brewer at Llangollen Brewery, who was moved by Hywel’s response to being rejected by the…

A retired business manager whose nose swelled and became a horrible bulbous mass three times its normal size has got his life back after “miracle” surgery. [aoa id=”1″]The distressing condition suffered by Geoff Turner, 72, from Llandudno, was caused by a rare skin disorder, Rhinophyma, which first struck three years ago. Mr Turner’s massively enlarged nose, which had lumps growing out of the front and the side, obscured his vision, threatened to obstruct his breathing and left him feeling ashamed and embarrassed about his appearance. The condition typically causes the blood vessels to enlarge and stimulates an overgrowth of skin…

This year’s prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru will be contested by 31 star employers, learners and learning providers from across Wales. [aoa id=”1″] Judges had a difficult task selecting the finalists from the many entries in 11 award categories. The winners will be announced at a high-profile awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on November 9. The annual awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes. [/aoa]Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and…

Library campaigners are celebrating following the outcome of a judicial review, which has ruled that the decision to close 21 libraries in Northamptonshire was taken unlawfully by Northamptonshire County Council.   [aoa id=”1″] The judgement was handed down yesterday (Tuesday 14th August) by HHJ Worster for the trial judge Mrs Justice Yip DBE at Birmingham High Court.   South-Wales law firm Watkins & Gunn represented the campaign to save 20 of the 21 libraries, which were earmarked for closure in February this year on behalf of their client, Mr Connolly, with support from campaign group, the 21 Group Libraries Network.…

New campaign targets pension scams

Rhug Estate is used to feeding hungry passers-by but this Saturday, 18 August, the Bistro will have special visitors who, after providing them with a pit stop and some energy boosting Flapjacks, will be told to get ‘on yer bike’! Staff from JFCAgri in Oswestry are undertaking the mammoth T2O bike ride on 18 August from the company’s headquarters in Tuam in County Galway in Ireland back to their office in Oswestry to raise vital funds for RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute) and RDA (Riding for the Disabled). Staff members from JFC accompanied by farmers will be cycling a total…

A woman who lost her sight when she was a teenager is believed to be the UK’s first blind personal banker. Andrea Salt, who lives in Cardiff, works for NatWest as an associate personal banker at the city’s Queen Street branch. Accompanied by her guide dog Edie, she helps customers using a specially adapted braille computer. The 26-year-old, who is originally from Stockport, was born partially sighted and began to completely lose her sight when she was only 18. She is also severely deaf and uses hearing aids in both of her ears. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] She joined the bank in…

Cardiff and Vale College has been awarded for its commitment to preparing its students for the world of work. The College has achieved the Careers Wales Mark. The award is designed to recognise a commitment to continuous quality improvement in educational institutions to meet the Welsh Government’s requirements set out in the Careers and World of Work: a framework for 11 to 19-year-olds. Careers and World of Work is designed to equip young people with the skills they will need in order to manage their working life whether they leave education at 16, 18 or 21. It highlights the importance…