Author: Rhys Gregory

Businesses are being encouraged to support the inaugural Mid Wales Tourism Awards which are now open to entries. The biennial awards are designed to celebrate and showcase the region’s exceptional tourism industry and the talented businesses, organisations and individuals driving the sector forward. [aoa id=”1″]There are 16 categories for businesses and individuals to enter and the closing date for entries is July 31. Entry forms may be downloaded from the awards website at https://www.midwalestourismawards.co.uk/[/aoa] The categories are: Best Hotel, Best B&B, Best Guest Accommodation, Restaurant with Rooms or Inn, Best Self Catering, Best Camping or Touring Park, Best Holiday Park…

Falklands war veteran Simon Weston has returned to his roots, having recently relocated his successful security management business to Caerphilly county borough. [aoa id=”1″]Simon, who originally comes from Nelson, and his business partner Paul Hartshorn have relocated Weston FM Group from Pontypool and taken up a lease at one of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s business properties at One Foxes Lane on Oakdale Business Park.[/aoa] Established in 2013, Weston FM Group specialise in a range of services including security, mobile patrol and alarm response, alarm and CCTV monitoring, fire protection systems and commercial cleaning. Director Simon Weston commented: ‘Relocating to Oakdale…

A dementia-friendly screening of hit film The Greatest Showman was made extra special when Welsh National Opera singers enticed the cinema audience to its feet and a local school choir delivered stunning renditions of the movie’s biggest numbers. [aoa id=”1″]“It was fantastic, I had the best time ever,” declared lifelong film and music fan Lorraine Williams following the screening in the historic Art Deco surroundings of Colwyn Bay’s Theatr Colwyn.[/aoa] In a collaboration with Theatr Colwyn, the Welsh National Opera (WNO) team, based at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, lead cinema audiences in singalongs once each month before every dementia-friendly movie screening…

The doors open this week on a sweet new venture in the Welsh capital, as artisan producer – Cymru Confectionery – launches itself on the high street. [aoa id=”1″] As a Royal Air Force chef James Price travelled the world, gathering flavours and culinary techniques in the process. Now decades on his recipes are the inspiration for his descendants’ growing confectionery business, which has just opened at The Castle Emporium in Cardiff’s Womanby Street. [/aoa]The recipes recorded by James, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year, were discovered by his grandson Jeff Barry in a book…

Enthusiastic local rallying amateurs are being given the chance to compete on the same high-profile bill as Sébastien Ogier, the reigning world champion, in the challenging Welsh forests this autumn. [aoa id=”1″] The Wales Rally GB (October 3-6) provides competitors with not one but two fantastic opportunities to be part of this country’s round of the celebrated FIA World Rally Championship. [/aoa] British crews wishing to pit their skills against their illustrious WRC counterparts have the choice of entering the full four-day World Championship event or the cost and time-saving two-day WRGB National Rally. As has proved so popular…

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) near Machynlleth hosted the launch event for the Living Wales Project on May 31. Living Wales uses state of the art satellite technology to observe our planet and monitor the evolution of the Welsh landscape. [aoa id=”1″]Opened by Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Aberystwyth University’s Vice-Chancellor, the event brought together representatives from CAT, Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, Aberystwyth Bangor Universities, AIRBUS and SER Cymru to experience the new earth observation facility and tourism display right in the heart of CAT’s eco centre.[/aoa] John Challen, head of CAT’s Eco Centre, said: “Showcasing our events facilities to…

Despite an increasingly challenging global economic environment, the world continues to demand British goods from regions right across the country. HMRC data released today (6th June) shows that Welsh goods exports in the 2018/19 financial year grew by 7.5% to a record high of £17.7 billion. [aoa id=”1″]As well as increased demand for Welsh goods, the number of Welsh businesses exporting goods abroad has risen. In the 1st quarter of 2019, 2,816 Welsh businesses exported abroad, 83 more than the previous year.[/aoa] A key driver to the increased demand for Welsh goods is the spiralling demand from North America, where…

Thanks to the New Theatre, Cardiff for inviting us along to see the show in exchange for this review. That was the summer of 1963… Set in a time when everything was on the brink of change, Dirty Dancing takes you on a summer that you’re bound to remember. [aoa id=”1″] When Dirty Dancing officially came to the big screen in 1987, it encountered a gulf of enthusiasm and became a global sensation. Ever since the summer romance between Baby and Johnny has become a classic that is loved by generations. [/aoa] I highly doubt that anyone is unfamiliar with this…

Every morning, millions of Brits up and down the country leave their home and start their daily commute. This is a source of incredible stress for many of these people who have challenging commutes and it can also cost employees a fortune over the course of a year particularly those that rely on public transport which can be expensive and unreliable. Long & Expensive Journeys Research from a few years ago revealed that 51% of the UK’s workforce spend an hour or more travelling to and from work each and every day. Additionally, 10% of the workforce spend between £90-100…

Howardian Primary School in Penylan, Cardiff has been officially opened by Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry and Welsh Government Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams.  The School has been joint funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, through the city’s £164m, Band A 21st Century Schools and Education programme. Headteacher,Dr Helen Hoylewas joined by children, staff and governors to welcome guests, who also included local politicians and those who played a key part in the school’s construction. Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills,…