Author: Rhys Gregory

Two popular Mid Wales attractions are proving the ‘coolest’ places for visitors in the current heatwave. With temperatures topping 30 degrees outside, the underground King Arthur’s Labyrinth and the Corris Mine Explorers at Corris, near Machynlleth, where it’s a consistent eight degrees, provide a welcome break from the baking sun. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] The attractions, which tend to be busiest when the weather conditions are wet and overcast, have found a sunshine bonus so far this summer. “Interestingly, many people when buying their tickets are asked if they have a warm coat because it’s eight degrees underground,” said Shirley Owen, marketing…

A sports scholar and weightlifting star made a lasting impression on his Team GB debut before suffering injury heartbreak at an international competition. [aoa id=”1″] Josh Lynch, a Year 9 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, represented Great Britain for the first time at the European Youth Weightlifting Championships, which took place in Milan, Italy on Wednesday, July 25. The 14-year-old was competing in the U15 category and held his nerve in the opening stages of the competition, seeing him move into fifth spot in the standings after a 93kg snatch, which was ten kilograms more than his previous personal best. [/aoa]…

NatWest is calling on Wales’ brightest entrepreneurs to apply to be a part of the next intake at its Entrepreneur Accelerator in Cardiff. [aoa id=”1″] From fin-tech to food and fashion designers to apps, the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator has supported over 350 entrepreneurs since it opened its doors at Cardiff’s One Central Square in 2016. In that time those businesses have created over 570 jobs, raised £8.2m in investment and generated a combined turnover of nearly £40m supported by the bank. They include Cardiff-based digital innovation pioneers Amplyfi who have grown to become an internationally recognised brand within their sector.…

Cardiff nurse Liam Dando has had his fair share of being on the other side of a hospital bed. As a child he was a regular patient at the Children’s Hospital for Wales in Cardiff but these days he works alongside some of the nurses who took care of him. And as the NHS celebrates its 70th birthday this year, he is grateful for the care he’s received throughout his life. At the age of five, Liam (now 26), was diagnosed with Hyper I.G.E syndrome STAT 3, a rare immunodeficiency disease which causes eczema, skin abscesses, recurrent lung infections and high serum…

Budding Spielbergs from three Denbighshire primary schools are working with a pop video producer to make a film to promote engineering as a career. [aoa id=”1″]The 35 pupils from Ysgol Carreg Emlyn in Clocaenog, Ysgol Bro Elwern in Gwyddelwern and Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch have teamed up with digital artist and game developer Rob Spaull, whose credits include making a string of videos with rock star Mike Peters. The project is a partnership between locally-based civil engineering company Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK and the arts service of Denbighshire County Council.[/aoa] It was facilitated by Arts & Business (A&B) Cymru…

In the true tradition of its original motto, the Coliseum, Aberystwyth, now home to Ceredigion Museum, will host an evening of spectacular ‘entertainment without vulgarity’ on Saturday, August 4 in celebration of the Welsh Year of Sea. Taking the sea as its main thrust, the evening’s host is the ever-popular Jez Danks who takes the helm and embroiders the evening with tales and adventures of the high seas. Not only will we meet the singing pirates and salty dogs of Borth, but Jez will also introduce Phil and Martin Hugill who hail from across the waters of the Dovey. The…

Leading bottled water brand Brecon Carreg has been named the Welsh Government Responsible SME of the Year at The Wales Responsible Business Awards. [aoa id=”1″] The awards, organised by Business in The Community (BITC) and sponsored by Swansea University School of Management, recognise companies that are making a positive difference, with a clear social purpose at their heart. Selected from a shortlist of four companies, Brecon Carreg was recognised for its commitment to making a positive difference to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing Wales. [/aoa] The company, founded in 1978, is still based in the same location in…

A VITAL support service that’s come to the aid of thousands of domestic abuse victims as well as helping perpetrators to change their ways has been honoured by North Wales’s policing czar. Gorwel, which is part of Grwp Cynefin and provides a wide range of services for women, men and children who are affected by domestic violence, won the Domestic Abuse Support Award in the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Awards. The organisation helps victims in Gwynedd, Anglesey, Conwy and Denbighshire and has been run for the past 11 years by support manager Gwyneth Williams, who was presented…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co is pleased to announce the sale of West End Stores, a Nisa Local branded site, situated in the popular residential area of Gorseinon, a district of Swansea, with funding secured through specialist commercial finance broker, Christie Finance. The business was sold by Mrs Shamim Ashraf & Mr Imran Ashraf, a mother and son partnership, who have successfully run the business for 22 years. They made the decision to sell so that Mrs Ashraf can retire, and that Mr Ashraf can pursue other business interests. Christie & Co advertised the business as a new…

Parents and pupils in Cwmaman have been welcomed into the community’s new £7.2m primary school for an open day. The brand new Cwmaman Primary School, off Glanaman Road, will open to pupils from Glynhafod Junior and Cwmaman Infants’ Schools at the start of the 2018/19 academic year. The project, funded through #RCTinvest and the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Education Programme, will provide a first-class learning environment for the 3-11 aged pupils. [aoa id=”1″] [/aoa] The wider development includes a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), staff car park, on-site pupil drop-off area, grass sports pitches, external pupil spaces, and a dedicated room for…