Author: Rhys Gregory

A Cardiff resident has been given the go-ahead to start the first legal challenge to a UK police force’s use of automated facial recognition (AFR) technology, in what will be a critical nationwide test of the state’s power to deploy radical biometric surveillance methods. Ed Bridges – represented by human rights organisation Liberty – had threatened legal action against South Wales Police if it did not immediately end its use of AFR technology in public spaces. Chief Constable Matt Jukes has now confirmed the force will not seek to prevent the case from taking place – paving the way for…

A North Wales promotional merchandise company is championing the use of Welsh to meet a growing demand from customers to use the language. Sional Promotional Merchandise from Llanfairfechan, which has customers around the world, is seeing a rise in inquiries from Welsh-speaking customers on its doorstep. The company has worked with a Gwynedd design firm to create a bilingual site. It comes as research shows that more businesses and local authorities are reporting benefits from using Welsh in the office, while consumers are calling for more opportunities to use it in their daily lives – and especially while shopping. The…

A life-changing partial knee replacement operation has saved the owner of a Michelin starred North Wales restaurant from having to give up the job she loves. The intricate procedure was carried out on Susan Webb at the private Spire Yale Hospital, Wrexham, by top orthopaedic specialist Mr Tony Smith, after arthritis left her barely able to walk. Susan, 56, runs Tyddyn Llan restaurant, Corwen, with her husband, award-winning chef Bryan Webb. He has held a coveted Michelin star for seven years and their restaurant, plus 13 luxury bed and breakfast rooms, attracts guests from all over the world. While Bryan…

A COLEG CAMBRIA student won a much sought-after place on an illustrious scholarship programme at one of the world’s top universities. Owain Williams is just one of 11 learners from across Wales to be selected for the two-week summer school at Yale University in Connecticut, US. The placement is funded by The Seren Network, a group of regional hubs designed to help Wales’ brightest sixth formers achieve their potential and gain access to leading universities. The main cost of the programme – around $6000 dollars – will be covered jointly by Seren and Yale, who formed a major partnership earlier…

A GRAPHIC designer is making waves by the seaside after swapping the bright lights of the UK’s biggest cities for a return to North Wales. Charles Pragnell has been at the forefront of design and marketing for more than 25 years, working for top clients and companies in Manchester and London. The 45 year-old has created brands and advertising campaigns in myriad sectors, and, after returning to North Wales to start his own business – CP Graphic Design – Charles is now working with some of the biggest names in this region. He is enjoying life back in Rhos-on-Sea, after…

The Wales Start-Up Awards, now in their third year, are the only national awards that recognise the achievements of the most successful Welsh businesses started within the last three years. Previous winners include Brighter Foods, who won the overall Wales Start-Up of the Year award in 2016. Just six months later, the company was snapped up by food giant Real Food Group in a deal worth £9 million. And last year’s winner of the Technology Start-Up of the Year award – Amplyfi – is on course to become Wales’s first technology unicorn (a company with a valuation of $1 billion).…

Principality Building Society has won the NPTC Group of Colleges Education Award 2018 at the Wales Responsible Business Awards for its financial education work across schools in Wales.

Seven Oaks Timber Frame, part of Neath-based construction company JG Hale Construction, is to be turned into a separate limited company and rebranded as Seven Oaks Modular in a move that reflects its rapid growth and the increasing demand for modular construction solutions in the UK. The new company will be managed by Charlotte Hale, with Jonathan Hale – chairman of JG Hale Construction – also becoming chairman of Seven Oaks Modular. The brands Hale Construction and Hale Homes will remain within the parent company JG Hale Construction. Seven Oaks has an order book in excess of £10.5 million all with…

Hundreds of thousands of spectators flocked to Swansea for this year’s Wales Air Show – one of the hottest calendar events of the year (and days)! With the weather absolutely perfect for the air show, you’d be mistaken to think that it’s all about the Red Arrows – of course they’re absolutely fantastic, but the event is packed full of aerial stunts and displays. It’s not all about the boys in red. The Wales Air Show is annually held at perhaps one of Wales’ most beautiful places, Swansea Bay. On the ground, there is miles upon miles of gorgeous coastline…

Barry-based chef and co-owner of Hang Fire Southern Kitchen, Sam Evans, has been awarded first runner up by M&S in a UK wide burger competition, for her creation ‘The Run Rarebit Run Burger’.