Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) is calling on the people of Wales to be the change they want to see in their communities, in the face of feeling powerless and isolated due to unprecedented social and political change in society.  This call to action comes at the launch of the photography exhibition, ‘Being the Change’, at WCVA’s flagship event, gofod3, in Cardiff City Stadium, visited by the First Minister Mark Drakeford and Deputy Minister and Chief Whip Jane Hutt. WCVA commissioned the Bafta Cymru winning photographer Warren Orchard, who predominantly works in the media and advertising sectors, to showcase 11 charities and social enterprises – all WCVA…

Last night (21 March), the Football Association of Wales Awards 2019 were held at Hensol Castle in the Vale Resort. Hosted by Gabby Logan, the event celebrated Welsh International Football, looking back on the journey of our National teams over the past 18 months. The prestigious FAW Player of the Year Awards went to Jess Fishlock and David Brooks for their performances in the famous red shirt, as voted by members of The Red Wall. This was Brooks’ second award of the evening. He also won Young Player of the Year, reflecting his successful transition from the U21’s into the…

Leading holiday park operator Darwin Escapes has unveiled the results of its transformation of Talacre Beach Resort in Holywell. The company has just spent £1million upgrading the resort’s clubhouse and accommodation facilities. The investment has seen the introduction of a number of new caravans, a new entrance to the pool area and an extension to the clubhouse with a beach hut theme. [aoa id=”1″] There is also a new children’s play area, a modernised reception, a new menu in the restaurant and a silver Airstream offering light bites. Every year, over 25,000 guests stay at the 5-star family friendly holiday…

Macmillan Wales has warned that 119 people faced delays in their cancer treatment during January of this year. With almost 1400 people having faced delays in cancer treatment in 2018, the charity says that the latest data released for the start of 2019 suggests a worrying continuation of this trend. Macmillan warns that new cancer treatment data, published today, shows that only 85.3 per cent of patients diagnosed via the urgent suspected cancer route started definitive treatment on time – a number well below the national target of 95 per cent. Richard Pugh, Head of Services for Macmillan Cancer Support…

The music and entertainment festival will see revellers rock out at Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda, to the likes of Cast, Miles Hunt, Elin Fflur and Mike Peters. [aoa id=”1″] A performance by Cast, featuring John Power formerly of The La’s, was described as a “religious experience” by Noel Gallagher. Miles Hunt, of The Wonder Stuff, has three UK top 10 albums to his name. Elin Fflur rose to fame after winning Cân i Gymru (a national singing contest) in 2002, and has since gone on to co-present the programme on S4C each year. Mike Peters, of The Alarm, has achieved widespread critical acclaim…

Wales’ young female artistic gymnasts dominated the competition at the British Championships in Liverpool at the weekend, with the Welsh female Espoir (under 13s) gymnasts taking eight of the top ten spots in the all-around competition and winning gold in every individual apparatus contest. Jacob Edwards of Olympus Gymnastics Club in Wrexham won all-around gold in the under 16s men’s artistic competition, while Jea Brittany Maracha scooped gold in women’s the Espoir (under 13s) all-around competition. Jea who competes for Clwb Cymru Caerdydd and also lives in Cardiff was crowned champion, with Wrexham’s Mia Evans, who now competes for Park…

Wales’ largest theme park Oakwood has kickstarted ambitious investment and expansion plans with two new rides for this year. The Pembrokeshire attraction is set to unveil a new family ride ‘Dizzy Disk’ for Easter, as well as bring back popular thrill ride Bounce, after a £400,000 refurbishment. [aoa id=”1″] The new rides follow a number of multi-million-pound investments in the park over recent years. Joining Oakwood’s eclectic collection of 27 rides and experiences, Dizzy Disk will see riders face outwards as they glide back and forth while simultaneously spinning in circles. Aimed at families, it will offer fun for all…

South Wales Police is appealing for information to help find Richard John Walsh who is missing. Mr Walsh, aged 57, of Blaengarw, Bridgend, was reported as missing on Tuesday and concern is growing for his welfare. He was last seen on Monday, March 18, in the Bridgend area. Anyone with any information on his whereabouts can call 101 quoting reference 1900097888.

THE transformation of Swansea’s Kingsway is expected to be back on track soon. Swansea Council is hoping to complete a deal with Welsh civil engineering contractor Griffiths that will enable work to re-start on the £12m transformation of the key city centre thoroughfare shortly. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “It’s great news that we’ve been able to find a way through and get work back on track so quickly after main contractor Dawnus called in the administrators. “We’re anticipating all the legal approvals, financial and technical issues can be resolved very soon, enabling Griffiths to get on and complete the…

Despite wider economic uncertainty, the majority of SME and Mid-Market businesses surveyed in Wales are planning to grow in 2019 but struggle to see the value of tax relief to drive that growth, according to new research from KPMG. While 97% of businesses in the country are predicting to grow at least 5% in the year ahead, less than a quarter (23%) of them see the tax system as a key growth driver, highlighting the need for more understanding of the tax reliefs and incentives on offer. KPMG’s second annual Backing Business Growth survey spoke to 1,000 small to medium-sized…