Author: Rhys Gregory

Surf Snowdonia has revealed a new brand and a game-changing new adventure offer which will open to visitors in summer 2019. The world-first inland surf hub, which launched in 2015, is also in advanced discussions with Hilton to open a Hilton Garden Inn within the development. The new hotel would mark the brand’s first in Wales. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Surf Snowdonia will rebrand to Adventure Parc Snowdonia to reflect its broader offer, which it says will deliver a landmark visitor destination not just for North Wales, but for the UK and beyond. The 300-metre inland surf lagoon will remain a key…

Language researchers at the University of Cardiff, funded by the AHRC projectMultilingualism: Empowering Individuals, Transforming Societies, led by the University of Cambridge, have published a report on an initiative aimed at encouraging secondary school students undertake modern languages at school.  The Digi-Languages project, part of a Welsh Government funded scheme, trains University students to mentor school pupils using a suite of online resources and communication, blended with face-to-face mentoring sessions. Support is targeted at children who had previously indicated no interest in studying languages, and evaluations show a significant impact on language take up and positive views on language learning. …

A family ice skating experience has arrived at Caerphilly Castle, allowing visitors to skate within the walls of Wales’s largest castle — for the first time ever. For two weeks only (Nov 23 — Dec 09), Caerphilly Castle will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland, where guests can enjoy outdoor skating on a real ice rink and indulge in treats from a pop-up pancake house. Skate sessions should be pre-booked online at ticketsource.co.uk/caerphilly-castle-ice-rink, with tickets priced at £7 for adults, £5 for children under 14 and £22 for families (two adults and two children). The ice rink will be open…

Visit Chirk Castle from 8 to 23 December and enjoy a Christmas of make-believe – full of theatre, pantomime, dressing-up, handmade decorations, fun and games. [aoa id=”1″] Imagine if you grew up in your very own fantasy castle… for the six children of Lord and Lady Howard de Walden at Chirk Castle in the 1920s that was exactly what happened.  John, Bronwen, Elisabeth, Priscilla, Margaret and little sister Rosemary grew up playing make-believe, putting on Christmas pantomimes, and dressing up in a castle of imaginary dragons and knights, princesses, and stories. From 1923 to 1931 Lord Howard de Walden adapted…

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates has announced the locations of four Enterprise Hubs across Wales as part of the Welsh Government’s drive to support business entrepreneurs across Wales. Business in Focus is delighted to be contracted to deliver the Hubs in Carmarthen and Newtown. [aoa id=”1″] The social enterprise, which has been helping Welsh businesses to start and grow for more than three decades, brought together an exciting range of partners in each area to deliver an inspiring new support opportunity for entrepreneurs across both the Mid and South West Wales regions. The Hubs are funded…

Talyllyn Railway, the world’s first preserved railway, won the marketing award at the recent Go North Wales Tourism Awards at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. The award, sponsored by Traveline Cymru, specifically recognises innovation in tourism marketing, demonstrating a true understanding of the market and the needs of customers. Stuart Williams, the railway’s general manager, Lorraine Simkiss, commercial manager, Dan King, marketing officer and Lel Johnson, volunteer, collected the award. Talyllyn Railway Company’s chairman, David Ventry, said: “In recent years, we have been seeking to improve the marketing of the railway and the appointment of a full-time marketing officer, Dan King, was…

A group of four students have put St Illtyd’s Catholic High School on the map taking center stage at the Senedd for the annual First Give Awards, winning £1,000 of grant money for their school. The First Give Programme is aimed at secondary school children across the UK. Delivered through a fully resourced scheme of work that is interactive and student-led, it aims to ignite a spark of social conscience in young people. Inspired by ‘Keep Wales Tidy’, Emily Crawford, Ffion Morris, Holly Tee and Laura Viggers who are currently in Year 10, decided to work with the charity in…

Now in its sixth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrates the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs from across the UK. The awards ceremony held on Thursday (22 November) in Cardiff’s Mercure Holland House brought together a range of businesses and professionals to recognise the outstanding achievers from across Wales and the South West of England. [aoa id=”1″] Speaking after the win, Jamie said, “I am absolutely thrilled and a bit shocked to win this award. You can’t be an entrepreneurs’ champion without any entrepreneurs, so I’m grateful to all the people who I’ve met over the…

Next year in May, The Big Lunch, an idea for the Eden Project made possible by the National Lottery, will bring together a team of walkers to visit and shine a light on thriving community projects right across Wales and the UK. The search is now on for two community-minded people from Wales to take part in 2019. The four UK teams will step out on four routes starting on Friday 17 May, visiting people and communities on the countdown to The Big Lunch culminating on the weekend of 1 & 2 June. Over two weeks our friendly teams will…

A STUDENT journeyed to Belgium and paid tribute to fallen soldiers with a stunning piece of artwork inspired by a college project. Rhiannon Ridding, from Sychdyn, visited the Menin Gate Memorial in Flanders after creating a wreath using old photographs of family members who died in the First World War. The Coleg Cambria student’s incredible design featured green ribbon, red poppies and printed sheets of pictures and letters carved into the shape of poppies using a laser cutter. Joined by her taid, Eifion, the emotional trip coincided with centenary celebrations to mark the end of the four-year battle – known…