Author: Rhys Gregory

Up to 300,000 UK households could save money by renewing their TV licence on time by 31 March 2019. The TV Licensing database of more than 32 million addresses shows that these households all have licences that expire on 31 March 2019, so can save £4.00 by renewing promptly before 1 April 2019. On 1 April 2019 the cost of a colour licence will rise by £4.00 to £154.50. The cost of a black and white licence will rise by £1.50 to £52.00. The Government is responsible for setting the level of the licence fee, and in 2016 announced that…

Natalie Bell will lead the Cardiff-based branch of the national property and construction industry lobbying and networking organisation from 1st March 2019, for one year. [aoa id=”1″]Natalie, Head of Business Development with Andrew Scott Ltd is a keen advocate of Women in Property and is committed to its ethos of support and encouragement, not only for peers in the workplace but for girls and young women considering a career in the property and construction industry.  This is particularly important given the skills shortage across the industry.[/aoa] Natalie said: “Over the coming year, as an organisation, we will be focusing…

Caped crusader Captain Beany swapped orange for yellow this week, as he joined Morrisons shoppers, staff and Marie Curie fundraisers for the charity’s Great Daffodil Appeal in the supermarket’s Baglan store on St David’s Day. Captain Beany, who supports numerous charity events across the area, swapped his bean-coloured cape for a gold one, emblazoned with a B made of daffodils to support the terminal illness charity’s biggest annual fundraising appeal. Marie Curie daffodil pins will be available on high streets, and Morrisons stores across Neath Port Talbot throughout March.   The Captain was joined by Marie Curie Nurses from the team…

A 42 year-old man from Roath in Cardiff and a 43 year old woman from Ruislip, Middlesex have been sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court after being found guilty of a number of frauds worth more than £500,000 and Money Laundering more than £50,000 from the proceeds of crime. Premsaran Patel was sent to prison for four years six months and Smurti Amin received a 16 month prison sentence suspended for two years. Financial Investigator Lee Jones of Tarian’s regional asset recovery team (RART), said: “Operation Dogstar has been a long term money laundering investigation by the RART supported by colleagues…

Wrexham-based Sion Hughes said he was “shocked” after winning the coveted Junior Chef of Wales title at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) held at Grwp Llandrillo Menai’s Rhos-on-Sea campus last week (Thursday). [aoa id=”1″] In a captivating final featuring four of the top chefs in Wales aged between 17-23, Hughes, who works at Carden Park, Chester, impressed the judges with his scintillating take on a three-course meal for four people that included a vegan starter, a main course including Welsh lamb, and a dessert with Welsh honey. They had three hours to complete the challenge. The 20-year-old will now…

Police in Barry executed a series of early morning warrants a three addresses in the town (Thursday 28 February). The intelligence led operation resulted in a 51 year old woman being arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug and a 42 year old woman arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class c drug. Both women are from the Court area of Barry. They are currently being held at Queen’s Road police station, Bridgend. Sergeant Julie Madoc-Smart from Barry police station said: “This operation targeted drug dealers and those supplying drugs…

Multi award winning Welsh house builder, Llanmoor Homes, invited visitors to join them for a day of baking demonstrations with Great British Bake Off favourites; Louise Williams and Val Stones. The duo visited the Afan view home at Llanmoor’s Eglwys Nunydd development in Margam to make a variety of homemade pizzas and delectable desserts. Guests were able to see the beautifully fitted kitchen in action with a glass of prosecco in hand as Louise demonstrated how to make the perfect dough, complete with fresh toppings that guests requested. Guests could then finish off with a sweet treat baked by Val.…

Celebrated Welsh authors and illustrators will bring their stories and characters to life as they inspire and entertain young and avid readers at this year’s springtime Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival. [aoa id=”1″] Running over two weeks in March and April (Saturday 30th March – Sunday 7th April) the Welsh and English Festival will host numerous storytelling sessions, craft workshops, creative writing workshops and games across Cardiff’s iconic venues including Cardiff Castle, City Hall and Cardiff Central Library. There will also be free school events held during the week and free craft sessions on the weekends. Aimed at children between…

Businesses across Wales are getting involved with a Welsh Government campaign to share their reasons for using Welsh. [aoa id=”1″] The campaign, called #100kReasons, is urging business owners to help inspire others to start using Welsh by sparking a conversation about the benefits it can bring to a business. Wales is built on an economy of around 100,000 active small to medium enterprises, each with an opportunity to explore the positive impact using even just a little Welsh can have. To help these SMEs, the Welsh Government launched their Welsh in Business project in 2017 offering free, tailored advice on…

A Carmarthen garage has secured a six-figure funding package to expand its motor vehicle maintenance and repair business. [aoa id=”1″] Owner of Gordon’s Garage Ltd, Gordon Meakins, used a combined loan from NatWest and Lombard Asset Finance to purchase the freehold of the existing business premises on Cillefwr Industrial Estate. The funding has also enabled the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment, including new MOT bays and apparatus, allowing Gordon to start offering on-site MOT services to new and existing customers. A trained motor vehicle mechanic with more than 28 years’ experience, Gordon set up his business in 2006 with just a…