Author: Rhys Gregory

Thomas Cook Airlines is adding Easter 2019 flights from Cardiff airport for the first time, meaning that thousands people can head to Europe for some spring sunshine. With 11 flights a week from April 3, 2019 until the end of the month, Thomas Cook Airlines has added over 15,000 seats to destinations including Turkey, Majorca, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Cyprus and a new route to Enfidha in Tunisia. Tickets are now on sale via www.thomascookairlines.com Thomas Cook Airlines now flies to 12 sun and beach destinations from Cardiff and has over 120,000 seats on sale throughout 2019 (Easter and Summer). Henry Sunley, Commercial Director…

The development of a community orchard in the grounds of University Hospital Llandough (UHL) has been boosted by a partnership with Wales Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW). The CRC’s Community Payback team has joined Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to carry out labouring works to help develop the site. NRW has donated money to purchase gardening equipment to help the works within Our Orchard including cutting edging shears, rakes, secateurs, strimmer’s and power tools to help with construction of gates and benches. NRW have also donated a number of bird and bat boxes and are…

A major new EU backed initiative to help companies in Wales exploit the fast-growing spatial intelligence market is being led by Aberystwyth University. The Geographical Data and Earth Observation for Monitoring (GEOM) programme sees scientists at the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University collaborate with QineitQ to help Welsh companies exploit state-of-the-art satellite and drone technology. Data provided by the technology can provide vital information for a range of sectors, including agriculture, energy, security, environment, transport and infrastructure. The £3m initiative backed with £1.9m of EU funding through Welsh Government was announced by Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford…

Creative works by young Swansea schoolchildren are on public show alongside pieces by a globally celebrated artist. Pupils of city schools painted white shirts with colourful interpretations of their future dreams – and thousands of art lovers are now set to enjoy them. The shirts hang in the city centre Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in a major show by NS Harsha, a past winner of the prestigious Artes Mundi arts prize. Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “It’s great that Swansea children have been inspired by a top class artist – and it’s wonderful…

A series of bilingual books that aim to stop scammers in the tracks have been launched in Wales as figures show just five percent of fraud victims report a crime. The free guides are the latest in NatWest’s Little Book of Big Scams series, produced in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, and include facts and information about the different types of fraud that exist and how to avoid being a victim of one. Launched at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay by NatWest CEO Ross McEwan, this is the first time the books have been published in both English and…

Educational charity Techniquest is continuing its mission to inspire the next generation of scientists after receiving generous donations and scooping a high-profile grant. The science discovery centre, based in Cardiff Bay, conducts inspirational school outreach programmes, reaching over 50,000 pupils in Wales annually. Thanks to new donations from charitable trusts, its primary school outreach will enjoy significant financial support. The Simon Gibson Charitable Trust recently selected Techniquest as one of its 140 financial beneficiaries, gifting £4,000 to the educational charity for the second year running. The donation will be used to deliver free outreach to schools in the Glamorgan area,…

Swansea University has been sharing some of its most innovative projects with the Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK during a special visit to both campuses. His Excellency Tran Ngoc An was joined by Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams and leading University dignitaries for a tour of the Singleton site following a meeting with leaders of Global Wales, the partnership between Universities Wales, British Council, Welsh Government and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, which promotes Wales through its world-class higher education sector in priority overseas markets. The meeting was held ahead of an announcement that Global Wales had…

David Davis’ resignation as Brexit secretary on Monday (9 July), followed by Boris Johnson leaving his post as foreign secretary, has sent the government and outlook for Brexit into turmoil. This blow to Prime Minister Theresa May’s government has caused volatility in currency markets, with one foreign exchange (FX) expert warning that such political movements bring a significant concern for businesses with currency exposure. Tensions in the cabinet over May’s Brexit plan, which was agreed on Friday, sparked Davis’ decision to leave his role as Brexit secretary, followed closely by Boris Johnson, who is also disillusioned with the proposals. The…

Last night (Thurday 12 July) Elevens Bar & Grill and the Football Association of Wales jointly hosted a Q&A evening with Gareth Bale. At the event, Gareth unveiled a new piece of memorabilia for Elevens – his match worn boots from this year’s Champions League Final with which he scored that incredible overhead kick. The event, hosted at Elevens Bar & Grill was open to members of the public with doors opening at 6pm on Thursday evening. People started queueing from 3pm, with a cross-section of fans of all ages in Wales shirts and bucket hats. The Q&A, conducted by…

Spectators at a popular Mid Wales summer event, which is known as the “friendly show”, are in for a treat next month when Flyin Ryan performs his breathtaking motorcycle stunt show. Flyin Ryan, alias Ryan Griffiths, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his spectacular stunt display this year and is set to be the star attraction at Llanfyllin Show on Saturday, August 11. Daredevil stunts, comedy routines, fire stunts and arena entertainment will be part of the 2pm display and Ryan provides hilarious non-stop commentary, even whilst 30 ft in the air above vehicles. Tasty Tina will perform alongside Ryan throughout the display…