Author: Rhys Gregory

B Sidoli & Sons Ltd, Ebbw Vale, have been awarded two Business Development Grants that has assisted with the purchase of a rotary ice cream filling machine. The new machine will create greater efficiencies and maintenance resulting in less idle time for repairs and more time filling packaging with ice cream, enabling Sidoli’s to fulfil all orders on time and attract new customers.  The new machine will increase output per hour whilst also reducing their energy consumption and carbon footprint. The second Business Development Grant was used to help fund the replacement of ageing delivery vehicles. The new vehicles will…

A giant puppet, poetry, community choir and advice on funding were amongst the highlights of Monmouthshire’s second Creative Celebration. On Friday, 11 April, County Hall was once again full of creative thinking as Monmouthshire’s creative professionals and cultural organisations came together. This year’s theme focused on film, theatre, music, script writing, and hearing from those who achieved creative success in 2024. The event featured presentations, a Q&A panel, workshops, a marketplace and performances. Participants heard about work that has been done so far to support the arts in Monmouthshire, and next steps in the development of a Cultural Strategy for the…

Get ready for a literary extravaganza as the Merthyr Tydfil Arts and Literature Festival returns on Thursday, May 1st, from 9am to 3pm, hosted by the Stephens and George Charitable Trust in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Now in its eighth year, this free, family-friendly event is set to welcome over 4,000 children for a day full of books, creativity, culture, and community joy. This year, BBC Studios Drama Productions team is joining in on the fun, alongside stars from Pobol y Cwm and Casualty. Don’t miss the BBC Careers Marquee and the ‘GET IN’ Experience, offering hands-on…

A new platform is helping children read Welsh, even if their parents can’t, by teaching them how to pronounce words. Already helping over 52,000 users in Wales and across the world learn to read in Welsh, Darllen Co, has been backed by a Welsh Government fund for new Welsh-language technology. The paid for digital reading platform has been designed by Welsh teachers for schools and families. It features over 180 books and magazines from more than 20 Welsh authors, as well as integrated audiobooks and quizzes. Over 300 Welsh medium schools are already subscribed to the platform to develop learners’…

The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Placemaking Grant has been extended for a further two years with a substantial £26m of funding being made available to support town centres across Wales.  The Transforming Towns Placemaking Grant was introduced in March 2021 to consolidate various smaller regeneration grants into a single, streamlined capital grant programme. It supports a wide range of interventions such as commercial property improvements, more town centre living and better-quality public spaces. It will also support more greening of our town centres with new recreational facilities like small parks and play areas. The maximum grant allowance has also been increased…

Not too long ago, the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) felt like something from a science fiction film. Now? It’s in our pockets, our homes, and even our conversations. From voice assistants that help us set reminders to smart recommendations on streaming platforms, AI is blending into our daily routines almost seamlessly. What’s even more fascinating is how user-friendly and accessible AI tools have become. You no longer need a tech background to use AI. Whether it’s asking your phone for directions, getting real-time translations while travelling, or using an ai art generator to create digital masterpieces, AI is no…

The world of trading has seen a significant transformation in recent years. With artificial intelligence (AI) taking centre stage, the age-old debate between humans and machines has intensified. But in 2025, who truly holds the upper hand in trading? This article explores the strengths and weaknesses of both, shedding light on their capabilities in the competitive trading landscape. The Role of AI in Modern Trading AI has revolutionised trading by processing vast amounts of data at unparalleled speeds. Advanced algorithms can instantly analyse market movements, identify patterns, and execute trades. These tools have been invaluable in various sectors, particularly in…

SONDER bar & bistro will officially open its doors in the heart of Canton-Pontcanna on Bank Holiday Monday (21st April). The new neighbourhood restaurant – headed up by Chef Jake Lewis – will offer a seamless transition from casual daytime dining to long, relaxed evenings of dinner and drinks. A friendly Neighbourhood Bar & Bistro by Jake Lewis At the helm of SONDER is Chef Jake, formerly Executive Chef at Pasture restaurants in Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham. Here, Jake brings his passion for approachable yet exciting cuisine to his first solo venture. Located on Llandaff Road, SONDER’s April Bistro menu…

21-year-old Freya Curtis has opened the first LGBTQ+ themed bar in Merthyr Tydfil with the help of a £35,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales to part-fund start-up costs. With live shows, karaoke nights and drag shows, Sparkles is already proving popular with the local community. Four part-time jobs have been created. As the daughter of Marnie and Matthew Curtis who run Merthyr Tydfil Labour Club, Freya has grown-up in the hospitality industry. She worked for her parents before deciding to start her own business venture. Freya said: “I’ve learnt so much from my parents about how to run…

Forty-three years into her life, Gwenno Saunders has been many people. The disaffected Cardiff schoolgirl; the teenage Las Vegas dancer; the singer in indie pop group The Pipettes. There was a turn in a Bollywood film, a nightclub tour, a stint cleaning floors in an East London pub. Long before she would become an acclaimed solo songwriter in both Welsh and Cornish, a winner of the Welsh Music Prize, a nominee for the Mercury, a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh, there were the days of Nevada, London, Brighton; of Irish dancing, techno clubs, messiness and chaos. Utopia, Saunders’ fourth solo…