Author: Rhys Gregory

Plant construction innovator Nathan John is hoping his virtual reality, remote-controlled mini excavator will put his business on even firmer foundations. Powerfab, based in Cardiff and Swansea, has been supported by a £50,000 investment from Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE to help him develop and market his new generation of environmentally-friendly mini-excavators. Within three years, he plans to have a network of service agents around the UK selling and maintaining the machines, and a staff of ten and a company turnover of £2 million. The new range of battery-powered machinery is, according to Mr John, cleaner, safer, quieter and more efficient…

A talented young conductor from North Wales who rejected a teacher’s advice to become a dentist is making his West End debut with singing star Lucy Thomas. Robert Guy, 36, who was recently appointed as the new principal conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, will conduct a 30-piece London orchestra at Lucy’s concert on October 22 at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London. Singer Lucy Thomas was catapulted to global fame after appearing on the ITV show, The Voice Kids UK,  at the age of 14 in 2018, finishing as a semi-finalist. The 20-year-old has since released…

The largest cultural festival in Europe, The National Eisteddfod is held in a different part of Wales each year and is currently taking place until Saturday 10th August in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd. Just down the road is an award-winning craft distillery located in the cellars of the 400-year-old, Grade-I listed Hensol Castle. Hensol Castle Distillery recognises the importance of the Eisteddfod to Welsh culture and the team has created a Limited Edition Gin with 100% of the profits going towards the Eisteddfod fund. Castle Hensol Jin Myfyr Morganwg is a twist on the distillery’s award-winning Welsh Dry Gin, infused with…

MORE than 50 schoolchildren enjoyed a skills day amidst the creature comforts of Coleg Cambria Northop. Pupils from Ysgol Owen Jones, based in the Flintshire village, took part in a range of activities centred on Maths, English and Digital Literacy. They also had the opportunity to view and handle some of the wide range of species at the site’s Small Animal Centre, which houses more than 200 types from reptiles, fish and amphibians to mammals, birds and invertebrates. Cambria lecturer Paul Williams hopes the skills day will become an annual event. “It was great to have pupils with us from…

Members of a pioneering food partnership in Gwynedd heard how a leading restaurant chain spent £1.3 million with local artisan producers last year. Dylan’s, which serves 400,000 customers a year at its restaurants in Menai Bridge, Criccieth, Llandudno and Conwy, specialises in locally produced food and is now looking for more suppliers closer to home. David Retallick, Dylan’s Marketing, Media and Community Relations Manager, issued the appeal at a Gwynedd Food Partnership event at the business’s Criccieth restaurant. The event was organised as part of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Food Partnerships, run by Menter Môn, a social enterprise based in…

Following a recent remodel, PizzaExpress Cardiff St David’s is ready to serve pizza with pizzazz for returning and new customers. Having long been a favourite with locals and visitors alike since first opening, the restaurant is located in Cardiff’s lively St David’s Shopping Centre, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Cardiff Castle, making it the perfect destination for a meal during a shopping spree or after a day of sightseeing. Inside the new-look restaurant, customers will now be able to see vibrant colours and sophisticated pendant lighting, along with unique artwork by Italian interior designer Enzo Apicella,…

The New Saints have announced the signing of goalkeeper Becca Elliott as the squad continues to take shape ahead of the new season.  Elliott makes the move to Park Hall having most recently played for Bangor Women. The Saints’ newest recruit also boasts international accolades, having made appearances for both Wales’ U17 and U19 sides during her career to date. Prior to her time at Bangor, Elliott has played for a wide range of clubs in the Welsh football pyramid including Flint Town United, Prestatyn Town, Llandudno and Caernarfon Town. The 25-year-old will be hoping to play a key role…

Cardiff-based European road freight operator, Europa Road, is marking its most successful month since opening in 2022. The local team of seven, based at Cardiff Gate Business Park, Ponteprennau, is celebrating a record month supporting Welsh exporters with an impressive 300 consignments logged throughout June. Chelsea Bartlett, Cardiff Branch Manager comments: “I’m really proud of the Cardiff branch for exceeding expectations and delivering some fantastic results. We manage some unusual and sometimes challenging cargo, under tight time constraints, but the team have really risen to the challenge this last month. It is our responsibility to find our customers the perfect…

Croeso Pubs Ltd has officially opened The Bear’s Head in Penarth with a little help from former rugby star turned Fab Four coffee connoisseur Lee Byrne. The South Wales pub chain already runs seven venues including The Philharmonic and Brewhouse in Cardiff city centre, and now its latest acquisition in Windsor Road, Penarth, formerly run by JD Wetherspoons, is back open with some special extras. The Bear’s Head has always been hugely popular with Penarth locals due to its bottomless coffee, but soon regulars will be able to enjoy the try-mendous custom-made Croeso coffee blend all day long, thanks to…

CITY Hospice’s award-winning Forever Flowers display at Cardiff Castle opened to the public on Saturday (3 August). Forever Flowers provides an opportunity for people to unite and remember cherished family members, friends, colleagues and loved ones with unique and lasting tributes. This year’s flower, the Remember Me Rose, symbolises love, affection and respect, while the colour also pays tribute to the charity’s ruby anniversary which is being marked in 2024. Over a thousand expertly crafted, limited edition roses feature in the spectacular free display, which runs until 11 August in the grounds of the castle. Those who have purchased a…