Author: Rhys Gregory

Gwasg Pia, one of the UK’s leading independent accessible format providers, has transitioned into employee ownership (EO), nearly forty years after it was founded as a cooperative in 1985. Set up as a typesetting business designing and producing printing plates, the company changed direction after winning a major contract to publish a braille handbook for a BBC Radio 4 programme. It then expanded to become a limited company in 1992, developing Braille Maker, the UK’s leading braille translation software. Sharon Williams joined the company in 1999 without an official job title, but as general help around the office, swiftly progressing…

ERS, the UK’s largest specialist motor insurer with a 75-year history, has announced plans to significantly strengthen its counter fraud team in its Swansea office by investing in both people and technology. The move is designed to help the company get ahead in the changing nature of claims and has two objectives: to identify and prevent more instances of fraud – leading to lower premiums for customers – and to create new fraud prevention career opportunities in Swansea. In January this year, Tom Cummings joined the group as Head of Counter Fraud, taking charge of ERS’ strategy for tackling policy…

Up to £3,000 is available to businesses of all sizes on Anglesey to help them make more use of Welsh from day-to-day. The aim is to strengthen business engagement with local customers and the community, as well as give visitors a unique Welsh experience. As part of the Arfor scheme, and led by Menter Môn the funding is available to enable companies to make the language more visible in their operations. But, with only a few weeks left to apply the message is clear – there’s no time to lose to apply for the support. It’s seen as an opportunity…

A 32-year-old man has been charged following the seizure of a large quantity of European eels at Holyhead Port. A vehicle was stopped at the port by Border Force in January earlier this year, where numerous boxes containing the fish were recovered. A joint investigation was launched into the incident between the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team, National Wildlife Crime Unit and CEFAS (Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). Kevin Forbes, of Rossa Court, Dungannon in Northern Ireland has since been charged with offences under the Customs and Excise Act, Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations 2018…

Porthcawl Comprehensive School has claimed the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Gold Award for its outstanding wellbeing provision. The much-coveted award, recognised UK wide, was established several years ago through a collaboration between the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, part of Leeds Beckett University, and social enterprise, Minds Ahead. Demonstrating a whole-school approach to supporting the mental health of staff and pupils, Porthcawl Comprehensive School was assessed against eight competencies, ranging from leadership and strategy, support for pupils and staff, to working with external services. Kath Owens, Assistant Headteacher: Director of Planning…

Residents in a local Swansea community have helped develop a project to boost nature and increase green space. Swansea Council has begun work to transform a main roundabout in Townhill by planting more trees, plants and a rock garden. The large roundabout is at the heart of Townhill’s retail centre at Graiglwyd Square and mainly features paving stones at present. Funding has been secured through the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and via the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature programme. During the next few weeks, the site will be transformed into much greener attraction for locals and also to…

The Sport Pembrokeshire team have put in an oar-some effort to spruce up the premises of a popular Pembrokeshire rowing club. Sponsored by Valero as part of Sport Pembrokeshire’s annual Task Force Day, the volunteer team picked up their brushes to give Fishguard and Goodwick Jemima Rowing Club a new lick of paint. Based in the picturesque surroundings of Lower Town Fishguard, Fishguard and Goodwick Jemima Rowing Club is a Disability Sport Wales accredited Insport Club at Ribbon level. The Task Force Day – now in its seventh year – is a small way the Sport Pembrokeshire team can give…

A new workspace and enterprise hub, designed to give local people the support they need to start and grow their businesses, has opened in Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent. The build was funded by Welsh Government – Tech Valleys and the internal fit out was funded by UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund – Supporting Local Business Pillar. Located on Lime Avenue, Ebbw Vale, Goldworks has been launched by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC) and will be a space for freelancers, workers and founders to work alongside each other, fostering a supportive community for startups and small businesses. Goldworks is a…

Two Town centre shops have appeared before Merthyr Magistrates Court for selling vapes to a 15 year old boy in Merthyr Tydfil. One of the businesses also sold a vape which did not comply with UK Regulations. Omed FARAJ of Cloud Vapes, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, failed to turn up to Merthyr Magistrates Court on 2nd October 2024 and the case, brought by the local authority Trading Standards Team, was heard in his absence. This related to an offence under Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015. The Court heard how the 15 year old purchased a…

On Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford has urged community groups to apply for funding to help the Welsh language thrive from the Perthyn Small Grants Scheme. Community groups are able to apply for a small grant to help them set up a new social enterprise, and/or community-led housing projects. The grant aims to create economic opportunities, provide affordable housing, and support Welsh-speaking communities with high numbers of second homes. This is the fourth round of the grant, and to date 47 community projects have secured funding. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and…