Author: Rhys Gregory

A recent survey has revealed that Welsh medium sized businesses in the food and drink sector are performing above national and global averages in terms of employee satisfaction. The Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Insight Programme, in partnership with Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales, commissioned and carried out the survey which delved into various areas of the workplace including job satisfaction, wellbeing, organisational culture, management feedback, facilities, training and employee engagement. The survey’s findings were notably positive, including Welsh businesses achieving an engagement score of 73%, surpassing the industry average of 71%. For the…

The Welsh Fitness Expo is delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Welsh Fitness Hall of Fame at the 2024 Welsh Fitness Expo. The Welsh Fitness Hall of Fame will recognise the Welsh athletes who’ve blazed a trail through the fitness world, putting Wales and their sport on the map! The hall of fame will celebrate athletes from across the fitness spectrum including, Bodybuilding, Strongman & Strongwoman, Powerlifting, CrossFit, Boxing, MMA, and Special Inductees. The first inductee into the 2024 hall of fame is, Amy Meredith.  Amy is one of the greatest bodybuilders to ever come out of Wales.…

Funded by Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature together with support from the Bridgend Local Nature Partnership, Pyle Community Council is set to receive £50k to transform derelict land that was once tennis courts into an edible forest garden. Situated at the rear of Pyle Swimming Pool, the land is earmarked for broadleaf trees, fruit trees, shrubs and wildflowers, as well as stone dust paths and seating around the site.   All of the plants planned for the space will either be edible or useful in some other way, such as providing shelter for a range of wildlife.  Information about habitats…

Three men from Swansea have been sentenced after riding off-road motorbikes dangerously on public roads earlier this year. Twenty-year-old Joshua Miller and 18-year-old Keiron Paton, both from Penlan, alongside 20-year-old Fraser Saunders, from Cockett, were observed ignoring red traffic lights and driving in a dangerous manner between Swansea Marina and Oystermouth Road on Saturday, January 27. The three riders failed to stop as directed, and during a pursuit, three stinger sites were set up in the Mumbles area, successfully stinging the bikes. The three riders were later arrested. Officers recovered all three bikes. Fraser Saunders admitted to driving whilst disqualified…

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Growing Mid Wales announces the launch of the Business Digital Connectivity Survey, aimed at businesses across the region, to better understand their current and future needs. This initiative is part of the Mid Wales Growth Deal Digital Programme, designed to enhance digital infrastructure and support business growth in our region. This survey seeks to engage with as many businesses as possible to gather valuable insights into current infrastructure, its suitability for business operations and future requirements. The data collected through this survey will be instrumental in establishing baseline information and making informed comparisons…

Health Secretary Eluned Morgan has today announced Welsh hospices will receive £4m in government funding to continue their vital work The funding will ensure people across Wales continue to receive palliative and end-of-life care from the network of hospices, which traditionally rely on fundraising and charitable donations. But the cost-of-living crisis has made fundraising increasingly difficult, making it harder for hospices to retain and recruit staff – some have had to consider whether they can continue to maintain services. The £4m, which will be shared by Wales’ 12 commissioned hospices, will help them maintain services, meet staffing costs, and improve…

Cardiff-based contract caterer, Cleverchefs, has won “Contract Caterer of the Year” at this year’s Public Sector Catering Awards. The awards, which were held earlier this month at the Hilton London Metropole, are open to catering individuals, teams and companies operating in a public sector environment. Founded in 2016 by Nick Collins, Cleverchefs is an innovative catering company, providing high-quality, nutritious food for the education, workplace and leisure sectors. It has grown from £2.7m in 2019 to £11.9m in 2023 and £16m sales this year, with a growing portfolio of 82 schools, three workplaces and two leisure sites. The judges at…

The rise of cryptocurrencies has opened new paths for money laundering. Criminals use the privacy and global reach of digital currencies to hide the source of illegally obtained money. AML (anti-money laundering) measures aim to fight this issue in the crypto sector. For example, the PlusToken scam tricked people into investing in a fake project and disappeared with users’ money. Another case is Suex, a company hit with U.S. sanctions for processing ransomware payments, showing how some crypto services can be misused. These examples highlight the need for strong AML rules in the crypto sector to prevent financial crimes. Who…

As the days stretch longer and the Welsh weather transitions into its warmer, inviting phase, the pull towards the great outdoors becomes undeniable. Summer in Wales offers a unique canvas for fitness enthusiasts and beginners alike, providing an opportunity to merge the breathtaking landscapes of Wales—from its rugged coastlines and serene beaches to its verdant valleys and majestic mountains—with the challenge of physical activity. This season, it’s time to step out of the confines of the gym and into the embrace of Wales’ natural beauty to rejuvenate your fitness routine. Whether it’s running along the scenic trails that crisscross the…

A new investment programme aimed at catalysing economic growth and social impact in the Northern Valleys was unveiled today (11 April 2024). The Northern Valleys Initiative aims to play a long-term levelling-up role in tackling some of the intra-regional disparities that exist within the Cardiff Capital Region. The Initiative, totalling £50m, has been set up by Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) and supported by Local Authority Delivery Teams from Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen. This will support businesses and projects that have the ability toincrease prosperity in the region.  Investments will be focused on businesses…