Author: Rhys Gregory

Entries are now sold out to the Ogi Porthcawl 10K which returns to the seaside town on Sunday 7 July. With just over two weeks to go, over 4,800 runners have snapped up spaces, making it the town’s biggest ever 10K event. To mark the sell-out milestone, title sponsor Ogi and race organisers Run 4 Wales have today revealed the finishers’ t-shirt and medal design. The vibrant yellow t-shirt design provides a nod to Porthcawl’s popularity with surfers and the traditional seaside holiday. Elite athlete, Hannah Irwin – winner of the 2024 ABP Newport 10K and Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay…

Unite, the UK’s leading union, has secured an inflation busting 11.6 per cent pay increase for bus drivers employed by First Cymru. The 300 plus drivers operate buses in South and West Wales working from depots in Swansea, Bridgend, Ammanford, Port Talbot, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest. The pay deal, which was hammered out through long and detailed negotiations, will see pay increase by 11.6 per cent over a six month period. In addition, there will also be improvements in overtime and weekend rates. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent result and demonstrates the power of having Unite…

Deloitte has announced the appointment of seven new directors in Wales as part of the firm’s annual round of promotions. Simon McNamara; Alex Mooney; Bhavik Patel; Alice Viles; and Adam Wareham have all been promoted to the position of director within the firm’s Tax & Legal practices. Ian Edwards and Jamie Garland have been promoted to director within the firm’s Enabling Functions team. In addition to the seven director promotes, there have been 187 promotions throughout Deloitte’s Welsh practice. The firm has also welcomed eight new apprentices through its award-winning, higher-level apprenticeship Brightstart scheme, which is run in partnership with…

A Welsh marine equipment manufacturer has achieved a $5 million boost in export revenue after opening a dedicated international base in the US, thanks to support from the Welsh Government. Powys-based Makefast Group designs and manufactures equipment for the marine and safety industries, as well as systems for super yachts and luxury boats including retractable sunroofs, awning units, and bathing platforms. Following soaring demand for its products in the USA, the company opened its first American headquarters in Maryland, and has since secured over $5 million in revenue from US deals alone since opening 12 months ago. The company has…

Kevin Blanco Ledesma, a second year BA International Gastronomy Management student at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is juggling his studies whilst running a newly-opened restaurant. Kevin, who was born in Spain, and was a finalist in the World Young Chef Young Waiter – Wales competition 2022, is the proud owner of Casa Blanco, a tapas restaurant at 85 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea. Kevin, who has previously worked as a head chef at restaurants in Spain and Swansea, credits the University for helping him start his own business and says the support from his lecturers has been fantastic. He said: “It’s been a…

New small business in Bridgend County Borough can now apply for support from the Business Start-up Fund, which offers grants of between £250 and £4,000 to assist with many essential costs of running a business. Bridgend County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise deliver the scheme in partnership to provide financial assistance to new or existing micro-businesses that are either already located or are planning to locate in Bridgend County Borough. The initiative provides grant funding to cover costs such as capital equipment, website development, building works to business premises and computer equipment. In order to be eligible, businesses have…

ssential work on the A473 Church Village Bypass requires a single overnight road closure followed by night-time lane closures throughout next week – scheduled at night to minimise disruption. The scheme will start with the overnight road closure, running from 8pm on Monday, June 24, to 6am on Tuesday, June 25. The A473 will close between Beddau and Cross Inn Roundabouts – please see a map of the closure and diversion route here. An alternative route for motorists is available via the A473, A4119, M4, M4 junction 32, A470, Upper Boat Roundabout, Tonteg Road and the Church Village Bypass –…

Work has begun to bring fast and reliable broadband to some of the most remote parts of Powys after the county council awarded a contract to BT Group. Openreach is managing the full-fibre internet build for BT, which will connect 24 ‘hard to reach sites’ but will also benefit at least 78 more that are on route to them and possibly as many as 119. Surveying and planning are due to start at most sites soon and all should be completed by the end of March 2025. The areas of Powys benefitting from the full-fibre internet build are: Forest Coal…

Global Offshore Wind conference left in no doubt as to Wales’ expertise and ambition. Speaking at the Global Offshore Wind conference in Manchester today, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language shared his ambitious vision for Wales in the offshore wind revolution. With the right mix of expertise and geography, Wales has long been a home to internationally pioneering offshore wind projects. As part of a keynote speech to an international industry audience, Cabinet Secretary, Jeremy Miles, vowed to build on this, putting a strong focus on strategic investment, robust supply chains, and developing skills to ensure…

CARDIFF’s local hospice City Hospice announced a key appointment as it celebrated its 40th anniversary with the appointment of Baroness Ilora Finlay of Llandaff as its Vice President. Baroness Finlay is a fellow at Velindre Cancer Centre and honorary professor of palliative medicine at Cardiff University, with extensive experience in palliative care and bereavement support. In 2001, she became a crossbench life peer in the House of Lords, with her policy interests covering health services, medicine, medical ethics, science and technology and issues affecting Wales. As Vice President of City Hospice, Baroness Finlay will act as an ambassador for the…