Author: Rhys Gregory

Things are hotting up at the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, with eight sessions a day EVERY day of the week until the end of July. Lido Ponty’s timetable has now switched to summer, which means two early morning swim sessions every day of the week, plus the usual six family fun sessions, when the inflatables are out and the fountain is on, on weekends, school holidays and bank holidays. Added to the timetable are the weekday day-time swims, running from 9am to 3.30pm (all three pools are open including the splash pool) and two after-school fun sessions with…

Hundreds of thousands of pupils in Wales are taking action on climate change as the Eco-Schools education programme celebrates 30 years. Eco-Schools is one of the largest global sustainable school programmes – engaging millions of children across 73 countries, by starting in the classroom and expanding to the community to engage the next generation in action-based learning. In Wales, 90 per cent of schools across every local authority take part in Eco-Schools. This equates to more than 400,000 pupils – one of the highest participation rates in the world! The Eco-Schools programme empowers and inspires young people to make positive…

Cwmbran-based Accountancy firm, Green & Co has launched a ‘first-of-its-kind’ partner program which gives senior accountants the support they need to become Partners. The Program is an opportunity for Accountants who want to become business leaders and will act as a three-year Partner apprenticeship. Those accepted will go through everything they need to achieve Partnership status including the training, experience and ethos of the company, as they shadow the current partners and build their confidence and understanding of the role. The program is a response to the challenges the wider industry faces in attracting and retaining financial staff, particularly in…

In the realm of savvy gambling enthusiasts, matched betting stands tall as a strategic approach to consistently making profits. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a curious novice, understanding the ins and outs of matched betting can lead you to lucrative opportunities. What is Matched Betting? At its core, matched betting is a technique used to exploit free bets and incentives offered by bookmakers to ensure a guaranteed profit. Unlike traditional gambling, where outcomes are uncertain, matched betting involves placing two opposing bets to cover all possible outcomes. By utilizing free bets and promotional offers, bettors can minimise risks and…

A Redditch-based pharmacy group has acquired two further sites in South Wales backed by a funding package from HSBC UK. Knights Pharmacy has acquired the sites in Newport – one in Abercarn and one in Cwmcarn – which were previously owned by Evans Group. The Abercarn site dispenses 12,000 items annually to local residents, while the Cwmcarn site issues approximately 5,000. Following the acquisition, Knights Pharmacy plans to enhance the services at the Abercarn site by opening a new treatment room, in addition to its existing one. The company also intends to continue offering independent prescribing services at both locations,…

A Ceredigion couple who were frustrated when their local chippie was closed over a Bank Holiday weekend found the perfect answer – they took over the business. Aled and Nia Roberts jumped into action when the chip shop in Llanon, between Aberystwyth and Aberaeron, was put on the market just days later and they were able to lease the property. Eighteen months later they have built up trade based on good, locally sourced food as well as their extensive promotion of the Welsh language and displaying local history and culture prominently in their front windows. Customers have written glowing reviews…

Home sales in Wales continued to increase in number last month, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey. However, prices continued to fall and this trend is expected to continue. A net balance of 52% of surveyors in Wales reported that sales rose through the month of May. This is the highest balance across all UK regions and well above the UK average of -13%. Surveyors also expect that sales will continue to rise over the next three months, with a net balance of 16% of respondents in Wales anticipating an increase. Looking at…

A 59-year-old man from Margam will be taking on the Ogi Porthcawl 10K as he recovers from bowel cancer treatment. Mike Churchill, who works as a printer, had always been fit and active, regularly running and taking part in triathlons when he was younger. He was very in tune with his body which is why, when something didn’t seem quite right in April 2022, he went to see his doctor. Mike, who is father to Harrison, 23, said: “I was training to do the Cardiff Half and didn’t feel that fit, which I put down to ageing and getting slower.…

Growing Mid Wales (GMW) has initiated an innovative mobile mapping project to enhance digital infrastructure in Mid Wales. This project, one of the first of its kind in Wales, aims to identify areas with poor mobile coverage and network capacity, known as ‘mobile not-spots.’ By employing advanced mobile data-capturing devices installed in waste collection vehicles across Powys and Ceredigion, the project will gather crucial data for improving mobile and 4G internet connectivity. Waste collection vehicles will continue their regular routes, leveraging their comprehensive network to ensure thorough data collection without additional logistical costs. This cost-effective approach provides an efficient solution…

Summer’s here and it’s that time of year when we think about booking a holiday to sunnier shores, perhaps a quick week away or the annual family holiday. This year, it could be worth looking for somewhere different. Somewhere with glorious weather, where temperatures are forecast between 25 and 30°C, with beautiful sandy beaches, quality hotels and low local prices. Congratulations, you’ve discovered Bulgaria! It’s the destination everyone’s talking about this year. The weather’s great, with the country bordering Greece and Turkey. Add those wonderful sandy beaches and you’ve got a winner! It’s the amount of money you can save…