Latest News

Gwent property firm boss James Crawford has been recognised with a top director’s award.

James, chief executive of Torfaen-based Johnsey Estates UK Ltd, which owns Mamhilad Park Estate, has been awarded the Judges’ Special Award at the Institute of Directors Wales Awards 2019.

Mamhilad Park Estate is the successful business park in Pontypool, which is home to 150 occupiers where employment numbers have risen steadily over the past three years to now stand at more than 1,600.

The IOD Wales judges in their Judges’ Special Award citation said: “Many of the entries received by the IOD for this year’s awards covered the technology and service sectors but the judges’ awards criteria are wide ranging to encompass all the skills required from a director in the many diverse sectors that we have in Wales.

“The achievement of good results is often dependent on taking tough decisions at the outset of an appointment to provide a long-term basis for success of the business and the company.

“In this case, the judges were particularly impressed by this director’s adoption of a strategic plan, inclusive HR policies for staff and strong corporate governance as the basis of its investment decisions, all of which contributed to a very positive turnaround story for the business

“James Crawford has transformed a long-established family business in the property sector and regenerated the business park.”

James Crawford said: “I am thrilled to have been afforded this prestigious award from IOD Wales. I accept this judges’ Special Award as well deserved recognition and accolade for our team at Johnsey Estates who have worked tirelessly over recent years to transform Mamhilad Park Estate to the success story it is today.

“I must pay tribute to my Johnsey Estates board colleagues and in particular our chairman, Andrew Wilkinson, without whose support we just would not been able to achieve what we have done.”

The awards, now in their ninth year, celebrate business achievements and inspirational leaders across Wales, while bringing all sectors of the business community together, irrespective of size, geography and longevity.

IoD Wales director Robert Lloyd Griffiths said: “Businesses across Wales are making huge efforts to contribute to the economy and our members continue to make a positive impact in Wales, the UK and on the global stage.

“The Institute of Directors Wales Awards recognise the very best talent and achievements of directors, and we are confident that great directors mean great businesses, which ultimately means a better economy.”

Leading directors within two key Welsh tech companies were among 13 Welsh directors acknowledged at the awards, which were attended by Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales.

AT THE age of 85, and having been diagnosed with liver cancer, you may be forgiven for thinking Bob Purvis would want to take things slowly.

But the former army reservist is determined to do nothing of the sort, and has recently started learning to fly a helicopter as a means of taking his mind off his illness.

“Cancer is all to do with your attitude,” Mr Purvis said. “If you’re not positive, then the alternative is pretty grim.”

Mr Purvis, who is from Usk, has already completed one flying lesson, and has to do 45 hours in total if he is to obtain his helicopter pilot’s licence.

So far, he said, his decision to take up flying lessons has been completely justified.

“It’s an incredible experience, going over places you couldn’t possibly see from the road,” Mr Purvis said.

“The highlight has been learning to hover, which is quite difficult.

“I’ve found the whole things appeals to me need for excitement and my desire to take risks.”

Mr Purvis described himself as a “very, very positive person” and said he liked to think his initials – BP – also stood for “be positive”.

This isn’t his first experience as a pilot – he qualified as a glider pilot while doing his National Service aged 17 – but he said the helicopter was a lot easier to enter and exit at the age of 85.

“With wonky knees and a frozen shoulder, the only way I could get out of a glider now is if I was pushed out with a parachute over the Usk Valley,” he said.

Mr Purvis is learning to fly the Robinson 22 helicopter under the tutelage of Captain Alan Ramsden, at Tiger Helicopters in Shobdon, Herefordshire.

He is being supported by Gwent-based support charity St David’s Hospice Care, as well as St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.

Mr Purvis has set up an online fundraising page for St David’s – all money received will go directly to the charity.

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “Having recently been put in touch with Bob, we have been overwhelmed by his passion and desire to want to raise funds for St David’s Hospice Care, and will look to support him in every way possible.”

Mr Purvis has his sights set firmly on completing his flying hours and becoming a helicopter pilot, and has no plans to let his illness get in the way of that goal.

He said: “My specialist asked me how long I wanted to live. I told him I had to get my licence first.”

To donate to St David’s Hospice Care for Mr Purvis’ cause, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helicopterchallenge

A Newport hospice room has been named in recognition of the support for St David’s Hospice Care from insurance company Admiral.

Admiral, which has an office employing some 1,000 people in Newport city centre, is a stalwart supporter of the Newport-based charity.

And now room number one, called Abergavenny, in the £5m, 15-bed hospice at Malpas, Newport, has been dedicated to Admiral.

Admiral has supported the City of Newport Half Marathon, which was staged for the first time in 2013, since 2014. The increasingly popular annual event in the city is an important fund raiser for the charity.

Unveiling the Admiral room at the hospice in Blackett Avenue, Malpas, Emma Smallcombe, of Admiral, said: “It is a lovely gesture for St David’s Hospice Care to dedicate a room at the inpatient unit to Admiral. We recognise and are grateful for the tireless work the charity does throughout our community

“We have been delighted to play our part in supporting the charity through our sponsorship of the Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon over the years. I am pleased to be able to announce that we are happy to continue that support for the 2020 staging of the event.”

Emma was joined at the St David’s Hospice Care room dedication by a group of fellow Admiral, Newport, colleagues all of whom have a close personal connection with the work of the charity.

Emma Saysell, chief executive of St David’s Hospice Care, helping to dedicate the room to Admiral, said: “Admiral has provided wonderful support to us over recent years for which we are extremely grateful.”

Christine Vorres, who organises the Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon, said: “It’s wonderful news that Admiral will again be supporting the half marathon in 2020. We look forward to working with Admiral over the coming months to deliver the event next year and in future years.”

There are now just three of the 15 rooms remaining undedicated at the hospice. Each of the rooms is named after either a South Wales castle or river. The remaining rooms are: 3: Caldicot, 5: Crickhowell and 6: Ebbw.

Registration for the Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon 2020 opens next month.

GWENT father and son Andy and Nathan Reeks will achieve a lifetime’s dream when they set off to cycle the length of Great Britain.

Andy, aged 63, and his estate agent son Nathan, 35, both from Caldicot, are in training for the gruelling Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride in aid of Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care

Andy, chairman of Caldicot Running Club, and Nathan, one of the directors of Caldicot-based Nathan James Estate Agents, are aiming to complete the momentous, 1,019 mile ride in July.

And who better to get advice and tips on the Lejog than former Wales rugby international Adrian Hadley, who is St David’s Hospice Care deputy chief executive, who has himself completed the ride.

The Monmouthshire duo visited St David’s Hospice Care, in Malpas, Newport, to see for themselves where the money they raise will go and to discuss tactics with Adrian.

Nathan said: “It’s great to get tips from someone who was actually endured and completed the ride.

“Dad and me have always had a shared interest in sport. Andy is an accomplished runner, and with his encouragement and coaching I followed in his footsteps as a teenager. “

A friend of the family carried out this impressive ride with Andy in the support team in 1990, when local champion cyclist, Pauline Strong, set a female endurance record of just under two days and seven hours for Lejog.

“Lejog is something that we have talked about doing ourselves for many years although not at the pace set by Pauline. With our family business established, and children growing up, we just felt the time was right to go for it now.”

The pair aim to complete the ride in 12 days covering some 100 miles a day and staying at Caravan Club site pitches, donated by the organisation, along the way.

The pair are being supported along the way by good friend Ian Waite.

Nathan said: “We really couldn’t do this trip without Ian’s help and support. He is our ‘life support’ on the trip. Ian will be driving the camper van, cooking and even servicing the bikes each night ready for the next day’s ride.”

“We are distance runners rather than riders, both with marathons under our belt. So distance cycling is new to us. But we’ve taken it in our stride, and are now comfortable doing 60-mile training rides. We are looking at covering around 100 miles a day on the ride, so we are where we need to be at the moment.”

Adrian Hadley, who says he still has nightmares about his ride, said: “I take my hat off to the pair. I’ve ridden that route and believe me it’s not something to be taken lightly. It’s one hell of a challenge and St David’s Hospice Care is supremely grateful for them choosing to complete the ride in aid of the charity.”

People can donate in person at Nathan James Estate Agents’ office, or online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nathan-reeks.

ULTRA Arctic marathon competitor Paul Fosh is due back in Wales tomorrow (Thursday) after being forced to pull out of an event in the Yukon Arctic in -40c temperatures.

Paul, aged 52, owner of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, was taking part in his third and most arduous and longest Arctic challenge, the 430-mile Arctic Ultra in north west Canada.

The father-of-two from Monmouth set off on the marathon on Sunday but faced with increasingly hazardous Arctic Circle conditions had to call it day and was taken back to base camp.

A spokesperson for Paul Fosh Auctions, who has been tracking Paul’s course in the Yukon, said: “The temperatures were dipping below -40c and Paul was really worried about getting frost bite. He wasn’t eating properly and as a result lost energy. In the end he couldn’t eat.

“It was a vicious circle and in the end he just didn’t have the energy to carry on and had to pull out.

“News got to us that Paul had to withdraw from the Arctic race.

“With conditions dropping to -40 degrees Celsius on the previous night, Paul camped in his tent to keep warm.

“Unfortunately, he was struggling to take any food on and with his energy levels being depleted, made the agonising decision to pull out for his own safety

“He’s now safe and sound back at base camp and could be back in the Paul Fosh Auctions office by the end of the week. We’d all like to congratulate Paul on his amazing effort and can’t wait to hear all about it on his return.”

The auctions business hosts its first auction of the year tomorrow evening at The Park Inn, Llanedyrn, Cardiff starting at 5.30pm and auction staff say it’s not unlikely Paul will attend.

FUNDRAISING cyclist Ed Beverley-Jones has begun his ascent of Mount Etna as he continues his epic “Seismic Cycling” challenge to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care.

Mr Beverley-Jones is well-known for his charity work. For his current adventure, he set off from the top of Abergavenny’s Sugar Loaf on October 25 and cycled through the UK, France, and Monaco on his way to the volcanoes of Italy.

After scaling Vesuvius on Christmas Day, Mr Beverley-Jones is currently on the slopes of Mount Etna, and after reaching the summit will begin the return leg of his trip.

Speaking to the South Wales Argus from halfway up the Sicilian volcano, Mr Beverley-Jones said he had endured a “hell of a rough night” with “strong, blustery winds, thunder and lightning.”

He added: “I was well relieved to lay eyes on a smoking Etna after a very arduous journey following the very mountainous Italian coastline.

“Along the way I was stunned by the extraordinary leaning tower of Pisa which caught my eye in the distance.

“I am rather daunted by the size of Etna so ascending this will be my biggest challenge.

“I know how hard it will be after summiting Vesuvius on Christmas day, which is not as colossal or covered in snow like Etna, but still gave me an immense rush.”

At each stage of his journey, Mr Beverley-Jones has kept his Facebook followers entertained with videos showing the highs and lows of his solo trip. Video subjects have included musical numbers and cookery masterclasses using rather unusual ingredients, as well as spectacular views and a “happy birthday” message for his daughter.

Mr Beverley-Jones said he had had an enjoyable New Year’s Day in Sicily until some locals started a fireworks display.

“New Year’s Day I was snuggled up in my sleeping bag up a mountain above a smaller town of Pizzo,” he said.

“I ate hazelnuts for supper and drank the finest Italian milk, and was nicely asleep, then suddenly awoken by a warzone [which] sounded like bombs rather than fireworks.”

Mr Beverley-Jones has set a fundraising target of £10,000 for St David’s Hospice Care. To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ed-jones4

Last year, he raised thousands of pound for the same charity when he cycled from Wales to the Sahara Desert and back, following the migratory patterns of swallows.

A Newport charity is offering a stage to musicians who can entertain patients at its day hospices throughout the area.

If you don’t feel your musical talent is being appreciated, need a fresh audience or a break to showcase your talents, then St David’s Hospice Care may well have the answer.

Don’t worry if music is a foreign language and you don’t know one end of a guitar from another the charity is also looking for wordsmiths, speakers, arts and crafts people and all manner of therapists.

The charity is also offering space for yoga and pilates teachers to gently stretch themselves and their subjects.

St David’s Hospice Care volunteer co-ordinator, Helen Froude, started as a volunteer herself before being appointed to the position earlier this year.

The former computer programmer at Newport’s, Newport Waferfab for 35 years, Mrs Froude decided to volunteer as she wanted to keep active

Mrs Froude, whose husband Robert also volunteers at the charity said: “It’s such a worthwhile thing to do. I love what I do and being able to steer others in the right direction when they are looking to volunteer at the charity.”

Commenting on the current recruitment drive she said “We are always looking for exciting new ‘experiences’ to offer our patients in our various day Hospices throughout south east Wales. We have a range of opportunities for volunteers to do their thing in our centres in, Newport, Brecon, Caerphilly, Torfaen and Monmouth.

“We’re looking for musicians who have a couple of hours a week to spare to come and entertain our patients at one or maybe even all of our centres. We’re looking for anyone with a musical talent who would be able to offer short performances to our day hospice patients.

“We also need qualified complementary therapists in reflexology, massage and aromatherapy to sign up to volunteer on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for a for minimum of 2.5 hours each session

“Crafters, anyone with a skill or talent in arts and crafts, are also invited to offer sessions to patients in our day hospices, perhaps a few hours a month. We also want poets to come along to recite their work and offer workshops for people to join in with at the day hospice.

“Speakers, people able to talk on topics such as nature, photography, local history or sports would be of interest as well. We are also keen for yoga and pilates teachers to volunteer to offer gentle sessions with day hospice patients.”

Maureen Canellas, of Newport, says she volunteers one day a week ‘as it keeps me active and busy’; June Lewand, of Newport, volunteers two mornings a week ‘for the camaraderie and friendship and giving back to the community’ while Carol Austin, from Chepstow, who worked in a doctor’s surgery in Caldicot for 17 years, started volunteering after her late husband Malcolm was cared for by St David’s Hospice Care.

If you would like to volunteer or are able to support St David’s Hospice Care in any of the above activities please call 01633851051 or email elen.froude@stdavidshospicecare.org

A unique relationship has developed between Monmouth Rotary and St David’s Hospice Care through the staging of the Monmouth Raft Race, charity chief executive Emma Saysell said.

Accepting a cheque for £16,300, from the 53rd staging of the event, Mrs Saysell said: “The support we receive from Monmouth Rotary is very, very special. The partnership we have forged over the past years is quite unique.”

The 2018 event raised a total of £21,734, with St David’s Hospice Care receiving 75 per cent of this and the remainder going to other Monmouth Rotary charities.

Members of Monmouth Rotary visited the Newport-based hospice to present the money and to learn more about the work of the charity.

Mrs Saysell welcomed news St David’s Hospice Care would again be one of the charities benefitting from the raft race in 2019.

She said: “The raft race is wonderful for the money it provides for the charity and the way in which it helps raise our profile, puts a spotlight on the care we provide and other work that we do and also that of Monmouth Rotary.

“The support Monmouth Rotary provides is truly amazing. We really couldn’t do the work that we do in the community without your support and similar support we receive from businesses, fund raisers and other organisations.”

Mrs Saysell said: “At any one time, over the two week festive period for example, 1,100 people were being cared for in their homes, free of charge, by St David’s Hospice Care nurses.”

Monmouth Rotary president, Patrick Chatterton said: “We are delighted to be able to continue to demonstrate our unique bond with St David’s Hospice Care.

“We are proud to have been able to donate such a marvellous amount of money to St David’s Hospice Care from this year’s event, to help them to continue to provide vital hospice and related services to those suffering life threatening illnesses throughout our community.”

The main sponsors for the 2018 event were David Wilson Homes, which is building a housing development at Kings Wood Gate in Monmouth, and Mandarin Stone. Siltbuster Ltd, of Monmouth, Harrison Clark Rickerby’s solicitors, from Ross on Wye, and Jolly Clothing, of Monmouth, are each sponsors of an award.

Mr Chatteron said: “Sponsors are a vital part of the whole event as the more money we raise through corporate sponsorship to cover the organisational costs means we are able to make a larger donation to charity.”

Monmouth Raft Race 2019 will be staged on Sunday, September 1. Entry costs £75 per raft including a commitment to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship. A significant early bird discount is available.

For full details visit www.monmouthraftrace.com or call Monmouth Raft Race secretary, Rotarian David Forbes on 01600 712665 or Kris Broome at St David’s Hospice Care on 01633 851051.

A POPULAR charity run in aid of a Gwent hospice will return for a ninth year in February.

The Pontypool 10k Home Run, first held in 2011, will be held on Sunday, February 24, and will once again raise awareness and funds for St David’s Hospice Care.

Participants will run from Pontypool to Mamhilad and back along the scenic Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal towpath.

Entry to the the event, sponsored by Crossfords Oil and Tool Supplies Ltd, is £16, with all proceeds going to the hospice.

The event is suitable for people aged 15+. Runners can collect their numbers from Pontypool Active Living Centre from 8am on the day, with the race leaving Pontypool Park at 10am. Everyone who finishes will get a medal.

For tickets or more information, contact: 01633 851051 or register online at: stdavidshospicecare.org

This event also coincides with the Pontypool Family Fun Run, which is a less intense challenge for those who still want to show their support for the charity, which was founded in 1979 and provides free care to patients and their families throughout Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Caerphilly, as well as south and mid Powys.

The fun run was held for the first time this year, and proved a massive success, so is being held for a second year.

The event is open to all ages and abilities, with participants taking on a 2km course around Pontypool Park.

The non-competitive run will start shortly after the 10k runners have left.

Unlike the 10k, it isn’t a race and is strictly for fun, but all proceeds will also go towards St David’s Hospice Care.

Registration will open in 2019, with entry at £3 each, or £5 for two.

Participants younger than eight must be accompanied by an adult.

The Fun Run is supported by Torfaen Sports Development and the Pontypool Junior parkrun team.

To find out more about the Pontypool Family Fun Run, or book tickets, email: fundraising@stdavidshospicecare.org

For more information about St David’s Hospice Care and their tireless work for the community, visit: stdavidshospicecare.org