1. Mab in the Mirror
Mab Gwalia is Michael Sheen’s charitable foundation, fighting for fairness for those on the margins. To spread awareness about the great work Mab Gwalia is doing across Wales, we secured a column in today’s Daily Mirror for Michael to introduce the initiative to readers of one of Britain’s biggest newspapers. The article covers everything from a charity for mums, the unlikely link between his great-great grandmother and a circus charity in the Upper Neath Valleys, his thoughts on his first trip to the Eisteddfod, as well as book and film recommendations – both related to projects Michael and Mab have supported. You can read online here.
2. Coleg y Cymoedd learners shine
As thousands of learners celebrated getting their results yesterday on A-level results day, we were on hand at Coleg y Cymoedd to share the inspiring stories of A-level and vocation learners receiving their grades. It was a big day for Cymoedd, with three learners bagging places at the University of Oxford this September and hundreds of others confirming their first-choice universities or apprenticeships. You can read about the college’s results, as well as some of the learners’ stories, including Teigan Griffiths, who is looking forward to a career in the police after overcoming serious illness requiring her to have a stoma bag, on Wales Online, ITV News, Wales 247 and in the Western Mail.
3. Fresh shoots of business success
An innovative superfood enterprise founded during lockdown is supplying delicious, nutritious superfoods to most of Pembrokeshire’s acclaimed eateries, thanks to support from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. When Toni and Alex Borella turned their back on London careers and moved to Wales, they decided to launch Green Up Farm, their dream business farming micro greens and micro herbs. The loan has enabled marketing specialist Toni, and chef Alex, to invest in environmentally sound and hygienic packaging trays for their microgreens – the colourful and more flavoursome first shoots of seeds. Green Up Farm’s tasty offerings include sunflower, rose radish and pea shoot tendril and micro herbs – which take an extra week or so to grow – and include rainbow swiss chard and carrot tops. We’ve been sharing their story with the Western Telegraph, Tivyside Advertiser, News from Wales, with more to follow in the next issue of Insider magazine.
4. Exploring ‘PestSmart’ methods of pest control
All summer long we’ve been sharing natural alternatives to pesticides as part of Welsh Water’s PestSmart campaign. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to glam up your garden space without using pesticide products, take a look at our most recent influencer partnerships for the campaign. Matt from @gardeninthecountry plants marigolds next to his crops and flowers to protect them. LOVED by slugs, marigolds draw the critters away and prevent them from destroying your priority plants. Meanwhile, Clara from @dustandbricks has been using DIY garlic sprays and beer traps to combat slugs and aphids.
5. Working Word gets arty
Our last summer social was a blast, transforming our team’s bold digital ideas into actual works of art! We had an amazing time at The Printhaus, learning the process behind the Riso printer and crafting our own original prints! Today, the next group is heading to the studio, and we’re excited to see the masterpieces they’ll no doubt create.
