Latest news with #Wrexham-based
Powys County Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Welsh football league composition confirmed for new season
THE composition of next season's Welsh league has been confirmed. Football Association of Wales (FAW) officials met this week to confirm the make up of the JD Cymru Premier and both its northern and southern feeder leagues as well as Wales' four regional third tier divisions. Colwyn Bay and Llanelli make the step up to top flight which goes into its final season of the 12 club format without any mid Wales representation following the relegation of Newtown and Aberystwyth Town. TNS will now become mid Wales' and the border's sole representative in the elite. Aberystwyth Town have been relegated to JD Cymru South while Newtown join Caersws, Guilsfield and Penrhyncoch in JD Cymru North along with promoted Brickfield Rangers, Holyhead Hotspur and Rhyl 1879. Brecon Corries will continue to be Powys' sole representatives in the Ardal South East League. Meanwhile the Ardal North East League welcomes Llanrhaeadr, Knighton Town and Wrexham-based Lex XI while Corwen make the switch from the north western league. Knighton join southern Powys rivals Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells and Radnor Valley in representing their region while Llanrhaeadr join Kerry and Llanfair United as Montgomeryshire's representatives. Bow Street and Dolgellau AA will once again compete in the north east league while Cefn Albion, Llangollen Town, Llanuwchllyn, Penycae and Rhos Aelwyd complete the line up.
Business News Wales
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Village Bakery MD Honoured for Industry Contribution at Wales Food and Drink Awards
A top baker has been honoured for his 'outstanding contribution' to the Welsh food and drink industry. The accolade was bestowed on Robin Jones, who has led the Wrexham-based Jones Village Bakery through a period of growth, at the Wales Food and Drink Awards. The ceremony to recognise the best of the best in the sector was held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno and was hosted by former BBC journalist and TV presenter Sian Lloyd, who also hails from Wrexham. It was the latest in a long line of awards Robin has received, having previously been named Baker of the Year at the bakery industry Oscars and winning the Enterprise category at the Welsh Government's annual St David's Awards. Last month the Village Bakery was given a King's Award for Enterprise after achieving record overseas sales over the past three years. Robin said that receiving the Outstanding Contribution award was special because he was among his peers in the Welsh food and drink industry. He is a third generation master baker at the Village Bakery which was bought by his father, Alan Jones, and his grandfather, Harry Jones, in 1964. As a teenager, he helped out at the bakery every weekend and in the school holidays and after qualifying as a baker he joined the firm full time, later becoming managing director. He and his brother Christien, an engineer by trade, formed a team at the top of the company as it expanded rapidly over the past two decades. Robin said: 'The outstanding contribution award came as a big shock. We went there to celebrate the success of one of our apprentices, Tilly Squire, who was one of the finalists, which was fantastic. 'I was quite humbled because the success of the Village Bakery isn't down to me per se. It was an award for Christien, for Dad, all the staff and everyone who's worked at the Village Bakery and has put a lot of effort in. 'We've worked very hard with some amazing people and we've seen the bakery grow but without Christien we wouldn't have built such a successful business. 'We've got complementary skills. He's the engineer and I'm the baker – I think that's the ethos of a small business when it comes to growth. We make a good team. 'My Dad always said to me that you don't create a legacy by standing still and I think we have created a heck of a legacy thanks to everybody involved, past and present. It's been one hell of a journey.' Among the major highlights for Robin was the opening of their ground-breaking gluten free bakery in 2008 and the opening of a new, state-of-the-art bakery in 2015 by the then Prince of Wales, and the then Duchess of Cornwall, now Queen Camilla. But tough times lay ahead when their flagship bakery was destroyed by a devastating fire but, most importantly, all the staff evacuated the building without anybody being hurt.. Robin added: 'The fire on the 19th of August in 2019 was a terrible shock but I think it showed what was in the DNA of the people at Village Bakery. 'We turned it around. We've gone from strength to strength and have never looked back. Our darkest day became our finest hour. 'I'm very proud of what we've achieved. The Village Bakery is now recognised as one of the best bakeries in the UK. 'I recently attended a bakery exhibition in Germany and we had a lot of positive feedback from people across Europe which was great. 'We have built our business on innovation and sheer quality and we have more exciting plans in the pipeline so the company keeps evolving and growing – it's great to be part of that. 'The secret of our success is that we never stand still – it's one of things I insist on and that will be in our DNA forever.' Liz Brookes, co-founder of the Wales Food and Drink Awards, said: 'Robin Jones has not only helped drive incredible growth in the family firm over the past 30 years, he has also inspired others through his passion to upskill local young people and his contribution to the wider Welsh food and drink sector. 'Jones' Village Bakery is now one of the biggest employers in the Welsh food and drink industry and its successful export story is flying the flag for Wales.'
Leader Live
02-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham baker honoured at Wales Food and Drink Awards
Robin Jones, managing director of the Wrexham-based Jones Village Bakery, received the Outstanding Contribution award at this year's Wales Food and Drink Awards, held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. The event was hosted by Sian Lloyd, former BBC journalist and TV presenter. The award celebrated his service to the sector and his role in expanding the family business. Mr Jones said: "The outstanding contribution award came as a big shock. "We went there to celebrate the success of one of our apprentices, Tilly Squire, who was one of the finalists, which was fantastic. "I was quite humbled because the success of the Village Bakery isn't down to me per se. "It was an award for Christien, for Dad, all the staff and everyone who's worked at the Village Bakery and has put a lot of effort in." READ MORE: 'You've done Wrexham proud': Olly Pearson celebrated after BGT success Wrexham fans to travel nearly 6,700 miles in Championship next season A third-generation baker, Mr Jones began working at the family bakery as a teenager. The business was purchased by his father, Alan, and grandfather, Harry, in 1964. After qualifying as a baker, Mr Jones joined the company full-time, later becoming managing director. He and his brother Christien, an engineer, have led the business for more than 20 years. He said: "We've worked very hard with some amazing people and we've seen the bakery grow but without Christien we wouldn't have built such a successful business. "We've got complementary skills. "He's the engineer and I'm the baker – I think that's the ethos of a small business when it comes to growth. "We make a good team. 'My Dad always said to me that you don't create a legacy by standing still, and I think we have created a heck of a legacy thanks to everybody involved, past and present." Jones Village Bakery also launched a gluten-free bakery in 2008 and opened a new facility in 2015, which was attended by the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, now King Charles and Queen Camilla. However, the company has also faced challenges, including a fire that destroyed its flagship bakery in August 2019. He said: "The fire on August 19 in 2019, was a terrible shock but I think it showed what was in the DNA of the people at Village Bakery. "We turned it around. "We've gone from strength to strength and have never looked back. "Our darkest day became our finest hour. "I'm very proud of what we've achieved." Liz Brookes, co-founder of the Wales Food and Drink Awards, said: "Robin Jones has not only helped drive incredible growth in the family firm over the past thirty years, he has also inspired others through his passion to upskill local young people and his contribution to the wider Welsh food and drink sector. "Jones' Village Bakery is now one of the biggest employers in the Welsh food and drink industry, and its successful export story is flying the flag for Wales." Last month, the bakery received a King's Award for Enterprise in recognition of its record international sales in the past three years.
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Reviewing an afternoon spent at Wrexham Feast food festival
Last year's event was postponed and rescheduled for the May bank holiday weekend - and it was worth the wait. From food and drink to music and entertainment, there was something for everyone at the weekend-long event. And array of local Wrexham traders came together with others from across North Wales and some from over the border. There were fairground rides for the kids, and live music throughout the day. There were chefs on stilts telling culinary-related jokes, a mobile kitchen and host of other entertainment for people to enjoy. I had to try the food from one of the vendors - and chose the Istanbul Grill street food. The meat (I had the chicken kebab wrap) was grilled to perfection — juicy on the inside, with a nicely charred, smoky edge. You could tell it was marinated well, with layers of spices that didn't overpower but brought out the best in the meat. The pita was warm and slightly crispy on the edges, clearly fresh and the perfect wrap for the filling. It held everything together without getting soggy — a major plus for street food. (Image: Newsquest) The garlic sauce and chili combo added a creamy heat, balanced beautifully by the crunch of fresh lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. MORE NEWS: Apra Ames Roberts, of Wrexham-based Happy Hedgehog Foods, attended the event and gave a cookery demonstration. She said: "Wrexham Feast 2025 is just so lovely. There's something so exciting about an event buzzing with local food lovers. Shows like this mean the world to small producers like me. "Nothing beats seeing people try my products and light up."
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Celtic Manor owner saw wealth fall by £200m last year
Sir Terry, the owner of the Celtic Manor Resort, now has a personal wealth of £1.338 billion, according to the annual Sunday Times Rich List. The 81-year-old, who was raised in Newbridge, made his fortune in the telecoms industry. He studied electronics at Swansea University before starting out on his journey in business in Canada. There, he launched his telecommunications equipment business, Mitel, in 1973. Besides his telecoms ventures, Sir Terry owns the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales. (Image: Newsquest) The Newport businessman was the first billionaire in Wales and was the richest man in the country until 2012. Sir Terry currently ranks 119th in the UK rich list and fourth in Wales. The annual Sunday Times Rich List has seen a significant drop in the number of billionaires this year, from 177 in 2022 to 156. Cardiff-born billionaire Sir Michael Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman, hold the top position on the Welsh list, despite their fortunes falling by £168 million to £4.435 billion. Flintshire technology entrepreneur Simon Nixon, co-founder of takes second place with a worth of £1.95 billion. Llanelli-based Specsavers founder Douglas Perkins and his family are in third place with an estimated fortune of £1.539 billion. The fifth spot goes to Cardiff-born property investor and West Ham United owner David Sullivan and his family, with a net worth of £1.118 billion. Meanwhile, Alex Loven has been named the wealthiest person in Wales under 40. The 37-year-old started out in business selling cricket bats to his schoolmates at the age of 13. He later founded Wrexham-based Net World Sports. His net worth has increased to £262 million from £200 million last year, making him the 18th richest person under 40 in the UK. The 2025 Sunday Times Rich List names the 350 richest people in the UK based on identifiable wealth, including land, property, and assets such as art and racehorses, and significant shares in publicly quoted companies. The figures do not include bank accounts. This year's list, which includes notable figures such as Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger, and Sir Lewis Hamilton, holds a combined wealth of £772.8 billion. This sum is larger than the annual GDP of Switzerland but is down three per cent compared with last year. Robert Watts, the compiler of the guide, said: "Our billionaire count is down, and the combined wealth of those who feature in our research is falling. "We are also finding fewer of the world's super-rich are coming to live in the UK. "The Rich List's decline in billionaire numbers is the sharpest in its 37-year history, reflecting changing economic conditions. "Despite this, the list remains a testament to the significant wealth held by a small number of individuals and families in the UK. "The list highlights the ongoing concentration of wealth in certain industries, particularly technology and telecommunications, as exemplified by figures like Sir Terry Matthews and Sir Michael Moritz. "The Rich List provides a snapshot of the shifting landscape of wealth in the UK, with the fortunes of its members reflecting broader economic trends. "Despite a decrease in the number of billionaires and a dip in their combined wealth, the list continues to highlight the significant economic influence of its members.
