The fastest growing firm in Cardiff is…

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 3, 2012

Williams PM Electrical Limited, a Cardiff-based mechanical and electrical contractor, has been crowned the fastest-growing business in Cardiff.

Formed in 2009, the company employs highly skilled electricians, experienced in all aspects of domestic and commercial electrical work.

The main core of business is focused within the social housing sector, covering most regions throughout Wales. It also has a reasonably sized commercial section, carrying out projects up to £1.5m in refurbishment, rebuild and new build projects.

The business started with 25 employees and now employs a staggering 110 staff.

Williams PM Electrical was presented with its award by category sponsors, Cardiff Council, in front of 450 business people at the prestigious Fast Growth 50 Awards 2012 held in Cardiff.

The Wales Fast Growth 50 initiative, which was started 14 years ago to recognise the best of Welsh indigenous business, showcases companies that are making a real difference within their sectors and, more importantly during the current economic climate, are creating jobs within their local communities.

The 50 Welsh companies featuring on this year’s list will have collectively created 9,400 jobs since they were started, which is an incredible achievement.

Paul Lewis, Director of Williams PM Electrical, said:  “We are highly honoured to have won this prestigious award. The past three years have been very challenging for us and we as a company have overseen many obstacles. We would like to show our gratitude to all our staff for their hard work throughout this period and thank all our clients for their continuing support. We hope we can continue in this manner for many years to come and look forward to new challenges ahead.”

Executive member for Finance, Business and Local Economy Cllr Russell Goodway said: “I’m delighted to see Williams PM Electrical win the fastest growing firm in Cardiff accolade, as part of the Fast Growth 50 Awards.  The current climate for our businesses is very challenging and Williams PM Electrical are showcasing great success in these difficult times.

“Following from the recent Nesta report showing that Cardiff has one of the highest percentages of high growth of any city in the UK, it demonstrates that Cardiff is a great place to do business.  Fast growth firms need a platform to build upon their success and Cardiff is providing that to our businesses with great results.  The Fast Growth 50 initiative is a constant reminder of the entrepreneurial potential that exists within Cardiff and the rest of Wales, with growth performance by innovative businesses, which is as good as any to be found across the regions of the rest of the UK.”

For more information on the this year’s Fast Growth 50 Awards and all the winners, please visit www.fastgrowth50.com

Teachers welcome grade boundaries decision by Welsh Government

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 10, 2012

The NUT has welcomed the Welsh Government’s decision to call for a re-grading of WJEC English papers at C and D grades following the changes to the grade boundaries and has urged the British Government to follow suit. 

“The NUT has been very vocal in calling for an immediate re-grading, not re-marking, of the English GCSE exam.  We are naturally delighted that the Welsh Government has recommended that this be applied for WJEC students in Wales.

“Between January and June, exam boards changed the grade boundaries in such a way that many pupils who would have scored a C in January, scored a D in June – for exactly the same work. This change was not explained and has disadvantaged many thousands of pupils and their schools.  That situation was simply unacceptable to the many pupils, parents and teachers who have been left feeling very angry at this action.

“The report published today by the Welsh Government recognises the injustice of the boundary grade changes and their impact on Welsh students.  Hundreds of Welsh learners have been disadvantaged by this change and we applaud the Welsh Education Minister for taking the action which he has today.”

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“The NUT welcomes the decision of the Welsh Government to award grades to young people who sat GCSE in English on the same basis as their peers who sat the exam in January.
“The NUT calls on Michael Gove to follow this lead.”

CARDIFF NEWS: The great British Cheese Festival hits Cardiff

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 29, 2012

This year’s Great British Cheese Festival in Cardiff Castle September 22 and 23 features its usual array of quirky master classes to complement the fine UK cheeses on offer, and Washed and Proper Stinking surely takes the biscuit !

Washed & Proper Stinking is paradise for those who love to assault their noses and taste buds! Presented by cheese lover Phoebe Weller, these are her favourite, 40-strong group of cheeses created by the Trappist monks in the 11th century, and selected with the aid of the appropriately titled online cheese retailer Pong.

The cheese festival was recently voted the second best Food Festival in the UK and Ireland by the Independent newspaper, beating off competition from fellow Welsh foodie fests Abergavenny and Ludlow.

The annual pilgrimage attracts some 10,000 cheese lovers from across the UK (www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk) with Britain’s Biggest Cheese Market featuring 400 cheeses from 100 cheesemakers, many of them members of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association, but also through the quality of its programme of master classes and demonstrations (advance bookings receive £3.50 voucher),

Along with Washed and Proper Stinking the below master classes will take place this year -

Weird or Wonderful discovers what happens when you mix cheese with other flavours, why some combinations work and others don’t, with the chance to sample some weird and wonderful combinations for yourself.

Buffalo Invasion examines Buffalo Milk cheeses that are lower in cholesterol than other milks and higher in calcium, a rich source of iron, phosphorus, vitamin A and of course protein.

Fromage to Age gives an insight into how cheese makers can make dramatically different cheeses from the same milk, presented by Graham Padfield producer of the famous Wyfe of Bath, Bath Soft and Bath Blue cheeses. And these are just a sample.

(more…)

WELSH RUGBY NEWS: WRU and the four regions unite for a new Derby Day at the Millennium Stadium

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 28, 2012

An exciting new dimension in the Welsh regional rugby calendar will see the four rugby regions come together for the first time at a thrilling double-header derby day at the Millennium Stadium.

The Welsh Rugby Union and four Welsh regions have joined up to bring rugby supporters a new annual double-header fixture coming to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 30 March.

The first line of a new chapter in Welsh rugby’s history books will be written when Newport Gwent Dragons face the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues face the Ospreys at the iconic stadium as the best of Welsh rugby goes head-to-head in back-to-back matches.

The double-headed festival of rugby, promoted by the WRU, will be a part of each of the Welsh Regions’ RaboDirect PRO12 campaign, falling into place after the international season has finished and just as the league begins to reach its climax ahead of the knock-out stages of European competition.

The Ospreys, Scarlets, Blues and Dragons will bring their thousands of supporters together for a bumper attendance at the Millennium Stadium – with supporters from every quarter of Welsh rugby able to descend on the Welsh capital in regional colours at this unique event.

The day will be themed and marketed by the Welsh Rugby Union and the four rugby regions working in partnership along with RaboDirect PRO12 to create a carnival atmosphere and with further exciting details about the theme of the event to be revealed by the WRU, including a full spectrum of match day entertainment.

“This unique double-header will be a historic moment for Welsh rugby,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.

“It has taken us five years to put this fixture together, but I am confident it will have been worth the wait.

“The WRU will promote and underwrite this fixture for the next four years, that’s how much we believe in it.  Fans will see the stars of Welsh rugby and get two derby matches for the price of one very reasonably priced ticket.

“I predict this double-header will become a highlight in the Welsh rugby calendar for a long, long time to come.”

(more…)

Olympic medallist Hannah takes it to extremes

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 16, 2012

Excitement is mounting on the waterfront of Cardiff Bay in anticipation of the traditional finale to the Cardiff Festival, but this year the Cardiff Harbour Festival (Aug 31 – Sep 2) has gone to extremes, as it welcomes the Extreme Sailing Series – the UK leg of the world’s most exciting inshore racing series to Cardiff Bay which features Welsh Olympic silver medallist Hannah Mills competing for Team Wales, and Windsurfing silver winner Nick Dempsey.

This free event runs across the weekend, enabling visitors to view some spectacular action at close range from around Cardiff’s famous waterfront. Cardiff Harbour Festival also features popular annual attractions such as the British Fish Craft Championships where tons of fish go under the knife as the country’s top fishmongers compete for the prized crown of British Fish Craft Champion 2012. Cardiff Bay will also host a Continental Market, live music on the Bandstand, alternative end of pier attraction The Last Resort and spectacular Aerial Entertainment.

Olympic silver medallist and one half of the successful British 470 women’s duo Hannah Mills will be flying the Welsh flag as part of the wildcard entry Team Wales. Hannah said: “The last few weeks have been amazing, a complete whirlwind! Now I am looking forward to my next challenge; racing with Team Wales at the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff. It will be awesome to return to my hometown as an Olympic medallist and race on the Extreme 40 catamarans- a completely new experience for me. It looks to be a great event and hopefully there will be more winning and more celebration! “

(more…)