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May 2014 Edition

Business and Education - Development Update Exciting news from around the region - Events and Activities

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Business and Education

Oil and gas firm to create 60 jobs in Port Talbot Engineering firm Freudenberg Oil & Gas Technologies, part of the technology group Freudenberg, which designs, develops and manufactures high integrity sealing solutions for the oil and gas industry globally, is investing £11m consolidating its three sites in Baglan into one manufacturing hub in Port Talbot. The new manufacturing centre will be in the former Panasonic factory, also on Baglan Industrial Estate, and will contain office accommodation as well as R&D facilities with additional investment in CNC machinery and R&D equipment and the move should be completed by August this year. The investment is backed by £3m business finance from the Welsh Government and will result in an increase in staff from 237 to 297. Welsh Government economy minister Edwina Hart said: "The company makes a major contribution to the economy, exporting products that are developed here in Wales, across the world. This investment illustrates the company’s commitment to Wales and I am pleased the Welsh Government is able to support this expansion.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/oil-and-gas-firm-to-create-60-jobs-in-port-talbot

Glass maker smashes through £3m profits milestone MC327, the Swansea-based group behind Glass Systems and Vizor Tempered Glass has reported a rise in profits of almost a third to more than £3m. According to its latest set of accounts for the year ending 30 June 2013, turnover climbed by more than a tenth at the group with pre-tax profits up 29 per cent to £3.2m. MC327, which now employs almost 350 staff, operates from Central Business Park in Swansea, wholly owns Glass Systems and Vizor Tempered Glass. Established in 1988, Glass Systems operates from a purpose-built factory in Swansea with capacity to build 30,000 sealed units per week. Vizor Tempered Glass, meanwhile, specialises in toughening glass and is based in Port Talbot. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: "The group has consolidated its position as one of the leading sealed unit manufacturers in the UK. Growth has continued in the roof glass division of the group, which has enabled increased sales of its higher margin product." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/glass-maker-smashes-through-3m-profits-milestone

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Engineering firm Unit Birwelco has secured more than £4m in funding An engineering firm, which runs operations in Swansea, Birmingham and Humberside, and has recently agreed to set up a US operation in Houston, Texas, has secured more than £4m in funding to pay for its expansion across the globe. Unit Birwelco, which provides design, engineering, construction and maintenance solutions for the energy, chemical and petrochemical, refinery and utility industries, currently employs 300 people in Wales. The expansion into American operations is set to create around an additional 30 jobs for the company’s Welsh workforce. Birwelco has plans to further expand with its latest round of funding, provided by Santander Corporate & Commercial. Andrew Williams, relationship director for Santander corporate & commercial, said: “Birwelco, and its management team led by Bill Ledwood, is the sort of high-quality business that adds real value to the local economy. Santander is delighted to be assisting Bill and the business to grow and prosper.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/welsh-firms-4m-leg-up-will-help-it-take-on-the-world-in-design-engineering-construction-and-mai

Dawnus wins award and flies the flag for Wales Swansea based Dawnus construction is celebrating after both winning the Queens Award International Trade and featuring in The Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 league table. Dawnus International received the Queen’s Award in recognition of its success in delivering major civil engineering schemes in Africa since 2010. The company’s international turnover increased from £14.2m in 2010 to £86.3m in 2012, and since beginning work in Africa it has provided employment and training opportunities to more than 1,500 local people. The performance has contributed to Dawnus’s success in being positioned sixth in The Sunday Times list. Also featured in the list was Ammanford-based Morgan Marine, which makes modular buildings from steel and glass-reinforced polymer, which featured at number 46. Speaking of the company’s overseas activity, business development manager, Claire John, said: "We have done a lot of infrastructure work, mainly to do with mining in Sierra Leone. We've also worked in Senegal, and have currently got a project in Liberia. Ninety per cent of the management of those projects are people from South Wales." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/dawnus-international-wins-queens-award-on-back-of-african-projects www.abayoflife.com/en/news/dawnus-and-morgan-marine-fly-the-flag-for-wales

Record year for new firms in Swansea Swansea had a record year in 2013 for new company formations, according to figures in the latest Duport Business Confidence Report for the area. Over the course of the year, there were 1,407 new companies registered, a 20 per cent rise on 2012. The figure puts Swansea way ahead of the UK as whole, which only achieved an eight per cent rise in company formation during 2013. Managing director of Duport.co.uk, Peter Valaitis, said: "The record number of new company formations is a fantastic sign for Swansea. A more diverse business base will not only strengthen the local economy, it will bring more employment opportunities and a greater range of goods and services to visitors and residents." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/record-year-for-new-firms-in-swansea

Swansea Bay tourism brings £360m boost to local economy Swansea Bay's multi-million pound tourism industry was worth more than ever to the local economy last year. New figures show that in 2013 more than 4.3 million visitors came to Swansea Bay and spent over £360 million. Swansea Council said that the new figures can be partly explained by closer collaborative working with private sector tourism businesses as well as improvements, including the redesign of the official Visit Swansea Bay destination website. Tony McGetrick, chairman of Tourism Swansea Bay, said: "We have done well, partly on the back of the Swans in the Premier League raising the profile of the area. The council has been very clever in its allocation of resources, putting in an extra £150,000 on marketing in areas like putting up posters at railway stains in places like Birmingham and London a few weeks before clubs there play in Swansea.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/swansea-bay-tourism-brings-360m-boost-to-local-economy

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Profit jump fuels car supermarket's expansion According to its latest set of accounts, MTR Bailey Trading, which owns used car supermarket brand Trade Centre Wales, has seen profits jump by 75 per cent, to £3.6m for the year ending 30 June 2013. Turnover climbed by 20 per cent to £39.5m over the same period. The company has retail sites at Neath Abbey Business Park outside Neath and Pant Industrial Estate outside Merthyr Tydfil and has plans to open a third retail site in Cardiff in 2015. Mark Bailey, the company's chairman and sole shareholder, said: "With a forecast in sales growth to nearly £50m in 2014 - our continued commitment to customer service continues to grow at the same rate resulting in a £1.5m state-of-the-art 38-ramp workshop facility and a brand new seven-day-a-week customer service centre at our head office in Neath Abbey, due for completion March 2015.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/profit-jump-fuels-car-supermarkets-expansion

Llanelli based suet maker sets eyes on £3m growth Prima Foods UK, one of the leading manufacturers of suet in the UK for the ready meals and home bakery markets, has secured a £500,000 investment package which it intends to use to move into new markets. The company’s business plan sets out the ambition for it to achieve £3m growth over the next three years to take it over the £10m mark, with staff increasing to 40 from the present 28. The investment includes a £100,000 loan from Tata subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise and is also supported by Finance Wales and ABN bank, to enable Prima Foods to move forward. Managing director, Peter Rice, said: “The investment means we have installed a new IT system which takes care of recording all stages of the business, from ordering to sales, and we are confident this will give us much greater control and efficiency.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/suet-maker-prima-foods-sets-eyes-on-3m-growth-and-job-creation-plans

Businesses to benefit from work placement scheme again this summer Following the success of SPIN - Swansea Paid Internship Network – in 2013, the scheme is set to run again this year. The scheme, which proved to be hugely beneficial for the companies that took part as well as for the students lucky enough to win a place, enables companies to take on a student for 6 weeks for between June and September. The students are paid directly by the business at £200 per week, but grant funding from Welsh Government, via Swansea University, the cost reduces to only £800 for the six weeks. Speaking at the launch, PVC, Hilary Lappin-Scott, said: “The pilot scheme last year showed that the placements work well in companies of all sizes, from start-ups and micro-enterprises to major multinationals. We had students on construction sites, in accountants, in manufacturing and service companies, as well as in media and engineering. They undertook an array of projects and the feedback was extremely positive, with many of them looking to take SPIN students again this summer.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/students-will-be-in-with-a-chance-of-work-placements-this-summer

Swansea scientists pioneer search for technology-based solution to diagnose COPD Welsh-based Glyconics Ltd and Swansea University’s Centre for NanoHealth (CNH) have set up a partnership to develop a hand-held miniaturised device to diagnose and predict the exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in patients. COPD is a common, progressively disabling disease and a major health burden worldwide and in UK affects some 6 million people. It is not a single disease, but an umbrella term used to describe a spectrum of chronic lung diseases. Glyconics have been awarded a Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare development contract for an initial feasibility study to assess the clinical performance of the device, the technology for which has been developed by Dr Paul Lewis of Swansea University’s Centre for NanoHealth. Speaking about the study, Dr Lewis said: “This Phase 1 study will hopefully prepare the ground for a full Phase 2 project, through evaluation of the technical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial viability of the technology, and the preparation of a full implementation and commercial strategy.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/swansea-scientists-pioneer-search-for-technology-based-solution-to-diagnose-copd-disease

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Swansea University excels in coveted higher education awards Swansea University has been shortlisted in two categories of the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards – Outstanding International Strategy and Outstanding Student Admissions Team. The awards celebrate the sector’s leadership, management, financial and business skills and the University has had a highly successful record in recent years, winning the Outstanding Student Services category last year and the Outstanding Human Resources Team award in 2012. Speaking about the University’s achievements vice- chancellor, Professor Richard B Davies, said: “The further increase in applications this year by a record 25% reflects the hard work which our Student Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing teams have put in.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/swansea-university-excels-in-coveted-higher-education-awards

Gower College Swansea receives the LMW Quality Award Gower College Swansea has been awarded the Leadership & Management Wales (LMW) quality award, which is being introduced across Wales to ensure the highest standards of leadership and management development, recognising excellence in support of 'the learner journey'. The award is available for providers approved to deliver courses by the ILM or CMI and is only given after a quality evaluation audit is conducted by LMW staff and then considered by a quality review board who decide whether the applicant deserves to receive it. Gower College Swansea has been an established Leadership & Management Centre for the last 15 years and the team was awarded the LMW Quality Award for its entire provision. LMW director, Dr Barrie Kennard, said: “Those who gain [this award] will have shown the ability to continually develop and pursue best practice in leadership and management development.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/gower-college-swansea-receives-the-lmw-quality-award

Gower College Swansea students win hi-tech competition Students with their eyes on the future have landed a top Welsh prize and a chance to represent the country at a major UK-wide event. The four from Gower College Swansea have won the best working prototype category in the all-Wales Engineering Education Scheme competition. The students have been working with manufacturing firm Tong Fang Global to develop a new way of sharing digital and analogue signals for its flat screen TV plant and the students' work has already been installed in the firm's Kenfig Hill factory. After presenting their prototype to judges at the Celtic Manor competition, the youngsters were crowned champions, and shortlisted to represent Wales in the Big Bag event at the NEC in Birmingham. Steve Williams, curriculum leader for electronics at the college, said: "I am so proud of the students and the professional way in which they represented our college." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/gower-college-swansea-students-win-hi-tech-competition-and-the-chance-of-a-big-bang

ABM invests in lung cancer diagnosis equipment at Morriston Hospital Diagnosing people with suspected lung cancer will become faster and easier at Morriston Hospital where a £300k investment is being made in two new specialist machines that will speed up the process. The first machine, an Endo Bronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) scanner, is already in place in Morriston’s endoscopy department with the second, a medical thoracoscope, which will improve the management of pleural effusion, due to start operating later this year. The investment will benefit patients from Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, who currently have to travel to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen or undergo a surgical procedure under general anaesthetic. The funding is coming from an award of £1.07 million from the Welsh Government’s Health Technology Fund, secured by ABM in 2013 for three key projects that use technology to improve patient care. Dr Emrys Evans, consultant respiratory physician at AMBU, said: “EBUS is a single diagnostic test so it is quicker. It should reduce the reliance on other hospital departments to obtain diagnosis, which releases them to do other work.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/abm-invests-in-lung-cancer-diagnosis-equipment-at-morriston-hospital

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Development Update

Plans approved for £40m Gower College Campus expansion Plans for a £40m college campus for Gower College Swansea, which include the redevelopment of the empty Hill House hospital and a revamp of the Tycoch campus, have been approved by Swansea Council. The plans include four new buildings housing college departments such as catering and sport as well as a sports centre. Gower College Swansea has around 15,000 full and part-time students and 1,000 staff, and operates from seven separate sites around the city. In addition to the plans for the Tycoch and Hill House sites, the College is also presently developing a new teaching block on its other main campus in Gorseinon. The new facility will provide 18 teaching rooms for the humanities, IT and languages and will have a gymnasium on the ground floor with male, female and accessible shower facilities. The building is being designed to BREEAM Excellent level and will have photovoltaic panels producing some 23kWhs of electricity on the roof. Other sustainable initiatives include LED lighting and high efficiency spray taps. Safe cycle storage for 50 cycles will be built as part of the scheme. When IT classes move into the new facilities it will then be possible for the Library to expand into existing classroom space, doubling in area with enhanced provision for students. The work is being undertaken for the College by Kier and is scheduled for completion by the end of August, in readiness for the start of the new academic year. Speaking about the £40m campus plans, Paul Harris, Gower College vice principal, said: “The development will not only mean improved teaching facilities for students and staff but also amenities that the public can benefit from” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/gower-college-campus-plans-for-40m-expansion

Work starts on next phase of £25m Swansea Urban Village Work has started to transform a late 19th Century warehouse on King’s Lane into four floors of creative space as the next stage of Coastal Housing Group’s £25m Urban Village, Coastal’s flagship scheme for the regeneration of Swansea’s High Street. The development is made up of 76 flats for social rent and five floors of office and retail space, home to the South Wales Evening Post, Mosaic bar and bistro, ‘Tickled’ children’s hairdresser, The Raspberry Cakery, Indycube and over 100 of Coastal Housing’s Swansea based staff. The work is being carried out by Cardiff-based developer R&M Williams and is expected to last until December this year. Ian Couzens, Coastal Housing Group’s interim director of development, said: “It is an exciting time as we enter the next phase of the development and work begins on the restoration of the Kings Lane warehouse. It is important to retain some of the area’s historical identity and by renovating and refitting King’s Lane warehouse we are looking to keep a glimpse of Swansea’s past whilst also bringing it up-to-date and making it usable for today’s business needs.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/work-starts-on-next-phase-of-25m-swansea-urban-village

Multi-million makeover at Morriston Hospital taking shape With the outside of the building almost complete and with most internal walls and ceilings in place Morriston Hospital’s £60 million makeover is forging ahead. Around 170 people are working on the project and work is about to get under way on the flooring, under-floor heating and testing the utility supplies, as well as creating paths and laying paving stones. It is anticipated that everything will be up and running by mid December. Darren Griffiths, acting director of planning and performance at ABMU Health Board, said: “Now the shape of the building is there we are focussing on the elements needed for it to function. It is essential the building meets the needs of the services so we are working with the clinical teams to decide what furniture and equipment they require. From early October the new main entrance will be open and people will be able to walk through the new building to the rest of the hospital.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/multi-million-makeover-at-morriston-hospital-taking-shape

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£13m Aberavon seafront complex gets go-ahead Work on a £13m replacement for the Afan Lido leisure complex has started after Neath Port Talbot council's cabinet unanimously voted in favour of the new complex on Aberavon seafront. The replacement includes an eight-lane pool, cafe, fitness centre, dance studio and sports hall and the building will feature a "wave roof" to reflect its seafront location. The work will be undertaken by the Council’s developer, Corban Investments, and their preferred contractor, Heron Brothers. Councillor Ali Thomas, leader of the Council, said: “We are now able to deliver the new facility with construction to start before the end of April.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/afan-lido-13m-aberavon-seafront-complex-gets-go-ahead

Work begins on £7.3m Baglan bridge Work has begun on building a £7.3m bridge at Baglan Energy Park in Port Talbot. The 80m bridge will cross the railway lines and sidings that currently separate Brunel Way and Central Avenue and its development is seen as complementing the new Harbour Way road, which opened in October 2013, by providing another access route for businesses south of the motorway. The project is being delivered by Costain, in collaboration with the council. Councillor Ali Thomas, leader of the Council, said: "I am very pleased to see work underway on a project which will create new economic opportunities for the area, both during and after construction. Bridging the gap between the two sides of the park will greatly benefit businesses and investors by improving Baglan Energy Park's internal and external transport connections." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/work-begins-on-73m-baglan-bridge

Swansea University Campus Development Update

Swansea construction firm wins Bay Campus highway contract Dawnus Construction has been awarded a multi-million-pound highway improvement contract at Swansea University’s Bay Campus development. Working on behalf of main contractor Vinci Construction UK, the Swansea-based firm will create two new entrances to the campus on Fabian Way. Due to start in June and to last 40 weeks, the construction of the works will provide a landmark entrance for the new Bay Campus, enabling controlled access for vehicles and pedestrians. Additional carriageways and signalling will cater for the movement of traffic both to and from Swansea along Fabian Way. These improvements will address pedestrian safety and connectivity between the bus stops and Elba Crescent, not only for the university but also for the day-to-day use of the upgraded cycle and pedestrian footpaths. The junction will also include improved technologies in lighting, drainage and carriageway surfacing and landscaping around the campus edge and footway will include shrubs and trees. The intention is for the work to be undertaken in several tightly managed phases, thereby mitigating disruption to traffic flows and maintaining two carriageways in both directions as much as possible. Lee Davies, regional manager for Dawnus Construction, said: “Securing a prestigious scheme like this, right on our doorstep in Swansea, is great business for a local Welsh company like us. As we employ our own direct labour and plant, I can genuinely say that this project will help ensure the security of those jobs within Dawnus and will also create new employment and opportunities for our supply chain within the local area over the coming year.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/construction-firm-wins-swansea-campus-highway-contract

Video released of construction progress on Bay Campus A new aerial video showing construction progress at Swansea University's £450m Bay Campus has been released. The video can be viewed on the following link: www.abayoflife.com/en/news/first-video-showing-construction-progress-of-the-450m-swansea-university-bay-campus

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Exciting news from around the region!

Schedule announced and tickets go on sale for Wales’ biggest ever para-athletics event With just under four months to go until the 2014 IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea, GB, the competition schedule for the event has been announced. In total there will be 199 gold medals up for grabs at the Championships which will take place at Swansea University International Sports Village between 18-23 August, attracting 600 star athletes from around 40 countries. Morning sessions for Wales’ biggest ever para-sport event will take place between 09:00-13:00 and will feature a mixture of heats and finals, whilst afternoon sessions scheduled from 15:30-19:30 will primarily consist of finals and some semi-finals, Around 15,000 tickets for the 5-day Championships have been released for both morning and afternoon sessions, priced at between £3.00-£7.00 per session, and are available both online at www.swansea2014.com and from local outlets. Whilst final entries for the Championships will not be known until later this summer, fan favourites Jonnie Peacock, Aled Sion Davies, Hannah Cockcroft, Richard Whitehead, David Weir, Marcel Hug, Josie Pearson and Marie Van Rhijn are all featured in the Swansea 2014 programme. Paul Thorburn, chair of the Swansea 2014 Organising Committee, said: “The Championships will captivate fans from across Europe as the very best athletes from across the continent battle for gold medals and world records. We want as many people as possible to experience this historic event first hand and we have increased the capacity of the venue and ensured that our pricing is as accessible as possible. Our aim is to achieve full stadia across the week, ensuring a truly world-class experience for athletes and spectators alike”. www.abayoflife.com/en/news/tickets-go-on-sale-for-wales-biggest-ever-para-athletics-event www.abayoflife.com/en/news/competition-hots-up-for-gold-medals-with-swansea2014-ipc-athletics-euros-schedule-announced

Sponsors JCP put Swansea Half Marathon on track Registration for Swansea's first half marathon which will take place on Sunday, July 20, along Swansea Bay and the SA1 development, is up and running after a city law firm, JCP Solicitors was announced as the founding sponsor for the inaugural 13.1-mile race. Race Directors David Martin-Jewell and Nick Francis are the driving force behind the event and being proud of Swansea and all that it has to offer they have chosen a route that is not only perfect to accommodate a half marathon, but also a great showcase for the best of the city. Hayley Davies, CEO of JCP Solicitors, said: "JCP Solicitors are proud to support this fantastic local event. We are very proud of our community and all that Swansea Bay has to offer and so are delighted to be involved in what we are confident will become a great Swansea tradition." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/sponsors-jcp-put-swansea-half-marathon-on-track

Mumbles Pier reopens to enable public to view new lifeboat station Visitors are being allowed on to Mumbles Pier for the first time in almost three years.to enable them to see the new RNLI lifeboat station at the end of the Victorian structure. The new lifeboat station opened in March when a £2.7m lifeboat was delivered. The Pier was closed in July 2011 for the lifeboat station to be built and to allow restoration work to the structure to take place. As this work has not yet been completed, only 200 people at a time will be allowed onto the 116 year old structure, and it will again close to the public in the autumn for the restoration to continue. John Bollom, managing director of Ameco which owns the Pier said they had made the decision to open it for the summer "to show good faith" with the RNLI and the people of Mumbles and Swansea who have backed the restoration project over the last six years. The restoration of the pier, which last underwent a major reconstruction after World War Two, is part of a £39m retail and residential complex at the waterfront beside it. Mr Bollom said he anticipated the complex, which includes a mix of accommodation, will be open next year. www.abayoflife.com/en/news/mumbles-pier-reopens-to-public-for-summer

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Local entrepreneur launches surfing app A Swansea-based entrepreneur and surfing fanatic, Ben Martin, has launched an app, called Johnny on the Spot, designed to help surfers ensure they catch the best waves – time and time again. The app records the conditions at a surfing spot and stores them so the information can help the user make better decisions about when and where to surf in the future. Ben was inspired to make the idea a reality after attending a Startup Weekend, an event run during Global Entrepreneurship Week in partnership with local universities. The first version of Johnny on the Spot has launched in the App Store but the team is now developing new versions which include the ability to share updates with a select group of surf buddies and alerts telling surfers when their personal, top rated conditions are forecast. One of the things that makes the app unique is in the way it allows surfers to guard the location of secret surfing spots. Users have the option of sharing information but they can also keep it very private. Speaking about what sets the app apart from websites, Ben said:“There are a lot of forecasts and guides out there which tell you the conditions at any given time. But every beach is different – they might face in a different direction, they might need different swell directions, tides, and winds to work. This kind of knowledge can only be gained from going to the beach yourself and seeing how the conditions given by the guides translate into the surf on any given day. Johnny on the Spot means you can record that data, so that next time you look at the guide, you'll have a much better idea of what it means for your local beach.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/local-entrepreneur-launches-surfing-app

Activities to commemorate the centenary of the First World War kick off at National Waterfront Museum Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum’s has begun its four year programme of events and exhibitions, to commemorate 100 years since the start of the First World War by asking children help to sow poppy seeds to remember those who have fallen in all wars. This is the first in a series of activities including events, exhibitions and publications that will be undertaken by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales’ seven museums to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. For the next four years the museums will be working with visitors, exploring how the people of Wales responded to the call to war, sharing views on how it affected people at home and impacted those fighting and working in the arenas of war. Steph Mastoris at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea said: “Our commemoration programme forms a key part of the Welsh Government’s Wales-wide programme marking the centenary, called Cymru’n Cofio - Wales Remembers 1914-1918. We have a series of events and exhibitions telling the stories of the people of Wales and exploring the unique impact of the First World War on Welsh life.” www.abayoflife.com/en/news/national-waterfront-museum-sows-poppies-to-commemorate-the-centenary-of-the-first-world-war

HLF grant enables expansion of Dylan Thomas exhibition in Swansea As part of the celebrations marking the centenary of the birth of Dylan Thomas, a rarely seen love letter written by Wales' most famous poet will be displayed in his hometown of Swansea for the first time. The short but sweet note from Dylan Thomas to wife Caitlin, scribbled on the back of a bank stub, will be returned to Swansea thanks to £935,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The funding from HLF will enable the Dylan Thomas Centre to show more than 950 artefacts and to create an education and multimedia audio and video suite. The development will be completed and opened in time to mark the centenary of Thomas' birthday in October. Thomas' granddaughter, Hannah Ellis, who has played a key role in the project, said: "The centre is home to the largest collection of Dylan Thomas-related material in the world, a collection that provides a unique insight into who my grandfather truly was. I want young and new audiences to be able to learn about and discover my grandfather's poems, his stories and his plays. This grant from the HLF will bring the exhibition into the 21st Century and open it up for future generations to enjoy." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/the-dylan-thomas-centre-is-being-expanded-so-more-treasures-can-be-seen

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Dylan Thomas' childhood bedroom is re-opened by granddaughter Meanwhile, the small bedroom at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive in Uplands, where Dylan Thomas wrote most of his published work, has been reopened by his granddaughter, Hannah Ellis. It has been refashioned as it would have been in 1934 — just after Thomas's first book, 18 Poems, was published. The transformation of the bedroom was masterminded by Matthew Hughes following extensive research and owner of the property, Geoff Haden, has now launched an appeal for information and memorabilia to complete the room. The restored house was reopened by Dylan's late daughter Aeronwy in 2008 and is open for house tours, events and overnight stays. Speaking about the restoration, Mr Haden said: "By piecing together what other people recall about the house, as well as Dylan's own writings, we have ensured that this first writing room is more authentic than any other Dylan-related place. It is wonderful people have the opportunity to see this room which gives such a good impression of what it might have been like." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/dylan-thomas-childhood-bedroom-is-re-opened-by-granddaughter

International expert takes centre stage in BBC Dylan Thomas centenary broadcasts A season marking the centenary of the birth of Dylan Thomas will see Swansea University’s Professor John Goodby featuring in a number of broadcasts on BBC TV and Radio. Professor Goodby, an international expert on Dylan Thomas, is based within the University’s Department of English Language and Literature, in the College of Arts and Humanities, where he is Director of the Dylan Thomas Research Project within the Centre for Research into the English Literature and Language of Wales (CREW). Already been shown, BBC One Wales’s Welsh Greats: Dylan Thomas programme, had narrator Matthew Rhys telling the story of the life of the world-famous Swansea poet, from his wild love affair with Caitlin to his last days in New York. Still to come, on the evening of Sunday, May 4, Professor Goodby will give BBC Radio 3’s The Essay, broadcast from 17:45 until 18:30, as part of the BBC’s Laugharne Live radio festival in the grounds of Laugharne Castle over the weekend of May 2-5. www.abayoflife.com/en/news/international-expert-takes-centre-stage-in-bbc-dylan-thomas-centenary-broadcasts

Proms in the Park returns to Swansea Thousands of spectators are expected to flock to Swansea's Singleton Park in September as the BBC's Proms in the Park returns to the city for the first time since 2010. The live event will take place on Saturday 13 September and is part of the BBC's wider Last Night of the Proms celebrations. It will feature the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales together with other, as yet unveiled, star guests. BBC Cymru Wales Director Rhodri Talfan Davies said: "BBC Proms in the Park is a wonderful opportunity to share in the fun and excitement of the Last Night of the Proms. Returning to Singleton Park, in the year of the centenary of the birth of Dylan Thomas, is very exciting and I'm sure everyone in the park and millions of viewers at home are in for a real treat." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/proms-in-the-park-returns-to-swansea

Observatory restoration work gets under way in Swansea Contractors have begun restoring a former observatory at Penllergare Valley Woods, built by a star astronomer of the 19th Century. The historic building — a scheduled ancient monument — was built in 1846 and went on to house a telescope for John Dillwyn Llewelyn, a groundbreaking photographer and astronomer of the period. Work on restoring the former country estate is being led by Penllergare Trust, which secured a £2.3 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant two years ago. The money has already been used to upgrade paths, de-silt and plant a lake, as well as the reinstatement of a former stone arch bridge and a power-generating Archimedes screw. The work on the observatory is being undertaken by Taliesin Conservation Ltd and is expected to finish around the end of September. A spokewoman for the Penllergare Trust said: "It's great to see this work under way." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/observatory-restoration-work-gets-under-way-in-swansea

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Newest mountain biking trail at Glyncorrwg gets video profile Wales is rapidly becoming one of the UK's top mountain biking hotspots – and the Afan Valley, with a number of trails both at Glyncorrwg and nearby Afan, has been leading the way as Wales' most popular mountain biking destinations in recent years. And its popularity is likely to grow with the new Blade trail at Glyncorrwg in the Afan Valley as the latest attraction. To celebrate the official opening of the £350,000 trail, a thrilling video starring three time Canadian Downhill champion mountain biker Michael Jones has been released, giving those who already passionate about this growing sport and novices alike a change to see the thrills on offer on the new 24km long, red graded route- just one down in the difficulty scale from top-rated black runs. Funding for the project came from wind farm developer Vattenfall, the firm behind the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm in the Afan Valley. www.abayoflife.com/en/news/see-the-newest-mountain-biking-trail-at-glyncorrwg

Play centre adds ice skating and laser tag after £130,000 investment A children's play centre, The Play King in Llanelli, has expanded its 22,000 sq ft play centre by adding an indoor ice rink, laser tag facilities, a new kitchen and 150 extra parking spaces. The facility already provides go-karting, tenpin bowling and soft indoor play areas. Founded in 2011, the Play King now employs 45 staff and turnover is expected to pass £1.2m this year. David Edwards, managing director of the Play King, said: "We hope to create an additional ten jobs this year at the Play King and hopefully open another Play King in South East Wales later this year. I hope to continue to expand the business and develop the Play King as a brand with a number of centres across Wales and the UK." www.abayoflife.com/en/news/mumbles-pier-reopens-to-public-for-summer

Events and Activities

BUSINESS EVENTS:

Broomfield & Alexander: Pensions Auto-enrolment Clinic 6 &7 May, 30 minute slots Broomfield & Alexander office, Swansea www.broomfield.co.uk/events Want to find out more about the obligations for your business when it comes to your Staging Date for auto enrolement? Then book a 30 minute slot with an advisor to find out more.Slots are available between 10.00am and 3.00pm on both days JCP SolicitorsTraining Event: Write Your Own Social Media Policy 7 May, 10.00am – 12 noon JCP Solicitors’ Head office, Swansea www.jcpsolicitors.co.uk/events If you work in HR or are responsible for the people management within your business, a good social media policy is worth its weight in gold. From lost man hours, to the protection of your brand, to employees posting unacceptable statements in public forums; getting your social media policy right is often overlooked. NVI Wales, IP & Patent Clinic 8 May, 12 noon – 1.30pm ILS 2, Swansea University www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ip-patent-clinic-mentor-session-for-lifescience-ict-start-ups-smes-tickets-10330979237 Need some intellectual property (IP) and patent advice without unnecessary legal jargon and is tailored to your needs? This NVI Wales mentor session is free for Life Science & ICT Start-ups and SMEs to attend and will look to provide basic advice to those who are at the early stages of developing an idea. Booking essential

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South Wales Chamber of Commerce: Business Lunch 9 May, 12 noon for 12.30pm start Sosban Restaurant, Llanelli www.southwaleschamber.co.uk Guest speaker Jeremy Bowen Rees from Landsker Business Solutions who as well as giving an insight into his own business success, will be offering advice and tips on how this could help your business succeed and grow Swansea Business Club Lunch: Tyrone O’Sullivan, Chairman Tower Colliery 9 May, 12.15pm for 1.00pm Marriott Hotel, Swansea www.swanseabusinessclub.com A chance to hear from Tyrone O'Sullivan, the Chairman of Tower Colliery and the driving force behind its historic workers buyout in 1995 when hed led the team of miners to fight to buy Tower Colliery from its then owners British Coal. South Wales Chamber: Fibre for breakfast 13 May, 8.00am Aberavon Beach Hotel www.southwaleschamber.co.uk Delivered in conjunction with BT, this is one of a series of Superfast Cymru events - providing a fantastic opportunity for employers to see at first hand the benefits of moving their networks to superfast broadband. NVI Wales and Software Alliance Wales: Starting a Business – the Basics 21 May, 12 noon – 2.00pm Swansea University www.softwarealliancewales.com Are you thinking of starting your own business? Do you have a great business idea? Are you the owner of a newly started business? Join us for a free, lunch time event to which will share hints and tips on how to start a business. Free for Life Science & ICT start-ups and SMEs Bank of England ‘off the record’ briefing 21 May, 5.30pm refreshments for 6.00pm start Village Hotel, Swansea wales@bankofengland.co.uk Every six months the Bank of England team in Wales give an informal briefing in Swansea on business conditions, the outlook for growth and prospects for inflation, based on the feedback from the numerous employer interviews they undertake. Not just for financial managers, but essential information for anyone involved in running a business. Presented in an easy to understand format and including a Q & A session. Advance registration is required Software Alliance Wales, How to Develop a Web Design Brief 28 May, 9.00am start Swansea University www.softwarealliancewales.com This half day workshop will introduce the concept of website design brief as an effective communications tool for your web builderTake control of the project from the start find out how to prepare a website design brief and the essential information that the developer will need to produce the website that works for your business.

GENERAL EVENTS

Clyne in Bloom Throughout May Clyne Gardens, Swansea www.swanseabayfestival.co.uk/events/may-events/clyne-in-bloom Clyne Gardens is beautiful during May when you can see the award winning rhododendrons and azaleas in all their magnificent colourful splendour. With a host of events and activities taking place throughout the festival, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.

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Dylan Poetry and Theatre Weekend 2 - 5 May Laugharne www.thedylanweekends.com/this-timeless-beautiful-barmy-town The first of three special festival weekends organised by the team behind the Laugharne Weekend, to celebrate Dylan Thomas’s Centenary, each one inspired by a different aspect of Dylan’s talent. This weekend is focused on poetry and theatre and features performances around Laugharne by leading poets, while Helen Griffin performs her acclaimed one woman play "Caitlin" based on Dylan's wife. A Night at the Museum 16 May, 6.00pm National Waterfront Musuem, Swansea www.museumwales.ac.uk/whatson Enjoy a rare chance to be at the Museum after hours where it will come alive with fun creative activities, science and inventions, a trail and movie! Includes making your own pocket Minion and a pair despicable goggles. Finish the evening by watching a 3D screening of Despicable Me in our unusual gallery setting amongst the artefacts. Marvellous Mumbles Weekend 23 – 26 May Oystermouth Castle www.oystermouthcastle.co.uk A weekend of fun at Oystermouth Castle. Evening events include a film showing, Morriston Orpheus Choir, Classics in the Castle. Daytime activities include Jazz and literature plus on 27 May a mediaeval picnic and food fair Llanelli Ramblers Festival of Walks 24 –26 May Various www.llanelliramblers.org.uk 2014 will see the 19th annual Festival of Walks, themed on Dylan Thomas’ Wales, the places that he lived, worked and played in such as Swansea, New Quay, Laugharne, Tenby and Llangain. Walks range from easy, suitable for all the family, to the more challenging. Distances are from 3 – 12 miles.

Contact

Zoe Bragg Communications & Marketing Executive Swansea Bay Futures Ltd, 4th Floor, Union House Swansea University, Tel: 01792 513129 Swansea E-mail: zoe@swanseabayfutures.co.uk SA2 8PP Website: www.abayoflife.com