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Superfast Cymru gives Cardigan social enterprise the X-factor

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Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James: With Clive Davies of 4CG

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James: With Clive Davies of 4CG

CARDIGAN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE 4CG has been given the X-factor after switching to superfast broadband thanks to the Superfast Cymru programme.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James visited the group’s ‘Y Twr’ office recently to see how upgrading to Superfast Broadband has made a difference.

4CG which is made up of over 700 community shareholders run a range of community-owned facilities in the local area.

In 2013, the group purchased the old police station and converted it into office space to let.

Making the move to superfast broadband at the site has played an important role in enabling 4CG to rent out individual office space as well as offer a sound proofed room for recording and uploading soundtracks via the fast and efficient online connection.

Shan Williams, 4CG co-founder and director, said: “Access to faster and stronger internet speeds is becoming increasingly important to businesses.

“Being able to offer the incentive of superfast broadband connection has played an important part in 4CG being able to rent out individual office space at the old police station in Cardigan. Our ‘Rhwyd Teifi’ WiFi project in the town is also helping enable local people to connect to the internet.”

One company to take up one of the office spaces in Cardigan is Planet Clegg who work for shows such as the X-Factor live tour and having access to superfast broadband was an important issue when they decided to move premises.

Mike Clegg of Planet Clegg said: “We work with live music shows and also produce them. These are mainly large arena shows, such as the X factor live tour.

“Superfast broadband is absolutely vital in ensuring we do our work to the highest standard possible as we need to access the web for research, communication and transferring large amounts of data and video footage.

“Moving to this office has enabled us to access those faster internet speeds. Without it we wouldn’t be able to perform our demanding duties.”

To date over 73% of premises served off the Cardigan exchange are able to access faster internet speeds thanks to Superfast Cymru.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James said: “It has been great to see the positive impact switching to superfast broadband has had for 4CG and the businesses it lets its offices out to.

“Superfast Cymru is delivering access to quick and efficient connection speeds which can open new doors for businesses allowing them to grow and develop as well as communicate and reach out to the global market.

“We have intervened to provide access to superfast services as private companies decided it was not commercially viable for them alone to roll-out fibre in these areas. As a result, over 550,000 premises in all parts of Wales are now able to access it thanks to Superfast Cymru and work continues to provide access for more homes and businesses.”

Alwen Williams, director for BT Cymru /Wales, said: “Superfast broadband is having a huge impact on the way we live our lives in Wales.”

“As proven by the 4CG, having access to superfast broadband helps business to move, act and trade more quickly and effectively.

“When combined with BT’s commercial roll-out, we’ve already provided more than 1.24m Welsh homes and businesses with access to high-speed fibre broadband and we look forward to working with our partners to extend this even further across the country.

“As we continue to build the infrastructure we would urge people to take advantage of this technology and sign up with a broadband service provider.”

The regulator Ofcom recognised that Wales has the highest availability of superfast broadband of any of the devolved nations.

The Superfast Cymru programme is a huge undertaking that will involve laying 17,500kms of optical fibre cable, installing around 3,000 new green roadside cabinets and sees, on average, more than 100 premises getting access to superfast broadband across Wales every hour.

Households and businesses in the area which want to take advantage of the benefits of fast fibre broadband should contact an internet service provider (ISP) of their choice to place an order. Information about the roll-out is published on the Superfast Cymru website (www.superfast-cymru.com).

Last year the Welsh Government announced a £12.5m five year programme to ensure businesses across Wales can maximise the benefits of superfast broadband. Further information is available on: www.businesswales.gov.wales/superfastbusinesswales

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Police ask motorists to avoid A44 trunk road due to heavy snowfall

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DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued an appeal to motorists to avoid a 25 mile section of the A44 trunk road between Aberystwyth and Llangurig due to it being impassable due to heavy snowfall.

In a warning issued at 4am on their social media accounts the police said: “Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.”

Meanwhile, last night The Nags Head in Lampeter uploaded pictures of the snowy scenes in the area, and were encouraging customers to come in and sit next to their ‘nice warm fire’.

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Egg and farm shop to open at award-winning west Wales farm

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A SCHEME for a self-serve egg and farm shop at an award-winning 32,000-chicken Ceredigion farm, to allow it to receive a UK Shared Prosperity fund grant, has been approved by county planners.

Ben Edkins, of Edkins Eggs, Coed Farm, Cilcennin sought permission to site a self-serve farm shop on an existing yard area at the site.

A supporting letter submitted through agent Morgan & Flynn Architectural Services described it as “a more advanced version of an egg stand, with honesty box, which has been a staple for people producing eggs for centuries”.

It added: “This method of selling eggs has already proven to be a hit with communities in Ceredigion, given the success of the already established egg dispenser located in Aberystwyth town centre.”

Family-owned Edkins Eggs, which supplies multiple businesses across the area with eggs, including Aberaeron’s Y Seler, Hive, Harbourmaster, and Costcutters, has been awarded a grant to cover the cost of part of the proposal, on the condition that planning approval is granted, the statement added.

“The grant, which is a UK shared prosperity fund for the Mid Wales region as part of the ‘Cynnal Y Cardi Fund’ provided by Ceredigion County Council was granted in December 2023.

“For this grant to be claimed, it is required that planning permission is granted, the construction is completed and also the egg dispensers are implemented by December 2024. This gives the applicants a 12-month window from the point of the grant awarded to completion of proposal.”
The building itself will include a solar panel array providing the power for the egg dispensing unit and lighting, and it is hoped to create one extra job at 227-acre Coed Farm, home to 32,000 chickens producing free range eggs, 90 beef cattle and 200 sheep.

A green infrastructure statement by the agent added: “The creation of this building to house the self-serve farm shop to enhance the established family-owned business ‘Edkins Eggs’, which also has provisions to allow for other local companies producing items such as vegetables and honey to sell their products, will provide a facility for the local community to purchase locally produced goods directly from the supplier.

“This will not only provide an enhanced shopping experience in terms of being able to purchase directly from the farm, which could act as an educational benefit especially for children, but also provide the additional facility of a small-scale shop to the local area, whereas currently the community would either have to travel to the service centres of either Aberaeron or Felinfach.”

The application was conditionally approved under delegated powers.

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Entertainment

John Singer Sargent’s ‘Fashion & Swagger’ to light up the Torch

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IN an unparalleled celebration of one of the late 19th century’s most revered portrait artists, the Torch Theatre is set to host “John Singer Sargent – Fashion & Swagger” on Tuesday, 16 April, at 7:30 pm. This innovative exhibition, brought to life by Exhibition on Screen, delves into the remarkable artistry of John Singer Sargent, whose portraits are celebrated for their intricate depiction of his subjects’ persona, attire, and the subtleties of their presentation.

The event promises an insightful exploration of Sargent’s influence on modern art, culture, and fashion, featuring interviews with a diverse group of curators, contemporary fashion icons, and style influencers. Filmed at prestigious venues like the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and Tate Britain in London, the exhibition unveils Sargent’s extraordinary ability to capture the essence of his subjects’ identities, social standings, and the complexities of gender through his art during a pivotal time of cultural transformation.

Phil Grabsky, one of the producers behind this compelling film, shared his enthusiasm for spotlighting Sargent’s genius, stating, “As filmmakers, both director David Bickerstaff and I have been thrilled to make this film about Sargent, someone I consider a truly astounding artist.” Grabsky further reflected on the curious case of Sargent’s fading recognition despite his once-celebrated status and affirmed Exhibition on Screen’s commitment to revitalizing interest in artists who deserve renewed attention.

The exhibition promises a fascinating juxtaposition of over 50 of Sargent’s paintings with authentic items of clothing and accessories donned by his subjects, offering audiences a unique passage into the artist’s creative realm. It underscores how Sargent’s subjects, often hailing from affluent backgrounds, entrusted him with their public images — a theme that resonates with the ongoing dialogue around the construction of identity in the public eye.

Tickets for “John Singer Sargent – Fashion & Swagger” are available for £13. Those interested can secure their spots by visiting www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contacting the Box Office at 01646 695267.

For further details and imagery, or to arrange press inquiries, please reach out to Anwen Francis (Marketing, Press & Communications) via email at [email protected] or phone at 07854 772640.

ENDS

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