News
Welsh entrepreneurs launch app
WELSH entrepreneurs are launching a search for the UK’s most fashionable pet to be the face of their new social petwork app, Fuzmo.
The free photo-sharing app launches live on the IOS and Android app store today (Friday 20th February). As part of the launch, the app is inviting owners to post pictures of their fashionista pets in a bid to become the face of Fuzmo.
The search follows a UK survey, conducted by Fuzmo, which reveals that one in five owners consider their pets to be fashionable while 70% dress up their pet or decorate its home for special occasions.
The results also reveal that UK owners are notably fashion conscious, with a quarter splashing out on pet clothes and two thirds investing in grooming products to style their pet’s look.
The Fuzmo app is an extension of Fuzmo.com, which already attracts 20,000 members worldwide and has more than three million followers on Instagram – including the likes of Katy Perry, Aaron Paul Sturtevant and Christina Perri.
Fuzmo was founded by Welsh entrepreneurs, Elliot Thomas and Jack Morris who launched the start up company with the help of online crowd funding, managing to raise £55,450 in just 11 days.
They then raised a further £50,000 following the success of their initial crowd funding project, receiving backing from three major investors including NewLook founder, Tom Singh.
The duo has recruited seven members of staff since the investment to help manage operations.
Elliot said: “We started by launching the Fuzmo website off our own backs, hoping it would support our business case to crowd fund the app. We knew we were on to something when we had thousands of members signup to Fuzmo.com from all over the world within just two months. Fortunately, many other people saw the potential of Fuzmo, too, and made a decision to invest in us. More than 20 of our initial investors are from the local community and we are so grateful for that vote of confidence which was invaluable in helping us to secure the investment we needed to launch the app. Jack and I make a great team. My background lies in tech and web design and Jack has an uncanny eye for spotting content which is going to be popular online – he can actually look at a photo and tell you how many likes and views it will get. Our combined skills meant that launching Fuzmo seemed to make perfect sense as a business venture.”
Jack said: “Our search for the UK’s most fashionable pet just shows what Fuzmo is all about – pampered pets that love to have their photograph taken and owners that want to share how much they love them with the world. Owners are very passionate about their pets and fill their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook feeds with photos of them getting up to all sorts of mischief. By launching an app which allows pets to have an account of their very own, we hope to host an entire community of people who are passionate about animals and sharing pet-related content. The app will make it easy for owners to upload photos of their pets to Fuzmo when they’re on the move and we’re really excited to see cute and funny contributions from UK animal lovers.”
To take part in the search for the UK’s most fashionable pet, download the app to your device and post a photo of your pet using the hashtag #FaceofFuzmo.
To register an account with Fuzmo, download the app for free on iOS or Android, or visit fuzmo.com.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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