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Summer Start-up Week helps hundreds of students become entrepreneurs

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500 students, college leavers and graduates with entrepreneurial ambitions from West Wales and across the country took part in a free online Summer Start-Up Week to help get their business ideas off the ground.

The sell-out Summer Start-Up Week took place from 8th – 12th June and offered five days of inspiration, learning and networking to turn ideas into businesses, social enterprises and freelancing careers.

The Summer Start-Up Week was launched collaboratively by all Welsh colleges and universities to ensure young people separated by social distancing could join a virtual start-up community and continue to develop their ideas. This included Aberystwyth University, Coleg Sir Gar, Coleg Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire College. A group on Facebook formed from Summer Start-Up Week now has over 250 like-minded members who will continue to support one and other through their business journey.

With a mix of daily live webinars and active Q&A sessions, the week covered relevant topics such as market research, finance, digital marketing and networking, helping participants to develop skills and gain information and contacts to turn their ideas into viable businesses or social enterprises.

The week drew on the business expertise of academic staff and featured experienced entrepreneurs and business experts, including Lee Sharma from cloud-based software platform Simply Do, Tracey Smolinski, founder and managing director of Wales’ leading independent business network, Introbiz, Town Square Spaces founder Gareth Jones and Katy Hayward from honey farm and education centre Felin Honeybees.

Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, said: “The fact this Summer Start-up Week was able to take place virtually during these most challenging of times is a demonstration of the exceptional collaboration which takes place between our educational institutions and our service providers.

“That it was also sold-out is a testament to the budding entrepreneurial spirit and flair our young people have here in Wales, even in these extremely challenging times.

“The event will have given students and graduates invaluable access to inspiring success stories and expert advice, as well as a valuable peer network for the future.

“I hope it helps all those who attended to realise their business ambitions now and for the future.”

Apprentice winner, Alana Spencer from Aberystwyth, owner of Ridiculously Rich confectionary business, featured as part of the entrepreneurial line up, alongside a host of Welsh entrepreneurs.

Supported by the Welsh Government’s Big Ideas Wales service, part of Business Wales to encourage youth entrepreneurship, the week featured talks from the network of entrepreneurial Role Models. These business owners from across Wales shared inspiring stories and practical advice to help others understand the business start-up journey.

Role Model Clare Ferguson-Walker, from Carmarthen, owns CFW Designs, and make and sells paintings, sculptures and ceramic art globally.

Clare said: “It’s great that these events are taking place to help nurture entrepreneurship in Wales.

“I am an artist, primarily a sculptor and at the start only intended on selling a few of my pieces. I didn’t have a bigger game plan than that, but before I knew it I was running my own business.  It was challenging to begin with, and I learnt so much in the first year. Through sharing my experiences, I hope it has inspired other budding entrepreneurs that setting up their own business is well within their reach.”

Emma Forouzan, chair of Summer Start-Up Week: “At universities and colleges in Wales, we see first-hand the exceptional entrepreneurial minds of many of our students, and we’re continually looking for ways to nurture and support those students with strong business ideas. In this climate, it’s important for ambitious young people with a business concept to think about their options and take time to learn from experts and the business support available to them.

“During the week I was impressed with active participation of the students, with 100’s of students at each session, they questioned, shared knowledge questioning and sought , sharing knowledge and gleaning advice from experienced business owners as well as linking into the fantastic introducing them to the start-up support network available here in Wales.”

Following the week students will speak with their assigned Entrepreneurship Champions from their college or university and access ongoing support and advice to help them pursue their ambitions.

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Welsh Water has increased sewage discharges into waterways ‘by 40%’

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NEW figures released by the Environment Agency have shown that Dwr Cymru discharged sewage into waterways for a staggering 23,354 hours last year, a 40% increase on 2022. 

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are now calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in Welsh waterways.

The party has also called for a halt on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways.

Conservative MPs have consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis.

The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said: “It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into our nation’s rivers and waterways without consequence.

“It’s beggars’ belief that both the UK Conservative Government and the Welsh Labour government are allowing water firms to get away with this environmental vandalism.

“We as a party are calling for tougher action to stop sewage being dumped in local waterways. We have also called for a halt on bonuses for water company fat cats whose firms have pumped filth into our waterways.”

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New bus services announced by Pembrokeshire County Council

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A NUMBER of changes to local bus services will be introduced in the coming weeks as a result of a shake up to bus funding. 

From April 2024, the funding which has been provided directly to bus operators by the Welsh Government to keep services going in the wake of the Covid pandemic will cease. 

Additional funding will instead be provided to Local Authorities to support their local bus network.

In total, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government will provide over £3million in support for bus services in Pembrokeshire during the coming year.

As part of this process, all Pembrokeshire’s local bus services have been re-tendered. 

A public consultation, receiving over 300 responses, helped to inform decisions about which services should be prioritised. 

Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services said: “I am delighted to be able to report that we are able to maintain the whole of Pembrokeshire’s current local bus network in the coming year.

“We have also secured key improvements such as reinstating an hourly service on the 349 route between Haverfordwest and Tenby via Pembroke Dock, and the popular Strumble Shuttle and Puffin Shuttle coastal bus services during the summer.”

The changes will also see two key services, the 302 Haverfordwest to Milford Haven and 349 Haverfordwest to Tenby via Pembroke Dock, brought under Council oversight for the first time. 

This will give the Council greater oversight of service operations and fares.  Pembrokeshire residents will also benefit from a new fare structure on all First Cymru services, due to be introduced from 1 April 2024. 

This will use Tap On Tap Off to allow passengers to pay the cheapest fare depending on the number of journeys they make or distance travelled, and will cap the maximum adult fare at £3 single and £5.40 return. 

More information about these fares can be found on the First Cymru website

A number of additional service changes and improvements are being considered for introduction during the course of the coming year in response to feedback received from the public consultation.  

The following bus service changes have been confirmed:

From 23 March 2024:

  • The Celtic Coaster (403) on the St Davids peninsular will restart for the 2024 season on Saturday 23 March and will run until Sunday 29 September. This is an hourly service, increasing to half-hourly during the whitsun half term and school summer holidays. There will be no service departing Caerfai Road at 13.00 and 13.30.
  • The 351 (Tenby to Pendine via Amroth) will return to its summer timetable.

From 1 April 2024

  • An hourly service will return on the 349 (Haverfordwest to Tenby via Pembroke Dock) service (April to September only).
  • The 356 (Milford Haven to Monkton) service will no longer call at Waterston and Hazelbeach due to operational issues caused by the narrow lanes in this area. The Fflecsi service will still be available.
  • A Saturday service, between 07:30 and 18:30, will be reintroduced in the Fflecsi Mid Pembrokeshire zone (formerly known as Bwcabus). This zone covers the area between Letterston, Crymych, Clunderwen and Wiston.  Passengers can also travel from this zone to Fishguard and Haverfordwest. 
  • The 302 (Haverfordwest to Milford Haven) and 349 (Haverfordwest to Tenby via Pembroke Dock) services operated by First Cymru will come under Pembrokeshire County Council control, giving the Council greater oversight of service operations and fares.
  • The 322 (Haverfordwest to Carmarthen) and 381 (Haverfordwest to Tenby via Narberth) services will be run by First Cymru. The 322 timetable will remain the same. The 381 timetable will remain the same from Haverfordwest to Tenby but journeys from Tenby to Haverfordwest will depart slightly earlier (37 past the hour instead of 45).
  • The X22 and X61 services which provided journeys at the start and end of the day between Pembroke Dock and Kilgetty, and Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest will be withdrawn.
  • The 410 (Fishguard Town) and T11 (Haverfordwest to Fishguard via St Davids) services will be operated on a commercial (T11 part commercial) basis by Richards Bros. An improved connection with the ferry at Fishguard Harbour will be provided at 12.30.

From 19 May 2024

  • The Tenby Coaster service between Tenby and Saundersfoot will return for the summer season.

From 25 May 2024

  • The 400 Puffin Shuttle and 404 Strumble Shuttle services will return to the coast between Marloes and St Davids, and St Davids and Fishguard. These services will operate 7 days a week until 29 September 2024.  The Fflecsi service is also available in this area throughout the year.
  • The 387/388 Coastal Cruiser service around the Angle Peninsula will also return to its summer timetable, operating 7 days a week until 29th September 2024.

Further information about all Pembrokeshire bus services can be found on the Council’s website.

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Ocky White Travel marks 60th anniversary with luxury cruise giveaway

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IN a grand gesture commemorating six decades of unparalleled service in the travel industry, Pembrokeshire’s venerated independent travel agency, Ocky White Travel, has announced an extraordinary giveaway—a luxury cruise for two, in partnership with Pure West Radio.

Established 60 years ago, Ocky White Travel has become a staple in the lives of Pembrokeshire residents, offering dream holidays and contributing significantly to the local economy. Despite the fluctuating fortunes of neighbouring businesses and the often harsh realities of the travel sector, Ocky White Travel has stood firm, a testament to its resilience and commitment to customer satisfaction.

This resilience was further demonstrated when, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic—a period that saw many in the industry falter—Ocky White Travel not only survived but thrived by expanding its operations to include Sam Smith Travel in Cowbridge. This expansion has allowed the agency to extend its exceptional service to a broader audience across South Wales.

Celebrating this milestone, Ocky White Travel has engaged in a comprehensive multi-media campaign, underscored by its official sponsorship of the PWR Daytime Show. A central highlight of this celebration is a tiered competition, offering participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a luxury Nordic cruise for two. The competition, which has garnered thousands of entries since its launch on 21st February, underscores the agency’s dedication to rewarding its loyal clientele.

Mark White, Owner and Managing Director of Ocky White Travel, expressed immense pride in reaching this significant milestone. He emphasised the agency’s unique position in the hearts of many families across generations, attributing this success to the personalised service and deep understanding of client needs that have become the hallmark of Ocky White Travel.

Echoing this sentiment, Toby Ellis of Pure West Radio highlighted the positive impact of the partnership on local residents. He praised Ocky White Travel for its hands-on approach and the invaluable advice provided by its seasoned staff. The giveaway, featuring a 7-night cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, stands as the most significant prize offered by the radio station, symbolising a “holiday of a lifetime.”

Entries for this historic giveaway will remain open until 31st March, with the lucky winners to be announced on Pure West Radio’s Daytime Show. This event not only celebrates Ocky White Travel’s 60 years of service but also its enduring commitment to creating unforgettable holiday experiences for its customers.

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