Sing and Inspire uses the techniques of singing and vocal health methods to improve staff motivation, attitude and decrease sickness rates. The company already runs a number of successful in-house staff choirs with some of Wales’ biggest employers, including Admiral Insurance, T Mobile and GE Aviation Wales

Now the company is set to launch its latest venture; a weekly Friday lunchtime choir session in Cardiff city centre, offering other employers in the capital the chance to experience the proven benefits of staff choirs and the power of song.

The Sing and Inspire programme of training at T-Mobile recently resulted in an incredible 50 per cent reduction in sickness rates in the company, as well as a reported a 41 per cent increase in customer satisfaction levels at its Merthyr Tydfil call centre, saving the business hundreds of thousands of pounds overall.

Held at St David’s Hall on the Hayes in Cardiff, the new weekly choir is launching with weekly taster sessions with more than 40 representatives from a variety of businesses and organisations already signed up to attend.

Speaking about the new project, and how it could benefit local businesses, Andrea Beardshaw, Co -Director at Sing and Inspire said: “The idea of the Business Choir was born from requests from smaller businesses who loved the concept of a staff choir, and the benefits it brings to the workplace, but didn’t have enough staff, or couldn’t fund a choir as large as some of our major clients.
“The Business Choir is an opportunity for employers of any size to send anything upwards of one member of staff along to network with other businesses and enjoy a high-energy burst of singing during a Friday lunchtime. Singing as a group has been proven to boost energy, and improve motivation, making it the ideal activity to improve productivity in what is a notorious lull on a Friday afternoon.

Co-director Georgina Jones added: “We’re aiming to send staff back to their desks refreshed and energised, as well as offering the chance to network with other like-minded people.
This is a real opportunity for employers to experience in the benefits of singing in the workplace, without committing to a larger investment.”

Ceri Assiratti, Head of Human Resources at Admiral said: “The Sing and Inspire choir has been a great morale booster for all those involved in the project at Admiral. Those working with the team say they feel highly motivated yet relaxed after the choral sessions.”

He admits the video’s a little rough at the edges but reckons that lessons learnt here will stand him in good stead for future productions.

Coming to a Sunday carvery near you soon … http://bit.ly/b9aRS4

Cancer Research Wales will be holding a Christmas wrapping service in Cardiff’s Capitol Centre on:

Wednesday 9th December – Saturday 12th December
Monday 21st December – Thursday 24th December 2009

All the money raised will stay in Wales to help Cancer Research Wales fund pioneering research projects into new cancer treatments.

Liz Andrews, deputy director of fundraising for Cancer Research Wales said: “This is a great way to get all your Christmas gift wrapping done, and support a local charity this Christmas. We may even have some of our celebrity supporters on hand to help out!”

• Visit www.crw.org for more information, or add Cr Wales as a friend on Facebook

After more than ten years of outstanding service to Cardiff RFC and Cardiff Blues, Martyn has deservedly been granted a testimonial year, which will run from January to December 2010.

In the past five years, ‘Nugget’, as he is affectionately known, has been recognised as one of the best back-row forwards in the world; highly praised by team mates and opponents alike.

The ‘Spirit of Wales’ Testimonial Year aims not only to celebrate the achievements of Martyn Williams as a Welsh sporting icon, but also to recognise Welsh success in other areas; and make the entire year a celebration of Wales.

An impressive list of names has already accepted invitations to act as ambassadors to the Martyn Williams Spirit of Wales Testimonial 2010. Hollywood actor, Ioan Gruffudd, acclaimed photographer, Rhian ap Gruffyd; chairman of Cardiff Blues and founder of Peters Savoury Products, Peter Thomas; lead vocalist and guitarist of the Manic Street Preachers, James Dean Bradfield; celebrity chef, Bryn Williams; The Rt. Hon Kim Howells, MP since 1989; and world-leading golfer, Ian Woosnam, will all be official patrons of the testimonial year.

HRH, Prince William will also contribute to a foreword in Martyn’s testimonial magazine.

Dean Sheehan, Chairman of the Martyn Williams testimonial committee, said this kind of backing for a testimonial year was unprecedented. “To confirm this calibre of support, from such a wide range of disciplines, is testament to the high regard Martyn is held in across the board, he said.

“The Spirit of Wales title was chosen because Martyn epitomises everything that is good about traditional Welsh spirit. A ‘never say die’ attitude when the chips are down, honest and hard working and, despite his celebrated status, a modesty that you cannot help but admire.

“Aside from his celebrated ability and achievements in Welsh rugby, his character is also one fans can relate to. The ‘man in the street’ has an affinity with Martyn, having watched him destroy bigger and, in recent years, younger opponents.

“We’re aiming to create a testimonial year of quality never experienced before; one that will create a new benchmark, with a totally unique calendar of events, fitting to a Welsh rugby legend,” he added.

The first event in the Spirit of Wales Testimonial calendar will be an appropriate kick-off for a man who has twice been part of a Grand Slam winning team – a black tie dinner ahead of the Wales v England clash in the 2010 6 Nations tournament, at Twickenham Stadium.

Guests at the exclusive February 4th event will be treated to a Champagne reception and dinner, entertainment by award winning comedian, Rod Woodward, followed by a Q&A session with Martyn, Warren Gatland and an England rugby great. This will be followed by other high-profile events throughout the testimonial year.

Speaking about the launch event at Twickenham, Chairman Dean Sheehan said: “There is no better atmosphere in which to launch this testimonial year. Alongside Martyn and Wales coach Warren Gatland at the dinner is likely to be Laurence Dillaglio or England coach Martin Johnson. No one else will get as close to the moods in the two camps so close before the game itself”.

The Spirit of Wales Testimonial Year will also raise money for Martyn Williams’ two chosen charities, the NSPCC and Velindre Cancer Centre, of which he is patron following the double personal tragedy of losing both his mother and brother to cancer.

Martyn is admired not only on the pitch, but for his character, personal achievements and successes off it. Well-known for a clean living and wholesome lifestyle, Martyn lives near his childhood home of Pontypridd, with his wife Sam, and has two children, Mia, 6, and Corey,3. He is also training as a financial planner with a Welsh financial advisory firm.

Spirit of Wales Patron, the Rt The Rt. Hon Kim Howells, MP summed up the strength of support for Martyn Williams and his testimonial year. He said: “Because he had grace and class, Martyn never had the need to be flashy, either on the field or off; indeed, the last time I exchanged a ‘Good Morning’ with him, quite a few years ago, he was pushing a pram up the Eiger that is Whiterock Hill in Pontypridd, while my dog was dragging me down it at a rate of knots.
“It occurred to me on that Sunday morning that, in Wales, we want our rugby heroes never to lose that sense of identity with the communities that bred them; no matter how gloriously their reputations may spread across the world. We want them to express on that field of dreams some part of what each of us believes Wales is about.”
• To book your places at the Spirit of Wales launch event in Twickenham, email: info@endgamegroup.com. tel: 02920 663 129

The award recognises the work of the Pembrokeshire Probation team led by project co-ordinator Annette Brenchley, in assisting offenders in acquiring the personal and social skills, attitudes and resources they need to reform while addressing the underlying causes of offending behaviour.

The team, who are based at Victoria Place in Haverfordwest, were congratulated for their ability to deliver a flexible and innovative client-led scheme which is consistently providing positive outcomes for former offenders.

Speaking of her teams delight at winning the award, Pembrokeshire Probation Scheme project leader Annette Brenchley said: “Winning this award is a great achievement for our team and it is superb to know that the work we do is recognised by our peers working within criminal justice throughout Dyfed Powys.

“We are continually updating how we work with offenders to ensure that our scheme remains innovative and above all that it helps to reform offenders and provide a pathway to change for them and their behaviour.”

The new branch in Wood Street in Cardiff, is the first for the company which has previously dealt with all bookings over the phone, or at its Swansea headquarters.

Now the executive coach company, which acquired Gwent-based Kingfisher at the end of last year and also owns Brian Isaac Coaches, has expanded into its first walk-in shop near Cardiff’s Central Station.

Employing three full-time members of staff, the new branch will offer customers a face to face booking for Diamonds’ extensive catalogue of European and UK coach holidays. It was officially opened by Swansea-born Cardiff Blues sensation Leigh Halfpenny.

Diamond Holidays’ managing director Chris Roberts said the progression to the Cardiff was an obvious move for a company that is celebrating its 42nd year in business this year.

Chris said: “For 42 years we have been recognised as Wales’ premier coach holiday company, and the calibre of our coaches and the range of products that we offer is testament to that, so opening our first branch has been on the horizon for some time.

“This year Diamond Holidays has taken more than 75,000 people from Wales away on their holidays and we have witnessed an increasingly large take up of people travelling with us from Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys.

“The opening of our first dedicated branch marks a substantial move forward for Diamond Holidays and positions us to be able to offer an accessible and knowledgeable service in a pleasant and conveniently located store.”

For more information on Diamond Holidays visit the new branch in Wood Street in Cardiff, telephone 029 2039 6066 or go online to www.diamondholidays.co.uk

Utility Training Services Ltd picked up the Young Growth Business of the Year Award alongside the overall Premier Award at the eighth annual Caerphilly Business Forum Awards at the Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel and Spa (Friday 13th Nov).

The business, which offers a range of niche training courses to clients including Laing O’Rourke, AMEC and Wales and West Utilities, employs five members of staff from its base at Pen-Y-Fan Industrial Estate in Crumlin and has succeeded in expanding the range of training opportunities that it offers businesses despite launching during the difficult economic conditions of recent months.

Utility Training Services Director Paul Williams accepted the awards on behalf of the company, and spoke of how the business had emerged as an industry frontrunner despite starting out at the beginning of the recession. Paul said: “It is an amazing honour and achievement to win these two awards and is a real seal of approval that all of our hard work as a team is paying off.”

Alongside Utility Training Services’ six other companies from across the Caerphilly County Borough were celebrated for their achievements over the last 12 months. 

Winners on the night were Blackwood-based Taylors Bed & Breakfast for Young Business of the Year; Caerphilly insurance brokers Thomas Carroll Group, who were awarded the Health Works Award;  Charlotte Burles, the Director of Abercarn and Blackwood property management and letting agency Parkmans, was awarded the John Griffiths Young Achiever Award; Abercarn window and door manufacturer Modplan won the Achievement in Manufacturing Award; leading utility management company UES won the Business of the Year with fewer than 25 employees, and Crumlin-based plastic manufacturer Klockner Pentaplast Ltd received the Business of the Year with more than 25 employees award.

Caerphilly Business Forum Chair Martyn Fear said the judges faced a tougher time than ever in selecting this year’s winners as businesses had come out in force to demonstrate their sheer determination and resilience in what has been a challenging year for many.

“The quality and strength of entries in this year’s awards has been greater than we have seen in past years,” he said.

“All of our winners have demonstrated significant ingenuity, passion and commitment to their businesses in the last year. There is no denying that this has been the toughest year for business for a long time, but these seven award winners have shown an exceptional commitment to growing their businesses and overcoming obstacles during the last 12 months.

“The last year has been the toughest faced by businesses for more than three decades and our seven winning companies – along with the exceptionally high standard of finalists – should be immensely proud of their achievements this year.

“We wish all the winners and businesses that entered this year’s awards the very best of success in the next 12 months.”

Coleg Gwent were the main sponsors of the awards, while previous winners Norgine sponsored the awards ceremony. Category and other sponsors included Draig Personnel, Broomfield & Alexander, Venture Wales, Health Challenge Caerphilly County Borough, Peter’s Food Services, SEDA Packaging, Caerphilly County Borough Council, South East Wales Local Investment Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Established in October 2007, the office employs three dedicated investment managers and a financial planner from its office at Axis Court in Swansea Vale.

Overseen by divisional director Richard Croydon, it boasts a portfolio of more than 200 clients from South West Wales, including individuals, independent financial advisers, solicitors and accountants.

And despite the recession, the business in Swansea and the West has continued to grow beyond expectation, increasing its portfolio of investments by several millions in the last year alone, while continuing to actively increase staff numbers.

Divisional director Richard Croydon, an investment manager of 25 years experience in Swansea, says that success of Brewin Dolphin’s Swansea branch was due to its individual approach with investing clients.

“Swansea has been a success for Brewin Dolphin due to the highly personalised and individually-tailored service that we offer to our clients.

“Our team has more than 70 years of combined experience as investment managers and financial planners, which comes as a great comfort to people who are looking to invest.”

“It’s a common misconception that only those with vast amounts of wealth look to invest. In what has been a difficult year, people are seeking more advice than ever before on where best to put their money.

“At times like these, Brewin Dolphin’s ability to invest on clients behalf’s regardless of how large or small their investment is, a welcome change to investors.”

The Swansea office is one of 40 branches the independent investment company has across the UK.

The development, which has increased the university’s capacity to house 1,136 additional students, consists of 11 modern blocks of one-bedroom en-suite rooms with communal laundry and social facilities.

Spread over two academic years, the final phase of the development has now been handed over to the university and is already playing home to the university’s newest intake of students.

Developed by Grŵp Gwalia’s student accommodation arm, Tai Cartrefi and Cowlin Construction, the Bangor University project will now pave the way for further investment by the housing developer in supported and specialist elderly homes throughout Wales.

David Harris, Divisional Managing Director of Cowlin Construction commented “The success of this project is as a result of effective team working at all levels backed up by the full commitment and support from all parties involved. It is a pleasure to support Grŵp Gwalia on yet another innovative and successful project.”

It is intended that the surplus generated from this and other student schemes will be reinvested in the creation of further housing projects in areas where social, supported and elderly housing is needed.

Hilary Jones, Director of Tai Cartrefi said “This is a remarkable achievement for Bangor University, the local economy and Tai Cartrefi. Its completion, on time and on budget, will be of significant benefit to all parties involved and will pave the way for further growth of the university and will allow Tai Cartrefi to invest in additional social housing in Wales.”