Latest news with #Wrexham-based
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Powys County Times
'Stōked Sawna' to launch sauna and cold plunge in Dee Valley
AN off-the-grid sauna and cold plunge experience will launch nestled in a beautiful North Wales town. Bright and early on Saturday, August 9 'STōKED SAWNA' is launching a hand-crafted wood-fired sauna in Llangollen. Based on Berwyn Street, it will open at 7.30am tomorrow (Saturday, August 9). The business is owned by friends for over 15-years Gilbert Matthew and Mark Roberts who love adventure and travel, and are passionate about health and fitness. Both are proud Welsh men living in the Dee Valley and have shared many adventures together over the years; from skateboarding the length of Wales in memory of two close friends, raising £25,000 for Wrexham-based charity Nightingale house, or kayaking the River Dee from source to sea. The goal with their new business venture is to chase a more relaxing experience that's equally beneficial to the mind and body. Gilbert and Mark say the aspen-clad interior of the sauna will bring the scents of the forest as visitors unwind. Everyone will be encouraged to take time away from screens and soak up the views of the River Dee and the ancient ruins of Castell Dinas Bran through the panoramic window. There is also an elegant IKI wood-burning stove that keeps STōKED at a cozy 85 degrees. When the heat gets too much, visitors can nip outside and build up the courage to pull the rope on the cold-water bucket shower or take the plunge into the cold-water tank. Visitors can also enjoy wild swimming which can be accessed at the sauna site alongside local group Dee Dippers, run by Heather Jones. Gilbert said: "We are absolutely SToKED and excited for our official opening on Saturday! We're really looking forward to building a community around health, heat and wellness. We want to make Llangollen a healthier, hotter and happier place to live or visit. "We're all about good vibes, wild swimming, a friendly atmosphere, and a peaceful escape in nature and of course an awesome sauna providing all the scientifically proven benefits." The owners claim the experience can boost heart health, supports muscle recovery, aids natural detoxification, improves skin health, reduces stress, promotes relaxation and enhances sleep quality. MOST READ Also joining the team is Sam Bamford to manage all socials and admin. "She'll be the key ingredient to the success of SToKED SAWNA", Gilbert said. "Llangollen born and bred she also owns the wonderful Sunbank accommodation here in Llangollen." Bookings are required via with sessions for groups and individuals starting at £17.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
'Stōked Sawna' to launch sauna and cold plunge in Dee Valley
Bright and early on Saturday, August 9 'STōKED SAWNA' is launching a hand-crafted wood-fired sauna in Llangollen. STōKED SAWNA (Image: UGC) Based on Berwyn Street, it will open at 7.30am tomorrow (Saturday, August 9). The business is owned by friends for over 15-years Gilbert Matthew and Mark Roberts who love adventure and travel, and are passionate about health and fitness. Friends and owners of STōKED, Gilbert and Mark (Image: UGC) Both are proud Welsh men living in the Dee Valley and have shared many adventures together over the years; from skateboarding the length of Wales in memory of two close friends, raising £25,000 for Wrexham-based charity Nightingale house, or kayaking the River Dee from source to sea. The goal with their new business venture is to chase a more relaxing experience that's equally beneficial to the mind and body. (Image: UGC) Gilbert and Mark say the aspen-clad interior of the sauna will bring the scents of the forest as visitors unwind. Everyone will be encouraged to take time away from screens and soak up the views of the River Dee and the ancient ruins of Castell Dinas Bran through the panoramic window. There is also an elegant IKI wood-burning stove that keeps STōKED at a cozy 85 degrees. When the heat gets too much, visitors can nip outside and build up the courage to pull the rope on the cold-water bucket shower or take the plunge into the cold-water tank. Visitors can also enjoy wild swimming which can be accessed at the sauna site alongside local group Dee Dippers, run by Heather Jones. Wild swimming (Image: UGC) Gilbert said: "We are absolutely SToKED and excited for our official opening on Saturday! We're really looking forward to building a community around health, heat and wellness. We want to make Llangollen a healthier, hotter and happier place to live or visit. "We're all about good vibes, wild swimming, a friendly atmosphere, and a peaceful escape in nature and of course an awesome sauna providing all the scientifically proven benefits." The owners claim the experience can boost heart health, supports muscle recovery, aids natural detoxification, improves skin health, reduces stress, promotes relaxation and enhances sleep quality. MOST READ Tributes to 'fantastic' man who spent nearly 50 years as steward at Wrexham AFC Flintshire Council U-turn on closure of public toilets in Mold, Holywell and Talacre Main Wrexham roads near Eisteddfod congested as police urge people to use buses Also joining the team is Sam Bamford to manage all socials and admin. "She'll be the key ingredient to the success of SToKED SAWNA", Gilbert said. "Llangollen born and bred she also owns the wonderful Sunbank accommodation here in Llangollen." Bookings are required via with sessions for groups and individuals starting at £17. For updates and opening hours, visit the STōKED SAWNA social media pages.
Leader Live
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
From punk to indie, influences of Wrexham four-piece band
With the Leader's Next Big Thing feature, we hope to showcase some of the talent in Wrexham and Flintshire. If you are a group of musicians or solo singer that would love a boost towards your big break, the Leader wants to hear from you. Read more: 'It's a full-time obsession' - North Wales band The Loving Cup We are looking to put the Next Big Thing on music fans' radar, just remember us when you get to the top! To be in with the chance to feature, email a few details and contact number to In the spotlight this week is Wrexham-based four-piece, Paidamentro. The alternative band - influenced by the classic 70s punk scene, post punk, ska and indie - is made up of Cian Roberts - lead vocals/lead guitar; Patric Randles - vocals/rhythm guitar; Ryan Hampson - drums; Seren Weston - interim guest bass player. Paidamentro at Tyn Y Capel in Wrexham. Photo: J. A. Roberts/Paidamentro Is there a story behind the band name? CR: Yes. At my uncle Neil's house on his 60th birthday, trying to come up with a name. He was a massive punk fan back in the day but his suggestions of 'The Sprouts' and 'Cabbages' didn't quite fit. Aunti Mari (a fluent Welsh speaker) came up with 'Paid a mentro' (meaning 'don't you dare', in Welsh), which is pretty tame for punk, but we liked it. We took out the spaces between words and became Paidamentro. Your musical influences, did you grow up around music? CR: Me mam! Mum and dad - I loved jiggling about as a baby to bands like Madness and The Fratelli's and Toy Dolls' version of Nellie the Elephant! I've grown up at home listening to great alternative music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. People like Taylor Swift inspire me… not to perform commercial rubbish that's constantly overplayed everywhere. PR: Started playing guitar in school with Matt Nicholls. Now I'm inspired by great bands I've seen live, like Stiff Little Fingers, James, Supergrass, Buzzcocks, Greenday, Blur and Oasis. RH: When I was young, I used to play Tony Hawk [gaming] and the punk soundtrack really influenced me! SW: I grew up with 90s indie like The Stone Roses, Hole and Nirvana. Cian Roberts and Patric Randlesof Paidamentro. Photo: J. A. Roberts/Paidamentro Who do you admire in the industry? PR: Carl Barat from The Libertines - his raw energy on stage. CR: Robert Smith [The Cure] and Ian McCulloch [Echo and the Bunnymen]. I really enjoyed seeing Stiff Little Fingers, I managed to get wedged in a crowd of brilliant, sweaty middle-aged blokes who kept me levitated off the ground for at least 10 seconds! SW: Electric Wizard and The Cure. RH: Technicians because they go through a lot of s**t and nobody knows who they are. Are you self-taught? PR: Mostly self-taught but more recently I have had some professional tutoring in a local studio. SW: Yes - I've been teaching myself bass since I was about 11-years-old. RH: I started playing drums with a tutor in 2018 but soon dropped it. In 2020, since we were all stuck at home, I picked the drums back up and taught myself most of what I know. I refined it in high school with a few lessons. CR: I started playing the same riff for seven months in school until I realised I was in the wrong key. Then I got some proper lessons, starting around covid time. I am self-taught in jumping around on stage but I'm still working on how to not smack my teeth on the microphone! Read more: Wrexham band members grew up with parents' love of music Ryan Hampson of Paidamentro. Photo: J. A. Roberts/Paidamentro What do you enjoy about performing? RH: The exchange of energy between the band and the crowd. There's also an aspect of feeling the 'loudness' in a live performance which you can feel in your body that just isn't creatable through a pair of headphones. SW: It gives me a rush to show people my passion and I love to see people enjoying something I created. PR: The privilege of playing in front of a live audience and sharing our music. The adrenaline! CR: I like hearing the audience enjoying our songs, even though most of the time I can't see them through my sunglasses. Read more: 1980's Wrexham band Terminal gets French kiss of life Is performing a full-time job? RH: Currently no, but music is in my head 24/7. I'm constantly writing or expanding on songs and listening to other artists. To be able to perform for a living would be a dream come true. CR: I wish… it would be great to get paid for making a noise and to jump around for a living wearing sunglasses. PR: I hope it will! I'm going to uni to complete a performance and guitar technique degree in September. SW: I'd like it to be full-time, which I hope will become a reality for me as I progress to university. Where can people catch you live in the coming months? Friday, August 22, Saith Seren (@Wrexfest). Saturday, August 30, The Saddle, Chester (with High Coven, and The Barflies). Cian Roberts, Ryan Hampson and Patric Randles of Paidamentro. Photo: J. A. Roberts/Paidamentro Favourite song (yours or anyone else's)? CR: Pests! [our song] … Whenever you see little insects running around your house… remember, there's bigger pests out there! SW: Sunglasses, by Black Country, New Road. PR: Can't Stand Me Now, by The Libertines. I love their passion for their music, especially when they are on stage. RH: One Night in '99, by Biting Elbows. It reflects my early exposure to music. Read more: Next Big Thing: self taught musicians of metalcore band Gloom49 Thoughts on the Wrexham/North Wales music scene? RH: Really promising young musicians, helped by the support of Colleg Cambria. Exceptionally great songwriters, performers and creative minds for their age. CR: Too many tribute bands. Wrexham and North Wales could be buzzing with more opportunities and exposure for up-and-coming local bands. We all need to pioneer a new scene in Wrexham to rival the likes of punk, post-punk and Britpop! And, we need more Paidamentro gigs! PR: We see new and upcoming bands in Wrexham regularly and I admire how these bands join together and gather inspiration from both upcoming and well-known bands. SW: A lot of young people like us making a career out of something special and I find it so fascinating to see different bands and how they perform. Anything else we should know? We'd love people to come and support us wherever we play - come and enjoy, listen and sing along. We're incredibly charismatic, energetic and full of fun, not to mention being extremely talented and good-looking… obviously! • Find Paidamentro on: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Soundcloud.
Leader Live
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
MS shares an update on the Coastal Path in Flintshire
MS for North Wales As Chair of the Senedd's Cross-Party Group on Disability, I met Amnesty International UK's Government and Political Relations Manager - Wales to discuss how we might ensure that the rights of disabled people are given proper legal effect in Wales. I also met with Wrexham-based Community Organising Charity TCC and other members of the coalition of organisations campaigning for the removal of barriers along the Wales Coastal Path in Flintshire, for discussion on further action. I have been working with disabled people and others across Flintshire for a decade, seeking to work with Flintshire County Council to remove all barriers along the Wales Coastal Path that are managed by the Council, allowing access for all. The current situation contravenes both the UK Equality Act (2010) and the legal and policy frameworks of the Welsh Government and Flintshire County Council itself. It was a pleasure to visit the 2025 Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells, where I was a member of the Gylfinir Cymru/Curlew Wales Panel as Wales Species Champion for the Curlew. My other meetings and visits there included, Adferiad, the member-led charity operating services across every constituency in Wales, that campaigns for and provides services to people with mental health, addiction, and co-occurring and complex needs; British Veterinary Association's Welsh Branch Reception as one of their Honorary Associate Members; The British Army Stand, to meet serving personnel, explore interactive displays, and learn more about the Army's contribution to Welsh society; Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW), to discuss the significant issues facing Welsh Agriculture at the moment; and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), to discuss some of their recent work and my priorities and concerns, and to meet their Senior Leadership team and area specialists. The Senedd's Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, which I Chair, has identified significant failings in the Welsh Government's handling of the acquisition of Gilestone Farm, near Talybont-on-Usk in Powys. In March 2022, the government paid £4.25m for the freehold of the Farm, as part of a plan to secure the future of Greenman Festival held nearby. There has since been a £0.5 million drop in the asset's value. The Committee's report, published on Monday (28th July) highlights that the purchase was rushed due to end-of-year budget pressures, resulting in avoidable mistakes. To ensure lessons are learned, the Committee will want to carry out further work looking at the Welsh Government's approach to property investments, to assess whether current processes are sufficiently rigorous and fit for purpose. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
Business News Wales
23-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Moneypenny Launches Dedicated Hospitality Team as Sector Adapts to Economic Pressures
Customer conversations provider Moneypenny has launched a dedicated hospitality team in response to rising demand from pubs, restaurants, and hotels looking to operate more efficiently amid soaring costs and National Insurance hikes. As hospitality venues across the UK face mounting financial pressures, many are turning to outsourcing to streamline operations, reduce staffing burdens, and improve service without increasing overheads, the firm said. Wrexham-based Moneypenny has seen a 26 %increase in hospitality enquiries over the past 12 months, prompting the creation of a specialised team trained to handle the needs of the sector. The National Insurance rise is one of many cost pressures forcing businesses to think how they operate. 'Outsourcing our calls to Moneypenny allows us to focus on growth without having to invest heavily in more staff – especially if they're only needed to meet seasonality demands,' said Ryan Davies Director from Llanerch Vineyard Hotel. The new hospitality team provides 24/7 phone answering, live chat, online bookings and customer service support, enabling venues to offer a seamless experience even during busy periods without having to stretch in-house teams. 'We're proud to be supporting the hospitality sector during such a pivotal time,' said Jesper With-Fogstrup, Group CEO of Moneypenny. 'This new team is a direct response to what we're seeing across the industry: businesses wanting to innovate, protect jobs, and keep delivering brilliant service without burning out their people on non-core tasks.'
