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Ghostly Goings-on in Llancaiach Fawr Manor
Creeks and squeaks, thumps and bumps… these were some of the sounds heard when the Working Women’s Network visited Llancaiach Fawr last week. A group of 15 ladies embarked on a ‘fright night’ network meeting at one of Wales’s most haunted houses. Equipped with torches and EMF (electromagnetic field strength) meters the group enjoyed an hour of fear in the dark 16th century manor house. Two of the Llancaiach Fawr staff members, Louise and Sarah told tales of ghostly sightings and experiences as the group travelled from room to haunted room. The EMF meters were especially active during the tour which could indicate that the ladies were not alone! After the tour, Llancaiach Fawr’s General Manager, Diane Walker gave a fascinating talk on her experiences being a female manager in a mans world and the ups and downs of running an all female management team at Llancaiach Fawr. Details of the Ghost tours can found at http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/llancaiachfawr/events/ghost-tour-options The Working Women’s Network is fun way to meet like minded people if you are an employer or an employee for more information on the Working Women’s Network Call Sharon Peters on 01443 866397 or email peters@caerphilly.gov.uk
Caerphilly Florist Wins Top Award
A florist in Caerphilly town centre has been crowned one of the best in the UK. Nicola Downie who owns The Caerphilly Florist in Cardiff Road has been accepted into the exclusive Good Florist Guide, the gold standard of floristry and the only merit-based guide to the finest florists in the UK. To be part of the Guide, each florist undergoes a rigorous evaluation process with submissions being vetted by a panel of industry experts to ensure they meet the strict criteria. The focus is not only on the florist designs, but also the service and value they offer customers. Nicola said: We are delighted to be accepted into the Good Florist Guide. At The Caerphilly Florist we are passionate about flowers, design, quality and customer service so it is wonderful to be recognised. Caroline Marshall-Foster who is the editor of The Florist magazine and Executive Director of Good Florist Guide said: You can buy flowers virtually anywhere these days. But nothing really beats the experience of receiving fabulous flowers from a truly bespoke florist. The Good Florist Guide allows consumers to know that the florist they use is able and willing to go the extra mile and make all their purchases, big or small, truly special. The Caerphilly Florist has an offer in the ‘Choose the High Street’ Christmas Voucher Booklet which is available from 1st November in the foyers of Morrisons, ASDA and Tesco stores across the Caerphilly County Borough.
New venture begins thanks to council grant – soft play centre in Blackwood
A new soft play centre in Pengam, Blackwood has opened its doors thanks to the Caerphilly council and UK Steel Enterprise, start-up business grant. The start-up business grant offers up to £500 to help residents, who may not be able to access other funding, to set up their first, full time business enabling it to grow and develop. Cerys Mayne, Owner of Tumble Jaks said: I became inspired for personal reasons to open a soft play centre where adults and their children can come and enjoy. The grant and the support from Caerphilly council were amazing. The girls I spoke to were so helpful and without the grant I would not have been able to afford to buy much of the kitchen equipment. Tumble Jaks opened on Wednesday 14th September and has received great success ever since. With opening day reaching full capacity, the centre continues to prove its popularity even during off peak times. Cerys used Facebook to advertise and promote her business and was blown away by the amount of support. Using Facebook to promote the business was a great success. So much so, I have decided to advertise my events on there. The Halloween Disco has already been sold out because of social media and through word of mouth. I hope to do the same with my Santa’s Grotto for Christmas event. Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and Sustainable Development said: It is great to see the positive impact the start-up grant has made to Cerys and her new venture. This is the very…
Start-up grant gives new Caerphilly business a boost
A new business in Caerphilly county borough has recently received start-up support thanks to Caerphilly County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise. Specialist recruitment business Profession Direct Ltd has been awarded a start-up grant, as well as business support from Caerphilly County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise, allowing the new business to purchase IT equipment and marketing materials. Profession Direct Ltd is a specialist recruitment business which offers recruitment, training and consultancy services. Simon Hughes, Managing Director of Profession Direct said: Profession Direct Ltd was formed out of the wish to capitalise on the demand for professional recruitment services in the specialist professions of financial services, medical, education, legal and estate agents, as well as utilities and energy. Thank you to Caerphilly County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise for the start-up support that they have provided, which has given our new business a firm foundation to build on. Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development said: I am thrilled that Caerphilly County Borough Council has been able to assist in the start-up of yet another business within Caerphilly county borough. The grant and support received by Profession Direct Ltd from Caerphilly County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise will enable the new business to grow to its full potential. The business start-up grant enables residents of Caerphilly county borough who are not able to access any other source of funding, to set up a full-time business for the first time. The funding is a discretionary grant and can provide up to 50% of eligible…
New Ladies Boutique Opens
A new ladies boutique has opened on Blackwood High Street directly opposite the Maxime Cinema. So whilst the boys can enjoy watching a film in the cinema, the girls can shop in Betty’s Boutique which is the latest addition to Blackwood’s growing list of fashion retailers. The boutique is run by mother and daughter Nicola & Molly Page and is named after Nicola‘s mother. Nicola has been in business for over 30 years, previously running Creative Homes and Bojangles Boutique. Molly is in her second year in University in Cardiff studying for a fashion degree. Nicola said: At Betty’s Boutique we offer the latest ladies fashions as well as classic styles to suit all ages from 17 to 87! With our wide range of clothes, bags, shoes, jewellery and gifts we’ve got something for everyone. Molly said: My degree work keeps me up to date with the latest trends in the fashion industry and it’s great to use that knowledge to help choose the designs that we stock.
Caerphilly is a Cut Above
Another new business has opened in Caerphilly town centre. Aspros Barbers is located on Cardiff Road and is run by Theo Aspros who has been a barber for the past last 16 years working in Cardiff. After years spent renting a chair in someone else’s salon, Theo decided it was time to start his own business. A chance drive through Caerphilly town centre convinced him that he had found the perfect place to begin a new chapter of his career. As well as cutting gents hair the barbers has installed a special chair with a television to enable children to watch their favourite program whilst they have their hair cut. The fit out of the barbers includes sofas and a coffee machine to keep customers happy whilst they wait. Theo comes from a long line of hairdressers and is particularly proud to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and proudly displays his grandfather’s original hair clippers on the wall. Theo said: When I drove through Caerphilly with my wife Georgina and son Nicholas she thought what a lovely little town it was and the perfect place for us to open our first shop. I look forward to welcoming people to Aspros Barbers and getting to know them. Image: One of his grandfather’s original hair clippers
Bargoed’s Italian Secret
Behind the longstanding success of the Ricci’s Square Café in Bargoed town centre is a secret recipe for Italian ice cream which has been handed down for generations.The café, which is located on Hanbury Square, was first established in 1909 in Fleur de Lys by Luigi and Clotilde Ricci before moving to Bargoed in 1929. Ricci’s Square Café was subsequently run by the next generation brothers Giovanni and Aldo before being passed down to Giovanni‘s sons Andrew and Dominic who run the business today. The café has always served ice cream made in a single vanilla flavor to a recipe which is closely guarded family secret, Ricci’s also offer a range of home cooked meals. Dominic said: We are incredibly proud of the heritage of our business which has successful adapted to changes without losing its identity and of course we sell our famous ice cream made to our special recipe. Andrew said: Our coffee is brewed by Ferrari Espresso to our own unique roast which gives it a very distinctive flavour. I believe we serve the best coffee in the Rhymney Valley!
New Name Same Great Service
It’s all change for the team who run Superdrug in Bargoed town centre as it changes over to the parent companies other brand Savers.Over the last month the team lead by manager Steven Gravett has been hard at work transforming the retail unit on Royale Square into a brand new Savers store with a totally new shop fit out. As a brand, value retailer Savers sells a wide range of: pharmaceuticals, fragrance, household products and cosmetics including Rimmel and Maybelline. For manager Steven the considerable logistical challenge involved was something he took in his stride having served with the Armed Forces around the world before changing to a career in retail. Steven said: The team have done a great job and worked really hard. Since we have changed over to Savers we have seen a big increase in customers so its been very busy serving more people and stocking the displays with new product lines
Bargoed Cuts Back to the 1960’s
Bargoed town centre welcomes a new hair salon with a difference. Retro Hair Studio, situated next to the Hanbury Chapel Library, offers its customers a chance to step into the 1960’s and 70’s. Immediately you enter the salon you are immersed in a different world where everything is retro, from the 1960’s style telephone on the counter and the record player in the window, to the sound of the music that shaped a generation. Retro Hair Studio is owned by Jeff Vernon who has worked in hairdressing for over 32 years in a host of different places including Blackwood, Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Cardiff. Jeff said: I wanted to open a gent’s barbers and ladies hair salon that was a bit different. I love everything about the 1960’s and 70’s so when people visit Retro Hair Studio they will not only get a great hair cut but also experience a little piece of the nostalgia.