The Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group, set up in June 2014, supports the development and implementation of the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework. Its pivotal role is to ensure there is a recognised link between the Welsh Government, livestock keepers, other animal owners and industry representatives, covering a wide range of animal health and welfare issues.

Lesley Griffiths said:

“I am pleased to welcome Abi and Paula to the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group. Both will bring a wealth of know-how and experience to the Group and I look forward to working closely with them on animal health and welfare issues.”

The appointments were made in accordance with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice on Ministerial Appointments. Both will run from 1 June 2017 to 31 May 2020. 

The new production facility will be based at Trident Park, Ocean Way, close to Cardiff City Centre and has been acquired by the Welsh Government. It will be leased on commercial terms and provide studio facilities for Bad Wolf’s production slate as well as being able to accommodate other major TV productions.

Bad Wolf will film all of their forthcoming productions in the studio, including the series A Discovery of Witches and His Dark Materials and with many other productions in development it marks a significant investment in Wales as an international television production hub. 

It will be the only studio in Wales able to offer stage space with a maximum eave height of 17.5 metres (57ft) making it an attractive proposition for high end television productions and big budget feature films from around the world. It is also an essential requirement to accommodate some of Bad Wolf’s productions.

On a visit to the site today with Jane Tranter, Chief Executive Officer and Julie Gardner, Managing Director of Bad Wolf, Economy Secretary Ken Skates described it as a strategically important acquisition that would meet the growing high demand for studio space in Wales which is competing against increasing supply in other regions of the UK.

He said:

 “A facility of this size will ensure Wales retains a competitive advantage with enough large scale studio space to service the productions wishing to film here. It has real potential to generate a transformational impact on the Welsh creative industries sector, creating a large scale film and TV production hub.”

Bad Wolf – co-sited in Wales and the US – was set up in 2015 by Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner, award winning TV executives to exploit their US relationships and IP to secure, develop and produce a high-value slate of TV drama projects in Wales.

Bad Wolf’s requirements for studio space in Wales were specific – they needed a minimum of 200,000 sq ft of shooting space, two large stages with ceiling heights of more than 10 metres suitable for accommodating large scale productions and additional office space. 

The two linked high bay units at Trident Park – totalling 253,500 sq ft – meet these specifications and are conveniently located with direct access to the M4 with good public transport connections and provide access to a critical mass of Wales based main crew and supply chain companies.

Following a tour of the studio space Ken Skates said:

“A facility capable of accommodating large scale productions is crucial for Bad Wolf to deliver its pipeline of projects which will provide a £120m plus boost for the film and TV sector in Wales. It will also be a key asset for the creative sector in Wales providing facilities to other major TV productions.

“It will deliver long term sustainable economic benefits to Wales, strengthen the skills base and supply chain, attract inward investment and tourism. In addition it will further raise the profile of Wales TV drama production around the world and support the continued growth in TV drama production in Wales.”

Jane Tranter from Bad Wolf said: 

“Wolf Studios Wales is set to be a world class facility situated at the heart of a thriving creative and production community in Cardiff.  Wales has seen a resurgence in television and film production over recent years and studio space is much sought after.  With so many Bad Wolf productions in development we wanted a permanent base for our productions and a user-friendly studio environment for the many other television series and films headed to Wales.  Working with Welsh Government on this new space is further evidence of the many opportunities that filming in Wales can now offer.”

Bad Wolf has an ambitious and exciting production slate and has already established strong partnerships with international broadcasters and recently announced including HBO, BBC, SKY, Channel 4 and the History Channel.

The 2017-18 investment will see Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, the National Library of Wales and the People’s Collection Wales digital heritage programme build on their excellent offering, helping fund exhibitions, events and programmes as well as caring for Wales’ irreplaceable cultural heritage.

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said:

“I’m delighted to announce this significant funding, re-affirming the Welsh Government’s commitment to our national institutions who play such an important role in bringing our history and culture to life.  

“The coming year will see some incredibly exciting projects open to the public. Some of the highlights, for me, include the completion of significant elements of St Fagans, a new Dinosaur exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff and the redevelopment of the National Library’s family learning area.

“People’s Collection Wales will offer local communities support in capturing local culture and heritage on-line as well as opening up digital collections to all. And, of course, the organisations will also be supporting our Year of Legends, Fusion and Cymru’n Cofio / Wales Remembers programmes, providing a full range of exciting and thought-provoking activities and events for people of all ages.  

“These organisations are treasures which are enjoyed by millions from across the world. They protect, educate, inform and entertain and this year’s funding will allow this invaluable work to continue.”  

David Anderson, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales said:

“The funding is very good news for Amgueddfa Cymru and will help us build a more sustainable future for the organisation. With this kind of support from the Welsh Government, we can provide greater job security for staff, protect expertise and maintain a world class national museum service for the people of Wales and its visitors. 

Linda Tomos, Chief Executive and Librarian, the National Library of Wales said:  

“We are grateful to the Welsh Government for its continuing support to ensure that the National Library is able to develop new innovative digital services making more of the national collections available to all. 

Wales swept the boards at nursing and midwifery awards earlier in the year. The RCNi Nurse of the Year, Community Nurse and Healthcare Assistant Awards were all won by nursing staff from Wales; the RCM Midwife of the Year and the Journal of Health Visiting Health Visitor of the Year were also won by Welsh nurses and midwives. 

 During his visit to Liverpool Vaughan Gething will meet nurse Melanie Davies from Morriston Hospital, Swansea, who has just been named RCNi Nurse of the Year, for her work making far-reaching changes to the care of vulnerable patients with learning disabilities.  

Vaughan Gething said:

“Our recent grand slam of nursing award triumphs shows just how exceptional our nursing staff are in Wales.

“Everyone is an ambassador for Wales and I want to congratulate them all; their success tells a story of professionals supported to develop better ways of working, and supported to do the best job they can for their patients.  

“That’s what Wales offers to nurses, and I’m going to the RCN Congress to tell that story, and to encourage more nurses to choose Wales for their future career.

“Wales is a fantastic place to train, work and live; a place where we will continue to offer NHS Bursaries for eligible student nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in 2018/19.  It’s a place where we will continue to support professional development, and it’s a great place to find the right-life balance, with a great mix of beautiful countryside and vibrant cities.

“We continue to invest in nursing education, and the number of nurses working in NHS Wales continues to increase year on year.  

“Wales is the first country in Europe to legislate on nurse staffing areas; empowering nurses and ensuring the resources are in place to care sensitively for patients.  The RCN were key to promoting this and we continue to work closely with them.  

“We are proud of our nurses, and we work to support them; I hope nurses elsewhere in the UK and the world will consider developing their career with us.”

In 2016, the Welsh Government supported 35 major sporting and cultural events across Wales which attracted 348,000 visitors and generated a direct economic impact of £53 million for the economy.   Local and national events are also being supported for 2017. 

Following the Champions League Final, the Summer of Sporting Legends continues with Champions Trophy Cricket and the Senior Open Championship over the summer months.

The cultural events supported by the Welsh Government got underway with another successful Machynlleth Comedy Festival at the beginning of the month which welcomed 6,000 visitors to the town. 

Focus Wales festival gets underway this weekend and Economy Secretary Ken Skates, will visit the event’s Digital Day on Saturday. 2017 marks the festival’s 7th edition, and will welcome over 7,000 people to Wrexham.  Focus Wales was established to provide an annual showcase event for the Welsh Music Industry and the Digital Day will focus on digital innovation in the music industry in Wales. 

The Economy Secretary, said: 

“Whilst major events such as the Champions League Final, being staged in Cardiff in just a few weeks time, provide invaluable profile and exposure for Wales to global audiences of millions, there are of course many smaller scale events, with their roots firmly planted in Wales, that deliver equally valuable benefits to the Welsh economy.  I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has been able to support the growth of events such as Focus Wales which make such a valuable contribution to Wales’ thriving events scene.”

The Welsh Government has also recently offered funding for further development to the Pembrokeshire Fish Week – having started in 1999 as a small event focussed around a national Sewin competition, the festival now takes place over a week and incorporates over 250 organisations and businesses in over 500 different public events and activities across the breadth of the county; the Steelhouse Festival  in Hafod-y-Dafal Farm situated on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons  started out with just under 1,000 visitors over the weekend in 2011 has now grown year on year to a total audience of over 10,000 in 2016. The 4th edition of Cerys Matthews’ Good Life Festival will take place at the Hawarden Estate during September and the Welsh Government have agreed to fund the future development of the festival for the next two years.  The Diffusion Festival – Cardiff’s International Festival of Photography also takes place until the end of the month.