A not-for-profit, small-business support group is urging firms to take part in a new survey to highlight their experiences of dealing with the banks. The Forum of Private Business is hosting the questionnaire on behalf of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in an effort to find out how business owners are being treated by the major lenders.

The move comes after new figures from the British Bankers' Association, which show bank lending to businesses fell again last month, placed fresh scrutiny on the relationships between banks and smaller companies.

The Forum hopes as many small firms as possible will take part in the online survey in order to provide the OFT with clear evidence of bank-related problems and difficulties facing business owners.

Some of the UK's best business and financial brains will be helping Welsh companies find opportunity in tough times at the skillscymru business conference in September.

Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler will chair the event which features Laura Tenison, one of the UK's most successful women entrepreneurs, and Rachel Lomax, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, who are amongst the inspiring speakers.

The conference, 'Finding Opportunity in Tough Times', will also collect and display audience views throughout the day through keypad technology and concludes with a panel discussion session. Organised by the Welsh Assembly Government, it aims to keep Welsh businesses abreast of developments and opportunities. Speakers will give an insight into the Welsh and UK economies, with a special emphasis on how leadership and skills can drive business success.

With higher grain prices hitting the headlines, NFU Cymru used the Monmouthshire Show to urge cereal growers not to gamble with the market and risk losing out on much needed revenue. The Union is stressing to all cereal producers the importance of knowing the quality of their crops before actively marketing what they have produced. For the best result, producers should monitor current prices, take account of market analysis and seek out expert advice.

NFU Cymru is also asking growers to draw on their experiences of the 2007 harvest and to consider how best to take advantage of the current spike in prices.

Colin Phillips, NFU Cymru Monmouthshire County Vice Chairman, said, "Growers need to respond positively to the current rising market by having a flexible marketing plan in place. The alternative of just taking what's offered on the spot market for the whole of the year's production is simply gambling.

When learning a language, it's often easier the earlier you start. If you want to support your young child's education by learning Welsh, then a new course from Coleg Gwent's Welsh for Adults Centre starting this September could give your family the benefits of a bilingual education.

Called Cymraeg o'r Crud, (Welsh from the Cradle), this course is intended for families with young children who want to have fun speaking and using Welsh together. Classes will be starting throughout the region from Monday 13th September.

The fantastic 'Rural Walks in Flintshire' has just been given a face lift. The extremely popular booklet showcases some of the best walking routes in the county. Whether you enjoy the magnificent moorland and views of the Clwydian Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or you prefer exploring quiet riversides and rolling farmland, this booklet is a must. Even non-walkers will enjoy leafing through its pages of stunning photos and local anecdotes.

This new third edition contains highlighted 10 minute walks for those who are looking for the countryside experience in an easily accessible way. These routes have been hand picked for those getting back to health or families with pushchairs. The booklet also contains valuable information for the walker on rural services, for example, where you can get great local food and drink en- route.

Councillor Matt Wright, Flintshire County Council's Executive Member for Regeneration and Tourism, says:

"This fabulous walks booklet has always been great, and now it's just got even better! It's the perfect way for local walkers and visitors from further afield to see that Flintshire is an excellent county for walking. The booklet is part of our commitment to investing in regeneration, tourism and the local economy in this beautiful part of north Wales"

The booklet is a partnership project guided by Flintshire Countryside Services, working with the Ramblers Association and Flintshire County Council's Tourism, Regeneration, Health and Highways sections.

Councillor Tony Sharps, the Council's Executive Member for the Environment, said: "It's not surprising that this brochure is now in its third edition as it's always been a hit with walkers. We're particularly proud that this edition is now even more user friendly, making these walks even more accessible."

The project is backed by rural regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd as part of their Flintshire Sense of Place Project. It has received £23,000 through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Keira Derbyshire, from Cadwyn Clwyd, said: "This is a wonderful publication which really encourages people to get out and explore Flintshire's fabulous countryside".

'Rural Walks in Flintshire' is available at Tourist Information Centres and libraries across the region.

You can also ask for a free copy from Flintshire Countryside Service at Wepre Park Visitor Centre, Wepre Drive, Connahs Quay, CH5 4HL, or phone 01244 814 931 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

It will also soon be available to be downloaded from www.flintshire.gov.uk/countryside

Tim John, Wales YFC (Young Farmers' Clubs) Chairman recently completed 4 challenges, taking the total number of challenges completed to 12, one from each of the County Federations in Wales.

The 1st of August saw Tim, along with officers of the Meirionnydd Federation, embark on a journey up Cadair Idris. The following week he endured a tractor pull at the Brecon Show, a challenge set by the Brecknock Federation. Eight days later, Tim completed a number of challenges set by the Glamorgan Federation, including milking a cow by hand, a treasure hunt and a tug of war competition.

Throughout the month of August, Tim has also been completing various challenges that were set by the Pembrokeshire YFC, 13 challenges in total, including performing 'Jail House Rock' with county officials during an Elvis Tribute night!

'Challenge Tim' was set up to raise money for, and awareness of, the charity of the year Kidney Wales Foundation. Each of the twelve YFC county federations in Wales was asked to set Tim John, who was elected as chairman of the organisation in September last year, a challenge which he would complete along with other members from the county.

"Challenge Tim has been an excellent way of visiting all of the Wales YFC county federations during my year as chairman of the organisation," explains Tim. "I have met with a number of inspiring members along the way and I would like to thank anyone that has contributed in any way or form; the response has been exceptional."

Members will find out how much money has been raised for the Wales YFC charity of the year, Kidney Wales Foundation, at the Wales YFC AGM on Saturday the 11th of September.

www.yfc-wales.org.uk

The Welsh Assembly Government announced on 24th August 2010 that the application period to join the all-Wales element of the Glastir scheme will run from October 4th to November 22nd 2010. This is to accommodate a final change to the scheme's options in direct response to discussions with the farming unions. The new option relates to the management of woodland and takes to 40 the overall number of options available under the all-Wales element of Glastir.

The Glastir scheme has been finalised following extensive dialogue with farming and countryside interests over the past year.

Detailed guidance will be made available in the Glastir application pack that will be sent to those farmers who expressed an interest in the Glastir All-Wales element on their 2010 Single Application Form (SAF). It is important that that the information is up-to-date and accurate. The inclusion of the woodland management option does require the application period to be put back. This will not impact on plans by the Welsh Assembly Government to hold one-to-one interviews with farmers who submit an application.

In addition to the detail that will be provided in the application pack, and information already made available, a significant number of presentations and training events for farmers have been held across Wales in recent weeks.

A Bridgend engineering company that designs and manufactures specialist equipment for the world's major airlines is consolidating its operations on one site, doubling the size of its facility, and is set to create thirty jobs. The £1million investment by TB Davies (UK) Ltd (TBDUK) will expand its facility on Waterton Industrial Estate by 30,000 square feet and enable operations from five different sites to be located at their manufacturing headquarters.

TBDUK makes a range of bespoke products for the MOD and for aerospace and defence sectors, including freight handling equipment, access equipment for maintenance and servicing of aircraft, baggage trailers, boarding steps as well as transportation and storage containers for high value assets such as aircraft wings and engines.

Construction work on the extension, which has been supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, began last month and is due to be completed in February next year. The 12-acre site also has potential for future expansion.

TBDUK is also intending to invest significantly in staff training with support from the Welsh Assembly Government's Skills Growth Wales programme, and anticipates creating up to thirty new jobs over the next two years, bringing the workforce up to 100 people.

Livestock chairmen from the farming unions of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are warning that the long-term sustainability of UK beef production is being threatened by the continuing low beef price. In a joint statement aimed at the UK's beef supply chain, the chairmen said that the continued year-long decline in the beef price has left producers operating below the cost of production. Fears are mounting that production costs will continue to escalate on the back of rising feed and bedding costs expected this winter.

Peter Davies, NFU Cymru's Livestock Board Chairman said, "We hear the right signals from the supply chain about the need to secure supply on a long-term basis, but the short-term approach currently being taken illustrates that the market is failing to deliver. At current prices, beef producers will be unable to afford to produce beef this winter and some are starting to seriously question their future in the industry.