Author: Rhys Gregory

The extraordinary success of students such as Caitlin Tanner who were the first in their families to attend university is being highlighted in a new national campaign, led by Universities UK. Caitlin studied  adult nursing at Swansea University’s Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science and graduated with first class honours. She was the first in her family to attend university and went on to spend three years studying part-time for an MA in education for health professionals while working as a nurse at Morriston Hospital’s ITU during the pandemic. Born with bilateral profound deafness, Caitlin had cochlear implant surgery during her A-levels…

As part of its journey to net zero worldwide, global medical products and technologies company Convatec is preparing plans to use local wind and sun to create its own green energy which would be used to power its manufacturing operation in Rhymney, South Wales. The proposed Green Manufacturing Hub is being developed in partnership with local farmers and, in order to maximise efficiency, needs to be situated adjacent to Convatec’s manufacturing site in Rhymney. The project will feature three wind turbines, and around 10 hectares of solar panels, providing a total generating capacity of around 20MW which would significantly reduce…

Five police forces have worked in collaboration last week (April 11) in a first-of-its-kind operation, tackling uninsured driving along the length of the M4 from London to Swansea. The MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) initiative working alongside officers from South Wales, Gwent, Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire, and Thames Valley Police has seen uninsured vehicles seized along the 170 mile stretch of M4 carriageways. Following a morning briefing South Wales Police officers conducted the operation along the M4, using ANPR cameras (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and multiple units to identify and stop uninsured drivers. Here are the results for all five forces…

A range of Swansea business stars are helping to raise the profile of the area by appearing in tourism videos. Local heroes such as Anthony Williams, of city centre attraction Plantasia, and Bethan Matthews, of Mumbles’ The Lighthouse Bar & Kitchen, appear in short films promoting the area. Others involved in the videos – commissioned by the council’s tourism team – include Sian and Andrew Brookes, of Gower Gin. They all talk about why they love to live and work in their “happy place” – Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower. The council has also produced a range of Swansea Bay…

Neath Port Talbot Council has announced a new bus route that will enable those who rely on public transport to pay their respects to loved ones at Margam Crematorium. The service will run once a week, therefore is intended to give residents without their own transport the chance to visit family memorials as opposed to being used to attend funeral services. The new service has been added following feedback from residents. Starting on Thursday 2nd May 2024, Ridgeways Coaches will operate a service every Thursday, departing from Port Talbot Bus Station at 9:45am and arriving at 10am. The bus will…

The declaration of the St Ishmaels Pembrokeshire County Council by-election was made by Returning Officer Will Bramble on April 16th. The candidate with the most votes and elected County Councillor for the ward is Claire Victoria George (Welsh Conservative Party). St Ishmaels ward includes the areas of Dale, Herbrandston, Marloes, St Brides, Tiers Cross and Walwyn’s Castle. Full results and turnout figures can be viewed on the Pembrokeshire County Council website.

South Wales Police is appealing for information about the whereabouts of two men who are wanted in connection with the murder of Colin Richards in Cardiff. James O’Driscoll, 26, who is known as ‘Jimmy’ and Corey Gauci, 18, both from Cardiff, are both wanted on suspicion of murder. The public are warned not to approach them and are asked to contact the police with any information on their whereabouts. Two £10,000 rewards have been offered by Crimestoppers for information given exclusively to the charity that leads to the arrest of Jimmy O’Driscoll and Corey Gauci. Father of seven Colin Richards…

Residents and businesses in mid-Wales have helped to create a world-first initiative to by taking part in the trial of a digital deposit return scheme (DDRS). Deposit return schemes (DRS) are successfully used across the world as a way of encouraging more people to recycle drinks containers like bottles and cans. Householders and visitors to Brecon took part in the DDRS Scan|Recycle|Reward trail, and the recently published results show high levels of engagement with 18,794 rewards being claimed, more than four for every household. The Brecon Scan|Recycle|Reward trial was led by DDRS Alliance with support from Welsh Government, Powys County…

A vineyard on the Shropshire border with Wales is hoping to join forces with a number of local businesses in an effort to boost local tourism and promote the area. Last Friday, Kerry Vale Vineyard, near Montgomery, invited a group of local businesses to a wine tasting afternoon to sample wine and discuss ways of working together to boost rural tourism and ensure sustainable economic growth. The award-winning local wine producer has taken a significant step towards fostering community spirit and economic growth by hosting the successful trade tasting event. The event achieved its aim of bringing together local hospitality…

At its latest event, Cardiff Business Club signed the Armed Forces Covenant alongside Cardiff Bus, with speaker Major General Duncan G Forbes, the Royal Navy’s Director of Strategy and Policy and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff. Sponsored by RFCA Wales, the Major General addressed the Club, shouting out his old captain and mentor Brigadier Jock Fraser as he retires this summer, before fittingly highlighting his lecture’s theme of legacy. Promising to talk with no agenda or spin, but using the occasion to tell stories, kindle relationships and rest, the Major General began by discussing the broad strategic context of…