Author: Rhys Gregory

Autonomous wheelchairs and companion animals will be among the technology trialled at a new state of the art smart home at Aberystwyth University, which is aiming to improve quality of life for the elderly or people with health conditions. The Smart Home Lab will resemble an everyday home, with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms, but will also be equipped with sensors, robotic assistants, and full connectivity. Researchers will be able to test the likes of assisted living technology for those with mobility problems, voice activated devices, carry out remote check-ups by GPs and other healthcare professionals, and explore…

With no prior experience of a public speaking competition, four pupils from Porthcawl Comprehensive School navigated their way through unchartered territory all the way to the finals of a national public speaking competition. In the final 12 out of 425 schools, the pupils were not just representing the only Welsh school, but also the only comprehensive school at the national finals, held in Churchill College, Cambridge. They found themselves before a range of judges, including the great grandson of Winston Churchill, Randolph Churchill! Ella, one of the Porthcawl team, said: “It was so incredible to be a part of something…

A renowned Marvel Comics artist has created an action figure of Neath Port Talbot Council refuse worker Richard Brace as part of a campaign by public services union UNISON to raise awareness of the role councils play in providing vital everyday services. Richard, 33, lives in Neath and has worked for the council for more than nine years. He began as a litter picker, moved into the recycling team and after getting his HGV licence four years ago, went on to bin collections. He said: “I think people just take council workers for granted and it’s like we’re working in…

Pembrokeshire County Council has a new Member Champion for Armed Forces. Cllr Simon Hancock has taken up the role previously held by Cllr John Cole. The Armed Forces Champion provides a voice for serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families to ensure that group are taken into account when Council policy is being developed and decisions are made. Cllr Hancock, the Councillor for Neyland East, said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed the new Armed Forces Champion for Pembrokeshire, a county with a long and glorious association with the nation’s armed forces. “I am determined to support the…

Newport City Council has welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s National Semiconductor Strategy. The strategy sets out the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the nation’s semiconductor industry, with a vision to grow the domestic sector with up to £1bn in investment earmarked over the next ten years. The strategy also sets out plans to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions and protect the UK’s semiconductor assets. Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council and cabinet member for economic growth and strategic investment, said: “Newport’s compound semiconductor cluster is a major employer within both our city and the wider…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is collaborating with a number of expert partners to explore opportunities for the generation and use of green hydrogen across its activities in support of delivering its commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030. Hydrogen is generated by splitting water (H2O) into its constituent parts, hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis – passing an electrical current through the water.  The term green hydrogen is used when the electricity used in the electrolysis is generated from renewable sources such as wind or solar.  Projects being explored by the Council will consider the use of ethical water sources…

The sun was shining as hundreds of runners descended on Caerphilly for the annual Bryn Meadows 10K and 2K run on Sunday 14th May. The course set in the shadows of the spectacular Caerphilly Castle led over 2000 runners in and around the town centre, passing iconic landmarks such as the Tommy Cooper statute and the giant cheese sculpture. The day began with a one minute silence in memory of Ethan Hamer who won the 2K race in 2022 and sadly lost his battle to cancer at the beginning of this year. An avid sportsman, Ethan ran for Cardiff Archers,…

Around 50 children and young people across Powys got involved in a competition to design a new library card, the county council has said. Powys Library Service recently hosted a competition for Powys children aged 4-16 years old to design the new library membership card. The theme for the competition was ‘What do Libraries in Powys mean to you?’ and it was split up in to two age categories: primary school (aged 4-11), and secondary school (aged 11-16). Winner of the primary school category – Life Taranenko, Ysgol Dolafon Winner of the secondary school category – Poppy Thomas, Brecon High…

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced a new funding round worth £10m over two years (2023-24 & 2024-25) for the internationally recognised Sêr Cymru programme to help build a “strong and dynamic” scientific research base in Wales. The Sêr Cymru programme was set up to ensure science plays its full part in supporting the economic and national development of Wales. Over the past 11 years the Sêr Cymru programme has adapted to align with changing research, development & innovation drivers, which in turn have responded to economic and health issues such as the aftermath of leaving the EU and impacts…

Every local authority in Wales now has an Older People’s Champion to help deliver the Welsh Government’s ambition to create an Age Friendly Wales, the Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan has announced. Wales is the only country in the world where every local authority is fully supported in one nationwide mission to become Age Friendly. The Deputy Minister met the Age Friendly team at Swansea Council and the elected councillor acting as its Age Friendly Champion on a walk to encourage socialising and reduce loneliness for older people in the city and wider area. It also served as…