Author: Rhys Gregory

A shop has been ordered to close down after Trading Standards Officers discovered it had been selling illegal vape products and vapes to children. Eazy Vapes on Brecon Road, Merthyr Tydfil, was issued with a three-month closure order following an investigation by Trading Standards. Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court heard that large groups of children had been visiting the area to purchase vapes, resulting in increased anti-social and nuisance behaviour in the area, as well as the criminal offences of selling illegal vape products. An investigation was carried out by Trading Standards and illegal vapes were seized from the Brecon Road shop…

The first year of giving free Welsh lessons for young people and staff in the education sector has been a success according to the Welsh Government, making it easier than ever for people to learn the language. The scheme is part of the Welsh Government’s Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru. Between 22 September 2022 and 31 March 2023, over 1,500 16-25 year olds have joined Welsh language learning lessons along with 450 teachers and prospective teachers. The Cardiff based street artist, Daniel Reeves, better known as ‘Revealist,’ has taken advantage of the scheme. He said: “I saw a post about…

The digital realm has emerged as the primary arena for gaming, driven by the pandemic and the convenience it offers. Accessing online casinos has never been more effortless for the average person, with numerous options just a quick Google search away, and signing up is a straightforward process. If you want a reliable guide to avoid low-quality casinos in your online gaming, this article is perfect for you. So, let’s get started and explore the essential information you need. No more waiting—let’s dive right in! Lack of Proper Authorization Common types of online scams often operate without the necessary licensing…

Are you getting tired of dealing with the manual hassle of creating and managing job sheets? If your employees are writing up job details on paper forms or spreadsheets each day, it can be a huge time waster: it’s inefficient to enter data and pull reports for analytics. Technology offers an answer: replacing those cumbersome job sheets with software that’s designed specifically for tracking jobs. Let’s take a closer look at 6 tips for how you can maximize efficiency by switching from tedious job sheet processes to software-driven solutions. Identify your needs Every business, no matter how big or small,…

Australasian rock giants Crowded House are to headline a massive outdoor show in South Wales next summer. The five-piece rock band famed for such legendary hits Don’t Dream It’s Over and Weather With You will play Cardiff Castle on Thursday June 20. The Cardiff Castle date is one of only a handful of shows Crowded House are performing in the UK next summer including outdoor dates at The Piece Hall, Halifax, and Lincoln Castle. Joining founding members Neil Finn and Nick Seymour in Cardiff will be Mitchell Froom, Liam Finn and Elroy Finn. With a career that spans almost 40…

A dad who suffered a heart attack while out running has thanked hospital staff for their “brilliant” care. Paul Whapham was on an early morning run near his home in the Morriston area of Swansea when he started to experience severe pain in his chest. The 42-year-old, who runs two to three times a week, managed to contact his wife Laura who rushed to get him to Morriston Hospital. Following his arrival, he was taken into theatre where staff found one of his arteries was totally blocked. Pictured: Paul with his daughter Sophia. “I went for a morning run at…

A florist from Llanelli who was unexpectedly made redundant has turned adversity into success after pursuing her dream of launching her own business thanks to Welsh Government support and funding. Eiry, 48, has credited the ReAct+ programme and Working Wales for giving her the confidence, skills, and support to kickstart her own floristry business after more than two decades in the industry. The ReAct+ programme offers those who are out of work or under formal notice of redundancy personalised support tailored to their individual needs. The help could not have come at a better time for Eiry, who had struggled…

Adnodd, a new arm’s-length body which will oversee the provision of educational resources in Wales, has appointed Emyr George as its first new chief executive. Established earlier this year, Adnodd will be the one-stop shop for bilingual education resources. It will oversee the commissioning and provision of high-quality teaching and learning materials to support the Curriculum for Wales, and the roll-out of new qualifications for learners aged 14-16. Emyr will be joining Adnodd in early 2024 from his current role as Qualifications Policy and Reform Director with Qualifications Wales. He brings a wealth of experience from across the education sector,…

An inspiring new photography exhibition celebrating the achievements of some of the UK’s most inspiring educators will feature David Jones from Pembrokeshire College in Haverfordwest, recognising the impressive contributions they have made for their students and the wider school community. The exhibition entitled ‘The Gallery of Greats’ was created by the charity The Teaching Awards Trust to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It is being delivered in collaboration with photographer and part-time teacher, Donna Bridgewater, and Pearson, the world’s leading learning company. The exhibition will take place at All is Joy Gallery, 75 Dean Street, London on 13 November 2023 for…

As we approach the winter months, Age Cymru is urging older people in Wales to maximise their income by claiming all their benefits and entitlements.    Last year the Age Cymru Partnership helped older people across the country claim more than £7.5m, but it wants to do so much more.   Sadly, millions of pounds worth of support, including £200m worth of Pension Credit, go unclaimed in Wales each year.  Gavin Thomas, Head of Programmes and Services says, “It’s such a shame that so many older people are missing out on financial support to which they are entitled.  This is money that…