Author: Rhys Gregory

The independent members association and champion of the FinTech and Financial Services industry in Wales, FinTech Wales, has welcomed one of the largest professional services networks in the world, PwC, as its newest Enterprise Member. By joining the organisation, PwC will have full access to the FinTech Wales community and the resources it provides. PwC will sit alongside several key Welsh financial services organisations including Admiral, Confused.com, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Principality Building Society, Hodge, Yoello, Sonovate, Sero, Delio, Go.Compare and many more as fellow members. Founded in 1998, PwC has offices in 152 countries with 350 team members based in…

A mother of two from Caerphilly has won an award in recognition of her bravery and dedication to her studies after returning to college as a mature learner with Coleg y Cymoedd while battling cancer and acting as the main carer for her disabled son. Emma Hughes, 36, from Blackwood, has received the ‘outstanding commitment to study’ award at this year’s Agored Cymru Access to Higher Education Learner of the Year awards. The awards celebrate the achievements of individuals who have completed Access to Higher Education diplomas – qualifications which prepare people without traditional qualifications to study at university. Diagnosed…

Neath Port Talbot Council is tackling the “blight” of derelict homes in valleys, villages and towns across the county borough by allocating a contribution of £240,000 to a Welsh Government empty homes improvement scheme. The Welsh Government Empty Homes Scheme is designed to reduce the number of long-term empty properties in Wales – believed to number around 22,000. It is also aimed at increasing housing supply by offering grants to owners of long term empty properties to make improvements to bring the properties back into use. Neath Port Talbot Council’s £240,000 contribution to the scheme, approved by the council’s Social…

The wonderful surroundings of Scolton Manor are to play host to another spectacular outdoor concert. Organised by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Music Service, and building on last year’s successful event, Music at the Manor will involve nearly 150 young musicians. The event takes place on Friday 12th May and gates will open at 4.30pm with the concert starting at 6pm. Concert-goers are invited to bring picnics and blankets/ chairs and sit back and enjoy a fantastic programme. The event will be compered by Ysgol Greenhill Headteacher David Haynes. The young performers are members of Pembrokeshire Music Service’s String Orchestra, Wind Band, Brass…

Secondary Schools in Blaenau Gwent have received grant funding of over £66,000 from the Welsh Government’s Tech Valleys programme to purchase new equipment to enhance the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths. Twenty schools across Blaenau Gwent and three across Merthyr successfully bid for Welsh Government funding of up to £3,000. The successful applications were awarded funding for a range of equipment from autoclaves and Raspberry Pi computers to on-line post-mortem sessions and chocolate 3-D printers all designed to help bring authentic work experiences into the classroom. The applications were judged by a panel which included representatives from the…

An innovative liquid biopsy blood test to improve lung cancer treatment could help more people in Wales. Lung cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Wales and the leading cause of cancer deaths. By increasing the use of non-invasive liquid biopsy (blood sample) at an earlier stage of the cancer pathway, targeted treatments can be decided and administered quicker, improving patient outcomes and survival rates. Made possible through the All-Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS), Illumina technology, Life Sciences Hub Wales, and investment from multiple partner organisations, the new use of the blood test can detect multiple cancer markers without…

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) that helps couples with infertility or genetic problems have babies. It works by taking an egg from a woman and sperm from a man, combining them at an IVF laboratory, and implanting them in a woman’s uterus. While it’s a chance for the couple to have children, the IVF procedure is complex and involves many risks, typically affecting women. Apart from physical stress from preparing for pregnancy and childbirth, soon-to-be mothers also experience emotional strain that can negatively influence their daily lives and relationships with others.  In this article, we’ve…

International super star and DJ Idris Elba has been added to the line-up for Shangri-La’s massive summer date at Cardiff castle on 10th June. Fisher, Arielle Free, Sorley and Little Fritter are all confirmed for what promises to be a hell of a party in the iconic Castle Grounds. And whilst tickets for the date are now sold out, the official Shangri-La after party will take place at The Great Hall at Cardiff University Students Union, with tickets available now. An alumnus of the National Youth Music Theatre in London, Idris Elba is best known for roles including Stringer Bell…

Some of Wales’ finest food and drink companies are preparing to attend Food & Drink Expo at Birmingham’s NEC this week. Food & Drink Expo helps companies find a route to the UK food and drink market, with hundreds of companies showcasing their exceptional products. Over 25,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors will attend the three-day event which takes place from 24-26 April 2023. Supported by the Welsh Government, nine companies will be part of the Cymru/Wales Pavilion, all looking to showcase their mouth-watering products and embed Wales’ place firmly on the food map. All Welsh food and drink companies exhibiting…

Whitchurch Fire Station has opened its new Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Wales building, representing the three Fire and Rescue Services in Wales. This new facility has been created with the support and funding from Welsh Government and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and will ensure the highest level of training and operational capabilities of personnel across Wales. It has been designed with sustainability in mind, and will provide a modern, environmentally considerate and functioning building behind Whitchurch Fire Station. Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, said: “Being able to respond to major disasters has both a…