Author: Rhys Gregory

A refugee charity providing crisis support to Ukrainian refugees trying to make a new life in Wales has received a helping hand from big hearted carers to meet soaring demand. The Welsh Refugee Council supports asylum seekers and refugees at a critical point of their lives, helping them to find a place to stay, work to support themselves, access to English classes, legal advice and support networks to help them start a fresh life. Since Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine a year ago, the charity’s caseload has spiralled as hundreds of displaced Ukrainians arrived in Wales to make a new…

The Welsh Law Awards is proud to announce the Flotek Group as sponsors of the Welsh Law Awards 2023. Wales headquartered Flotek Group brings together IT & Comms in a secure cloud for the legal sector, with tried & tested solutions that ensure law practices are always online, always secure, and always working together wherever they are. Flotek Group CEO – Jay Ball said, “We’re delighted to sponsor the 2023 Welsh Law Awards. We work extensively with law firms across the UK, from new practices to global law brands. We know the incredible challenges that law firms have faced, especially…

A 19-year-old farmer is bringing the benefits of British-grown flowers to the fore in her local community as she turns her seedling of a business idea into a blossoming success. Farmer-turned-florist, Ellen Firth, launched Firth Flock Flowers at the start of 2023 with the support of Big Ideas Wales, having spent two years gifting her sustainable home-grown flowers to friends, family and her local community. Now, Ellen is announcing the expansion of her business after securing land which will blossom into a flower garden in May 2023. Ellen hopes the garden of chemical free, ethically grown flowers, can educate her…

The Department of History and Welsh History has launched a new postgraduate scholarship, thanks to a generous gift from an Aberystwyth University alumnus. Dr David Jenkins, who studied for his degree and PhD in the Department of Welsh History forty years ago, has donated £500,000 to create the Pennar Scholarship Fund. Reflecting Dr David Jenkins’ own academic interests, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a postgraduate student undertaking doctoral research on the social and economic history of Wales and the Marches between the years 1500 and 2000. The scholarship will cover tuition fees, provide an income for the successful…

Neath Port Talbot Council Cabinet members have approved a wide ranging £3.23m programme of improvements, repairs and maintenance to footpaths, roads, bridges and drainage in all parts of the county borough. The council’s Environment, Regeneration and Streetcare Services Cabinet Board approved the comprehensive programme at its meeting on March 3rd, 2023. The proposed package of works is contained in the council’s Highways and Engineering Works Programme for the forthcoming financial year (2023/24). The programme will involve: Bridge Strengthening (£300,000). Drainage (£300,000). Carriageway Resurfacing (£1,115,000). Carriageway Micro Surfacing (Preventative treatment for roads keeping them in good condition) (£70,000). Carriageway Surface Dressing…

A Pembroke Dock man has been jailed for breaching a Court Order imposed after he was convicted of multiple animal welfare charges in a case brought by Pembrokeshire County Council Sean Burns of Rose Hill Lodge, Bramble Hall, Ferry Lane, Pembroke Dock, appeared in Court on Thursday March 2nd and was sentenced to eight months in prison. Burns was convicted for breaching an earlier Order, made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which disqualified him from having any involvement or influence over the care or welfare of animals. The Order, which amounted to an indefinite ban, was imposed in February…

New EV charging points are now operational at three more Council car parks – Abercynon Park and Ride (pictured), Glyncoch Community Centre and Porth Park and Ride Phase 2. Regional contractor Connected Kerb is in the process of installing EV facilities at 31 car parks in Rhondda Cynon Taf, with five locations now completed. The 31 sites are being delivered using funding secured via the Cardiff Capital Region, Welsh Government and UK Government. Further updates will be provided on social media as more sites are installed and ready to use.

International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements, raises awareness about discrimination and encourages individuals and organisations to take action to drive gender equality. Newport Civic Centre will be lit purple on Wednesday 8 March to mark the event which this year is focusing on embracing equity. The words equity and equality are often used interchangeably. Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and are allocated the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council, said: “Women…

The Welsh Government has confirmed that a spring Covid-19 booster vaccination programme will begin on 1st April for the most vulnerable, including people over 75. Following advice from the expert Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the vaccine will be offered to: adults aged 75 and over residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed. In addition, the Welsh Government has announced that the universal offer of a Covid-19 booster will end on 31st March. Higher risk groups and people who develop a new health condition that makes them eligible…

The drug development process is a topic you wouldn’t overhear being talked about too often unless you work in the medical field. Most people would have no idea, and a few might throw around important keywords like clinical trials and drug research. Regardless, drug development is an essential process in the medical field. It stands to reason that it must be done as efficiently as possible to quickly create and distribute helpful medicine to eradicate people’s suffering. While there are a lot of steps involved in the drug development process, the critical phase where most optimisation can be applied is…