Author: Rhys Gregory

Failing to correctly dispose of 17 sheep carcasses has cost a Powys farmer over £1,300 after they were prosecuted by the county council’s Animal Health Team. Terry Martin Griffiths of Cartref, Trecastle, Brecon, who pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014, appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 19 July. He was fined £340 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a £34 victim surcharge. The court heard that in December 2021, animal health officers visited Cartref and found 11 sheep carcasses that had not been disposed of correctly. Less than three…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how suspected prostate and breast cancer is being diagnosed in Wales. Following successful trials analysing prostate biopsies, which saw a 13% increase in cancer detection, the IBEX Galen AI platform is now being trialled in suspected breast cancer cases at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board. Funded through the Welsh Government’s Innovation Fund and supported through the work of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Centre of Excellence, the AI tool automatically analyses digital images of pathology samples, classifying them through a traffic light system, as having a higher or lower likelihood of cancer, prior to a…

AN INTERNATIONAL shipping company will install revolutionary solar cells on its vessels to manage and store renewable energy following successful trials in Equatorial waters. Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd, which operates a fleet of multi-purpose vessels from offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, signed a letter of intent with Anglesey and Manchester-based Grafmarine to utilise the cutting-edge NanoDeck AI Solar tile management solution. The companies have worked in partnership over the last 12 months, providing Grafmarine with a marine vessel to test their NanoDeck technology, a solution which can be attached to any flat surface – in this case, a…

Business confidence in Wales has improved beyond pre-pandemic levels though challenges remain, a survey of chartered accountants has found. Sentiment tracked by ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) for Wales for Q2 2023, published today (Wednesday 26 July 2023), found confidence rose again this quarter to 12.4, ahead of both the UK average (+6.1) and the average for Wales in the decade before the pandemic too. However, confidence remains fragile and businesses face a number of challenges including rising interest rates and inflation. Input price inflation in Wales reached its highest point since the survey began, outstripping other UK nations and…

Imagitech, a Swansea-based software and app development company, has transitioned into employee ownership. The company works with UK and international clients to develop training and revision aids, as well as management and assessment systems for driving theory tests and health and safety qualifications, alongside custom-built applications and software for other businesses too. Founded by Mike Bews and Gerhard Manogg in 1995, it works with driving theory test companies in the UK, Ireland and South Africa, as well as with the Construction Industry Training Board here in the UK. Now, the 17 members of staff who work for Imagitech will own…

South Wales Police is carrying out a forensic review of the murders of Harry and Megan Tooze 30 years ago. The couple were found dead with gunshot wounds at their Ty Ar y Waun farmhouse in Llanharry on 26th July 1993. South Wales Police has now commenced a forensic review of the case working alongside forensic scientist Dr Angela Gallop. The latest forensic techniques will be used to assist detectives who are working to find a breakthrough in the undetected murders of Harry, aged 64, and Megan 67. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Mark Lewis, said: “This week marks the…

An inspirational cyclist who has Parkinson’s has completed an epic 380 mile journey for charity. Determined Phil Doyle, who lives in Llanelidan, near Ruthin, thought his cycling days were over when the symptoms of the condition began to take hold. But the extraordinary 69-year-old, who was born and raised in Liverpool, has fought back and has completed a version of the Snowdonia 360 as part of a 12-person strong cycling team. The retired service engineer, who’s love of cycling began when he was in his teens, said he was so emotional that “burst into tears” when he reached Cwm Penmachno…

Members, stakeholders and visitors to the Royal Welsh Show gathered yesterday, Tuesday 25th July, at the Farming Connect stand to hear about the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s plans to unveil a new-look Horticulture Section in 2024. We were pleased to also welcome the Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths MS to the launch. The promotion of horticulture is one of the Society’s key charitable objectives and plans are underway to establish a new Horticultural Village at the 2024 Royal Welsh Show. The village will celebrate all aspects of horticulture in Wales – from community to commercial growing, competitive showing and…

HYRO – a joint venture between RES and Octopus Energy Generation – has submitted a planning application to Flintshire County Council for its Coleshill Green Hydrogen Project. The scheme is one of two projects located on existing Kimberly-Clark sites which aim to assist the roll out of this reliable, and cost-competitive source of power for industrial businesses.   The Coleshill Green Hydrogen Project comprises a Green Hydrogen Electrolyser production and storage facility on land near Kimberly-Clark’s Coleshill paper mill, off Aber Road, Flint, CH6 5EP.  It will use electricity from renewable sources to split water using electrolysis and create green…

A new multidisciplinary team in Morriston Hospital is helping keep elderly patients as active as possible in a bid to make their stay as short as possible. Research shows that the longer a frail patient remains in bed, the harder it is for them to get back on their feet again and resume normal routines necessary to stay independent. The therapy assessment unit – made up of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and clinical nurse specialists for care of the elderly – is based within the hospital’s acute medical unit (AMU) to assess patients for discharge home. To support a patient’s timely…