Author: Rhys Gregory

Helping youngsters understand healthy cooking is the aim of a rapidly growing business in Port Talbot. Food and Nutrition teacher Kath Ward recently launched her new venture Cook Stars and response to her cookery classes, parties and other events has been excellent. Youngsters learn a broad range of cooking skills as well as how to use kitchen implements safely, and they are also encouraged to try foods they might not have had before. Toddlers can even begin at the age of two in Cook Stars Mini, starting early to learn the benefits of preparing good, fresh food in a fun and enjoyable…

The Bumble Bee pub in Gwent has reopened with a new look following an £150k investment. The pub’s refresh has seen the introduction of new wallpaper, stylish lighting, new seating, and uplifting colour palettes. With an updated bar area and investment in team training, the pub has now officially reopened with a fresh new look.  Chris & Donna Davis, who run The Arthrogryposis Group UK, a national charity for people affected by Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, were chosen as the pub’s community heroes to pour the first pints in celebration of the pub’s reopening.  The pub which recently welcomed a new…

The first cohorts of Senior Paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service have graduated from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.   The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust recently introduced a new role of Senior Paramedic, specifically focused on the frontline clinical leadership of its Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians, and UWTSD’s  Wales Academy for Professional Practice and Applied Research (WAPPAR) devised a leadership development programme to support it. This is a growing scheme that plans to develop more Senior Paramedics each year. A need was identified for a consistent, coherent and standardised leadership development programme to support staff in these roles. The resulting award is…

Unprecedented police operation against organised crime leads to 52 arrests and £8.7 million of cannabis seized across southern Wales Throughout June, police forces in England and Wales took part in an intensification period designed to disrupt Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) by taking out a key source of their revenue, whilst simultaneously apprehending many of those involved, safeguarding those being exploited, and increasing intelligence. Criminal networks involved in drug dealing, immigration crime and money laundering were targeted by police and partner agencies as part of Operation Mille, which saw forces focus resources on tackling large-scale cannabis cultivations – a key source…

People in Wales who are at risk of their heart stopping suddenly, may be fitted with wearable defibrillators following new guidance by Health Technology Wales (HTW) Wearable cardioverter-defibrillators continuously monitor heart rhythm and automatically deliver an electric shock within one minute, when certain irregular  heart rhythms are detected. They are worn like a vest against the skin and can be used as an interim measure during a recovery period or before further hospital treatment. The devices should only be taken off when the wearer is bathing. Patients can take them home meaning they do not need to stay in hospital…

Swansea University is set to play a key role in a new platform aimed at bringing together UK strengths in the research of rare diseases to develop better and faster understanding, diagnosis and treatment. The UK Rare Disease Research Platform has been established with a £14 million investment over five years by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Professor William Griffiths and Professor Yuqin Wang, from Swansea University Medical School worked with consultant paediatrician Dr Graham Shortland and Professor Stuart Moat, from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board on a successful…

LGBTQ+ champion and creative producer, Berwyn Rowlands, has been made an Honorary Fellow at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) graduation ceremony held in Carmarthen today. Berwyn Rowlands is the founder of the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival, a Cardiff-based LGBTQ+ short film festival which celebrates and champions LGBTQ+ titles and filmmakers with messages which are positive and uplifting.  He has also made a significant contribution to the creative arts in Wales. On receiving his award Bewyn Rolwands said: “I feel humble receiving this a fellowship from the UWTSD but at the same time very proud to be…

LEADING names in sports, advertising and signage have united under one banner.  Dragon Signs, Route Media, Colour Studios, and Sportin Wales are all now part of Dragon Group. Employing 80 people at its Cardiff HQ and Colour Studios’ existing base in Radstock, Bath – the Group will be led by Managing Director Rhys Harrington. He says there has already been significant investment in rebranding and a fresh direction focused on sustainability, innovation, and advances in technology. With clients including Transport for Wales, Travis Perkins, Cardiff Airport, Leicester Tigers and Apetito, Rhys is confident the organisation will provide a cutting-edge, end-to-end…

Cutting edge projects in areas including semiconductors, AI, quantum, and engineering biology have received up to £50,000 each from Innovate UK. Each company has never previously received funding support from Innovate UK. Among the 270 winners are: CSBR Ltd: a start-up from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, which plans to replace fossil-fuel based chemical goods, such as fragrances, adhesives and fire-resistant coatings, using oil made from waste cashew shells. NovNat Tech: a University of Birmingham start-up developing a novel material able to extract water from the air in any environment around the world, no matter how dry. Corryn Biotechnologies:…

Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, has been granted planning permission to construct a pioneering project north of Swansea, which will increase the stability of the electricity grid, and allow more renewable energy to be transmitted through the network.  Even when there is enough renewable energy to meet the demands of homes and businesses in Wales, National Grid ESO – who run the electricity system in Great Britain – sometimes need to pause wind and solar farms, and turn fossil fuel power stations back on, just to provide stability to the electricity network. They have identified Swansea as an…