Author: Rhys Gregory

COLEG CAMBRIA launched a free and flexible new qualification for prospective police officers. The college’s Deeside site will deliver a Level 3 Access to Policing course from September. To become a police officer in the UK you need to be over 18 and complete the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship or have achieved a degree in any subject. Gemma Ible, a Curriculum Director for Access and Higher Education at Cambria, said the Level 3 programme is a stepping-stone towards a career in the criminal justice arena for anyone aged 19 and above who is out of education or looking for a…

Despite gloomy economic forecasts, business leaders in Wales are optimistic about their growth opportunities for the year ahead. According to data from Grant Thornton UK LLP’s latest Business Outlook Tracker*, mid-market optimism in Wales has rebounded: Revenue growth expectations have risen +18 percentage points (pp) since October Profit growth expectations are on the rise – increasing +19pp since October The results indicate that businesses are confident they can weather this economic downturn. Almost three quarters (74%) are confident that they have sufficient working capital to manage the impact of a recession for six months or more. The top concerns for…

The talents of Wales’s food and drink processing and manufacturing businesses were recognised last week (Thursday 19 January) at the Lantra Cymru Awards 2022 at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells. The Lantra Cymru Wales awards recognise the initiatives, skills and enthusiasm of individuals pursuing careers within the environmental, land-based and food manufacturing sectors. For the second consecutive year the Food Skills Cymru programme held awards to acknowledge businesses in the food and drink manufacturing and processing industry that have undertaken training over the last three years, investing in their employees and upskilling their staff  with a defined  range of training…

Over 60 swimmers plunged into a freezing pool at Lido Ponty on the weekend (Saturday 21st January) to take part in a challenge and raise funds to help people experiencing homelessness. The swimmers were taking part in an Icebreaker challenge event for national homelessness charity Crisis at the National Lido of Wales – Lido Ponty in Pontypridd. While the pool is usually heated, the heaters were off for the challenge and the temperature was just 14°C as they entered the water, many wearing fancy dress! Ashella Lewis, Director of Crisis Skylight South Wales, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who took…

AN ESTEEMED surgeon has launched a new private vascular health clinic. L&P Vascular will be based in Rossett, between Wrexham and Chester, and offer consultation and surgical procedures for people with conditions that affect the arteries, veins, and the lymphatic system, including varicose veins. With more than 30 years’ experience in the UK and Hungarian health services, director Laszlo Papp is a well-known name in the sector having obtained the European Qualification in Vascular Surgery (FEBVS) two decades ago. He is also one of only 12 Professors of Vascular Surgery in Europe to hold a Gold Examiner award from the…

A leading expert on the relationship between dialogue and knowledge exchange has taken up her role as Principal Lead of Aberystwyth University’s new Dialogue Centre. Dr Jennifer Wolowic joins the University from Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue and Public Square in Vancouver, Canada, where she led projects related to democracy, public engagement and culture. Throughout her career, Dr Wolowic has been involved in interdisciplinary applied research and will bring that experience to bear as she heads up the new Dialogue Centre, which is part of the Department of Research, Business & Innovation. Launched in November 2022, the aim of…

Drone footage of Neath’s new Town Centre leisure centre due to open at the end of this month gives a breathtaking fly-through of the completed multi-million pound project. The development has delivered a major leisure, wellbeing, shopping and learning zone for Neath’s town centre. It is due to open on January 30th, 2023. The striking town centre building features a six-lane 25m swimming pool with associated learner pool, two group exercise studios, a 100-station gym, a health suite, retail floorspace, child care facilities a café and a modern library. The new library (opening on February 1st, 2023) will have 30,000…

Visitors to Caerphilly castle and the surrounding area are being reminded to take care following confirmed cases of Avian Influenza among dead birds found at the site. A number of dead swans and geese were found on land around Caerphilly Castle before Christmas. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA – part of DEFRA) carried out testing as part of their Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance programme and have confirmed the presence of Avian Influenza. APHA work closely with Public Health Wales to monitor public health risks related to avian influenza and their advice remains that the risk to the…

World leading soft drinks company Britvic has renewed its partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union until 2027. As an official supplier to the Home Union, the drinks distributer has supplied Principality Stadium with beverages from its own leading brand portfolio including Fruit Shoot, Robinsons, Tango, J2O, London Essence, with PepsiCo brands such as Pepsi, 7UP and Lipton Ice Tea since 2018. Benjamin Griffiths, Director of Foodservice & Catering says, “We’re delighted to continue our sponsorship with the WRU.  We know that brands such as Pepsi MAX, Tango, and the London Essence Company’s premium tonics are the perfect fit for visitors…

The first ‘Big Bocs Bwyd’ scheme in Blaenau Gwent was officially launched at Willowtown Primary School in Ebbw Vale this week. The scheme, which is a modified shipping container turned into a school shop, means children and families at the school, as well as members of the local community, will be provided with food items and only asked to pay what they can afford. They will also be supported with authentic learning experiences through growing and cooking food. Currently, the shop will open on a Monday and Wednesday, with plans to hopefully extend this. Schemes like Big Bocs Bwyd can…