Author: Rhys Gregory

People with epilepsy are now able to help manage their condition, while reducing waiting lists for others at the same time. An open access service has been introduced, allowing them the option to take charge of their care by contacting a dedicated phone line when they need to. Patients can chat directly with epilepsy specialist nurses, who run the service, about their concerns or queries about everything relating to their epilepsy. This includes medication support, advice around planning a pregnancy and day-to-day risk management to keep them safe. By choosing to get in touch when they require a helping hand,…

Whether you’ve got a Nordmann Fir standing pride of place, or a Fraser Fir is your tree of choice, Dobbies’ Swansea store is encouraging you to repurpose your Christmas centrepiece once the festivities are over. Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles has outlined how people can recycle their cut Christmas trees to create a wildlife haven for small animals and insects to shelter in during the winter months. Follow Marcus’s step-by-step guide: Remove the tree from your house carefully to stop any loose needles from dropping. Wear thick gloves to protect your hands. Using a good quality pair of secateurs, starting…

Animals do the funniest things; and RSPCA rescuers see that first-hand! In 2022, the charity’s officers were called to thousands of incidents, including many in which birds, wildlife, pets and farm animals have found themselves in a sticky situation. Dermot Murphy, RSPCA Inspectorate Commissioner from the animal charity’s frontline rescuers, said: “With our teams out rescuing animals from danger and suffering 365 days a year, we are often their only hope. It’s an honour to be able to lend a hand to animals in desperate need and we hope people enjoy seeing some of the weird and wonderful places animals…

Nos Galan 2022 just got even more exciting, as international Welsh rugby legend George North arrived in town as the mystery runner. The atmosphere in Mountain Ash is incredible this evening, thanks to the return of the iconic event to its streets after two years of being held as a virtual challenge. So, what better way to keep spirits raised than to introduce spectators and participants to the Ospreys and Wales star, who has scored more tries for his country than any other active player. He also sits second, just behind Shane Williams, as the highest-ever scoring player for Wales.…

Work by Newport City Council’s trading standards team over the last 12 months has included the targeting of illicit tobacco sales in the city. There have been 12 seizures of items with an estimated retail value of £746,000 consisting of more than 1.3m cigarettes and 172kg of hand-rolling tobacco. Nineteen ASB closure orders were successfully obtained and it is estimated this prevented a minimum of further illicit tobacco sales of £850,000. Guidance has also been provided to several UK trading standards authorities who are considering using ASB closure orders to tackle illicit tobacco issues in their areas. Four prosecutions resulted…

There is still time for business rates payers in Powys to apply for the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rate Relief for 2022-23, the county council has said. The Welsh Government scheme, which is being administered by Powys County Council, is offering eligible occupied businesses a discount of 50% on the business rates bill for a property. The scheme will apply to all eligible ratepayers with a relief cap for all your business properties up to a £110,000. To date, 870 businesses in the county have applied for the rate relief which has reduced their business rates bills by £3.4m. The…

Four Welsh cultural organisations are to be funded through a partnership between the Welsh Government and the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (NMCT). The NMCT is the only UK grant-giver that focuses solely on the care and conservation of manuscripts in the UK. A collection of c.2,000 drawings and paintings compiled by William Burges, the respected architect and designer, that relate to his redevelopment of Cardiff Castle from 1868 until his death in 1881. The collection is held at Glamorgan Archives and conservation of the collection will ensure informed and sympathetic restoration of the Castle itself in years to come; safeguarding…

Looking to get fit and healthy in the New Year? Then why not try out one of the many walking and cycling routes on your doorstep? Whether you’re looking to swap from the car to a healthier and more cost-effective commute, thinking of taking a weekend stroll, or simply planning a bike ride with friends and family, there’s likely to be an opportunity nearby with more than 2000km of high-quality local walking and cycling routes already available across Wales. Following months of public consultation and working closely with the Welsh Government, local authorities have published their Active Travel Network Maps,…

As the busiest days of the year for the health service approach, the Chief Executive of the Welsh NHS, Judith Paget, has urged people to do what they can to relieve pressure on the NHS. The New Year is usually the busiest time of year for the NHS, particularly in emergency departments. Health boards have already reported caring for more acutely unwell patients than normal this year. Health boards have asked people not to visit people in hospital if they have flu-like symptoms, to protect patients within hospitals. The NHS has seen a sharp rise in confirmed cases of flu,…

The Welsh Government recently launched a review of broadband in Wales to improve the country’s digital infrastructure. Three years ago, almost 55% of residential premises in Wales could access “superfast broadband” at speeds of 30Mbps or higher, compared to 75% across the UK. Today, this figure has increased to 94%, but take-up in Wales is still lagging at around 63%. Telecommunications is a reserved matter – meaning that it’s not the responsibility of the Welsh Government to intervene. it is expected that the commercial sector will do most of the work in funding the initiative. High-speed connections are up and…