Author: Rhys Gregory

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…

The proposed precept for Dyfed Powys Police will be put under scrutiny at the first meeting of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel in 2023. Panel members will meet on January 27 to discuss the precept and challenge Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn on his budget plans for the coming year. The panel, made up of members nominated by the four councils in the force area plus two independent members, has the power to approve or veto the proposed police precept. Local policing is funded from a Home Office grant, as well as contributions from the public via…

Once completed, this will become a meeting point for different modes of transport, creating a hub for sustainable forms of travel. Adjoining the Council’s Grade II listed Docks Office building, the project is being delivered in partnership with the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) and Welsh Government. It will connect train, bus, cycle and taxi services as well as offering close by park and ride facilities. Cllr Bronwen Brooks, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “This is an ambitious, forward-thinking project, originally identified in the Local Development Plan, that can help make sustainable travel more comfortable, convenient, and appealing. “Linking…

A survey of more than 2,300 UK SME exporters has revealed UK overseas trade continues to languish as the global economy heads into another difficult year. The British Chamber of Commerce’s (BCC) quarterly Trade Confidence Outlook for Q4 2022 showed that the squeeze on SME exporters’ operating margins remains. Three main cost pressures continue to dominate as utilities, labour costs and raw materials are again the biggest concerns cited by exporters. More UK SME exporters are continuing to report falling export sales (27%) than are reporting an increase (26%). In Wales, the figures are even more stark as a third…

Plantasia Tropical Zoo, managed by leisure operator Parkwood Leisure, is set to launch Jungle Escape, the world’s biggest and most unique 60 minute Escape Game. The South Wales zoo has partnered with ‘The Escape Game’ Swansea to develop this new and exciting experience. The Escape Game is a Play an in-real-life (IRL) escape room company operating in Llansamlet and the USA. They have partnered with Plantasia to develop what they see as “the most unique escape game out there”, in which participants will need to find clues, solve puzzles, and complete challenges, to escape the jungle itself. Always looking to…

This month, 90 community groups and organisations across Wales are welcoming the New Year with news of a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.   The National Lottery funding is being used to bring isolated people together in warm spaces, to support people struggling with the rising cost of living, and to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable people.  Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million a week is raised for good causes, including King’s Church in Newport. They have been awarded a £499,919 National Lottery grant to deliver much needed food and supplies to support families in need of…