Author: Rhys Gregory

A leading college in South Wales is calling on girls aged between 14 and 18 who have a passion for sports to attend free taster sessions designed to give them an insight into what it could be like to study them full-time at a specialist female academy. Coleg y Cymoedd is hosting eight two-hour taster sessions in rugby and netball throughout July and August ahead of the launch of its dedicated female sports academy in September, which will provide professional training and tutoring alongside academic qualifications. The new Female Academy, which will run in partnership with the University of South…

South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC) has won the prestigious ‘Food Producer of the Year’ award at the 2023 Wales Food and Drink Awards. The awards ceremony, which took place at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on the 18 May, celebrated the dedication and talent of some of Wales’s best food and drink producers and suppliers. Shining a light on the success stories of food and drink companies that are scaling up, creating employment and becoming an inspiration to others, the awards also highlight the diversity of the food and drink sector in Wales. Standing out from the competition, with over 60 years of…

In another positive step towards the establishment of the independent North Wales Medical School, Bangor University has announce that the first cohort of medical students under its current partnership with Cardiff University will complete their studies this month. This milestone marks a significant achievement as they are the first to complete their comprehensive medical education entirely in North Wales. In honour of their accomplishments, a special celebration will be held to recognise their pioneering role, their dedication and hard work. Established as a partnership between Bangor University, the Welsh Government, Cardiff University, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the North Wales Medical…

A Chester landscape architect has been appointed as the new Chair of Landscape Institute Wales. Kate Richards, Associate Landscape Architect at Land Studio, officially takes up her post this month. Land Studio’s Sian Rossiter, an Assistant Landscape Architect, has also been appointed to run the organisation’s social media platforms. The Landscape Institute was founded in 1929 and is a professional organisation which works to improve the planning and design of the urban and rural landscape. It also accredits university courses and promotes the professional development of landscape architects. Its aim is to work with its members to protect, conserve and…

Autonomous wheelchairs and companion animals will be among the technology trialled at a new state of the art smart home at Aberystwyth University, which is aiming to improve quality of life for the elderly or people with health conditions. The Smart Home Lab will resemble an everyday home, with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms, but will also be equipped with sensors, robotic assistants, and full connectivity. Researchers will be able to test the likes of assisted living technology for those with mobility problems, voice activated devices, carry out remote check-ups by GPs and other healthcare professionals, and explore…

With no prior experience of a public speaking competition, four pupils from Porthcawl Comprehensive School navigated their way through unchartered territory all the way to the finals of a national public speaking competition. In the final 12 out of 425 schools, the pupils were not just representing the only Welsh school, but also the only comprehensive school at the national finals, held in Churchill College, Cambridge. They found themselves before a range of judges, including the great grandson of Winston Churchill, Randolph Churchill! Ella, one of the Porthcawl team, said: “It was so incredible to be a part of something…

A renowned Marvel Comics artist has created an action figure of Neath Port Talbot Council refuse worker Richard Brace as part of a campaign by public services union UNISON to raise awareness of the role councils play in providing vital everyday services. Richard, 33, lives in Neath and has worked for the council for more than nine years. He began as a litter picker, moved into the recycling team and after getting his HGV licence four years ago, went on to bin collections. He said: “I think people just take council workers for granted and it’s like we’re working in…

Pembrokeshire County Council has a new Member Champion for Armed Forces. Cllr Simon Hancock has taken up the role previously held by Cllr John Cole. The Armed Forces Champion provides a voice for serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families to ensure that group are taken into account when Council policy is being developed and decisions are made. Cllr Hancock, the Councillor for Neyland East, said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed the new Armed Forces Champion for Pembrokeshire, a county with a long and glorious association with the nation’s armed forces. “I am determined to support the…

Newport City Council has welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s National Semiconductor Strategy. The strategy sets out the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the nation’s semiconductor industry, with a vision to grow the domestic sector with up to £1bn in investment earmarked over the next ten years. The strategy also sets out plans to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions and protect the UK’s semiconductor assets. Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council and cabinet member for economic growth and strategic investment, said: “Newport’s compound semiconductor cluster is a major employer within both our city and the wider…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is collaborating with a number of expert partners to explore opportunities for the generation and use of green hydrogen across its activities in support of delivering its commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030. Hydrogen is generated by splitting water (H2O) into its constituent parts, hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis – passing an electrical current through the water.  The term green hydrogen is used when the electricity used in the electrolysis is generated from renewable sources such as wind or solar.  Projects being explored by the Council will consider the use of ethical water sources…