Author: Rhys Gregory

A high-tech Swansea University initiative to develop specialist virtual reality training for healthcare professionals has secured a major funding boost. The project, entitled Virtual Reality a Welsh Reality, has been awarded almost £900,000 to expand immersive learning by creating a series of bespoke training modules in both English and Welsh. The University is partnering with Hywel Dda University Health Board to develop the modules and ensure they meet high standards of clinical education with relevance for undergraduate learners and healthcare professionals throughout Wales. Director of Simulation Education, Associate Professor Joanne Davies, who submitted the successful funding bid to the Higher…

After selling more than two million tickets and entertaining crowds in more than 30 cities across the UK, cult Cardiff-born bingo brand ‘Bingo Lingo’ will celebrate its seventh birthday this week. The Cardiff-born alternative bingo night was first launched in the summer of 2016 by the team at Cardiff events venue, The DEPOT. Hailed as ‘a crowd pleasing, interactive experience for warehouse ravers, students, festival goers & corporate parties alike’ Bingo Lingo re-invents the traditional game of bingo and turns it into a unique, full volume night of non-stop rave rounds, stage battles and full-on fun, with prizes that range…

FinTech Wales, in partnership with training provider iungo Solutions, has recorded an 81% success rate from individuals who attended their ten-week Coding or Data Academies. A substantial 62% of those who successfully completed the course have entered roles in FinTech or Technology, and 19% have gone on to undertake further training. With the pilot of their first Coding Academy launched with Cardiff and Vale College just twelve months ago, FinTech Wales and iungo Solutions have since delivered further Data Academies at FinTech Wales’ office in Cardiff and Coleg y Cymoedd in Nantgarw, and have plans to deliver more academies with…

A fast-growing Welsh travel firm is launching a search for over 40 new apprentices who will be given the added perk of road testing dream holidays. Hays Travel North West, which is based in Wrexham and has shops at Wrexham, Flint, Mold, Connah’s Quay, Prestatyn, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay among its 46 travel agencies across North Wales and the North West, says it needs the new recruits to cater for record demand. They will be holding three days of open events at Liverpool, Manchester and Wrexham on April, 12, 13 and 14 with each person attending given the chance to…

An inspirational young man whose passion in life is music has taken big steps towards fulfilling his dream to become a top DJ. Terry Tuffrey, 22, who lives in Cae Clyd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, has moderate learning difficulties and has already overcome many obstacles in his life and he’s now reaching for the stars. A film crew from Caernarfon-based production company Cwmni Da followed Terry as he graduated from college, hosted acts at a prestigious music festival and co-presented a popular show on Radio Cymru. The resulting documentary, Drych: DJ Terry, can be seen on S4C on Sunday, April 23, at…

The south Wales branch of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club is bringing its ‘Duty to Ride’ fundraising campaign to Pembrokeshire and is naming its event in honour of the late Gordon Prime who recently passed away at his Pembrokeshire care home. The Gordon Prime Memorial Ride will take place on Sunday 16 April 2023 starting at the Carew Cheriton Control Tower at 11am.  Riders will then travel approximately 50 miles around Pembrokeshire before returning to the Tower. Formerly of Jameston, Pembrokeshire, Gordon was a despatch rider on D-Day and took part in many other significant battles during WWII. He was…

Forest Feasitval, the street food festival in a woodland, near a castle by the sea, opens Easter weekend among the trees at Candleston Woods, Merthyr Mawr. With two bank holidays for its opening weekend, there’s a family focus to the first four days. To keep the little ones entertained, rope walker extraordinaire, Chris Bullzini, returns to Forest Feastival and will be performing at every session across the weekend. And to help families make the most of all of the street food available, many traders have created special £5 ‘fiver feast’ dishes. These include Bao Selecta’s vegan crispy ‘beef’ baos, Kindle’s…

St John Ambulance Cymru’s Zip into Spring fundraising event took place last weekend, and saw a collection of St John Ambulance Cymru members, volunteers and supporters come together to raise funds for a brilliant cause. On Saturday 25th March, 30 thrill-seeking fundraisers took on the fastest seated zip line adventure in the world at Phoenix Zip World Tower in Aberdare. The zip line travels up to 70mph, taking participants down the Rhigos mountain and across the Llyn Fawr reservoir. Participants were full of adrenaline and excitement as they zip wired down the mountain, taking in the beautiful views of the…

Two popular businesses have temporary new homes as essential work is carried out to strengthen the Mumbles sea defences. The Gower Seafood Hut and coffee van Bibby’s Beans have moved off the prom to pitches in the neighbouring Southend Park as contractors Knights Brown undertake the work for Swansea Council. Both are open and ready for a busy Easter holiday. Another prom business – Village Creperie – plans to reopen in a new nearby location soon. Council cabinet member Andrew Stevens said: “We’re delighted that these popular food and drink businesses can continue to serve customers within a few yards…

A new build net zero carbon school – as part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Schools Challenge – is to be established in Neath Port Talbot. Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Rhosafan will be packed with energy efficient technology including a ground source heat pump system and photovoltaic panels plus the use of local supply chains and local materials. The use of carbon intensive materials will be discouraged where practicable in favour of natural and renewable materials and the use of recycled materials, where appropriate, will be encouraged. Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Rhosafan will be completely rebuilt and will include a Welsh Language…