Author: Rhys Gregory

First Minister Mark Drakeford praised a new community and visitor centre and the enthusiasm and commitment of the people behind it during a visit to Newtown on Tuesday. Describing Hafan Yr Afon as a “striking, landmark building”, Mr Drakeford said he was impressed by its riverside, town centre location and the use of quality, sustainable materials in its construction. The new centre, located on the banks of the River Severn alongside Back Lane car park, forms an attractive gateway to Newtown’s green and blue spaces. Hafan Yr Afon, which is due to open to the public later this month, has…

Studying wellbeing science as part of their courses could be a key way of improving how today’s students cope with the barrage of stressors they face, according to research. Students are a high-risk population for mental ill-health and face increasing academic demands, high levels of loneliness and sustained financial pressures, which can adversely impact on mental health. Now a Swansea University team have taken a closer look at just what impact an optional wellbeing science module offered to undergraduates would have on students’ wellbeing. The research, by Professor Andrew Kemp and his co-authors consultant clinical psychologist Dr Zoe Fisher, of the University’s Health…

Get Connected Rali Ceredigion has become the first UK rally to offset the emissions associated with the entire competitive field by partnering with Carbon Positive Motorsport. Carbon Positive Motorsport is a market leader in the provision of carbon offset programmes for motorsport events which ties in nicely with Get Connected Rali Ceredigion’s mission to promote sustainability in motorsport and create a long-term legacy of environmental improvement. To ensure the rally runs in the most sustainable way possible, organisers had no hesitation in introducing a range of initiatives to increase the event’s environmental credentials and neutralise its carbon footprint in a…

As part of our staycation series, we’re off to explore Longleat Safari Park and stay at one of their exclusive onsite accommodation locations. Ever since the pandemic put our holiday plans on hold, we have been debating whether or not we go abroad this year or stay a little closer to home. The chaos at the airports is enough to put anyone off, but along with the weakening of the pound against the euro and dollar, and the uncertainty of covid, we decided not to book flights this year. In comparison, Longleat is only 1 hour and 30 minutes from…

The Proclaimers famously sang about walking 500 miles – and now the musical brothers are asking people in Wales to take on their own walking challenge to help Mary’s Meals feed hungry children. The duo is calling for residents to take part in the charity’s Move for Mealscampaign, which encourages people to raise sponsorship while getting active. Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts hungry children to the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a brighter future. The Proclaimers – Craig and Charlie…

After a successful championship in 2019 and following a break in the racing calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Newport will once again host the British Cycling Youth and Junior Track Championships at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales. A key event in the track cycling calendar, the Championships will showcase the best racers from across the country compete for the ultimate status as National Champion. These are the future stars of Team GB and could well go on to compete in races such as the Tour de France, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, in the future! The Championships…

British camping has boomed in the last two years, with 4.5m Brits going camping or caravanning for the first time since the start of the pandemic, according to Mintel. And new research has now revealed 10 of the best secret camping destinations Britain has to offer, with Abereiddy and Havefordwest in Pembrokeshire amongst the top locations. To uncover the country’s hidden gems, tyre and vehicle services provider, ATS Euromaster, researched the top camping destinations social media doesn’t know about, by revealing the number of positive reviews on online camping sites with fewer than five Instagram tags. These stunning sites won’t…

Poundland has this week, cut the price of a thousand general merchandise items in its 800-plus stores, introduced new low-priced household staples online and confirmed it would open 10 new and relocated stores before the end of September with up to another 15 in the pipeline by the end of the year. The latest move comes after Poundland reset stores to lean into its iconic £1 price point and after inflation hit a record 9.4 per cent last month. Poundland’s move brings more amazing value in store, online and in new locations. In store – Poundland’s general merchandise price cuts…

A Ruthin road is set to undergo an innovative net carbon zero resurfacing scheme. Parc Y Dre Ruthin will see the work start on August 8 which is designed to reduce the amount of carbon used in the process. Denbighshire County Council declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and committed to seeking to become a Net Carbon Zero and Ecologically Positive Council by 2030. The road is set to be the first in North Wales resurfaced using an innovative surfacing material, lowering the overall carbon of the process significantly from that of traditional treatments, and delivered and…

Study in Wales has been confirmed as the lead sponsor of the Wales men’s field hockey team as they prepare to compete in the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup for the first time in their sporting history. After securing their spot on home-turf at the October 2021 World Cup Qualifiers, the team will be competing in Bhubaneswar (pronounced boo·ba·nuh·shwaa) and Rourkela, India. The Hockey Wales and Study in Wales partnership is driven by the shared desire to inspire change and will see support for the Welsh teams beyond the World Cup. Both organisations fully support promoting Wales as a country that has a…