Author: Rhys Gregory

Plans to build 32 one-bedroomed flats for council rent in a north Powys town have been given the go-ahead, the county council has announced. A planning application for the flats on the site of the former Robert Owen House in Newtown was approved by Powys County Council’s Planning, Taxi Licensing & Rights of Way Committee today (Thursday, June 16). The energy efficient flats will be managed by the council’s Affordable Housing Team. The new homes will be owned and managed by the council and allocated to applications on the Powys Common Housing Register. Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet…

Climate change poses a ‘serious health risk’ to the most vulnerable in Wales, Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton has warned in his annual report. The report looks at the second year of the pandemic, as well as looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. The report is made up of four chapters focusing on: how climate change will become a pressing public health issue increasingly dominating our lives; Wales’s population continuing to grow and becoming a predominantly ageing population with a decreasing working-age population; the impact of the pandemic on the most deprived areas of Wales, mortality rates and…

Better pay and conditions, greater job security, improving career progression and a commitment to creating a skilled future workforce are at the heart of a new vision to revitalise Wales’ retail sector being launched today by the Welsh Government. The Shared Strategic Vision for the Retail Sector sets out how the Welsh Government, the sector and trade unions will work together in social partnership to ensure retail has a bright and sustainable future in Wales, which provides fair and rewarding career opportunities for its current and future workers. The retail sector is hugely important to the Welsh economy. It is…

Pupils across Wales have been getting creative to spread colourful safety messages this Clean Air Day. The learners were taking part in a series of workshops organised by the Welsh Government that focus on air pollution sources and the impact they have on health. Bedwas High was one of 40 schools to take part in the initiative which was delivered by Engineering Education Scheme Wales/STEM Cyrmu on behalf of the Welsh Government. As part of the workshop, pupils were challenged to design a road sign to encourage drivers to slow down in order to reduce nitrogen dioxide pollution and help…

Owning a franchise is appealing. You don’t need to establish a brand, you don’t need as much money, and technically, the store is yours. By definition, being part of a franchise gives an individual the right to market a product or service using the brand name or trademark. In the UK, there are approximately 48,000 franchise units. That’s an increase of nearly 25% since 2011. That increase is attributed to the growing number of businesses franchising their brand – McDonald’s, Dominos, Starbucks, and Pizza hut are amongst the most common franchises. But it’s not all plain sailing – despite having…

Buying a property in your home country can be costly enough, but if you want to purchase a property overseas in a country such as Singapore, then you may need to factor in several different extra costs. This is especially true if your main purpose for buying the property is to live and work in a different country as an ex-pat. Along with the cost of putting down your down payment on the property, legal fees, and commissions to agents, you will also need to think about the cost of moving, finding a new job, and getting yourself set up…

With the warmer temperatures finally settling in, this is the time of year that is perfect for a garden party. The outdoors can act as a beautiful backdrop for your gathering, allowing your guests to get a taste of nature while socialising. But nature aside, there is plenty you need to do as a host to ensure the party is a success. Rather than stressing out about the details at the last minute, here are some simple tips that will help you to host the perfect garden party this summer. Plenty of Comfortable Seating is a Must A great place…

If you keep tabs on cybersecurity, you probably know how dynamic this landscape is. There are a lot of moving pieces, and it’s borderline impossible to see the complete picture unless you are an expert in the cybersecurity niche with years of experience. The field might even appear dull if you have no personal interest. However, some quite exciting developments will blow your mind even if you cannot fully grasp the importance of your data. Here are the seven facts about online privacy and security that might surprise you. Identity theft is the most common problem Hackers are after your…

Waking up with a hangover can throw off your entire day. You wake up with a splitting headache and feel like you didn’t sleep a wink. Anyone who has gone out drinking will agree that a hangover is the absolute worst, especially when you have plans or something to do the next day.  The good news is that there are ways to avoid a hangover or at least make your symptoms more bearable the next day. Let’s look at how to avoid a hangover after a night out.  Stay Hydrated  To start, always follow the tried and true rule of…

Relegation is a cruel mistress, especially in Premier League football. Once a team succumbs to life in the second tier, it can be a perilous struggle to get back to the promised land, a task that if not achieved first time of asking could take years to once again come to fruition. Indeed, you only need to look at the journeys of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, two sides who ruled the roost of previous generations but suffered relegation at the turn of the century, to see how difficult it can be to establish yourself as a Premier League outfit.…