Author: Rhys Gregory

The results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, published today (Thursday, May 12), show the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is producing world-leading and internationally excellent research. Key UWTSD outcomes from REF2021 include: UWTSD is rated 4th in Wales for impact, with 74% of the University’s research judged as delivering outstanding and very considerable impacts for society, culture, and industry. 49% of research is graded 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent), from the areas of Art and Design, Education, Celtic Languages and Literature, Theology and Religious Studies, and Psychology. 100% of research submitted for Celtic Languages and…

Delio, the UK fintech which digitises the private markets strategies of leading banks, wealth managers and other financial firms, has announced the formation of its first Advisory Board as the company embarks on the next stage of its global expansion. The new Advisory Board will consist of internationally recognised leaders from a diverse range of professional backgrounds and specialities, including banking, professional services, impact investing, technology and marketing. The Advisory Board members will work closely with Delio’s leadership team to offer strategic help and advice that supports the fintech’s ambitious international expansion. The announcement comes within weeks of Delio’s latest…

Tai Ffres, a youth housing service in development by United Welsh and Llamau, has been allocated £10m funding in Welsh Government’s final budget. Previous funding from Welsh Government’s Youth Homelessness Innovation Fund supported United Welsh and Llamau in developing Tai Ffres; an innovative, alternative housing pathway for young people who do not meet the threshold for homelessness services, or where traditional supported accommodation services would not be appropriate. With Tai Ffres, young people will be offered a genuinely affordable home, with support if they want it. Richard Mann, Group Chief Executive of United Welsh said: “We are delighted that Welsh…

WorldSkills UK has announced that four competitors from Wales will be joining Team UK at the 46th WorldSkills competition in Shanghai, China 2022. WorldSkills supports young people across the world to take part in competition-led training, assessment, and benchmarking, with the competitors from national teams testing their ability to achieve world-class standards in an Olympic-style skills competition. The finals in Shanghai are due to run from the 12th – 17th October, with the finalists competing to be the best in the world at their chosen skill. Welsh competitors are hoping to achieve medals in categories including Manufacturing Team Challenge and…

Brought to you by the curators of Kongs – Cardiff’s newest lounge bar, “The Underdog” will be opening its doors on May 18th. Located on Guildhall Place, Cardiff CF10 1EB, the much-anticipated launch follows 5 successful years of “Kongs” residency on St Marys Street. The venue combines kitsch basement decor, neon lighting and pool, with your favourite local brews, classics and new cocktails. Of course, the music will be driving the ethos and atmosphere of “The Underdog” as is synonymous with partnering bar Kongs. This launch is definitely one to add to your diary! Nestled away on Guildhall Place across…

The Montgomery Canal was crowded for the annual Montgomery Canal Triathlon on Saturday 7 May. The event is organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal in aid of the canal restoration. Entrants were sent on the first cycling section from the new Open Newtown hub by Richard Williams, Mayor of Newtown. The route followed the River Severn through the town and then joined the canal towpath where it is part of a National Cycle route 81. After some three miles of derelict canal there is water in the canal on a section blocked at four road crossings though all…

Adults and children of all ages are being invited to try their hand at archery at clubs and experience centres around the country during Start Archery Week (14th – 22nd May 2022). This fun and inclusive sport is perfect for anyone wanting to try something new – on their own or with a group of family members or friends – all ages and abilities are invited to take part and experience the feeling of achievement as the arrow hits the target! This annual event to engage new audiences, organised by Archery GB, its club volunteers and archery providers across the…

Fast-growing medtech firm Bond Digital Health has launched a crowdfunding campaign to complete a £1.5m funding round. The Cardiff-based company has already secured £1.3m in the round, with £420,000 from the Development Bank of Wales and the remainder through the investment service Wealth Club. Now it is offering individual investors the chance to join a fast-growing and disruptive business at the start of its scale-up journey by becoming a Bond Digital Health shareholder. Bond has launched the campaign with Seedrs, an equity crowdfunding platform headquartered in London that makes it easy for individuals to buy into the businesses they believe…

“It’s great to be back” was the comment that best summed up the feelings of exhibitors and visitors after more than 5,000 people flocked to Wonderwool Wales at the weekend. Following a pandemic-enforced absence of two years, the two-day show that celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres made a triumphant return to the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells. More than 190 exhibitors packed three halls, with many reporting a virtual sell out of their goods, which ranged from hand dyed yarns and fibre to equipment and quality finished products. Developed to promote the market for…

Staff and students from UWTSD’s Lampeter Campus began excavations this week at a site near Talsarn in the Aeron Valley. Returning to the site for the first time since 2019, the hope was that evidence for some of Ceredigion’s oldest inhabitants might be uncovered during the excavation.  Previous work had suggested that a low mound on the flat valley floor might have provided a dry refuge in an otherwise marshy landscape for people around 6000 years ago. Within hours of returning to the site and removing the turf the first finds were made.  These finds were small, very sharp flakes…