Author: Rhys Gregory

THOUSANDS of visitors are set to descend on South Wales for a much-anticipated celebration of careers and education. SkillsCymru 2022 will be held at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff over two days from Wednesday October 19. Organised by Optimus Education – part of Shaw Trust – the free event is accessible for the whole family as a ‘Twilight Session’ will be held for parents and carers from 4pm-6.30pm on the opening day. There they will be able to join their children in discovering the latest advice on careers, training courses and qualifications and make informed choices about their future. With…

A Welsh social enterprise is ramping up its apprenticeship programme thanks to a growing order book of work that’s worth £68 million over the next five years. Mother of two Holly Joinson, 28, is among the latest recruits to sign up for an apprenticeship thanks to Creating Enterprise – a subsidiary of housing association Cartrefi Conwy – who’ve helped more than 500 into work since it was set up in 2015. Creating Enterprise have pioneered the construction of modular, energy efficient homes and have a factory in Rhyl where they make the timber frames, roof joists and fencing. The construction…

On May 26 2020, officers stopped Richard Watkins, 43, from Ebbw Vale who was driving a pick-up truck, after he was seen to meet with Daniel O’Hara, 47, from the West Midlands area. Covert officers witnessed the two meet in Ross-on-Wye and exchange packages. On that day, officers stopped Watkins and found 3kg of cocaine in the footwell of the truck. O’Hara was stopped shortly after by West Midlands police on the M5 near Birmingham, where £89,980 cash was found in a carrier bag in his car. They were both arrested and conveyed to Bridgend police station. Investigations from the…

The best local and international knowledge and expertise will be shared with Conwy tourism and hospitality businesses at a series of 10 free events which begin on Monday. The Tourism Innovation Programme events, which include keynote speakers, facilitated discussion forums, workshops, masterclasses and training, aim to provide valuable knowledge and insight for businesses to take away and apply immediately. This programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund and supported by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Mostyn Estates. Visit northwalestourism.com/tourism-innovation-programme/ for full details about the events and how to register. A ‘Best of Conwy’ networking event, which aims…

Aberystwyth University has launched a new hub to study artificial intelligence in response to a technology that presents some of the greatest opportunities this decade to transform society. The Hub involves academics from across the University collaborating in areas such as robotics and machine learning, astrophysics, medical treatment, drug discovery and future foods through a series of workshops, conferences, and collaborations. In recent years, the University has been involved in a number of high-profile projects involving the technology. In June 2022, it worked with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water on an artificial intelligence system that helped monitor the reliability of water…

joint project ‘Wales on Rails’ (WOR), led by Great Little Trains of Wales (GLTW) and supported by Transport for Wales and the Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) in Wales and the borders has won at The Community Rail Awards in the tourism and leisure category. Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “The Community Rail Awards give deserved recognition to community rail partnerships, groups and volunteers across Britain. We were thrilled to welcome more than 430 guests to the awards, alongside ministers and rail industry leaders, emphasising the great value of community rail, helping to build stronger, fairer, greener…

When 17-year-old Emma Williams took part in a St John Ambulance Cymru community first aid session at Glynllifon College in Caernarfon, little did she know that she would have to apply her new skills just 48 hours later to save her sister’s life. 17-year-old Emma from Uwchmynydd is studying a Foundation Course which aims to support young people with social or educational needs, so that they can progress onto mainstream education or employment. Along with her fellow students, Emma underwent a basic first aid awareness course with St John Ambulance Cymru , taught by community trainer Ryan Cawsey. Just two days after…

An Aberdare man has been handed a suspended prison sentence at Merthyr Crown Court after he admitted causing unnecessary suffering after failing to treat his dog’s “extensive and severe” injuries. Ryan Chad Warner of Cwmaman, Aberdare, pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a black and white male Patterdale type terrier called Grafter. Warner failed to provide proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for Grafter’s serious injuries. The case was heard at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court on 31 August and then referred to Merthyr Crown Court on Friday 7 October where Warner was sentenced to 12…

Wales’ first female professor is to be honoured with a new park in Cardiff. Born in 1863, Professor Millicent Mackenzie was a professor of education at the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire (now Cardiff University) from 1910-1915. She also campaigned for women’s rights, founding the Cardiff branch of the Suffragettes, and went on to become Wales’s first female parliamentary candidate, the only woman standing at the 1918 general election. A pioneering voice in the women’s rights movement, highlighting the importance of women’s participation in academic and political spheres, Professor Mackenzie was also a driving force in the early…

It’s that time of year again, the temperatures are dropping, the nights are drawing in … and Swansea’s Waterfront Winterland is back for 2022, as Museum Park once again transforms into a festive wonderland. Brand new for 2022, students and families can buy site wristbands, offering substantial savings on their experience. The student package includes skating, an adult meal and choice of beer, small wine, or mulled wine, with a total saving of £6. The family package offers two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, a saving of £18 on skating for four, one or two…