Author: Rhys Gregory

A Welsh Government-led programme to test wastewater for COVID-19 has been expanded to cover all Welsh health boards and local authorities across 48 sites. The programme provides vital data on the prevalence of coronavirus in the community and was key to the early detection of the Omicron wave across Wales. The process of identifying coronavirus in wastewater was initially developed by scientists from Bangor University who have been working in partnership with the Welsh Government, Cardiff University, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy. The initial concept and processes are now used in work being undertaken across the UK. All…

While life is unpredictable and may throw a curveball once in a while, being laid off is probably one of the biggest challenges people have to face. If you suddenly don’t have a regular source of income and still have dependents and financial commitments, you may feel depressed and frustrated.  Have you been suddenly made redundant? This is what thousands of people are facing during the current pandemic. While you are filling in job applications and improving your CV, the following tips may help you manage your personal finances during unemployment. What to Do If You Have Been Laid Off…

If you’re thinking about trading forex for the first time, there are a few things you need to know before getting started. Forex, or foreign exchange, is a global market where traders buy and sell currencies. It can be a great way to make some extra money, but it’s important to understand the risks involved before investing your hard-earned money. In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know before starting out in the world of forex trading! What is Forex Trading? Forex, or foreign exchange, trading is the buying and selling of currencies on the global market.…

A pilot taxi scheme has provided thousands of ‘green’ miles for drivers and passengers since starting last Autumn. Denbighshire is hosting the only North Wales pilot of the zero emission green taxi scheme. The Welsh Government, who are funding the scheme, recently set a goal of de-carbonising the taxi fleet entirely by 2028. The Council is one of a select few local authorities in Wales taking part in the pilot. Twenty-eight taxi drivers have stepped behind the wheel of four wheelchair-accessible Nissan Dynamo E-NV200 taxis to use as part of the “try before you buy scheme” which began in September…

A historic garden in Welshpool is opening its gates for curious and creative youngsters this February half term. The popular National Trust activity trail, ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’, is returning to Powis Castle from February 19 to 27. Guaranteed fun for all the family, the trail is free and open for everyone. Exciting activities on the trail include getting to know a tree, making friends with a bug, welly wandering and wintry adventures. Sarah Johnson, visitor operations and experience manager at Powis Castle and Garden, said: “The whole team is excited to see ‘50 things’ back at Powis…

Nick Ramsay, former Conservative Shadow Finance Minister in the Senedd has joined the Welsh Liberal Democrats.  He will be a candidate for the Party in the Monmouthshire Council elections this coming May. Nick says: “I have thought long and hard about the future of politics in Wales and the UK.  The Conservative Party is not the party I once joined.  They have lost the trust of the people, and are unable to manage our country.  They have failed the fundamental test of competence.  I can think of little of them with which I agree.” “I have spent a long time…

Twenty new jobs are on offer at Mid Wales lamb processor Randall Parker Foods, which uses apprenticeships to develop and grow a skilled and committed workforce. The company, based at Dolwen, near Llanidloes, has a workforce of 120, including many former apprentices such as production line manager Huw Owen, 34, who has progressed through the business. He joined the company in 2009 as a lairage labourer but has developed through the ranks having achieved a Foundation Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills and a Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) in Food Manufacturing Excellence. “I began an apprenticeship because…

One of Wales’s showcase events of the hospitality season is back on the calendar with the return of the Harlech Foodservice Expo in March. Over 70 food and drink producers from international household names to high quality artisans will exhibit at the free event for trade customers at Venue Cymru on Wednesday and Thursday, March 2 and 3. Big guns Wall’s, Hellman’s, Weetabix, McCain’s and Young’s Seafood will all take stands as well as Quorn with increasing interest in vegetarian and vegan options on menus. Welsh suppliers include Village Bakery, Snowdonia Cheese, butchers Edwards of Conwy, Ty Nant mineral water,…

Cardiff Bus has announced that weekday services will be reinstated from Sunday 13 February. The operator also wants to inform customers of changes that are set to be made to most timetables in a bid to better mitigate congestion levels and changes to the priority and space that is provided for buses on the road. There will also be changes to city centre bus stops for a future phase of work set to take place at Central Square, and work that will be starting on the Canal Quarter on Churchill Way. Services that will be affected by these changes are:…

A police boss has issued an urgent warning to lonely men and women in North Wales not to be fooled by heartless scammers. North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin spoke out after it was revealed that cruel fraudsters had duped their targets out of nearly £500,000 last year Mr Dunbobbin said the region’s police force had received more than 100 reports of romance fraud in 2021. But he fears it could be “just the tip of the iceberg, with many more lovelorn victims who were too embarrassed or ashamed to contact the police about being swindled. According to…