Author: Rhys Gregory

Aberglasney Gardens has appointed a new Director of Operations. Jim Stribling, who recently moved to Carmarthenshire from Miami, started in the position earlier this month and says he already feels at home at Aberglasney, especially in the Ninfarium with its tropical temperature and exotic plants! Born and raised in Miami, Jim has arrived at Aberglasney with a formidable track record in horticulture and managing botanic gardens. After graduating with a Batchelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Management from the University of Florida, he started his own plant nursery business with his sister. They grew indoor, tropical foliage plants…

Ceredigion County Council was forced to restrict access to public computers at libraries, in order to minimise transmission of coronavirus in our communities. As coronavirus levels continue to fall and following the successful roll out of the vaccine programme in the County, a decision has been made to resume the public use of computers in all council owned libraries. We will continue to ensure that the use of the library and the public computers will be as safe as possible, which will include wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing and hand sanitising on arrival. The public computers will be…

SCHOOLGIRLS across Wales are preparing to put their digital skills to the test as they vie to become the country’s cyber security champions. Finalists from eleven state schools will compete on Saturday at the Welsh final of the annual CyberFirst Girls Competition which is run by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ. Taking place in Newport, the final will see pupils work in teams to tackle cyber-related puzzles covering topics from networking and AI to cryptography and logic in a bid to score the most points and be named CyberFirst champions. The 2022 competition has…

Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic have impacted thousands of businesses over the past few years, but one industry that has been arguably more affected than others is that of the health and social care industries. One solution that is proving invaluable in its attempt to tackle the recruitment crisis is the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship Programme, which provides school leavers and those looking for a career change an opportunity to learn on-the-job skills and gain national qualifications, alongside earning a wage. Chloe Paterson, 23, from Pontypridd, has completed her Level 2 & Level 3 Diploma in a Health and Social Care…

A fully-funded, after-hours support programme aimed specifically at helping local people start and grow a business is launching in Rhyl. StartUp Club will give local people thinking of starting their own business or looking to turn their passion into a career, all the resources they need to set up and begin trading, including weekly expert-led workshops and support. Starting in February at the Costigan’s Coworking space on Bodfor Street, the eight-week programme is held every Thursday from 18:00 – 20:00 in order to fit around work and childcare needs. Each session features a workshop where individuals will learn everything they…

An 18th Century Inn, a Spanish tapas bar and an African food store are just some of the 73 Welsh businesses that accessed over £1.3 million of fast track micro loans from the Development Bank of Wales  in the financial year to date (April to December 2021) Small businesses, sole traders and social enterprises that have been trading in Wales for over two years can apply for a fast track micro loan of up to £25,000 from the Development Bank of Wales. Decisions on qualifying customer loans can be made within two working days. The  figure of £1.32 million represents…

Plenty of greenery will very soon be planted at Swansea’s new coastal park as construction of the attraction edges even closer to completion. The planting over the next fortnight or so will follow significant recent progress at the 1.1-acre park, which forms part of the £135m Copr Bay phase one district being developed by Swansea Council. Current on-going work includes the introduction of water features and soft play areas for children. The coastal park will also feature a selection of new trees, including cherries and pines. They’re among over 70 new trees being introduced as part of the Copr Bay…

Danny Tod has been appointed as Managing Director of Tod Security and Fire Limited, the company that he first joined as an apprentice in 2008 at the age of 16. First established in 1987 by Danny’s father David Tod, Tod Security began life in a garden shed. The company has doubled in size in the last three years alone  and now employs 25 people from their base at Mamhilad Park Estate. Having studied for a BTEC in Electronic Engineering, Danny progressed through the business to become an Installation Engineer in 2010.  He has since become increasingly involved in the management…

Brand new laboratories have been unveiled at the Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor campuses in Dolgellau and Pwllheli, as part of a £1.9m project to improve science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) facilities for college students. Grŵp Llandrillo Menai secured Magnox/Nuclear Decommissioning Authority funding towards an ambitious project to upgrade 10 laboratories across three of its campuses. £386,034 from Magnox/NDA is being invested by the LabSTEM project to modernise facilities at Dolgellau, Pwllheli and Llangefni, with the remainder of the funding package provided by the Welsh Government’s 21st Schools and Colleges Programme and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. Three science laboratories at both the Dolgellau…

A doctor from Rhondda Cynon Taf is investigating if there’s a link between patients having urinary tract infections (UTIs) and suffering a heart attack or stroke, in new research funded by British Heart Foundation Cymru. Dr Harry Ahmed is a GP and Senior Clinical Lecturer in Epidemiology at Cardiff University’s School of Medicine.  He hopes the study could lead to better outcomes for patients in the future. Dr Ahmed says, “When a person has an infection, the immune system responds in a way that could affect the circulatory system. These changes may increase the risk of having a heart attack or…