Author: Rhys Gregory

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…

More than half of local authorities across Wales have introduced measures on fireworks to help protect animals – with North Wales leading the way. RSPCA Cymru has welcomed the latest local authority in Wales – Isle of Anglesey – agreeing a number of actions to help mitigate the impact of fireworks on animals. An RSPCA-backed Notice of Motion has been passed unanimously by Councillors. It comes as animal owners brace themselves for Chinese New Year celebrations on 1 February. A total of 14 out of 22 councils in Wales have now acted – which includes all of North Wales’ local…

Do you love history? Would you love to learn more about your local area, study artefacts, get your hands dirty and learn real archaeologist’s skills? A new club for young people aged 8 -16 interested in archaeology is being launched for Neath Port Talbot on Saturday 19th February. Based at Neath Library, the club will provide an exciting opportunity to involve young people in archaeology, local history and heritage by creating fun ways to investigate the past. Sessions will encourage a greater understanding of archaeology and the chance to get a hands-on experience of real excavations, handle artefacts and discover…

omelessness charity Emmaus South Wales is working in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council and Kier to take over the ‘The Siding’ re-use shop at Maesteg’s community recycling centre. The Siding, in the Heol Ty Gwyn Industrial Estate, first opened in February 2020 and was operated by Wastesavers Charitable Trust before the pandemic forced it closed. Emmaus South Wales has taken over the operation and reopened The Siding on Monday 31 January 2022, offering a haven for bargain hunters and the opportunity for locals to ensure their unwanted items go to a good home rather than a skip. Visitors to…

Work will start on the new modular building to be constructed at Priory Church in Wales School site in Brecon. The building funded by a Welsh Government Flying Start capital grant of £820,000.00 will provide Flying Start childcare and Foundation Phase provision as well as a multi-agency office space for professionals to support families. Following a tender process R G Stones Modular buildings have been awarded the contract to carry out the building work on the site starting next month. The new building and outdoor space will provide high quality, free Flying Start childcare for two-year-olds and will also be…

Tonnes of MIGHTY recycling has been collected from across Rhondda Cynon Taf as residents once again prove they have got MIGHTY recycling powers! The Council is congratulating its residents on its fantastic recycling figures for December 2021! Residents across Rhondda Cynon Taf are some of the ‘mightiest’ in Wales and have had a very green Christmas, with more and more residents joining in the fight against waste! The amazing news is that overall black bag/wheelie bin waste has dropped by over 50 tonnes compared to last year – which means that our residents are thinking before they buy and reducing…

The third round of the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund has opened for applications as of Monday 31 January, with businesses and organisations who have not previously received support under the fund now eligible to apply, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, has confirmed. Earlier this month, the Deputy Minister announced a further £15.4 million would be made available to cultural organisations in Wales who continue to be severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Impacted sectors including music venues, heritage sites, event venues, suppliers and organisers, independent local museums, community and independent libraries, galleries and independent cinemas who…

New findings of a fungal-like pathogen known to affect a variety of tree species have been reported in Wales. Phytophthora pluvialis can affect a variety of tree species, including western hemlock, Douglas fir and several pine species. Following findings in the Dyfi Forest and in Crychan, Llandovery, new cases have been confirmed in Talybont-on-Usk, Mynydd Du and Radnor. A total of seven sites are now affected in Wales. A symptom guide has been prepared that provided more information on Phytophthora pluvialis . People are urged to report sightings via the TreeAlert online portal. Further cases in Wales will now be logged online and…

A trial that guarantees extra school sessions for learners in Wales is now underway, Education Minister and Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles has announced. Over 1,800 learners will take part in the trial, benefitting from five hours of extra activity per week over a ten week period. The trial, which follows a government commitment to explore reform of the school day, is focused on supporting disadvantaged pupils and schools particularly affected during the pandemic. The plans draw on international models and proposals made by the Education Policy Institute. Teachers have decided how and what is delivered in each of the…