Author: Rhys Gregory

The man who turned one of the UK’s biggest pub chains green is backing the country’s campaign to cut carbon by turning his Anglesey home into a renewables paradise. Martin Schwaller slashed the multi-million pound annual electricity bills at hospitality giants Mitchell and Butler’s 1800 pubs and restaurants – and now he’s doing the same at his retirement home on Anglesey. Award-winning Hafod Renewables are about to carry out their third installation for Yorkshire couple Martin and his wife, Caroline, who fell in love with the island on a holiday and moved there when they retired. Vale of Clwyd-based Hafod…

Sony UK Technology Centre (UK TEC) reflects on 2021, the challenges thrown their way and the adaptations required during an ongoing global pandemic, along with the responsibility to support those in the local and wider community who have been hit hardest by Covid-19. Over the past 12 months, the Pencoed-based facility worked closely with local schools, businesses, and charities to make a tangible difference. The manufacturing centre has worked with their nominated charity, the Princess of Wales Hospital, for several years, and during 2021, they continued to support the hospital’s vital work with the donation of breast pumps, hot cots,…

A world-wide study of the impacts of bottom trawling has found that seabeds are in good health where trawl fisheries are sustainably managed. The first study of its kind, by Bangor University with collaborating research institutes, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS w/c 3.1.22) builds on recent international collaboration. It brings together data from 24 large marine regions around the world to establish a relationship between distribution and intensity of trawling activities and the health of seafloor communities. Researchers assessed life on the seabed ascribing a status score between 0-1, where 0 is impacted…

Cardiff Bus customers are being advised that the operator will be temporarily adopting Saturday timetables across its services on weekdays from Monday 10 January 2022. This decision has been made to ensure the stability and reliability of the network, as the operator navigates the impact of the Omicron strain of Covid-19 with increasing levels of sickness and self-isolation amongst staff. Saturday timetables will be in place across services, with exceptions as follows: School services: All school services will follow normal weekday timetables from Thursday 7 January Service 15: The Monday to Friday departures at 05:59 (from Westgate Street) and at…

Everyone at Ysgol Gymraeg Tan-y-lan said goodbye to the old Victorian buildings at Tan-y-lan Terrace in Morriston before Christmas and will start this term in a brand new school in Clase. It has been funded by Swansea Council and the Welsh Government under the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme. Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Improvement and Skills, Robert Smith, said: “I was fortunate to join some of the pupils on a tour of the new building last term and I have to say the facilities are impressive. “I wish all the pupils and their families and all the staff…

Pembrokeshire businesses impacted by the move to Alert Level 2 Covid-19 measures will shortly be able to register or apply for Welsh Government funding. The First Minister announced a £120m package of support for nightclubs, events, retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses and their supply chains, impacted by the move to Alert Level 2. An eligibility checker for businesses has now gone live. Businesses are urged to check their eligibility at: https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/businesssupport?_ga=2.234856926.1944247233.1641292011-360841121.1641292011 The above link also features further information and a series of FAQs about the latest round of support. The funding will take the form of three elements. Non…

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet has today authorised a four week public consultation on the draft budget and corporate plan for 2022/23. The consultation commences 5th January 2022. Council Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Carol Clement-Williams said: “The 8.8% increase in funding for council services and the financial support for the ongoing pandemic response being provided by the Welsh Government, together with our track record of prudent financial management will enable the council to adopt a different approach after years of UK Government austerity. Our priorities include a freeze on Council Tax in recognition of the cost of living pressures…

Residents at Bryn y Cae, Brackla and Pantyrawel’s Tŷ Cwm Ogwr care homes have been transported across the world and beyond from the comfort of their own armchair thanks to virtual reality technology. Thanks to a project delivered by Awen Cultural Trust and Bridgend County Borough Council, residents enjoyed wildlife adventures, space flights and visits to cities across the world. Funded by Welsh Government’s Integrated Care Fund ‘Connected Communities’ Grant, the project also worked with Cardiff-based Rescape Innovation to create 12 personalised VR experiences for residents with dementia, aimed at unlocking memories and provoking conversations. The comments I have received…

Foster Wales Monmouthshire has partnered up with Great British Bake-off finalist, Jon Jenkins, to support a new regional campaign; ‘A great thing to do in 2022’. The campaign, which is aimed at encouraging more kind and caring people to consider fostering, hopes to have a substantial impact on the futures of children and young people who are fostered in Monmouthshire. Throughout Gwent and Monmouthshire every child in need of a foster carer is in the care of their local authority. By helping children to stay within their local community wherever possible, Monmouthshire is able to keep them connected with their…

Are you aged over 65 and living in Powys? Mature drivers are being given the opportunity to revise and improve their road knowledge by taking advantage of a free, online driver theory course, organised by the county council. Powys County Council’s Road Safety Unit will be holding its Driver Theory Refresher workshop on the following days: Wednesday 19th January 2022 Wednesday 16th February 2022 Wednesday 16th March 2022 The course is a two hour, online informal workshop designed to update your knowledge of the road in an ever-changing environment, thus helping improve your driving skills and keep you driving safely.…