Author: Rhys Gregory

A top stand-up artist has rounded up big name stars for a dazzling night of comedy in aid of three LGBTQ+ youth clubs in Gwynedd. It’s the second time Anglesey-raised celeb Kiri Pritchard-Mclean, who has starred on Have I Got News for You and 8 out of 10 Cats, has pitched in to help youth organisations run by charity GISDA. The money raised at the gig will help fund the original club in Caernarfon and two new branches in Pwllheli and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Kiri, a friend of GISDA club volunteer Klaire Hodgson, was first stirred to act after an attack…

‘A role that has meaning’ – that’s the message of a new social care recruitment campaign launched this week in Pembrokeshire. The campaign aims to inspire kind and compassionate people to consider a new career for the New Year – working in care. Featuring a video shot in stunning locations around Pembrokeshire, the campaign highlights the fulfilling nature of care work, as well as showcasing the beauty of the county as an attractive place to live and work. Cllr Tessa Hodgson thanked colleagues who helped to make the video and all others working in care. “These wonderful people make a…

Newport City Council’s trading standards team is urging residents to be aware that illegal vapes are available in the city. Disposable vape devices known by various names including ‘Geek Bars’ and ‘Nicotine Puffs’ contain an extremely harmful dose of nicotine. Vape products sold in the UK must comply with certain requirements including: They must contain no more than two per cent nicotine They must contain no more than 2ml of liquid The exact wording “This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance” must be stated on the packaging And a UK address must also be on the packaging…

A Local broadband project in Powys is set to receive more than £900k worth of funding to help them deliver fast and reliable broadband to communities that need it, thanks to the Welsh Government’s Local Broadband Fund. The £10 million fund, which was set-up to help local authorities and social enterprises address connectivity issues in their communities has already helped a number of projects in the first phase and will now help a number of further in phase two. The project will connect 13 ‘hard to reach properties’ in Powys with incidental benefits provided to an additional 139 properties across…

The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC) predicts businesses across Wales will come under increasing threat from ransomware attacks as cybercriminals continue with this lucrative business model, and attacks becoming more sophisticated. Detective Superintendent and Director of the WCRC Paul Peters, said: “This is a danger we have seen continue to grow over the course of 2021. Falling victim to this type of malicious software prevents businesses accessing their data, which can be crippling. But cybercriminals are also stealing data before encrypting, then threatening to release it giving them greater leverage when demanding payment of a ransom.” The WCRC  was…

Generous Tesco shoppers in Wales have been thanked after donating nearly 90,000 (89, 564) meals-worth of food to help charities feed people during Christmas and the winter months. The fantastic total forms part of more than 1.5million meals-worth of food donated across the UK. The donations will help foodbanks in the Trussell Trust’s network provide emergency parcels and help FareShare supply thousands of frontline charities. Tesco has once again topped up all customer donations with a 20% cash donation to the two charities, to support them in their work feeding people in communities across the UK. During the twice-yearly Tesco…

The green focus in the recently announced Welsh Government’s draft Budget places Wales at the forefront of tackling the climate emergency, says the Head of ACCA Wales Lloyd Powell, who also welcomes the co-ordinated approach to investment and budget planning for 2022 to 2025. Targeted, green investment of more than £160m revenue and a total investment of £1.8bn capital will be committed over the next three years, in a growing overall budget. Lloyd Powell says: “What’s commendable about the draft budget is that it’s collaborative and future-looking – after all green investment cannot be done in silos, and it needs…

A Cardiff-based dentist has become the new owner of a well-established dental practice after securing a six-figure funding package from Lloyds Bank. Dr Omar Parvaiz has used the loan to purchase Park Place Dental Practice, which is conveniently located just off Park Place in the heart of the city. The one-surgery practice, which has been established for more than twenty years and specialises in cosmetic dentistry, currently provides dental care for around 4,500 patients in the area. Dr Parvaiz now has ambitious plans to expand the practice’s current service offering over the coming year. This will include extending its scope…

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the body of a headless cat was found in Dinas Powys. A homeowner made the distressing discovery on a pavement outside her house on Monday (13 December). The torso of the black cat – believed to be an adult female – was completely intact and there was no sign of blood, although the head of the poor animal was missing and hasn’t been found. A family living nearby – who believe the cat is their pet – took her to a vet, who confirmed that it looked like the head had been cleanly…

A science discovery centre in Wrexham has been hailed as a “perfect match” for the town centre, with thousands of visitors in just over 12 months just one highlight. Since a sell-out opening weekend at its new premises in October 2020, Xplore! has attracted more than 13,000 people of all ages to discover or reignite their interest in science. Xplore!, which rebranded from Techniquest Glyndŵr in early 2020, relocated from its base at Wrexham Glyndŵr University to Henblas Street in the town centre. Further key stats revealed in its Impact Statement, which cover its time in both locations as well as activity…