Author: Rhys Gregory

Pub chain Hungry Horse has today announced a new Boxing Day toy donation scheme, designed to help parents declutter their homes and spread festive cheer, while supporting families who can put their preloved toys to good use during the festive season. According to the latest research, almost a third (27%) of UK kids get bored of their new presents in under ten minutes on Christmas day, putting pressure on parents to buy more and more toys to keep them entertained. Getting rid of the unwanted or unused toys can be a massive challenge for Brits, with a whopping 40% of…

Cardiff’s light trail event being held in Cardiff is the latest victim of covid restrictions announced this week. On Wednesday, the First Minister announced plans to move to a revised Alert Level 2 as of Boxing Day. Despite the Bute Park being an outdoor event, they have said that the latest guidance does not create an exception for this type of event. In a statement released today, event organisers said: “It is with great sadness that Christmas at Bute Park will be forced to shut its gates as of Boxing Day, bringing our trail to an early end. “As an…

Wales’ largest business organisation FSB Wales (Federation of Small Businesses) has welcomed the details of the new funding package announced by Minister for Economy Vaughan Gething for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses affected by the impact of the new Omicron Coronavirus variant and measures announced lately by Welsh Government. Within the package, businesses which pay Non-Domestic Rates will be entitled to a payment of £2,000, £4,000 or £6,000 depending on their rateable value. In addition, affected businesses and crucially, their supply chains, will also be able to apply for top-up funding from new grants of between £2,500k – £25,000 with…

Care home staff are heroes and not just at Christmas but every single day of the year because without them there would be no care. “At the end of the day we are in care because we care,” said Senior Care Practitioner Vicky Williams who has volunteered to work on Christmas Day at the Highfield Care Home, part of the Pendine Park organisation, in Wrexham. It will be the first time the 37-year-old has worked on Christmas Day and is really looking forward to the experience. “I’ll be wearing a Christmas jumper, we’ll be singing carols, there are always Christmas…

Further pandemic changes will come into effect across Wales on 26 December as Welsh Government continues to announce new measures intended to fight the spread of Covid-19. In Bridgend County Borough, this means that two-metre social distancing will be necessary in all premises that are open to the public, including workplaces, and that a maximum of six people can gather together in regulated premises such as cinemas, theatres, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality venues. Table service and the collection of contact details will be necessary at all licensed premises, and face coverings will be required in hospitality settings at all…

Monmouthshire County Council this week received confirmation from Welsh Government that it will receive an 11.2% increase in its core funding next year compared to the 9.4% average for Wales and where councils across Wales have received settlements ranging from increases of 8.4% to 11.2%.  This welcomed news will allow the Council to accommodate a range of significant and immediate pressures affecting services next year and to lessen the need for the Council to draw on its comparatively limited one-off reserves to support the budget. Councillor Richard John, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council said: “This is a significant local government…

Merthyr Council has congratulated Canolfan and Theatr Soar on receiving a Trusted Charity Mark Award recognising its tremendous work as a third sector organisation. It was assessed against 11 different standards, including best practice as a charity. Its governance and management were evaluated, including how it uses its money effectively to carry out its work. Canolfan a Theatr Soar is a Welsh Language, arts, and heritage community hub.  The centre offers rooms for community activities, meetings, courses, and performances.  The organisation works in collaboration with others to integrate the language into the community, offering a warm croeso to all. The Centre…

While there will be no changes to recycling and waste collection days over Christmas, Cardiff Council is arranging one-off collections of Christmas trees across the first two weeks of January. Residents are asked to place their trees on street and not to cut them up or put them in the green wheelie bins or white reusable sacks. These one-off collections are for Christmas trees only, and no other garden waste will be collected as part of this service. A Christmas tree drop-off zone will also be provided at Heath Park on January 8th and 9th between 10am and 4pm. The Christmas tree…

As part of an apprenticeship programme,   24 year old Chloe Koffler from Prestatyn had the experience of working on the 21st series of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here – which has inspired her to follow a career path in Film and TV. Criw Production Apprenticeship Programme is run by Wales based training provider Sgil Cymru on behalf of Grwp Llandrillo Menai.  An initial cohort of six apprentices started their apprenticeship in October this year.  Creative Wales and the Welsh Government have supported this new style of apprenticeship which is open to those who are keen to…

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has thanked the thousands of extra NHS staff and volunteers who are making a success of the Covid-19 booster programme in Wales. Alongside dedicated NHS staff working in the mass vaccination centres, pharmacies, GPs and army personnel are supporting the rapid rollout of the booster vaccine. The accelerated booster programme continues to gather pace, with 1.4m booster doses already delivered – almost half of all those aged 12 and over. This week, a record 53,000 vaccines were delivered in one day – the highest number since the programme was launched just over a year ago. Wales…