Author: Rhys Gregory

Starting a business is undoubtedly exciting. Startups are not cheap. Most startups fail within the first year. You have a great idea, you’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you’re ready to take the next step into the unknown. The only problem is; you don’t have any money to fund your next move. You’ve got a great product that customers are interested in, but to get them their orders, you need cash to get your business off the ground. A startup would be a new venture, such as a software application, an online news service, or an online…

The dry statistics show that in the mid-90s, the percentage of interracial marriages worldwide was 29%. And already in the mid-2000s, racially mixed unions had increased to 59%. It is apparent that over the past decades, it has only continued to grow. Among experts, there are both critics and supporters of such couples. While ones, such as the administration of UADates – an international dating site for marriage, believe true love sees no obstacles on its way. Especially if the only problem is the partner’s nationality. Others, people of conservative views for the most part – find these relationships are…

VPNs, or virtual private networks, are becoming increasingly common among everyone from basic users to full-fledged IT security experts. VPNs are a highly developed technology that began as an approach for IT professionals to provide secure remote access and link several office locations across the internet. VPNs have evolved considerably in recent years, becoming one of the most popular and essential tools accessible to every privacy-concerned browser. Is this latest form of VPN good enough to help businesses? Is a Virtual Private Network Right for Your Business? Businesses frequently utilize VPNs to ensure that people outside their data centers are…

Following a hugely successful UK tour in 2021, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow have announced more dates so that this thrilling adaptation can be performed on more stages across the UK. Washington Irving’s classic tale has been given new life by acclaimed playwright Philip Meeks (Murder, Margaret and Me; Harpy) who wields the horror genre to reflect on the lingering appeal of fables, storytelling and monsters. The ghoulish production revitalises the classic text to leave audiences simmering with anticipation. Welcome to Sleepy Hollow. Stars of the stage and screen, Wendi Peters (Big! The Musical; Coronation Street) and Bill Ward (Everybody’s…

A major part of a £700,000 drainage project in Ystalyfera which will reduce the flood risk to residents of the Varteg Estate has now been completed. While further improvement and reinstatement work continues, a new 140 metre culvert connection is now in place and providing drainage for the estate. It is expected the scheme, which began in Autumn this year, will be completed early next year by Neath Port Talbot Council’s contractors for the project, Jones Brothers (Henllan Ltd). The Welsh Government funded work, aimed at stopping surface water backing up in Varteg Road during periods of high rainfall, will…

Age Cymru’s chief executive Victoria Lloyd says we must all play our part in supporting older people in 2022. As we say goodbye, or even good riddance, to 2021 it seems highly likely that older people in Wales will continue to face more tough challenges as we enter 2022.   Loneliness and isolation, spiralling fuel costs, and of course the worry of the Omicron variant of the Corona virus, are all contributing to what may be a difficult start to 2022.  Our research showed that nearly 87,000 older people in Wales expected to spend Christmas day alone, while an estimated 200,000 older people reported…

FSB Urges Welsh Government to go Further on Business Rates Support to Meet Rising Omicron Threat to Welsh Businesses. Commenting on the news that Welsh Government are to extend the Business Rates holiday in Wales next year with a reduction of 50% off rate bills for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, Ben Francis, Policy Chair at FSB Wales stated: “While it’s welcome that Welsh Government has acknowledged FSB concerns about the need to continue to support businesses through the Business Rates system, it seems clear from the gathering economic clouds and the significant problems already being experienced by business in…

The National Elf Service has brought some festive cheer to young patients on the children’s ward in Morriston Hospital. As it’s the busiest time of the year for Father Christmas, he could not make the journey to Morriston to meet them in person. Instead Santa spoke to them via a live video link from his North Pole workshop – and arranged for some elves to be there to hand out Christmas presents on his behalf. Children who were not well enough to go to the playroom where the link had been set up did not miss out either. The live…

Business confidence in Wales fell one point during December to 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own prospects month-on-month, up three points at 47%.  When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down six points to 24%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 36%. The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. The survey captured responses between 26th November and 10th December. The first two cases of Omicron in the UK were confirmed on 27th November and nations began announcing the reintroduction of restrictions in the week commencing 6th December. A net balance of…

A trailblazing child safety centre has reached a major milestone in its history – welcoming its 100,000thvisitor. DangerPoint, established in 2005, is an interactive centre for schools and youth groups where young people can work through real-life scenarios to understand risk and learn how to keep themselves safe. The Talacre-based centre is designed like a film set, where visitors can travel from home to the beach, countryside, playground and a host of other settings to explore dangerous scenarios, including cyberbullying and keeping safe online. New displays include one about equality and diversity and another one about being environmentally friendly by…