Author: Rhys Gregory

Detectives investigating the murder of a woman in Llantwit Fardre have arrested a man and he is currently in police custody. Formal identification of the victim has not yet taken place, but officers believe the woman to be local resident, 65 year-old June Fox-Roberts. It can also be confirmed that the house in St Anne’s Drive, where the body was discovered on Sunday, is her home address. Officers attended after being contacted by a concerned family member. June’s family, who are currently being supported by specially trained officers have paid the following tribute to her: “We are in utter shock…

A truck driving instructor has been inspired to take on a massive charity challenge by an ex-army workmate who survived being blown up in Afghanistan. Kevin Dandy, 49, who works for McCarthy Distribution in Wrexham, is running and force marching a 5k park run every Saturday during November in aid of  two ex-service charities – with 25 kilos strapped to his back. He was motivated to raise money for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and the Pilgrim Bandits, who provide support for wounded ex-soldiers, after hearing about the experiences of a new colleague, Steve Critchlow, during a six-month tour…

The charity Crimestoppers Wales has launched a new campaign to target those who get behind the wheel and drug drive. From the twelve months April 2020 to April 2021, the charity received 1,097 reports on drink and drug driving across the four Welsh Police Force areas; for the seven-month period April 2021 to October 2021 they received 1,020 anonymous reports. That is almost the same number of reports in seven months as the whole of last year. Drug driving reports continue to rise year-on-year at an alarming rate. The charity has been told by North Wales Police that arrests for…

Poor school attendance impacts a child’s future, not just through their educational achievement but also socially and developmentally. Pupils with mental and neurodevelopmental disorders or who self-harm are more likely to miss school through absenteeism and exclusion than their classmates Now researchers say these absences are potential indicators of current or future poor mental health and could be used to target vital assessment and potentially life-changing early intervention. A study led by Swansea University’s Professor Ann John, highlighted the importance of integrated school-based and healthcare strategies to support young peoples’ engagement with education. Professor John said: “Children with poor mental…

Artificial intelligence could be used to predict the effectiveness of chemotherapy on women with breast cancer. Genomics, the study of human genes, and AI are two technologies that could potentially transform cancer care. They are driving precision oncology, allowing personalised treatment focusing on what works for individuals and avoiding what does not. Chemotherapy is the main treatment used for metastatic breast cancer, which is where the cancer has spread throughout the body. However, the response to chemotherapy varies. For some people it works very well, at least to start with. For others it has little or no effect. Dr Mark…

Following last year’s success, Mecca Bingo Swansea is launching its second unique Everyone Deserves a Christmas appeal to help individuals and families in need this Christmas. Mecca’s renowned UK-wide Christmas appeal involves all 71 clubs across the country and aims to provide hampers to those most in need, allowing them to go through the Christmas season more comfortably. Last year, the original bingo brand partnered with 52 charities to raise an incredible total of £185,000 in cash and hamper donations, providing 3,800 hampers across the UK. This Christmas, Mecca is upping its efforts and going above and beyond, especially in…

High street traders in the Vale of Glamorgan have released a music track appealing to residents to shop local this Christmas. ‘Shop Local This Christmas’ which is sung to the tune of John Lennon’s Happy Christmas has been released ahead of Black Friday to encourage residents to visit their local high street in the lead up to Christmas. The track features traders from across the Vale’s four towns – Barry, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth, along with vocals from students in the Vale Academy of Performing Arts. The track is musically arranged and produced by Vale of Glamorgan resident Matthew Brind,…

A Monmouth woman and her sister will be pushing themselves to the limit this Christmas in a gruelling challenge to row the Atlantic Ocean. Pippa Edwards and her sister, Felicity Ashley, both former students at Monmouth School for Girls, will battle sleep deprivation, salt sores, physical extremes and 40-foot waves in the epic 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Pippa, a working mum with four young children, will be following in the strokes of her husband, David Edwards, the Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Monmouth School for Boys, who successfully rowed the Atlantic in 2020. The challenge, which is expected to take…

Bolt – the UK’s second largest ride-hailing app with 4 million passengers across the country and 75 million users globally – is launching in Cardiff on Thursday 25th November as it continues its UK-wide roll-out. As the fastest growing mobility platform in the world, Bolt‘s arrival will help the people of Cardiff to travel around their city sustainably and affordably. Last month’s announcement of Cardiff’s “One Planet” strategy outlined the plan of action that the city will take to achieve its carbon neutral status by 2030.  As a compelling alternative to the private car, Bolt’s launch is ideally timed to…

The heroes of Wales contact centre industry have been reunited and celebrated at the 23rd annual Welsh Contact Centre Awards ceremony held at Cardiff Bay’s Coal Exchange and hosted by comedian Russell Kane. With the support of headline sponsors Jomo People, the awards honoured all who overcame pandemic adversities to dedicate themselves to providing a lifeline to businesses and individuals across the UK and beyond. Organised by the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, this year’s awards went further than simply recognising an industry that contributes £650m annually to Wales’ economy and employs over 32,000 people. Speaking at the Awards, industry chief,…