Author: Rhys Gregory

They may be seen as the ones least vulnerable to transmission and the negative health impacts of Covid-19, but pandemic restrictions disrupted young people’s education, physical activity and opportunities to socialise. How greatly their wellbeing was impacted was influenced by gender, ethnicity and deprivation, according to new research which surveyed young people’s experiences. Information was collected by population data science researchers at Swansea University over five months from September 2020, a period which included schools closures. They set out to explore predictors of wellbeing for children and young people during Covid-19 to provide recommendations that spanned from primary school to…

This October, Age Cymru is launching its Big Step fundraising initiative where it will invite supporters to walk, run, or cycle any part of Wales and help the charity complete the 1,047-mile circumference of Wales.  As this is a virtual event people can accrue their steps or miles anywhere from the Wales Coastal Path and Offa’s Dyke Trail, to a back garden or even a treadmill.  The challenge can be as big or small as people choose. Registered participants will simply record their step totals or mileage and submit them to Age Cymru to help the charity achieve its two…

On Saturday 11th of September, Denbighshire Leisure Ltd will light up its attractions to remember those who tragically lost their lives 20 years ago, on the day the world stood still. Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the day the world stood still. The September 11 attacks, referred to as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks that took place in the United States of America, targeting American buildings of importance, including the World Trade Centre’s twin towers and the Pentagon. Rhyl Sky Tower, Rhyl Pavilion Theatre, 1891 restaurant and bar, the Events Arena waterfall and coastal bus…

Due to growing numbers of COVID-19 positive patients, both in our hospitals and our communities, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has taken the difficult decision to further restrict visiting to our hospitals. For the safety of our patients and staff, from 00:01 on Friday 10 September, members of the community are asked not to visit any of our hospitals, except for in the following circumstances: The patient is receiving end-of-life care (visiting to be agreed with our Specialist Palliative Care In-Patient Services). One partner or support person accompanying a woman once in established in labour, and in the immediate…

Award-winning businesses in Wales and Orkney have collaborated to launch a new Welsh craft vinegar made from beer destined to be wasted during the pandemic lockdown last year. Bluestone Brewing Co, based near Newport, Pembrokeshire, faced the heart-breaking decision of pouring away 3,500 litres of beer when COVID 19 forced pubs and restaurants across the UK to close in March 2020. Help was at hand, however Following a conversation with Simon Turner from the brewery, Alex Jungmayr, director of In the Welsh Wind Distillery near Cardigan, came up with a novel solution –  turning the beer into a Welsh cask-aged…

Croeso Pub Company, which owns The Philharmonic, Brewhouse, Retro and the newly refurbished Blue Bell in the centre of Cardiff, has appointed Jamie Newman as its executive chef. Jamie has more than three decades of experience in the restaurant business, most recently managing the entire food function for the chain of Cosy Clubs in and around the UK. He has joined Croeso Pubs at an exciting time for the business, as it reopens its venues following the pandemic, as well as the refurbishment of one of Cardiff’s oldest pubs the Blue Bell. Jamie said of his new role: “I’m delighted…

Derelict old tennis courts are to be transformed into a state-of-the-art floodlit all-weather sports and leisure area thanks to cash seized from criminals. The junior footballers in Rhostyllen, near Wrexham, will soon be able to train on the new MUGA – multi-use games area – instead of spending £200 a month to pay for 45-minute sessions at a nearby leisure centre. The £2,500 grant that kick-started the ambitious £80,000 scheme for the village’s junior footballers came from the Your Community, Your Choice fund administered by North Wales Police Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin. The initiative, also supported by the North Wales Police…

Welsh management, development and production company, Regan Talent Group is celebrating its 20th anniversary with its first film commission from S4C. Due to be aired on the 12th September 2021, ‘Grav’, a film about the life of Welsh cultural and sporting personality, Ray Gravell, is the first film commission produced by new arm of the business, Regan Developments. Originally written by Owen Thomas for The Torch Theatre, the production revisits some of the highlights of Grav’s playing career and explores exactly what made him such a big, colourful and completely unique personality on what would have been his 70th Birthday.…

Cycling superstore, Tredz, announces the launch of the exclusive new AGILIS range, designed by brand ambassador Shane Williams MBE. Starting at just £25 the range features a selection of quality cycling clothing and accessories and is available in store and online from the 10th September. The launch follows the appointment of Williams as Tredz ambassador for the ‘21 and ‘22 season. Known for being the leading try scorer for Wales on the pitch, Shane now takes his athleticism to the cycling and triathlon stage. Having completed multiple Ironman events, he has even added a Guinness world record for cycling over…

A Wales-based rural broadband specialist has bolstered its team across several departments as it ramps up efforts to bring gigabit-capable broadband to hard-to-reach communities of the nation.   Voneus, which has also relocated to bigger premises in Carmarthen, has recruited a community engagement team, with other roles, including in its sales and engineering teams, yet to be filled.   The government recognised broadband provider, which delivers superfast and ultrafast broadband to hard-to-reach areas across 22 UK counties, acquired Cardigan-based Dyfed IT earlier this year, with all employees retained.   Three people have so far been brought into the community engagement team, which will…