Author: Rhys Gregory

Farmers’ Union of Wales members from Carmarthenshire and Union officials recently discussed critical climate change issues facing the agricultural industry with Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS. Union officials acknowledged that given the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the role played by soils and plants in sequestering carbon is attracting significant attention, with a particular focus by the Welsh Government on planting trees. FUW Carmarthen County Chairman Phil Jones said: “The FUW supports the overall aims of the Welsh Government with regards to environmental issues but we are concerned that a number of recent policy proposals…

Video consultations have been a hit with people in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, a review of the NHS Wales Video Consulting (VC) Service has revealed. Following a successful first phase evaluation of the NHS Wales Video Consulting (VC) Service, the TEC Cymru team have launched the findings from a second phase evaluation of the service. In direct response to COVID-19, TEC Cymru and partners established the NHS Wales Video Consulting Service (NHS Wales VC Service) which provides safe access to healthcare online. The service is utilised across all health settings in Wales, including pharmacies, prisons, opticians, and dental…

The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC) is delighted to welcome three of the region’s most high-profile police chiefs to its team. Jeff Cuthbert who is Police & Crime Commissioner for Gwent and the Welsh PCC’s lead for cyber, Chief Constable Pam Kelly and NPCC lead for Cyber in Wales both join the centre’s board, and Assistant Chief Constable for the South Wales Police Dave Thorne has also taken up the post of Co-Director of the WCRC alongside Detective Superintendent Paul Peters. As PCC for Gwent, Jeff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role, operating also as…

Swansea’s on-going regeneration throughout the pandemic has been a ‘real boost’ to the city, according to a local business. Hayley Davies and Keith Thomas, of JCP Solicitors, say the multi-million pound investments in the city mean Swansea’s business community is positive about the future. Regeneration being led by Swansea Council includes the £135m Copr Bay phase one development, featuring the 3,500-capacity Swansea Arena, a 1.1-acre coastal park, a landmark bridge, car parking, new homes and spaces for leisure and hospitality businesses. With Copr Bay phase one construction due for completion in the autumn, this follows on from a £12m transformation…

A number of measures used to help keep pupils and staff safe at schools in the Swansea Bay area last term are to be retained. Due to the high number of people across the region testing positive for Covid-19, public health leaders are asking schools to retain a number of precautions that were in place before the summer in line with latest Welsh Government guidance. This means that pupils and staff at comprehensives will continue to be encouraged to take twice weekly LFT tests and be expected to wear face coverings indoors although not in classrooms. Face masks will also…

A new tourism campaign fronted by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC) is being launched this month. The Dramatic Heart of Wales campaign is hoping to attract tourists to the area for overnight stays towards the end of 2021 and into 2022. The campaign will highlight the rich natural beauty, world-class adventure activities and unique heritage that can be found within Neath Port Talbot – ‘The Dramatic Heart of Wales’. Tourism providers were invited to join together to offer tailored experiences that will appeal to a range of travellers from individuals, families, thrill-seekers and those looking for a slower-paced…

Carn Rovers FC has taken over responsibility for Cwm Garw Pavilion and Playing Fields in the Garw Valley after agreeing a 35-year lease with Bridgend County Borough Council. After securing the transfer last week as part of the local authority’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme, Carn Rovers aim to make improvements to the existing pavilion and playing fields. The project will be funded in partnership with the council under the CAT Fund with funding of £10,883 made available for pavilion improvements as well as £10,000 towards the cost of pitch maintenance equipment. The typical size of a soccer field dimensions is 120 yards…

Work to support Welsh language skills and use will receive £2.4m in Covid recovery funding, to help keep Wales on its route to doubling the daily use of Welsh by 2050. In support of its 2050 Work Programme, the Welsh Government has today announced funding to support school-level late immersion Welsh learners and Welsh language skills development, along with helping the National Eisteddfod as Wales looks forward to welcoming the return of the festival in 2022. The announcement comes as the results of the Welsh Language Use Survey for 2019-20 show more than half (56%) of Welsh speakers aged three…

NEW jobs and new homes are being created in the South West of England as the Edenstone Group expands its operation with the opening of its first office outside of Wales. Headquartered in Magor, the ambitious business, established in 2003, is targeting turnover of more than £100 million by 2023 and aims to increase the number of homes it builds by 66% in the current financial year. The new office, overlooking Portishead Marina, will be key to the company’s growth plans. It was officially opened by Dr Liam Fox, MP for North Somerset. Dr Fox said: “North Somerset is a…

The best site managers in house building in Wales gathered to celebrate their achievements at NHBC’s Pride in the Job 2021 Awards which were held in Cardiff last week. Organised by NHBC, the UK’s leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes, the awards are the most highly regarded in the house building industry. They recognise site managers dedicated to achieving the highest standards in house building and committed to building homes of outstanding quality for their customers. A series of regional events are taking place throughout September, October and November providing the opportunity to celebrate the Quality Award winners…