Author: Rhys Gregory

A new spatial database of dams and other river obstructions built partially or fully across the world’s largest rivers has been published. The Global River Obstructions Database (GROD) supports the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT)satellite mission led by NASA, CNES and Canadian and UK space agency partners to improve ocean and surface water topography measurements and determine how water bodies change over time. The database, and the approach to pairing people and computing power used to create it, came together over five years with contributions from several dozen researchers, students, and volunteers from Wales, the United States of America,…

The Neath-based supplier of environmental sensors, networks and data solutions has been acquired by Marston Holdings, the UK’s leading provider of integrated, technology-enabled transport solutions. Figures have not been disclosed. Marston supports government, utilities and private sector clients through the delivery of market leading integrated technology-enabled solutions from design through to implementation, management and recovery. Marston’s clients include local authorities seeking to build environmental schemes that reduce congestion and pollution.  With the acquisition of Vortex, Marston will strengthen its offering by delivering complementary air quality and acoustic monitoring solutions that maximise awareness, identify pollution hotspots and improve public health. Headquartered in…

An international research network led by Aberystwyth University is offering funding for research projects focusing on unarmed civilian protection in areas affected by conflict. The Creating Safer Space network works with communities in conflict-affected regions to enhance and strengthen civilians’ capacities to protect themselves and others. It also aims to create safer spaces in which communities can build infrastructures for sustainable peace and development. Berit Bliesemann de Guevara, Professor in International Politics at Aberystwyth University explains:  “According to the UN Refugee Agency, there are now a record high of 82.5 million people forcibly displaced by violent conflict, and most deaths in conflicts…

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, has announced over £1 million for projects to encourage more widespread use of Welsh. As part of the funding, £600,000 will be provided to the National Eisteddfod towards hosting the 2022 event in Tregaron. The funding will support the organisation’s preparations for this year’s event, due to take place between 30th July and 6th August, and help achieve its aims of opening the Eisteddfod to a wider audience. Funding will also be provided to the National Centre for Learning Welsh, for projects which include creating on-line taster courses for refugees and…

The Welsh Government’s Counsel General has called on the UK Government to back reforms to legal aid to ensure people can access to the support they need. Mick Antoniw said budget cuts over the last decade have risked creating one law for the rich and another for the poor. The Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid, chaired by Sir Christopher Bellamy QC, made a central recommendation that at least £135m additional funding is needed each year to ensure the criminal legal profession is adequately resourced. The review estimated that around 56% of arrested suspects requested free legal advice, and expressed…

Swansea Council has revealed some of its services that could soon be accessed by the public at the city centre’s planned community hub. The hub, set to be developed in Oxford Street’s former BHS and What! store, could be visited by thousands of people every week. The aim is for the building – which could open in 2023 at the heart of the city centre – to be a welcoming base for services delivered by the council and other organisations. Council services being considered to relocate there include Swansea Library, the West Glamorgan Archive Service and the Contact Centre. All…

BlasCymru/TasteWales 2021 has already helped identify an estimated £14m in new and potential business deals for Welsh food and drink businesses, according to initial feedback. The event which took place in October at the ICCW in Newport provided an opportunity to showcase food and drink from Wales. More than 100 food and drink businesses from Wales took part with 21 of these being established during the Covid pandemic. In total, 1,695 Covid-secure meetings took place as part of the “Meet the Buyer” brokerage between trade buyers and Welsh food and drink businesses, including virtual discussions. 200 trade buyers were in…

One of Swansea’s most historic shopping streets is set to go green. Woodfield Street, in Morriston, is undergoing greening works by Swansea Council to the value of around £160,000. It will see the introduction of new trees and granite kerbside planters with planting providing year-round greenery and improving the street’s appearance. There will be new planters, bench seating and cycle racks. Bollards that are no longer needed will be removed – and new interpretation boards will celebrate the area’s heritage. The new planting will improve bio-diversity, attract pollinating insects and will absorb pollutants and surface water. It will create a…

A foster carer from Neath Port Talbot has shared her 30 years of experience to help inspire others to make a difference in a young person’s life. Back in 1991, Annie Lewis was married, had children of her own, two boys aged seven and eight and was working as a chef, when she contacted her local authority to become a foster carer. But Annie’s story begins much earlier as a troubled teenager in care herself. Annie said: “When I was 14, I was an extremely challenging teenager. I had difficulties in my own family and was always running away. I…

Cardiff Council’s Money Advice team, in partnership with Food Cardiff, is once again on the look out for another 50 households to take part in a fun, healthy cooking challenge. The challenge will begin in early February and follows two successful healthy cooking projects run last year. Challengers will be tasked with creating a week’s supply of delicious family meals by following the easy-to-follow, budget-friendly recipes developed by the Cardiff and Vale UHB Nutrition and Dietetics team. The fifty households taking part in the challenge, supported by Welsh Government’s Tackling Food Poverty and Addressing Food Insecurity Fund, will once again…