Author: Rhys Gregory

Esports organisation Esports Wales are hosting online tournaments to find the best of the best in the most competitive esports games. For the 3rd time, Esports Wales is hosting the Welsh Masters to find the best players in a selection of esports games. Esports Wales, which is an organisation that supports competitive gaming from the grassroots to the professional level here in Wales. The Welsh Masters will crown the best esports players in Wales across some of the most competitive games, including: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Rocket League eFootball Tekken 7 Dota 2 The top players in the tournament will each…

A recent survey by the Institute of Directors highlighted that 30% of businesses are more vulnerable to cybercrime since the pandemic. In a poll of just under 800 IoD members, one in three directors indicated that their organisation is now more vulnerable to cybercrime. The sharp rise in home working due to the pandemic has meant that businesses have become more exposed to cyber threats.   For those that did experience an IT or cyber breach during the pandemic, the most common examples ranged from ransomware and phishing emails aimed at getting home workers to allow access to business systems, through to hacking.  A previous poll of IoD members showed that nearly three quarters (74%) of business leaders will be maintaining increased home-working arrangements after coronavirus, with more than one in five…

Denbighshire County Council and Transport for Wales are set to introduce a pioneering demand responsive public transport scheme in and around the Ruthin area. Called Fflecsi, launched on Monday March 14, it is one of only a dozen such examples in Wales. It joins pilots in Denbigh and Prestatyn in Denbighshire. As part of the Council’s Climate Emergency declaration, it will also be operated by the country’s first-ever zero emission 100 per cent battery-operated 16-seat minibus. This is thanks to support from the Welsh Government and the Welsh Government Energy Service. The transport scheme will also provide useful feedback on…

A heart attack survivor from Cwm-y-glo, near Caernarfon has organised a fundraising Elvis tribute concert to raise awareness of the condition and give back to others in support of life-saving heart research. Vera Price, 74, believes she owes her life to the care she received at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool after her heart-attack and subsequent triple heart bypass last September. Having made a good recovery, she wants to raise money for the British Heart Foundation to fund lifesaving research. Vera is 74 and lives with her husband Dafydd, 77. She believed herself to be fit and healthy, regularly…

Glanamman grandad is one of seven neighbours who are celebrating after winning £210,000 with People’s Postcode Lottery The cash windfall comes after the Welsh postcode SA18 2BE was announced as a winner with the lottery on Sunday 13th March. Seven of the neighbours living on the winning street of Maes Llewelyn won £30,000 each. Byron Davies (75) and his wife Delith plan to put some of the money towards elevating both their daughters’ and grandsons’ new businesses in the local area. When People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson revealed the cheque, Byron’s wife, Delith said: “Diolch yn fawr” in her native Welsh tongue…

Essential maintenance on the M48 Severn Bridge continues this weekend, with surfacing repairs, gantry work and welding all taking place. National Highways will carry out these works, which started on Saturday, with surfacing and pothole repairs helping to ensure safe and smooth journeys for motorists, while maintaining the gantry components will allow inspection and maintenance activities to be carried out and ensure the bridge stays in good working order. To carry out the work safely and efficiently, the eastbound and westbound carriageways will be closed as follows: Westbound from 7pm to 6am on 14 March for two nights Some of…

Moving aid and donations to the people of Ukraine will be made easier thanks to a customs easement, the UK Government has announced. The simplification of customs processes will apply to goods intended to support those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine which are exported from GB. Provided the goods are not exported to, or through, Russia or Belarus, then these simplified processes apply to qualifying goods regardless of the destination to allow maximum flexibility to get aid to where the need is greatest. The Government still recommends that organisations and people who would like to help donate cash…

New anti-social behaviour rules will help Swansea city centre become a more welcoming place to live in, work in and visit. A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has been promoted since December – and formally came into force this month. It applies to behaviour such as going to the toilet in public, drug-taking and drunkenness – and everybody is being asked to comply. People who are vulnerable due to circumstances such as homelessness will be treated sensitively; housing and outreach services will be involved. The PSPO – part of a broader and coordinated Swansea approach to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB)…

A Llanharry NHS worker of 34 years is one of six neighbours who are celebrating after winning £270,000 with People’s Postcode Lottery. The cash windfall comes after the Welsh postcode CF72 9NJ was announced as a winner with the lottery on Saturday 5th March. Three of the neighbours living on the winning street of Heol Yr Onnen won £30,000 each. Three more neighbours doubled their winnings to £60,000 by playing with two tickets. Vanessa Townsend (54) scooped £30,000 just before her planned retirement from her occupational therapy job with the NHS Swansea Bay health board later this year. When People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador…

WAYWARD sea fearers, a band direct from the streets of Bollywood and a wandering pilot were snapped by the paparazzi in this year’s first free major event in Rhyl. Residents and visitors got together for a day of fun and games on the high street to mark the Mayor’s March Day. Typically held in May, Rhyl Town Council’s annual event is an opportunity for the mayor to thank local people for their support. This year’s special day had been brought forward due to the local May elections. For current Rhyl mayor Cllr Diane King, the fun-filled day had been a long…