Author: Rhys Gregory

This Saturday 7th of August will see Newbridge Leisure Centre open its doors as a Walk in Vaccine Centre. The service will operate between 10am and 3pm for those aged 18 and over who have not yet had their FIRST dose of the Pfizer Covid Vaccine. Or If you had your first Vaccine on or before the 12th June, come along to receive your SECOND dose of Pfizer. Residents of Gwent are permitted to attend provided they bring photo identification, nothing else will be required.

Welsh Government have proposed to introduce a 20mph speed limit on restricted roads across Wales. Restricted roads include roads where street lights are placed no more than 200 yards apart. They are usually located in residential and built-up areas with high pedestrian activity. Reducing the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in these areas could see a number of benefits, including: Reducing road collisions More opportunities to walk and cycle in our communities Helping to improve our health and wellbeing Making our streets safer; and Safeguarding the environment for future generations If passed, Wales will be the first country in…

Following changes to the policy on self-isolation, the Welsh Government’s self-isolation support scheme will increase from £500 to £750. The increase in the payment, will come into effect from the 7th August and will l be reviewed by Ministers in three months. The payment is designed to breakdown some of the financial barriers faced by people who are told to isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect (TTP) service because they have tested positive, have symptoms of coronavirus or are a close contact who is not fully vaccinated. The payment scheme, which has been extended until March 2022, helps…

Welsh Government has doubled its spending on social housing for rent, committing an initial £250million in 2021/22 for 20,000 new low carbon homes. The ambitious plans will address a rising demand for housing and the climate crisis, providing good quality and affordable green homes to those who need them. All homes will be built to bold new quality and environmental standards with the aim for some of the stock to go beyond net zero and produce more energy than they use. A further announcement on this is expected before the end of this month. Visiting one of Wales’ first ‘positive…

No matter what freelancing advertisers say, having a stable job gives the comfort and security to many people. Thus, it may be empowering and refreshing to quit one job searching for something better, but the pleasure of refreshment may quickly change into depression and frustration after 3-4 months of fruitless job search. As a result, instead of becoming a happier version of yourself, you get into a creative and professional rut, cultivating fears and uncertainty about your future prospects.  With the outburst of COVID-19, the job loss has lost its appeal as a life-changer. In fact, it remained a life-changing…

One of this country’s best known rock bands, the Wildhearts, are opening their UK tour this September with a concert in aid of Huggard, Wales’ leading centre for people who are sleeping rough. The gig at the Tramshed in Cardiff on Friday 3 September, is the start of an 18-date schedule taking the band from Wales to venues in England and Scotland. It‘s also the launch date of their new album “21st Century Love Songs”. The concert comes a year after the Wildhearts released their album, “30 Year Itch”, which was recorded during The Renaissance Men and Diagnosis tours in 2019 –…

New members of a key body say they aim to help Swansea’s rural areas become better places in which to live and work. They represent a cross-section of rural communities – and they include a businessman, a standard-bearer for Gower, a youth worker and a priest. They have recently become members of the Local Action Group (LAG) that helps support social enterprises, the countryside and communities in rural areas such as Mawr, Llangyfelach, Pontarddulais, Penclawdd, Three Crosses, Bishopston, Pennard and Gower. The group plays a key role in the Swansea Council-managed Rural Development Partnership (RDP). Andrew Stevens, the council’s cabinet…

FFP SOLUTIONS has more than doubled its workforce and secured £35m for clients during the Coronavirus pandemic. In just 12 months the North Wales firm unlocked millions of pounds for SMEs nationwide via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). And now the St Asaph-based finance brokerage is aiming to support more people through the UK Government’s new Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS), the replacement for CBILS. Having grown from four to 11 staff in the last year, FFP Solutions is even better placed to help those affected by the pandemic to access relevant funding. Director Richard Lloyd-Jones said: “To have…

AN INSPIRING employment and education project has supported hundreds of Conwy youngsters over the last three years. Launched in 2018, ADTRAC in Conwy has successfully helped 16-24 year olds across the county find or move towards jobs via bespoke mentoring, counselling, work experience, training and volunteering opportunities. Over 350 referrals were made to the project and 200 young people supported, with a significant number of them gaining a qualification, moving into education and training, or starting a new career. Others were signposted to partner organisations for help with a range of issues, from anxiety to homelessness, drug use and the…

HE blossoming botanical career of a ground-breaking gardener featured on a national television programme. Martin Duncan, Head Gardener and Landscape Designer at medieval Arundel Castle in West Sussex, featured on the latest series of Channel 5’s Great British Gardens. A former student at the Welsh College of Horticulture in Northop – now Coleg Cambria – Martin has travelled all over the world creating, managing, and developing gardens for more than three decades. He was Head Gardener to the late King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan at their private palace, Senior Superintendent for Bermuda Botanical Gardens and national parks, and…