Author: Rhys Gregory

A MECHANIC who switched gears on her career to join the Welsh Ambulance Service is encouraging others to apply for a role. Helen Pritchard, 42, of Bala, was a mechanic and later a teaching assistant at Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen before joining the ambulance service as an urgent care assistant. The mum-of-three is now training to become an emergency medical technician, and has ambitions to qualify as a paramedic. She is encouraging others to apply for a role at the service. Helen said: “I’d always wanted a job in the ambulance service but I thought there’d be no point…

St. David’s Dewi Sant Cardiff has opened a new Calm and Safe Space, a specially created facility for autistic visitors and guests with learning difficulties or sensory processing differences. The Calm and Safe Space features Human-Centric Lighting (HCL), designed to work with the circadian rhythm of our bodies using the natural colour of daylight. The lighting’s ‘calm mode’ is proven to increase melatonin levels in the body, aiding in relaxation. Visitors to the space are also welcome to use the sensory toys provided there. St David’s has worked alongside Autistic Minds to develop the space, and autistic designers at the charity worked on the centre’s updated bilingual Autism Guide which can be found at the Guest Services…

This autumn will mark 70 years since the designation of Eryri (Snowdonia) as a National Park, and to mark the occasion the National Park Authority has launched a digital gallery of old photographs. It is a very special year for us here at the Park Authority as we celebrate 70 years of our designation as a National Park. Over the weeks and months leading up to the official designation date of October the 18th, the Authority will undertake many projects to mark the special occasion. One of those projects is the completion of a gallery of old photographs of Eryri…

St Asaph-based Designweb is expanding after securing new clients and partnerships. Led by director Paul Lyons, from Rhyl, the business has customers from across the UK, Europe and even New York. The 44 year-old says Designweb met the challenges of the pandemic head-on and is now preparing to take on recruits to meet a surge in demand as sectors build back from the impact of Covid-19. Having launched the company in 1998 aged just 21, Paul witnessed many technological advances over the past two decades, but like most people has never experienced a period like this. “The last year has…

A grant to help people further their careers has been re-launched. Denbighshire County Council’s Employee Training Grant supports employed residents from Denbighshire earning below the county median wage. Funding of between £250 and £2,000 per person can be awarded for training, development or accessing mentoring to allow them to progress within their current workplace or with a new employer. So far those who have received the grant have seen their wages increase on average by 24 per cent per annum. The grant is administered by the Council’s Economic and Business Development Team and supports the Council’s corporate priority of ensuring…

A £10MILLION engineering complex is revving up for a family fun day. Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham is to welcome representatives from some of the region’s top car, scooter, and motorcycle organisations for a charity event. Bersham Wheels takes place on Saturday July 17 from 10am to 4.30pm and looks set to be a feast of fuel-injected fun for people of all ages. Among those taking part and bringing vehicles with them on the day are Holywell-based Mavericks Wales, Lindop Toyota, Oswestry Classic Car Club and former British Drift Champion, Ollie Evans. Private owners are also displaying their…

Charities, volunteer and community groups tackling food poverty in Swansea can now apply for grants from the council to support their work. Last year more than 40 organisations received financial backing totalling £155,000 from the Food Poverty Fund and the first round of this year’s awards is now open. In the past funding has been secured for a variety of schemes from community gardens growing fresh produce to groups providing crisis support for people in urgent need of a meal. Others work with families and individuals to give them the skills to prepare healthy and nutritious meals on a budget…

The man who manages Swansea Market is retiring after 31 years in the role. John Burns became market supervisor in January 1990 after a number of other jobs with Swansea’s local authority. He leaves it this month as a venue that, in non-pandemic times, attracts around five million shoppers a year. Last year it was named Britain’s best large indoor market by the National Association of British Market Authorities. Managed by Swansea Council, it is the permanent home to more than 100 businesses, hosts casual traders and puts on regular events. John was at the forefront of successful efforts to…

Pupils at Pontllanfraith Primary School have joined a ‘Daily Mile’ event walking about their school grounds, until together, they will have walked the number of miles it would take to walk around the coastline of Britain. To date, the school has raised £1,125 for Tŷ Hafan, in memory of their classmate Thomas Meacham, who was cared for by Tŷ Hafan before he passed away. Thomas would have now been in Year 6 and his classmates were eager to complete a challenge in memory of him before they leave the school in July, to begin secondary school. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented…

A brand new velodrome at the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay is on track for delivery in 2022/23. Cardiff Council’s Cabinet will decide on Thursday, July 15, whether to proceed with the plans for the velodrome after considering the outline business case. If approved the council will proceed with the procurement, design and construction of the velodrome which would take the place of the current facility at Maindy, where a proposal to build a new Cathays High School has presented an opportunity to relocate the existing velodrome. Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Cllr Russell Goodway, said: “We have…