Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Government will today set out its vision to radically reform post-16 education, for the first time ever enshrining in law nine national strategic purposes for the post-compulsory education system. Some of the arrangements for organising tertiary education in Wales have been in place for 30 years, before big increases in student numbers, devolution and major changes in technology. To ensure learners have the support of a coherent sector, focused on widening access and increasing opportunities, the Welsh Government will establish a new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research. This would mark the first time in Wales’ history that…

BAFTA-winning actor and national treasure Miriam Margolyes will switch on Hay-on-Wye’s Christmas lights as part of her Hay Festival Winter Weekend appearance on Friday 26 November. The free switch-on event will take place between 5pm and 7pm in The Cheese Market, accompanied by carol singing to give a rousing start to the Festival weekend, which runs to Sunday 28 November. Miriam Margolyes is a veteran of the stage and screen, and an internationally acclaimed voice-artist. Winner of the BAFTA Best Supporting Actress award for The Age of Innocence, she received an OBE in 2002 for Services to Drama. Her memoir, This…

Business confidence in Wales tumbled 23 points during October to 23%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 15 points at 27%.  When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 29 points to 21%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 23%. The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. A net balance of 16% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down eight points on last month. Overall UK business confidence remained steady month-on-month, dipping by just three points to 43% and remaining comfortably above…

No, Bruce Willis was not in town, but instead a multi-agency emergency services training exercise was recently conducted in Cardiff. Residents living near Llanishen in Cardiff were made aware of an emergency service training exercise at a high-rise premise known as Gleider House on Saturday the 23rd of October 2021. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service alongside their emergency service colleagues took the opportunity to carry out the exercise to challenge responders and provide real-time experience in high-rise rescues. By trialling a multi-agency response it gives emergency services the opportunity to test and perfect their coordination and response procedures. The…

As West Wales’ biggest road race gets closer, runners are starting to feel the excitement of the long-awaited M&D Care Llanelli Half Marathon. The event, which takes place on Sunday 31st October, will be the first time it has been host to the Welsh Half Marathon Championships. The title’s prestige usually attracts the fastest athletes in Wales, making the event highly competitive in the elite field. As a result, the organisers are expecting some incredible times to be achieved and the possibility of a new course record being set. David Martin-Jewell, Race Director, said “We are very excited to be…

Shorter days and longer nights are the first sign that winter is coming, and as the cold snap arrives it is important to keep your home warm and cosy. But with UK households now footing the bill of the on-going energy crisis, keeping a closer eye on your energy consumption is more important than ever. Nathan Emerson, Propertymark CEO, said: “An energy-efficient home is important not only for your bills, but also means you do your part for the environment. “The energy crisis has brought it into sharper focus for many, so keeping a closer eye on what energy you…

Dogs Trust Cardiff has celebrated rehoming its 100th hound, exactly three months after taking in its first doggy residents. Taking the accolade are Chihuahuas Max, aged six and Minnie age four. They arrived at Dogs Trust Cardiff back in September when their owners could no longer care for them. But now, after a seven week wait, they have been adopted by Dr David New and Dr Xianghong Wang from Somerset who say they were drawn to the pair, after previously taking on a doggy duo from the charity’s Salisbury rehoming centre five years ago. Max and Minnie’s new owner, Dr David New, says:  “Our very first dog many years ago was a street dog we took on when living in Hong Kong. He’d been treated badly and was…

A new initiative has been launched to coordinate regeneration activity which will assist with the economic recovery of Ceredigion’s rural towns and outlying community. The initiative is supported by Cynnal y Cardi Local Action Group (LAG) and a Ceredigion Rural Towns Development Officer has been appointed who will work alongside the Cynnal y Cardi Team to support the development of a package of ideas to create thriving people-centred and resilient towns. Building on from previous engagement, the process will commence with officers engaging with town representatives to support them to deliver of their ideas. A collaborative approach will be taken,…

Cardiff Bus is offering travel advice to customers ahead of Halloween and Bonfire night. The bus operator is alerting customers to service diversions that will come into effect from 17:00 on Saturday October 30 for Halloween and Friday November 5 Bonfire Night. These diversions will be put in place for the safety of both customers and staff, in collaboration with South Wales Police. Route alterations will apply to City Circle service 1 and City Circle service 2 as well as services 11, 13, 44, 45, 49, 50 on both days, and may be in place on other days if required.…

Cardiff Metropolitan University are setting out plans to tackle climate change using its university estate as a research and development lab to help find innovative ways to reach net zero by 2030. Academics, estate managers, industrial partners and students are coming together to tackle climate change at scale, developing and showcasing ways to live and learn more sustainably across our work and social lives, effectively building a ‘living laboratory’. New innovations in construction, thermal heating and energy production and storage will be developed side-by-side with industry and evaluated across the university estate over the next decade with the view to developing new ways of dealing with climate change in our day-to-day lives. Focused on two main campuses,…