Author: Rhys Gregory

BBC Children in Need has announced that it has awarded a new grant of £116,008 to a local project working with disadvantaged children and young people in the Vale of Glamorgan and across Wales. The new funding award – made possible following BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal in November – will support the delivery of vital services to young people in the area and means that the charity now has more than £185,300 invested locally. Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice will use a three-year main grant of £116,008 to fund a palliative care play specialist for children and young people…

A leading civil engineering company has been recognised for achieving the highest level of health and safety performance for a 13th straight year. Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has been awarded a 13th consecutive gold award by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The award was given off the back of the company’s health and safety performance between the period of January 1 and December 31 2020. Jones Bros has also been named among the recipients of the President’s Award, given to companies which earn gold award status for 10 or more years in a row.…

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…