Author: Rhys Gregory

COLEG CAMBRIA learners have achieved incredible things in the past year. And they were recognised at the college’s annual Student Awards. Sadly, a ceremony could not take place due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but that did not stop them paying tribute to those who had excelled over the last 12 months Up to 90 prizes were presented to youngsters from across Cambria’s sites in Llysfasi, Wrexham, Northop and Deeside, covering a range of themes from higher education, apprenticeships and learner experience to career development, Work-based Learning and Welsh skills. Niamh Collins was named Yale Sixth Student of the Year, Nathan…

Technology is being harnessed to bring groups of Swansea Bay patients together for a specialist clinic without them having to leave home. Young adults with acne can be given a powerful medication called Isotretinoin if other treatments tried by their GP proved unsuccessful. As Isotretinoin cannot be prescribed by GPs, patients are instead referred to a hospital dermatology department. Before the pandemic, they would be brought in for a half-hour screening appointment as the medication is not suitable for everyone. However, this involved staff giving out the same information to each individual patient – which could tie them up for…

A £55 million programme that will help equip the Swansea Bay City Region with world class digital infrastructure has been approved by the UK Government and Welsh Government. Estimated to be worth £318 million to the region in coming years, the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure programme will benefit residents and businesses throughout Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. Led by Carmarthenshire County Council, the programme is made up of three elements: Connected Places: Ensuring the region’s cities, towns and business parks have competitive access to full-fibre connectivity Rural: Improving access to broadband in the region’s rural communities…

The famous Royal Welsh Show is to go ahead next month through a virtual platform for the second year running. The physical event, which attracts thousands of visitors to Builth Wells every summer, is again a victim of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) is teaming up with Business News Wales again to fulfil its charitable objectives by showcasing the agricultural industry online with a week-long celebration from July 19–22. The RWAS is looking forward to educating people about the value of agriculture and local produce, sharing knowledge within the industry around best practice and discussing…

88-year-old June Mace, from Cardiff, will be embarking on a 26.2mile cycle at the weekend, in aid of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity. June, who has lived in Whitchurch all of her life, is joining hundreds of cyclists for the inaugural Cardiff Cyclothon and has raised nearly £2,000 for the charity that supports the only children’s hospital for Wales. This Welsh cycling legend has been a part of the Cardiff Ajax Cycling Club for many years and features in the club’s history as their top lady. In her glittering cycling career, June represented Great Britain, took part in the Tour de…

Morgan Sindall Construction has handed over a new £27 million replacement home for Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School in Neath, South Wales, three months ahead of schedule. More than 800 students have now started lessons at the two-storey, 97,000 square foot building, which includes 48 state-of-the-art classrooms, comprising creative workspaces, art facilities, and a bespoke learning support centre available for students with additional learning needs. Neath Port Talbot Council commissioned the project as part of its Strategic School Improvement Programme (SSIP) and it was procured through the South West Wales Regional Contractors framework. The scheme is part of the Welsh Government’s…

A North Wales construction company has started work on the first of many school sites to extend and expand pre-school provision for young children across Flintshire. Wynne Construction has been appointed by Flintshire County Council to design and build a £7.1m programme of works, as part of a package of investment in the early years childcare offer at 10 primary schools. That investment also includes work on a modern Flying Start Family Centre, as well as at two 21st Century Schools Band B Projects, at Ysgol Brynffordd and Ysgol Croes Atti, Shotton. This will smooth the transition between pre-school and…

Public places in Neath Port Talbot are due to be monitored by a new generation of modern CCTV cameras focusing on keeping people safe. The CCTV system, which has around 50 cameras, is used to provide a safer environment by protecting people and property, deterring crime and helping to solve it when it happens. Like many local authority CCTV networks developed in the mid-1990s, the system is now in need of replacement and Neath Port Talbot Council has issued a tender seeking a specialist technology firm to replace the system with a modern digital solution capable of producing significantly higher…

Early stage plans to develop what could be the largest council owned solar farm in Wales will be considered by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet today (Wednesday 23rd June). A report to the council’s Cabinet will seek £434,000 funding to progress feasibility and develop a full business case for a Caerphilly-based solar farm proposal. The Cwm Ifor Solar Farm is a proposal to develop a 20MW (mega-watt) solar farm to the north of Caerphilly town centre, which would have the potential to be the largest public authority owned solar farm in Wales. The £12 million project would have a life…

RCT Council is giving advanced notice of disruptive works to Ynysmeurig Bridge in Abercynon which will take place later this summer – requiring a road closure of the main road and a significant diversion for motorists and bus users. The structure supports the B4275 near River Row, and requires a major repair scheme which cannot be safely completed without a road closure. This phase of work has therefore been scheduled to take place during the school summer holiday to minimise disruption to the community. An indicative start date for the work is Wednesday, July 21, lasting six weeks until September…