Author: Rhys Gregory

More than two million people in Wales have said yes to a Covid-19 vaccine in Wales, latest figures released today reveal. The official figures also show that almost three million total doses of the vaccine have been administered in Wales in just six months. This means 80% of all adults in Wales have received their first vaccine and one in three adults have received their second dose to complete the course. Wales’ new Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This is a fantastic achievement in such a short space of time. I’m incredibly proud and grateful to the thousands of people…

International travel will restart for people in Wales from Monday 17 May, the Welsh Government has confirmed today. As part of changes to Wales’ coronavirus regulations, people living in Wales will be able to travel to some overseas destinations without the need to quarantine on their return. But additional safeguards will be put in place to help prevent new cases of coronavirus being imported into Wales. A traffic lights system, aligned with England and Scotland, will be introduced. Countries will be classified as green, amber and red, depending on their rates of coronavirus. Mandatory quarantine is in place for all…

A GROWING financial advisory firm is making a bold capital investment as it continues with expansion plans. Mold-based Celtic Financial Planning has unveiled new offices in Canary Wharf, London, and welcomed award-winning Cleona Lira into the fold. A chartered financial planner, Cleona has more than a decade’s experience in the sector and is delighted to be onboard. “I am excited to be a part of Celtic Financial Planning as their commitment to offering sustainable investing aligns well with my own,” she said. “Their processes and support systems are really efficient with a focus on using technology to provide wholesome financial…

A charity in Cardiff has been crowned as the winner of Virgin Media’s ‘Local Legends’ competition by a prestigious judging panel for their selfless efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Rumney Forum, which is a community-led charity and FareShare partner, was nominated for Virgin Media’s Local Legends competition which recognises those who have made a significant contribution to their community over the past year. The winners of Virgin Media’s Local Legends competition, which launched to celebrate the switch-on of gigabit broadband services in Cardiff and South Wales, are awarded a tech makeover to the tune of £10,000 as well as Gig1…

Volunteers in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan are needed to take part in a research study that is looking at how effective it is to give a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine. Public Health Wales is recruiting over 18s who have had their first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine – and who have received an appointment for their second dose at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Bayside Mass Vaccination Centre – to take part in this research study. The Combining Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination (ComFluCOV) Study, which is being run by…

The Brains and Marston’s pub operator has confirmed that all of its pubs across Cardiff and local surrounding areas will be able to reopen for both indoor and outdoor service from Monday 17th May. All pubs will adhere to government guidance when they reopen. Table service will take place, but guests will also have the option to order via Marston’s online ordering system called ‘Marston’s Tap’. The online platform is available across the majority of Marston’s pubs and a full rollout is underway following its success. Brains’ pubs will also operate an online ordering system, named ‘Brains Tap’ for guests…

For a small former mining village on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, a community wellbeing project has brought neighbours together as never before. Supported by £20,255 from People’s Health Trust raised by Health Lottery Wales, Lee Gardens Pool in Penrhiwceiber has seen a neglected community swimming pool, built decades ago with money from hard-working miners of the local colliery, reborn as a thriving community focal point championing wellbeing, solidarity and mutual aid. Initially, Lee Gardens Pool was just that; a wonderful rejuvenation project which utilised external funding with internal grit to polish up the local swimming pool. Over a…

NatWest is unveiling a new enterprise team for Wales along with enhanced support for SMEs and entrepreneurs. Blessing Mutamba and Evan Williams join the bank as Entrepreneur Acceleration Managers and will give businesses the specialist guidance they need through expertise, coaching and networks relevant to each business’ location and sector. They will work alongside Gemma Casey, NatWest’s Ecosystem Manager for Wales, as well as Local Enterprise Managers Lee Morgan and Julia Perry, who offer tailored support to businesses across Wales as they start up and grow. The move comes as NatWest looks to unlock business potential outside of London. It…

As we prepare to enjoy holidays at home in the UK, one new business on Anglesey could be posed to take advantage of the growth in the popularity of cycling, by helping local people and visitors to enjoy cycling on the island. Green Lane Bike Tours were about to launch when lockdown struck last Spring. Now they are even more keen to help more people to enjoy cycling, by offering guided and self-guided bike tours on Anglesey. They promise to deliver ‘a great day out on a bike’ and explain that what they do is lead people on specifically designed,…

Swansea University is playing a leading role in a new UK-wide consortium to bring together vital mental health data. DATAMIND – the Data Hub for Mental Health Informatics Research and Development – is the latest of a series of centres of excellence launched by Health Data Research UK. Funded by the Medical Research Council, its aim is to maximise the value of the UK’s rich mental health data assets to provide co-ordinated research, with the ultimate aim of improving lives. Professor Ann John, of Swansea University Medical School is the hub’s co-director and principal investigator. She said: “We want to…