Author: Rhys Gregory

Following the Welsh Government announcement this week (Wednesday 14th April, 2021) that anyone who is unable to work from home – and members of their households – will be offered free regular asymptomatic tests from Friday 16th April. 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not show any symptoms so these rapid lateral flow tests enable us to find these cases and prevent the spread of the infection. They are easy to use and can give results in 30 minutes. In Merthyr Tydfil, tests can be collected from the walk-through centre at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre car park between 8am…

The Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr. Philippa Marsden has called for the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K to be postponed in the interest of public safety. The Leader commented, “We have been monitoring the easing of coronavirus restrictions over the past few months. Although these restrictions have begun to ease in the past few weeks – Sunday 16th May 2021 has arrived too soon to allow the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K/2K to go ahead. In the interest of public safety, we have taken the decision to postpone the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K/2K until Sunday 12th September 2021. We fully appreciate…

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board will operate a mobile Covid-19 testing unit at Ringland Labour Club from today (Friday 16th April) until Monday 10th May. If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste and/or smell please book a test as soon as possible. Some walk-up tests are available or to book a slot call 119 or visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test If you have symptoms, you and any household members should isolate immediately. Your whole household should continue to isolate until the test result is received. If the test is positive, all household…

Important work to repair the remaining section of damaged river wall at Blaen-y-Cwm Road, following storm damage, will get underway from next week. RCT Council last month provided a progress update on the repair scheme, having appointed Centregreat as the contractor responsible for delivering the work – which includes preliminary activity this month and full repairs from May, when seasonal restrictions on working within the river come to an end. The structure, which supports the highway at Blaen-y-Cwm Road, was damaged by Storm Dennis in February 2020. One lane has been brought out of use for motorists to ensure safety,…

An outdoor table tennis table has been installed in Bute Park in memory of a former Cardiff University student who died suddenly in his sleep at just 29 years old, after going to bed with a fever. MJ, as he was known to his friends, had spent three years at Cardiff University, graduating with a first class honours degree in Engineering as well as captaining and coaching the University Table Tennis team. Although he was living with his family in New Zealand at the time of his death in July 2019, Cardiff remains a centre point for many of his…

The proposed plans of a ‘game-changing’ Snow Centre and holiday resort in the South Wales Valleys gains a further endorsement and a “trophy win” for the Valleys region and Wales which could make it a training hub of UK Olympic and elite athletes and the UK National Centre of Excellence for snow sports. Rhydycar West is submitting a planning application this summer, after collaborating with international operators GB Snowsports and Snowsport Cymru Wales. The intention is to create a facility that will become the home for British snow sports, and a National Centre of Excellence and ongoing development. GB Snowsports…

Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling introduces its loft design concept to Cardiff’s largest shopping centre, the St David’s Centre, with the opening of its latest boutique, strengthening the brands presence in the South West as it continues to expand its reach across the UK. A contemporary urban interpretation of an industrial loft, Breitling’s signature cool and informal aesthetic is in bold contrast to classical luxury retail brand environments. The boutique is to be managed by The Watches of Switzerland Group, the UK’s largest luxury retailer of brands including Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb. Gavin Murphy Breitling UK Managing…

Fridays fans in Wales will be able to celebrate the continued easing of lockdown on 26th April, as two Welsh restaurants will be reopening for outdoor dining – with a new menu. Fridays has now opened bookings for its Cardiff Newport Road and Newport Friars Walk locations, and is encouraging fans to pre-book their outdoor dining slot to avoid missing out. Those that secure a slot will be treated to a new outdoor menu that has been created to bring fans top dishes to the alfresco setting on 26th April. The new menu is jam-packed full of favourites including Fridays…

A pigeon with a broken wing, a caller unable to sleep and onion juice in the eyes were topics of some of the calls taken by the Wales Ambulance Service at the end of 2020. And the Keep Wales Safe campaign is urging people in Wales to use the right channels if they have health concerns, to support NHS Wales and to ‘Help Us, Help You’ during this busy time. NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker, which is hosted by the Welsh Ambulance Service, is one of the key services patients can tap into to check for a variety of conditions and to…

Chapter is delighted to announce that artist Steffan Dafydd’s design has been selected to be installed on a new Cardiff road crossing, located in Canton on Cowbridge Road East. Following an open call for submissions – that attracted more than 50 applications from artists, designers and illustrators – Steffan, MARCA Design (Marcus Smith) and Catrin Brierley were invited to develop their design ideas for this Canton location. The three unique and vibrant final designs then went to a public consultation in which more than 1000 local people voted on the design that they wanted to see come to life. Steffan’s…