Author: Rhys Gregory

Rhug Estate’s educational farm tours have been shortlisted in the Education Initiative category of the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2021, with the winners being announced next month. The Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Education Initiative Award recognises the positive work of companies with schools and colleges to encourage interest in food and drink manufacturing and help to facilitate employment opportunities for young people. Nominations could be for one-off events, ongoing contributions to lessons, schemes to experience the world of work or develop employability skills. Amongst those shortlisted for the Education Initiative Award, with Rhug Estate’s farm tours, are Britvic…

Colleagues at Tesco Extra in Cardiff have raised £2,300.55 for the British Heart Foundation by completing a horse-trekking challenge. The 15-strong team saddled up to tackle a challenging trek across the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons, covering 60 miles between them on Sunday 25th July. Led by Clare Ollin, Tesco community champion at the store, the ambitious team of trekkers was supported by trek leader Sarah Griffiths and the rest of the crew at the Grange Pony Trekking Centre in Capel-Y-Fin, near Abergavenny. For some, the fundraising expedition proved particularly challenging as this was their first time on horseback,…

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding parents and carers they have until 31 August 2021 to confirm whether their teenagers are staying in full-time education or training beyond 16. Last week, teenagers across the UK received their GSCE or Scottish National Certificate results and many are now considering their future. If they decide to continue their full-time education or training, parents or carers will be eligible to continue receiving Child Benefit payments for their child. HMRC has sent reminder letters to families receiving Child Benefit for their child in the last year of school or home education. If their…

The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC) is delighted to welcome its newest member to its board line-up. Adrian Jones is a Director at The Alacrity Foundation and strengthens the WCRC board even further, joining fellow members John Davies, Managing Director of Pervade Software and Phil Larratt public sector operations specialist at Chainalysis. The Alacrity Foundation, which is based in Newport, provides graduates with practical business training and mentorship, so they can develop as entrepreneurs and launch their own UK based, demand-driven technology company. As director, Adrian heads-up the division which sources challenges from the public sector to build new…

Detectives investigating the death of two-year-old Reid Steele have charged a woman from Bridgend with murder. Natalie Steele, 31, of Broadlands will appear before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 August, 2021. Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies, said: “This is a harrowing case for all concerned and my thoughts go out to Reid’s family who continue to be supported by specially trained officers. “Legal proceedings are now live, and whilst I appreciate there are concerns in the community, I would urge people to refrain from speculating on social media. Our investigation continues, and anybody who thinks they…

Swansea Council has launched the offer for clubs and associations that either self-manage their council pitches or lease grounds from the council. It will help clubs used by thousands of local residents as they look to bounce back from the difficulties of the past 18 months. The council has already waived permit fees for clubs that hire council pitches but do not manage the grounds. The new grants will be administered by sport and health officers, part of the council’s cultural services team. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Swansea’s sports clubs and associations are crucial to keeping our communities…

Alan Brayley, Swansea Bay Business Club President and Managing Director of AB Glass, will deliver a free online session to help businesses ensure their time at networking events is as productive as possible. Taking place online via Microsoft Teams from 10am to 11am on Thursday August 26, the session has been arranged by Swansea Council as society begins to open up more from the restrictions of the pandemic and in-person networking events potentially start to return. It’s the latest business support hour to be organised as part of the council’s drive to help the city’s business community recover from the…

An appeal is being issued for the attendees of a school prom or graduation party held at the Cwrt Bleddyn hotel near Usk on Wednesday 11 August to get a PCR Covid-19 test. Newport City Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Torfaen County Borough Council, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Public Health Wales have issued the appeal after a significant number of positive cases have been linked to attendance at the private event held at the hotel. The event was a privately organised graduation party for year 11 pupils of Caerleon Comprehensive school following their GCSE results. The event was not…

RCT Council’s Llys Cadwyn development, which was delivered by Willmott Dixon, has been shortlisted in the Commercial Property Project of the Year category in the construction sector’s most prestigious awards. The awards submission was led by Hydrock, lead consultant for Llys Cadwyn, and has resulted in the Pontypridd town centre project being shortlisted in the British Construction Industry Awards, run by the Institute of Civil Engineers and New Civil Engineer. The 2021 Awards will take place on October 13, recognising and rewarding excellence in projects – relating to both their delivery and the positive outcomes that they bring for communities.…

Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, has welcomed more than half a billion pounds of new funding for health and social services in Wales to deal with Covid. The Welsh Government has allocated £411m for ongoing costs of dealing with the pandemic until April 2022 and £140m for recovery and tackling waiting times. The Minister said: “The Covid pandemic has had a massive impact on the NHS and social services in Wales and is still facing significant costs in dealing with it. I am therefore pleased to confirm an extra £411m for these costs, including the vaccination programme, testing, PPE, and new…