Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Government will fund a bonus payment for NHS and social care staff to recognise their extraordinary contribution during the covid-19 pandemic, the Health Minister has announced. The one-off payment for NHS and social care staff is equivalent to £735 per person, to cover the basic rate of tax and national insurance contributions incurred. After deductions most people will receive £500. It is estimated the payment will benefit 221,945 people in Wales including 103,600 social care staff, 90,000 NHS Wales staff, 2,345 deployed students and 26,000 primary care staff (including pharmacy, GP, dental and optometry staff). Minister for Health…

One year has passed since the coronavirus pandemic started and turned our lives upside down. A lot has happened over the course of the last 12 months, and in this article, we’ll go over the main events in the UK that have marked the year that we leave behind. Self-isolation: Causes and Consequences In March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on what they knew about the virus at that moment, they pointed to the importance of: Maintaining social distance. Using face masks. Disinfection of hands and works space. People were asked to stay isolated as…

Calm down, let’s open your mind and clarify the main points. Good reading! The cryptocurrency market is being one of the main players this year. However, Meghan Shue, an analyst at WilmingtonTrust and a leading bitcoin strategist, has warned that she sees a worrying trend as capital flows into the cryptocurrencyhit record highs. Shue says she worries that retail investors are rushing to invest in stocks and cryptocurrencies that arehigh risk and offer little return most of the time. “It’s a bit of chasing returns in the wrong areas. It’s also a bit of chasingwhat has already happened. One thing…

The initial list of speakers for a ‘once in a generation’ conference has been revealed by the Urdd. Ni Bia’r Dewis (The Choice is Ours) will be held virtually at 7pm on Thursday the 15th of April, and arranged by the Urdd’s Votes for 16/17 Project Officer, Grug Muse. For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds across Wales will be able to vote in the Senedd Elections on 6 May. As a result, Grug was appointed to work on behalf of the Urdd to ensure that the young people of Wales take the opportunity to vote. Co-presenting the conference will…

Life science experts from Swansea University are looking forward to playing a key role in plans to forge even closer links between Wales and Ireland. Celtic Advanced Life Sciences Network (CALIN), led by the University, is an Ireland-Wales Interreg operation which was set up to support research and development in life science small-medium enterprises in West Wales and East and South Ireland. It was singled out for mention in a formal shared statement designed to increase cooperation and collaboration between the Welsh and Irish governments and their partners in the business, arts, sporting and community sectors. The document, co-signed by…

Coastal communities and town centres will receive a £6 million boost thanks to the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn and the Welsh Government’s £110m Transforming Towns Programme. Delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, Welsh Government has stepped in to provide this vital support after the UK Government decided not to continue with the Coastal Communities Fund in England. This decision meant that the Welsh Government would no longer receive a share of Crown Estate marine revenue that has been used since 2011 to support the Coastal Community Fund in Wales. The £6 million fund is…

A remarkable agricultural antique – a mechanical sheep-shearing machine over 100 years old – has completed a 30,000-mile round the world trip to Australia and back to an honoured place in Corwen. The 1909 machine which needed two men to operate it was developed by the Gloucestershire firm of R A Lister and Co but discovered Down Under by Corwen man Trefor Jones who has loaned it to the town’s museum on London Road. The museum plans to re-open when lockdown ends but in the meantime visitors can get a flavour of its attractions thanks to a set of illustrated…

Tributes have been paid to Julian Burrell, OBE, a leading tourism figure in Wales who championed the industry for more than 40 years, who died at the weekend. Julian, who was 76 and lived with his wife Anita near Tregaron, was a founder member and former chair of the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA), which represents the nation’s tourism industry. In 2006, he was awarded an OBE for his services to tourism and received a National Tourism Award in 2010 for his outstanding contribution to the tourism industry. Julian was senior partner in Wales Holidays, a letting agency for more than…

COLEG CAMBRIA and Wrexham Glyndwr University have united to further strengthen opportunities for young people in north east Wales. Cambria’s Chief Executive Yana Williams and Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham Glyndwr University, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on collaboration and community. They plan to create an “effective and active” educational partnership in areas including health and social care and engineering. A focus on maximising the shared potential of Northop – the site jointly owned and operated by the institutions – is also a key priority. Ms Williams said: “We already work closely with our colleagues at…

Jack Grey, a Junior Journalist on an apprenticeship scheme run by Cardiff and Vale College in partnership with BBC Cymru Wales and ITV Wales, has been shortlisted for a Top Scoop Award by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. “It’s very, very good to be nominated as these awards run throughout the UK so it’s great to see my name up there,” Jack said. “And also to see a name from Wales is good because there’s not many of us on the list.” Jack is one of the first cohort of the Digital Journalism apprentices in a programme…