Author: Rhys Gregory

Produced by Pencoed-based Wales Interactive, Maid of Sker is a survival horror game inspired by Welsh folklore, and set in a remote hotel. The game’s atmosphere is enhanced by the re-imagining of famous Welsh songs Calon Lân (A Pure Heart), Suo-Gân (Welsh Lullaby) and Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through the Night) from the spine-chilling voice of Welsh artist Tia Kalmaru. The game picked up the Heritage award at last year’s prestigious TIGA games industry ‘Oscars’. Co-founder with Dr. David Banner MBE, Director Richard Pring said: “Maid of Sker was critically well received when it was launched last summer, and…

Schools, businesses and individuals are being invited to take part in one of the biggest online Sign Language lessons ever held during Sign Language Week 2021. New Directions Education already has more than 5,000 attendees signed up to its Biggest Ever Online Sign Language Lesson, which takes place free of charge on Thursday, 18th March. The lesson, suitable for adults and children studying in Year 3 and upwards, will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams by accredited trainer Derek Tune. Derek has taught an introduction to Sign Language to thousands of children and adults for over 20 years.  He also…

Jones Popcorn is part of a newly launched range of snacks and is flavoured with Halen Môn sea salt from the coastline of Anglesey and Blodyn Aur (Golden Flower) rapeseed oil from hills above Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr in Conwy. Also part of the range under the Jones brand are iconic Welsh treats like individual slices of Bara Brith fruit loaf and twin packs of Welsh Cakes made in the Snowdonia village of Llanllechid, along with Jones Chocolate from Bala in Gwynedd. They’re being sold by the growing Bwydydd Madryn food company which is based in Pwllheli where the company recently…

In March 2020, CHAPTER was due to host the UK premiere of documentary film Amber and Me, but when the pandemic hit its release was delayed. CHAPTER is delighted to now be able to offer the film via their online streaming platform, the Chapter Player. Amber and Me is a feature-length documentary film that follows a young girl, Amber, who has Down’s Syndrome, as she begins mainstream education with her twin sister, Olivia. Although Amber’s first school experience is positive, she soon starts to lose interest and asks to stay at home. Sister Olivia tries to help Amber with her…

Triggers for self-harm and poor mental health are aggravated by pandemic restrictions, according to experts. They have now issued a stark warning about the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of children and young people. Professor Tamsin Ford, of the University of Cambridge, and colleagues including Professor Ann John, of Swansea University Medical School, say deterioration is clearest among families already struggling. Writing in the BMJ, they are calling for urgent action “to ensure that this generation is not disproportionately disadvantaged by covid-19”. They point to evidence that the mental health of the UK’s children and young people…

For anyone thinking about buying a new build home, one of the first steps will often be visiting a show home. There can be a lot to take in when looking around a show home for the first time – even more so following the Covid-19 pandemic, where all housebuilders have built in a raft of new measures to allow people to visit safely. These include pre-screening questionnaires, social distancing and mandatory face coverings, so take time to do your research with the developer to see if there’s anything additional you may need to do before attending. So, with February’s…

Newport students will have the opportunity to explore a career in the digital sector next week – and it will all be done online. Students in year nine will be invited to find out about the range of digital careers available to them on their doorstep and the skills and qualifications they need to be successful in them. The week-long event will be delivered on Microsoft Teams and focusses on different themes each day: cyber security; software engineering, semi-conductor, creative and future technology and digital. There will be a mix of live sessions and webinars with continued access following the…

The Welsh Government has today announced an additional £30 million to develop new Welsh-medium education. The capital investment is part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to reach 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050, by supporting all learners to become Welsh speakers by the time they leave school. The Welsh Government aims to increase capacity in Welsh-medium schools, support the early immersion of Welsh language skills by improving transition from childcare to primary, as well as helping learners in English-medium and bilingual schools improve their skills and confidence in Welsh. The new curriculum for Wales will introduce a continuum of progression…

The Welsh Government will lift the “stay at home” requirement in Wales from tomorrow, and replace it with “stay local”, as part of a careful, cautious and phased approach to relaxing coronavirus restrictions, First Minister Mark Drakeford will announce today. From tomorrow (Saturday 13 March), four people from two households will be able to meet outdoors to socialise, including in gardens. In addition, outdoor sports facilities, including basketball courts, tennis courts and golf courses, can reopen, and indoor care home visits will restart, for single designated visitors. From Monday, all primary pupils and those in qualifications years will return. Schools…

A new masterplan to complete the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay has been revealed. The site, which is currently home to the Cardiff International White Water Rafting Centre, the Ice Arena Wales and the International Swimming Pool, could soon host a number of new sporting facilities, including: A 333m velodrome with clubhouse and stand; A 1km closed-loop circuit, for cycling, running and scooters/roller blades A large format bicycle shop Space to attract new adventure sport/leisure attractions Additional car parking space A Zip Wire tower, and Food, drink and retail opportunities. As well as becoming home to the city’s new…