Author: Rhys Gregory

Rugby coach Tirion Thomas was delighted to be honoured for her dedication to sport but now she enjoys preparing for her future career just as much as for the next match. The 19-year-old was named BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality Unsung Hero last month after coaching Bala’s Under-13s, Under-15s and Under-18s girls teams while also captaining RGC’S Under-18 side. But she says for now her studies at Swansea University are taking priority. The first-year midwifery student said: “It has been my ambition to be a midwife since I was very young. “After giving my all to rugby for the past…

Frontline clinicians at Morriston Hospital have given a harrowing account of the impact the second wave of Covid-19 is having on patients and on staff. The sad reality is that patients coming into intensive care are sicker than during the first wave. And this time around, most of those put on intensive ventilation will not survive. “Sometimes we’ve seen many patients die in the same 12-hour shift,” said intensive care consultant John Gorst. “In some 12-hour periods we have lost up to five Coronavirus patients. “Usually we expect to see, on average, one patient a day dying in the intensive…

A £17.7m funding package, to help spectator sports severely impacted by the pandemic, has been announced by the Welsh Government. It has been designed to provide immediate financial support for spectator sports through the remainder of the winter period to ensure that sports will be ready for the beginning of the new season in September. Support will be provided to rugby union, football, cricket and ice hockey. Rugby league, netball and horseracing are also in line to benefit.  The funding will ensure the short-to-medium term survival of sports organisations and clubs who have been financially impacted by the restrictions on…

The Community Vaccination Centre at the Council’s Ty Trevithick office in Abercynon is expanding, with capacity being increased as well as the centre operating seven days a week. Working in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, the Council’s Ty Trevithick office in Abercynon has been remodelled and is now being used as a Covid-19 Community Vaccination Centre. So far, the Community Vaccination Centre has vaccinated thousands of individuals who work in front line health and social care, including staff from the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust. By expanding capacity at Ty Trevithick, and the centre operating seven days a…

A new local testing site (LTSs) opened in Newport on Saturday 23 January as part of the government’s drive to improve access to Covid-19 tests. Pill residents will be able to book a test at the LTS in the car park of the former Kwik Save at 169 Commercial Road. From Monday, it will operate from 8am to 8pm. The testing site serves the local community so those attending can walk to it and do not have to drive to get a test. If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss…

A leading discount retailer was forced to remove biscuits and cakes from shelves at hundreds of stores across the country after Swansea trading standards officers found they could put people with allergies at risk. Poundstretcher took the action after trading standards officers visited stores in Swansea and found the biscuits and cakes mainly in the Aldiva range did not carry allergy information as they are supposed to do. They alerted the Food Standards Agency and the firm was told it had to check its shelves across the country and remove the goods straight away. Now Poundstretcher, which has more than…

Fifty semi mature trees are set to be planted along a Swansea road as part of new cycle route plans. Last year, Swansea Council surveyed all trees along Mayals Road – a route known for its tree-lined appearance and out of 127 surveyed, 19 were discovered to be diseased or dying and are now in the process of being felled to make the route safe. Plans are now in place to replace all the felled trees with a wide variety of semi mature trees, using Active Travel funding the council has received to create a new safe cycle route along…

Emergency financial support will continue for bus operators in Bridgend county borough who have been affected by coronavirus restrictions. At a meeting on Tuesday 19 January, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet heard a report about the second phase of Welsh Government’s Bus Emergency Scheme, which aims to support the sector through the pandemic and also sets out the intention for further discussion about the long-term future of networks. Since the start of the pandemic, Welsh Government and local authorities have stepped in to support the sector with substantial financial assistance. Funding has been assembled from monies that would otherwise have…

A Cardiff resident has been found guilty of speeding on the River Ely and ordered by magistrates to pay a £1,200 fine. Darren Ryan, from Leckwith, was filmed exceeding the legal maximum 5 knot speed limit, which also applies to boats using the River Taff and the Cardiff Bay inner harbour, on two separate occasions last June. Mr Ryan, who was in control of a boat named ‘Sea Leopard’ at the time of the offences, failed to attend court and was found guilty in his absence of breaching Cardiff Harbour Authority byelaws 5 and 14. Harbour Master, Andrew Vye-Parminter said:…

Homes in Wales hit by recent flooding will receive between £500 and £1000 in support following “devastating” scenes of damage across the country. Homes in Wales hit by recent flooding will receive between £500 and £1000 in support following “devastating” scenes of damage across the country. More than 150 properties across Wales were flooded earlier this week after the arrival of Storm Christoph – with some areas seeing more than 200mm of rain in 72 hours; more than an average months’ worth of rain in most parts of Wales More than 40 separate flood warnings and flood alerts were issued…