Author: Rhys Gregory

There are certain places in the world that are renowned for the calibre and scope of their gambling scenes. Las Vegas is a prime example, as are Monaco, Macau, and many others. In the UK, of course, there is London, which has an astonishing 27 casinos, offering an incredible 712 slots and gambling machines between them. It’s a phenomenal number and one that marks the capital out as an obvious candidate for the mantle of gambling mecca. More surprising, perhaps, is that Wales as a whole is also in the ascendancy. We take a look at the gambling scene in…

South Wales Firefighters volunteer on over 300 shifts including driving ambulances in the fight against Covid-19 Over 200 staff from across South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have volunteered to support their communities and blue light colleagues by offering support including driving ambulances over the past six months of the pandemic. Since last summer 33 firefighters from across the Service have completed the specialist training programme and have been actively supporting our communities and 999 family as part of the Covid-19 response. This deployment requires personnel to complete a joint course facilitated by the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST).…

Anyone interested in helping to shape the future of transport in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea is invited to attend a major online event that aims to set out a clear plan for transport in the region. This event, titled Moving Forward Together – Regional Transport Conference – South West Wales, is organised by 4theRegion and Swansea Environmental Forum and sponsored by South West Wales Connected community rail partnership and Natural Resources Wales. It runs in the mornings of Tuesday, February 9 and Wednesday, February 10, beginning at 10 am on the Tuesday with an opening address from Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister…

Recently featured on BBC Autumnwatch and returning to our screens for Winterwatch later this month, the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Mid Wales has launched a series of new bookable visitor experiences, with dates starting from May. Join expert tutors to delve into a range of topics, all with a focus on celebrating the natural world, including gardening for nature, becoming a nature detective, moth nights and more. A new ‘Gardening for Nature’ day takes visitors on a journey to explore ways of helping nature in even the smallest of outdoor spaces. Top tips from CAT’s expert gardeners will…

Most of us have spent more time in our homes in recent months than ever before, so it comes as no surprise Brits are seeking to make home improvements, with Google searches for DIY once again on the increase during the latest lockdown. For anyone thinking of sprucing up their home decor, one of the most common considerations is if it will add value to the property. Providing expert guidance, Hitachi Personal Finance has looked at the most effective home improvements you can make on a low budget, for less than £100. Painting a room – £71 Nothing brightens up a room more than…

The Welsh Government will today announce an additional £40m for universities to support students facing financial hardship, helping the students most affected by the pandemic with expenses such as accommodation costs. Universities will be asked to prioritise funding towards the most vulnerable students, as well as strengthening advice and support services for students. With most students currently being asked to study at home, the funding will also be used to address ‘digital poverty’ among students, to enable better access to online learning, and costs incurred due to the need to self-isolate. The funding is in addition to over £40 million…

More than 35,000 additional laptops will be provided to learners over the next few weeks bringing the total provided by the Welsh Government since the start of the coronavirus pandemic to over 133,000. At the very beginning of the pandemic education Minister Kirsty Williams made a pledge that ‘no child or family would be left behind during this crisis’ and that ‘all children will have the opportunity to continue learning’. The Welsh Government made this a priority and its response was praised in a recent independent report that said Wales had ‘led the way’ in providing IT and online learning…

Work to create a new 1.6 kilometre hybrid cycle lane is underway in Swansea following a £5m investment by the Welsh Government. The new route, which is being developed along Mayals Road, will provide a vital cycle link between Swansea Bay seafront and Gower – where Swansea Council also intend to create a further link along Clyne Common. The latest scheme is part of the Welsh Government Active Travel scheme which aims to encourage more people to swap the car for a bike and help improve the local environment. Swansea received more than £5.1 million in 2020 to create nine…

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet has given the go ahead for the council’s budget proposals for 2021/22 to go out to public consultation. Among the proposals are plans for no cuts to services for next year and an increase in just over 3.5% in money going to local schools. The council published its draft budget proposals for 2021/22 in a report that went to Cabinet on January 13th   where the public consultation exercise – which goes on until February 12th this year – was approved. The report outlined an anticipated £3.235m shortfall for the coming financial year, together with draft…

Public Health Wales (PHW) has issued important information for employers regarding staff who test positive for coronavirus. It follows reports that a high number of employers are requesting a negative test result before staff – who have completed their self-isolation period after testing positive for Covid-19 – return to the workplace. Public Health Wales states: “If an employee tests positive for Covid-19 they are required to self-isolate for 10 days from the date they developed symptoms (or from the date of their test if they have no symptoms). “The employee is able to return to the workplace on the 11th…