Author: Rhys Gregory

Aberystwyth University has announced that it will offer accommodation fee refunds to students who have not returned to their university-owned accommodation in the town this year while teaching is solely online because of the pandemic. The announcement follows Welsh Government advice to students last Friday afternoon asking students to remain at home. Tim Woods, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning, Teaching and Student Experience at Aberystwyth University said: “The change in Welsh Government guidance on Friday 8 January means that many of our students will not be taking up residence in University accommodation for the time being. “With this in mind, the University…

A leading supplier of human tissue and surgical equipment has appointed former Rugby Union player Nick Macleod to join its expanding team in South Wales. Former Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons’ fly-half Nick takes on the role of Sales and Marketing Specialist which will see him split his time working in the field supporting customers, and at the company’s headquarters building marketing campaigns, overseeing social media and product launches. Nick graduated from the University of Wales with a First Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and spent sixteen years playing professional rugby; representing both Wales and Barbarians at…

On 6 January 2021, at Aberystwyth Justice Centre the Magistrates passed sentence on Mr. Toby Holland of Maesgwyn, Blaenporth after he was found guilty in his absence of 10 charges relating to Animal Welfare and Animal By-Products offences. Following the trial on 3 February 2020, a court warrant was issued for Mr. Toby Holland’ arrest in connection with these offences, and he was arrested by Police in December 2020. The District Judge, in the trial held on 3 February 2020  heard that Animal Welfare Officers of the Public Protection team visited the farm on the 29 January 2019 and found…

The UK’s leading charity for adoptive families has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will extend the Adoption Support Fund for a further year, providing life changing support for adopters and their children. But Adoption UK warns that a long-term commitment is crucial. The Government committed £45m for the current financial year and has so far invested more than £200m in the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) since its introduction in 2015, benefitting 61,000 families. The budget for the next financial year has not yet been confirmed. Today’s announcement means thousands of adoptive families will continue to be offered a range of therapeutic support aimed at helping their children…

A free helpline has been launched to support people in Swansea over the age of 66 who may be missing out on extra income through unclaimed benefits. Government figures show that two in every five people who qualify for Pension Credit do not claim what they are entitled to and are on average missing out on £39-a-week. Swansea Council’s Welfare Rights Team has joined with partner organisations in the area to launch a campaign to raise awareness and increase take-up. It includes a free phone number 0800 112 4763 for people to call between 10am and 3pm Monday to Thursday…

Bridgend County Borough Council is seeking an operator for a new road train attraction in Porthcawl. Plans to establish the service, which will run between Sandy Bay and Rest Bay to connect the town centre with the seafront, were approved by the council in November. The seasonal service will normally be expected to operate from the end of March or the beginning of Easter until the end of September. Services outside this period will be at the discretion of the operator and subject to any necessary approvals. The operator will be responsible for providing the land train, all maintenance, repair,…

The Swansea Bay Covid-19 vaccination programme received a major boost this week when The Margam Orangery Mass Vaccination Centre in Margam Park opened its doors. The centre will be open for a limited number of days in its first week. It will then build its operation to deliver upwards of 500 doses of vaccine per day, to help safeguard the health of residents in Neath Port Talbot and across the Swansea Bay region. Vaccinations will be by invitation only. People will be contacted by letter or phone when it is their turn to be given their vaccination at hospital, at…

Housing Minister Julie James has set out extensive reforms which, if approved by the Senedd, would give Wales the most comprehensive building safety regime in the UK and provide residents with a stronger voice on matters affecting their homes. Proposals in the Building Safety White Paper cover all multi-occupied residential buildings, from a house converted into two flats, to a high-rise apartment block. The White Paper sets out major reforms to the way we design, build, manage and live in properties so that safety is observed at all stage of a building’s lifecycle, whilst proposing clear lines of accountability for…

Young people aged 11-14yrs in Wales are being invited to participate in a series of free, virtual CyberFirst courses to help students explore their passion for technology and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity talent. Created by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ, and delivered in partnership with QA and the  educational charity The Smallpeice Trust, the CyberFirst courses are designed to show students interested in computing and cyber security what a diverse range of career paths are available in the field and to help them develop the skills they need to excel. The content…

South Wales Police are investigating a fatal road traffic collision which occurred at approximately 16:50 hours on the 11th January 2021 on the A465 northbound carriageway between Glynneath and Hirwaun. The incident involved a white Ford Fiesta motor vehicle driven by a 19 year old male. Sadly, the driver was declared deceased at the scene and his family are being supported by specially trained officers. The road was closed for approximately six hours whilst the investigation was carried out and South Wales Police would like to thank the public for their patience during the road closure. Officers would like to…