Author: Rhys Gregory

Virgin Media is on the hunt for Cardiff and South Wales’ unsung hero; an individual, organisation or community group, which has gone the extra mile during the pandemic and has made a huge difference to people’s lives. They could be recognised and rewarded for their efforts with an incredible technology makeover worth up to £10,000. The winner will be decided by a panel of judges, including the nation’s hero, Captain Sir Tom Moore, TV presenter, Konnie Huq and others. Virgin Media is asking for people in South Wales to nominate their ‘Local Legends’ – the individuals, community groups, or not-for-profit…

UK residents will now be able to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), the government announced today. Under Britain’s new agreement with the EU, UK residents’ rights to emergency and medically necessary healthcare will continue when travelling in the EU. This includes medically necessary treatment for a pre-existing or chronic condition. Current European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are valid as long as they are in date and people can continue to use these when travelling to the EU. The public only need to apply for their new GHIC when their current EHICexpires. Both cards will offer equivalent protection…

The number of people who have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine between 8 December 2020 to Sunday 10 January 2021 is 2,286,572. More than 2.2 million people in the UK have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the latest figures show as the government begins daily publications on vaccination uptake. The number of people who have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine between 8 December to Sunday 10 January is 2,286,572. The breakdown in each nation is: England: 1,959,151 Scotland: 163,377 Wales: 86,039 Northern Ireland: 78,005 More than 2.6 million vaccine doses (2,675,213)…

We have all heard for years how artificial intelligence will change the world forever. It will change how we work, how we play, how we interact with one another and, well, how we do almost everything. But when? And where? The conversation surrounding artificial intelligence has been around for so long that it almost feels like the excitement about its arrival has come and gone. Many have admitted reaching the conclusion that perhaps artificial intelligence is something that will remain a part of science fiction, something that, ultimately, works better in theory than in practice. However, it is worth remembering…

The 55 year-old man who died following a road traffic collision on the M4 motorway in the early hours of Wednesday 6th January has been named as Martin Crowden, originally from the Fairwater area and now from Caerphilly. Mr Crowden was a pedestrian and was in collision with a heavy good vehicle. Martin’s wife Maxine has paid tribute to him, saying:  “To be asked to say in a few words what the loss of Martin has had on us all as a family, is almost impossible. “He was my loving husband, father to his two girls, brother and just a…

All eligible adults will be offered a Covid vaccine by the autumn, under ambitious plans published by the Welsh Government today [Monday January 11]. Health Minister Vaughan Gething will today publish the Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy, which sets out three key milestones. It comes as the latest figures show more than 86,000 people have received the vaccine. Wales will publish daily vaccine figures from today. The three milestones set out in the plan are: By mid-February – all care home residents and staff; frontline health and social care staff; everyone over 70 and everyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable will have…

In line with Welsh Government lockdown restrictions, NAT Group will be introducing significant timetable changes from January 25 until restrictions are lifted or reduced. To assist with the ‘Stay at Home’ message where only essential travel is permitted, NAT Group has complied with Welsh Government directives to reduce its operations in South Wales. Local routes will be reduced by between 15% and 50% until directed otherwise. From now until 25th, NAT Group is working on finalising timetables, altering staff rotas and communicating the changes to its team and passengers to ensure disruptions are minimal. NAT Group Managing Director Adam Keen…

Creative Wales supported the filming of The Pembrokeshire Murders in 2020, with the ITV drama, featuring a Welsh lead actor, director, cast and crew, airing on ITV on 11th, 12th and 13th January at 9pm. The mini-series is from the makers of Line of Duty and Bodyguard, World Productions. It was written by Nick Stevens, directed by Marc Evans (Manhunt, Safe House) and produced by Ed Talfan (Hinterland, Hidden) for Wales-based Severn Screen. The drama is adapted from the true crime book, The Pembrokeshire Murders, written by Senior Investigating Officer Steve Wilkins and ITV news journalist Jonathan Hill. Creative Wales…

A heartfelt video message from the people of Montgomery (Trefaldwyn) has become a hit in Hungary, landing the Powys town on TV screens across the nation. The historic town has always been proud of its literary links with Hungary, which stem from Hungarian poet János Arany’s 160-year-old ballad ‘The Bards of Wales’ – an allegorical poem set in Montgomery Castle which most Hungarian children must learn at school. The video, produced by members of Montgomery Town Council – including the Mayor himself – has attracted over 50,000 views across social media within weeks, and has been the subject of national…

WALES’ leading health advice and information website had the highest number of visits in 2020 since its creation. A record 5.8 million visits were made to the NHS 111 Wales website last year, the largest proportion of which – 1.6 million – were made in March after the global pandemic had been declared. The Covid-19 Symptom Checker remains the most visited page on the website. Other popular search terms include headache, dentist and sexual health services. Claire Roche, Executive Director of Quality and Nursing at the Welsh Ambulance Service, which runs the website, said: “The record number of visits proves…