Author: Rhys Gregory

AN APPRENTICE is gearing up for a future in mechanics after engineering victory in a national contest. Ryan Chrisham was a gold medallist in the Automotive Technology category at the Welsh Skills Competition and is now plying his trade at Gwyn Evans Commercial Vehicle Repairs in Ruthin. The 22 year-old, who hails from the town, is enjoying an apprenticeship at the long-established Denbighshire firm while studying at Coleg Cambria. He was delighted to pick up the prize and said it gave him more confidence in working on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and other types of haulage transport. “I enjoyed the…

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents in Denbigh and surrounding areas that a Covid-19 testing centre opened in the town on Wednesday, January 6. The testing centre is based in the car park at the council offices at Caledfryn and will operate between 9.30am and 3.30pm with no appointments necessary, but the walk in / drive through session is open to those with symptoms that need a test. The testing centre is being operated in partnership between Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Denbighshire County Council. It replaces the testing site at…

As the pandemic continues to hamper recruitment activities and risks a lost generation of talented graduates needed to aid Wales’ economic recovery, the CEO of Confused.com and technology strategists from Microsoft have praised the launch of a Fast-Track Data and AI Graduate Programme and its promise to develop Welsh talent pools that allow employers to fortify their businesses with the latest innovation. The Fast-Track Data and AI Graduate Programme has been specifically designed by the Welsh Contact Centre Forum (WCCF) in collaboration with industry, to allow Welsh businesses to recruit new talents who can accelerate the development of new data…

BMA Cymru Wales is calling for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine to be administered to frontline healthcare workers who have received the first dose, within the maximum 42-day timeline tested in the original trial and in-line with World Health Organisation guidance. The Association is also calling for all remaining vaccinations for staff to be accelerated to ensure maximum protection for staff and patients. The Association says this is essential to protect an already depleted workforce and to help prevent the NHS becoming overwhelmed in the next few weeks. BMA Cymru Wales has already condemned the disparity in vaccination…

Hywel Dda Health Charities has purchased heart monitors and blood pressure machines for use by cardiology patients across the Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford areas. Ten heart rate and rhythm monitors are available for patients to use in their own homes, so that assessments can be done remotely. Readings are transferred to one of three specialist heart failure nurses, enabling the team to assess if further investigation is needed. The purchase of 75 automated blood pressure machines for patients to use at home is also enabling virtual clinics to be held, allowing the nursing team to record vital observations to help…

Two Swansea University courses are among the first postgraduate qualifications to be awarded accreditation by the Royal Geographical Society. The Society has given its backing to the MSc Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change and MSc Geographic Information and Climate Change. It launched an undergraduate programme accreditation scheme in 2016, however, this is the first time the Society has accepted applications from master’s degree programmes. It is a move that aims to recognise good practice in geographical learning and teaching across UK higher education, while supporting continuous quality improvement and promoting good student outcomes across the sector. Dr Iain Robertson, of…

EXPERIMENTICA is a live art festival in Cardiff that encourages risk, collaboration and exchange between artists and audiences. The festival commissions and hosts a dynamic programme of live art, performance and interdisciplinary projects and offers a platform for UK and international artists at all stages in their careers, to present experimental work in an open and supportive environment. The 2021 festival will explore narratives and alternatives to the status quo; questioning accepted ways of thinking; giving a voice to the underrepresented and challenging existing forms of storytelling – exploring democracy, agency and open authorship. Chapter will advertise a call-out for…

This comes following concern from Dyfed Powys Police Economic Crime Team that scammers are sending texts and emails and even calls attempting to get residents to apply for the Covid-19 vaccine. Scammers have made texts and emails to look as though it has come from the NHS offering a Covid-19 vaccine. Do not open any suspicious links or attachments. Dyfed-Powys Police suggest to always: Stop: Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information – it could keep you safe. Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will…

A new walk-through coronavirus testing facility has opened for those with symptoms to book appointments at Milland Road Car Park (SA11 1BP) in Neath, as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities. Testing is only available for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. The government is committed to continue expanding the capacity of the network of…

As the pandemic reaches a new high point in infection rates and a new variant of the virus is spreading so quickly, authorities want to emphasise the need to avoid any unnecessary travel. Following an increase in examples of people disregarding current Welsh Government guidelines that all of Wales is in lockdown (alert level 4), the Snowdonia National Park Authority have decided to close all of their car parks. The decision has been made to protect our communities and the health services in North Wales, especially as the new variant of the disease is spreading so quickly. We want to…