Author: Rhys Gregory

The Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams MS, has announced that schools and colleges will shut and move to online learning until at least Monday January 18. In a statement released this evening, Kirsty Williams MS said: The situation in Wales and across the UK remains very serious. Today, the four UK Chief Medical Officers have agreed that the UK is now at the highest level of risk, Joint Biosecurity Council level 5. In the light of that decision the Welsh Government, in consultation with the WLGA and Colegau Cymru, has agreed that all schools, colleges and independent schools should move…

Wood carving is one of the oldest art forms known to man. Although the exact origins of the activity are unknown, it’s believed that the practise came to fruition in Egypt around 2500 B.C. Following that, Late Gothic era carvings in Germany throughout the late 14th and early 15th centuries played a pivotal role in heightening the appeal of wooden sculptures, as per Visual Arts Cork. Because of the early foundations, modern-day sculptors can now further the reach of carving. As such, the practice reached new-found levels of popularity within Wales at the turn of the millennium. So, let’s take a look…

The second COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled-out across Wales from today [Monday 4 January] with at least 40,000 doses available within the first 2 weeks. Last week [Wednesday 30 December] the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised the AstraZeneca vaccine as safe and effective following stringent clinical trials – just 3 weeks after the first coronavirus vaccine, Pfizer BioNTech, was approved for use across the UK. The Welsh Government and NHS Wales have been preparing for the vaccinations’ approvals and delivery since June. The UK Government has procured vaccines on behalf of the four nations and around 100m…

Each of the six counties across North Wales now has at least one testing site, open seven-days-a-week and with some operating from 8am-8pm. Teresa Owen, Executive Director of Public Health at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, urged people to book an appointment at their nearest centre if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19. She also backed the Welsh Government’s Help Us, Help You campaign, encouraging members of the public to correctly access NHS services and not turn up at emergency departments with ailments that could have been treated by a GP, pharmacist or minor injuries unit. Teresa Owen said: “By rolling out…

Specialist craft brewer, Drop Bear Beer Co., has announced plans to build Wales’ first alcohol-free brewery. The brewery development will be funded through a £500,000 equity investment campaign that is currently live on Crowdcube – with investment levels starting from £11. The brewery is anticipated to be fully functional by October 2021. When completed, it will initially create six new jobs. “We are looking at sites along the M4 corridor, between Carmarthen and Cardiff, and plan to open in October 2021,” said Drop Bear’s sales and marketing director, Joelle Drummond; who founded the Swansea-based company in 2019 with Sarah McNena. “It’s…

On New Year’s Eve, officers dealt with 240 reports of Covid-19 breaches and issued 43 FPNs As Wales remains at Alert Level 4 as we enter 2021, South Wales Police is encouraging the public to do the right thing to keep communities safe. With infection rates continuing to be extremely high across the region, the highest level of Welsh Government restrictions are in place. At alert level 4 you must: Follow social distancing rules with people you don’t live with or who are not in your support bubble. Wear a face covering (if you are able to) in all indoor…

The driver of a red car is urged to come forward after failing to stop following a collision in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday (31st December, 2020). An 11 year-old boy was crossing Station Road, Dowlais on his scooter when what is believed to be a red Renault Clio hit him, but drove away without stopping. The boy wasn’t serious injured and made it home – he was taken to hospital by his mother and was treated for scratches and bruising. An investigation into the incident is now underway. The driver – believed to be a white man – is urged…

Carol Vorderman (Countdown, BBC Radio Wales) is taking a trip down memory lane as she reconnects with her childhood home of north Wales in a new series. In Carol Vorderman: Closer to Home – a three part series starting next Tuesday and available on BBC iPlayer – the tv and radio presenter reflects on her life, revisits significant places from her past and enjoys an epic exploration of her former home. Carol said: “My heart is here in Wales. I love travelling around and capturing every moment. In this series, I’ll be reconnecting with the place where I grew up;…

Smokers are being encouraged to quit smoking for the new year ahead of new smoke-free laws being introduced in Wales. From 1 March, Wales’ ban on smoking in hospital grounds, children’s playgrounds and school grounds, as well as outdoor day-care and child-minding settings, will be introduced. Anyone caught breaking the law could face a £100 fine. It is hoped preventing smoking on hospital sites will promote healthier care environments and support smokers using hospital services to quit. The new restrictions build on the smoking ban introduced in 2007 which made indoor enclosed public places and workplaces smoke-free. To protect more…

Plans are in place to minimise any possible disruption at the port of Holyhead following the end of the EU Transition period overnight. It is expected that the first few days of January will be quiet at the port with traffic picking up later next week. From today (1 January) ferry operators will require freight customers bound for Ireland to link customs information to their booking and if they arrive without having done so they will not be able to enter the port. The reasonable worst case scenario published by the UK Government highlights that 40-70% of HGVs arriving at…