Author: Rhys Gregory

After a challenging and disruptive year, the need for a healthy work-life balance is crucial more than ever to protect ourselves from burnout by taking regular breaks. And chances are, we’re overdue for a break! While working from home is certainly a change from the norm, it’s not the same as taking time off, and has not necessarily improved work-life balance for most Brits. In fact, a YouGov study shows only 44% of people report feeling happy in the second half of 2020, compared to 75% who feel stressed and frustrated. The team at Instant Offices reveals how Brits can strategically plan…

Some of Swansea’s richest social history stories could soon be preserved on film and audio files thanks to a £10,000 grant from Cadw – the Welsh Government’s historic environment service – and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The funding, secured by the Morriston Tabernacle Congregation with the support of Swansea Council, will see local people of all ages and backgrounds trained to carry out the filming and voice recording. They will interview fellow locals who represent a wide cross-section of the older Morriston community. Among the rich stories likely to be given new life will be those from: the Tabernacle…

Newport City Council’s cabinet will discuss next year’s budget proposals at a meeting on Friday 8 January. The council provides more than 800 services for more than 156,000 people living in more than 69,000 households. In 2021-22 the council will face a shortfall of around £5 million to fund the same level of services despite an increase in the Welsh Government draft settlement that will fund three-quarters of the council’s budget. It is also estimated that savings totalling nearly £10 million will have to be found over the next three years. This comes on top of savings of £35 million…

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…