Author: Rhys Gregory

The world’s first preserved railway line, which is located in Mid Wales, has been nominated for two prestigious Heritage Railway Association awards. Talyllyn Railway, which has been running since 1865, has been shortlisted for the Internal Communications and Most Innovative Fundraising Idea awards, the winners of which will be announced on March 5, 2021. The Heritage Railway Association is a trade body representing and promoting the interests of heritage and tourist railways. The 2021 awards acknowledge the significant impact COVID-19 has had on heritage railways by introducing new categories. There are five nominations made in each of 10 categories. Talyllyn…

Thanks to a successful bid for the ’15-minute heritage’ fund, a partnership between The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Cadw – the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, Ceredigion Museum will be leading a new and innovative project in 2021, to capture the untold stories of Aberystwyth on digital platforms. ‘It Happened in Aber’ aims to discover more about the characters, events and stories that have shaped the history of Aberystwyth, by exploring and sharing untold stories that will connect the wider community. These stories will be documented in short 3 – minute podcasts and on a geo tourist map, as…

A charity set up by The Prince of Wales has got businesses to step up and help more than 24,000 people in Wales as they struggle to get the food, digital technology and care essentials that they need to survive the impact of COVID-19 on their jobs, lives and communities.    Local business leader Peter Perry has hailed the initiative as the best way for businesses to show that they care about the communities around them as the pandemic wreaks havoc.     Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Business Response Network (created by Business in the Community) has been tracking down business support for local community groups, schools and charities in need, matching them with the big businesses which can donate goods or services.…

Pan-Wales youth singing organisation The Aloud Charity is hosting a virtual Christmas concert this Sunday evening (December 20) to provide some festive joy. The uplifting, free concert will feature Only Boys Aloud, along with special guests, performing a varied repertoire as well as seasonal favourites. The event starts at 5:00pm and there will be many opportunities throughout the performance to donate to the charity. Like many ensembles, Only Boys Aloud have turned to online rehearsals this year. With the help of their Team Leaders, the choir – which has 250 members – has continued to practice virtually, experiencing the benefits…

Dragon Taxis has donated a variety of food items to support children and young people experiencing poverty in the county. The Torfaen Santa Appeal, run by Torfaen Social Services, provides food and gifts to young people who would otherwise miss out at Christmas time. Dragon Taxis, a regional hub of the UK’s leading private hire operator Veezu, donated dry and tinned goods, as well as sweet treats, which will be used to make up hampers for young people aged 16 and over who are living alone. Jack Price, Dragon Taxis Regional Director, visited one of the dedicated drop off points…

Loan sharks are turning to social media to hook people into a cycle of dangerous debt, according to the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (WIMLU) and Credit Unions of Wales. WIMLU manager Sarah Smith says that there are concerns that in the Covid pandemic and with Christmas around the corner, more people are falling prey to unscrupulous lenders online: “Loan sharks are increasingly using social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, to advertise their illegal loans and target potential victims. “They also use social media community groups and local selling pages.” Citizens’ Advice has reported that over 280,000…

VITAL public services including GP surgeries, libraries and hospitals are benefiting from ultrafast internet speeds and better connectivity. The Coronavirus pandemic has not stopped major progress being made on the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and North Wales Economic Ambition Board £8m roll-out of the highest quality gigabit capable broadband to 350 sites across Denbighshire, Anglesey, Conwy, Gwynedd, Flintshire and Wrexham. The switch from copper-based provision – as part of its Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) Programme – has seen the DCMS work in partnership with the Ambition Board since the initial bid for funding was made…

The new Youth Mayor of Neath Port Talbot pledged to “champion the rights of children and young people” at a virtual inauguration ceremony held last Thursday (10th December). Erin Sanderson, aged 18 from Waunceirch, takes up the position of Youth Mayor having served a year as Deputy Youth Mayor. The positions are elected annually by Neath Port Talbot’s Youth Council to give young people a voice and help them to have their say on local issues. Erin is a former Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School pupil and was recently chosen to become a mental health ambassador for Inspirational futures, an organisation set…

Business rates in Wales will not be subject to an inflationary increase in 2021-22 Finance Minister Rebecca Evans has confirmed today. Freezing the multiplier next year will help support around 54,000 ratepayers across Wales, who are not already receiving 100% rates relief. This takes the total amount of savings businesses have received on their rates bills to more than £90m, since 2018-19. Earlier this year the Welsh Government also announced a rates relief package worth £580 million to provide businesses with the support they needed to survive the pandemic. Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said: “We recognise the pressures that businesses…

The Welsh Government’s new Export Action Plan will provide the most ambitious and comprehensive programme of export support put in place in Wales. Welsh goods and services have long been exported worldwide, helping Wales become a strong and successful trading nation. Between 2015 and 2019, the value of Welsh goods exports grew at a faster rate than the UK as a whole and, in 2019, reached £17.8bn. However, the prolonged negotiations of the future relationship between the UK and EU has stifled businesses’ ability to fully plan and prepare. Economy Minister Ken Skates has said this has placed incredible pressures…