Author: Rhys Gregory

The headline NatWest Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 46.6 in November, up from 44.1 in October, to signal another monthly decline in output across the Welsh private sector. Although slower than that seen in October, the downturn in activity was linked to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns across the UK. Of the 12 monitored UK areas, Wales registered the second-fastest fall in output (behind Northern Ireland only). Welsh private sector firms signalled only a marginal fall in new…

A Carmarthenshire pet food company has launched a brand-new pet store in the town of Llandeilo. This will be the fifth pet store to-date for Welsh pet food brand, Burns Pet Nutrition, which is known for its award-winning, healthy and natural pet food range, as well as its support for pet rescue centres, shelters and community projects in the UK. The new shop will sell a variety of pet goodies, such as food, toys, and accessories, and feature a bespoke health and wellness service offering advice, guidance and microchipping to local pet parents in Llandeilo and the surrounding area. The…

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…