Author: Rhys Gregory

Macmillan Wales has warned that coronavirus is continuing to have a negative impact on the number of people being tested and treated for cancer. The charity says that while the latest data suggests a level of recovery in the number of people entering the cancer pathway, it remains below the levels required to reduce Wales’ diagnostic backlog. During September, 11,981 patients entered the single cancer pathway.  While this is a promising increase of 13.5% when compared to August, it is still 1,145 patients fewer than September last year. Richard Pugh, Head of Partnerships for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales said:…

Spanish bar and restaurant group Ultracomida has launched a new, nationwide wine subscription service. The independent boutique operators – who run two, award-winning Ultracomida deli-restaurants in the coastal towns of Narberth and Aberystwyth, as well as Curado Bar and Vermut bar in Cardiff city centre – are well known for bringing a casual dining style influenced by Northern Spain to Wales. But since 2010, they have also offered a huge range of imported Spanish produce for national home delivery via their online shop. Through personal connections with suppliers and very few links in the supply chain, they stay close to the people behind the produce,…

Jayne Ludlow has named a squad of 26 players for Cymru’s final UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 qualifying round match against Belarus on Tuesday, December 1. Ludlow has called up Esther Morgan and Caitlin Morris for the first time. Both players have played in the Cymru age groups whilst Morgan, who has been training with the Tottenham Hotspur first team, captained the U19s in last year’s UEFA Women’s EURO U19 qualifying round. A wealth of experience will be involved in the Cymru side including centurions Sophie Ingle and Jess Fishlock, as well as Natasha Harding who scored a brace in last…

Gwent man has been jailed after fabricating a string of elaborate household fires following a joint investigation between the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and South Wales Police. William James, 64 of Blackwood, Gwent, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after an appearance at Newport Crown Court on 13 November 2020. Mr James previously pleaded guilty to these offences following a court hearing on 2 October 2020. Investigators were first made aware of Mr James’ fraudulent activities following a tip off to the IFB, where it transpired a series of near-identical claims all following alleged household fires had been made…

A new collaboration is set to give student entrepreneurs a valuable networking boost as they launch their business ideas. Swansea University’s School of Management and 4theRegion, the organisation which brings together regional businesses, community groups and change-makers across South West Wales, have teamed up to create Starting Up in the Region. Thanks to a partnership between the 4theRegion and the University’s Enterprise Team, the student start-ups will have their membership fees paid for an entire year. This means they will be able to attend events and members’ forums as well as benefiting from the opportunity to network with the group’s…

Many consumers have also rediscovered a love of local this year with one recent survey showing that six in ten of us turned to local stores and services to support us through the first COVID-19 lockdown (Deloitte). As local food and drink producers kept us fed during the first half of the year, experts are calling on people across Wales to return that support and buy Welsh this Christmas. And even with the prospect of COVID-19 restrictions still in place, 13% of adults in the UK are already looking forward to this year’s celebrations more than previous years (YouGov) and…

Home Bargains has invested approximately £4 million in its new store in Barry, which will be officially opened at 8.00 am on Saturday 21 November 2020. As one of the UK’s largest family-run retailers, Home Bargains is creating 62 new jobs in the local community with its store on Palmerston Road. In total, the store will employ 75 team members, including some staff and management who will be transferring from local stores. It will also be donating £2,000 to Tŷ Hafan, which is one of the UK’s leading paediatric palliative care charities and offers care to children and support for…

Work is set to get underway on the UK’s largest ever energy retrofit project of its kind, that will see almost 650 homes in a Swansea community benefiting from the installation of state-of-the art renewable energy generation, energy storage and smart energy management technology. The homes, in the Penderry Ward of the city, are owned and managed by Pobl, Wales’ largest provider of affordable housing, who have partnered with renewable energy tech and service supplier, Sero. It is anticipated that the innovative scheme, supported by £3.5m EU funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government, will…

Social care workers in the independent sector in Wales are to be given greater support to protect their well-being during the pandemic. The emotional support, including one-to-one counselling with the same counsellor, aims to provide easy access to well-being support for care workers who have been affected by their experiences working in the pandemic. Throughout the pandemic social care workers have continued to provide vital care and support for people who have been among the most vulnerable. Many have been exposed to higher levels of stress, longer working hours and higher than usual number of deaths of the people they…

First Minister Mark Drakeford is asking budding young artists to enter this year’s Christmas card competition. The winning design will be chosen by the First Minister and used as his official Christmas card. The First Minister sends his Christmas card to thousands of people around the world, including to the Queen and to the President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. While rainbows may not be traditionally associated with Christmas, the children, who must be aged seven to 11 to enter the competition, are being asked to pay tribute to the efforts of critical workers during…