Author: Rhys Gregory

Work is on track on a two-year project to ignite the fortunes of Swansea’s historic Palace Theatre building. Since Swansea Council acquired the structure – in a horribly distressed state – in the months before the pandemic struck, officers and partners have made progress to ensure it is ready for a smart overhaul. The council took action to secure the building for future generations after years of private ownership which saw the building deteriorate. Surveys have been carried out, potentially important heritage elements have been safely retrieved, unsound areas of flooring and roofing have been made safe and scaffolding has been put…

THE way in which people shop for food and drink has changed forever following the events of 2020. And Wayne Siddall, owner of Dee Valley Produce in Llangollen, hopes more customers will stay loyal to the local businesses that stepped up to support their communities during the Coronavirus pandemic. Supported by Taste North East Wales – taking place online this autumn due to Covid-19 – consumers are being encouraged to keep buying from artisan and independent producers across the region rather than rushing back to the supermarkets. Wayne is disappointed to have seen a drop-off in home deliveries after an…

A NORTH WALES student has been awarded a prestigious bursary from the Royal Television Society. Former Coleg Cambria learner Ben Ledsham applied for the prize earlier this year and was “shocked and relieved” to have been among the 30 people selected from across the UK. The 21 year-old, from Coedpoeth near Wrexham, is studying for a degree in Film Production at the University of Salford and will receive £2000 over the next two years. He plans to invest the money in new equipment, including a computer. “It was a relief and a shock to be told I was receiving the…

Coleg Gwent has successfully been granted The Carers Federation Quality Standard in Carer Support (QSCS) accreditation for the next three years, recognising that they go the extra mile to support young carers in further education. There are around 30,000 young carers under the age of 25 in Wales (Social Care Wales) and the fact that they spend so much time caring takes its toll on their education, physical health and emotional wellbeing. As a result, young adult carers are three times more likely to be out of education, employment, or training than other young people, and five times more likely…

A police boss fears children in care are being recruited by ruthless county lines drugs gangs. North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has been told the covid lockdown restrictions have forced crime overlords to change their “business model”. Instead of bringing in young runners from Merseyside and Manchester, it’s believed the gangs are now grooming vulnerable youngsters in care home to sell heroin and cocaine in North Wales. That’s the verdict of the specialist crime and justice organisation, Crest Advisory, that’s been commissioned by Mr Jones to investigate the evil county lines trade. Tackling the county lines gangs…

An 18-year-old student found collapsed at a Cardiff halls of residence at the weekend has died. Emergency services were called to Llys Talybont in Cathays where the female student was found collapsed by flat mates, at around 12.40am on Saturday November 14. She was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where she has died last night. Her family had travelled to South Wales and are being supported at this time. A 23-year-old Cardiff man has been charged with drugs offences and was due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Lanoi Lidell, from Pentwyn, is charged with offering…

Denbighshire County Council’s festive free parking scheme is returning between November 21 and December 31. To encourage more people to use their local high street for shopping in the run up to Christmas and New Year, free parking will be available in Council-run town centre car parks from 3pm every day. The Free After Three initiative will be available in the following car parks: Corwen:        Green Lane Denbigh:       Multi-Storey; Crown Lane; Factory Ward; Post Office Lane, Llangollen:   Hall Street; Market Street; Mill Street Prestatyn:    Lower High Street; Railway station Rhuddlan:    Parliament Street Rhyl:             Central; Morley Road; Queen Street; Sky Tower; West…

New figures reveal that Welsh industry’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has generated millions of pounds for the Welsh economy and supported the creation and safeguarding of hundreds of jobs across the country. Life Sciences Hub Wales, who were appointed by Welsh Government to support industry engagement with NHS Wales throughout the pandemic, reveal that Welsh businesses have contributed more than £34m to the economy as well as supporting over 620 jobs. A new Welsh NHS Confederation briefing sets out how businesses across Wales have strategically united to help combat Covid-19 by ramping up production, innovating and converting operations to…

St David’s Cardiff has today announced the return of its extremely popular charity initiative, the ‘Toy Appeal’, where shoppers can donate a gift directly to local charities this Christmas. Last year saw hundreds of gifts donated in the first week alone by generous St David’s Cardiff shoppers, and this year charities will need support more than ever. Located near the Clogau store on the lower level between 27th November – 20th December, The Toy Appeal will allow guests to pick up an extra item or two during their Christmas shopping trip and place the unwrapped gift into the donation box…

A new study by a Cardiff laboratory has proved that an alternative blood alcohol test is more accurate and sensitive than the test currently used by bodies including the DVLA and health providers. Cansford Laboratories has confirmed previous research that the newer PEth blood test is better at detecting regular alcohol consumption than the more widely used CDT test. The study results provide clear evidence that the PEth test is a better solution for individuals or organisations who need an accurate assessment of alcohol use, misuse or abstinence. Dr Lolita Tsanaclis, Scientific Director of Cansford Laboratories, said: “In some cases…