Author: Rhys Gregory

An innovative mixed-use regeneration development in the heart of Swansea city centre has been hailed as a first for the UK. The Biophilic Swansea project will transform the site of the former Woolworth store on Oxford Street, providing affordable new homes and workspace alongside a community urban farm. The project will be delivered by Hacer Developments, with Wales’ largest provider of affordable homes, Pobl Group, joining as its residential partner. The pioneering scheme is the result of extensive collaborative working among a range of local organisations, including Swansea University, the Active Building Centre, Public Health Wales, and a number of…

FSB has recently made new appointments to its Wales staff team which will bring fresh experience and expertise to Wales’ most influential business organisation. Dr Llyr ap Gareth will take on the role of Head of Policy whilst Brett John will join the team as Deputy Head of Policy. Llyr is promoted from Deputy Head of Policy for FSB Wales into the new role, having previously worked for the Community Transport Association where he was employed as Support and Engagement Executive. Llyr ap Gareth, said: “It’s a real privilege to take on the responsibility of Head of Policy at FSB…

A mum of two from Cefn Hengoed is taking on a fundraising challenge with a difference to support blind and partially sighted people in Wales. Emma Arnold, 33, will be taking part in sight loss charity RNIB’s Marathon Mates. The virtual fundraiser calls on people to pair up with a friend, partner, housemate or family member and split the distance of a marathon (26.2 miles) during the month of May. Inspired by the way many people with sight loss run with a guide runner, participants can choose to run, walk, jog or skip the distance in their own time and…

Shopping local was crucial for many businesses throughout the COVID pandemic, with some owing their survival to the support from communities. When the first lockdown came to an end, many noticed that consumer habits didn’t change, with customers continuing to buy from them rather than returning to national chains. According to Barclaycard, many individuals have chosen to purchase from local companies during the pandemic, with 57 per cent saying they wanted to increase their support of nearby businesses as a result of restrictions. Shop owners are now thanking communities for their help over the last 12 months, but also encouraging…

A top music festival established by a royal composer will mark its 50th year with the world premiere of a new work to celebrate its illustrious history. The piece written by Jon Guy will be featured in one of two concerts in May which will be curtain raisers for the North Wales International Music Festival which in normal times is held at St Asaph Cathedral. Like the main event last September, the concerts will be staged online – with the premiere of the music called Shining Dawn happening at 7.30pm on Saturday, May 8. At the same time the day…

A police boss who describes himself as an “experienced protester” says a report on how protests are policed is one sided, illiberal and undermines civil and political rights. North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is so concerned that he has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel to complain about it. The UK Government used the report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS),“Getting the balance right?, when they were drafting the controversial Police, Crime,  Sentencing and Courts Bill. According to the inspectors, the balance had tipped too heavily in favour of protesters. The legislation…

Trees and woods are essential to the health and wellbeing of people in Wales, but a new report from The Woodland Trust provides evidence of multiple threats that pose catastrophic consequences for woods and trees across the UK. The Woodland Trust’s State of Woods and Trees (SOWT) Report 2021 launched today (14th April 2021), is the first of its kind to focus on native woods and trees. It shows that five major threats are compounding to result in negative impacts that could spell disaster for the UK’s wildlife, including plants, mammals, birds and insects. The major threats include poor  woodland condition; climate change; fragmentation; pests, diseases and pollution; and a slow rate of new woodland creation…

RCT Council’s Youth Engagement and Participation Service (YEPS) will soon receive two new vehicles for use as ‘mobile hubs’ – to increase youth support within communities without venues to host local activities and sessions. The new hubs will be brought into use by the end of April 2021, and are aimed at increasing the Service’s ability to reach all areas of Rhondda Cynon Taf, filling in historical gaps within the provision. The heated vehicles will include seating areas, laptop connections, Wi-Fi capability and television screens. The new provision will host activities such as general youth clubs, gaming sessions, arts and…

The Welsh Government has accepted Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice that people over 16 who live with individuals with severely weakened immune systems should be offered COVID-19 vaccination as a priority. Arrangements are now being made to invite these individuals for vaccination. Full details will follow. Adults who are immunosuppressed have a weaker immune system to fight infections naturally and are more likely to have poorer outcomes following COVID-19 infection. There is growing evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines may reduce the chance of someone who has been vaccinated passing the virus on. Vaccinating household contacts will help limit…

Job markets are getting more competitive and scarcer each day, wages are becoming lesser, products costlier, and scoring good grades in school never seems to get easier. These are but some of the reasons why we find ourselves going for supplements – like nootropics – that can help us juggle as many balls for as long as we can. If you are new to the subject, however, nootropics might get really controversial and confusing. What is sold as a prescription drug in one country may qualify as a supplement in another or even worse be considered illegal. Even definitions don’t…