Author: Rhys Gregory

Achieving Innovation is a new resource developed by Life Sciences Hub Wales to inform and guide those working across industry, health and social care innovation. It summarises key research, provides critical insights and delivers fresh perspectives from cross-sector thought leaders. This new digital resource reviews the wealth of knowledge available about innovation in health and social care to equip those who need it with the most relevant and important information. Life Sciences Hub Wales has worked closely with contributors spanning health, industry, academia and social care providing input. Innovation is perceived by many stakeholders as essential for catalysing system-wide change…

A motorcycle-mad care home resident is gearing up for a new challenge to lovingly restore an old bike. John Wykes, 83, who now lives at Pendine Park’s Hillbury home in Wrexham, has a life-long passion for motorbikes and classic cars and has returned numerous ‘wrecks’ to their former glory. Now he’s aiming to rebuild the Kawasaki motorbike that was donated after Shane Swift, the husband of Hillbury’s deputy manager Patsy Swift, put out an appeal on Facebook. Shane’s big-hearted friend, Ian John, from Acrefair, came up trumps – even though his original plan was to sell it. The home is…

A man from Caerphilly, Gwent, walked 100 miles last month and reached the summit of Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain, to raise £4,155 for charities Parkinson’s UK and Dementia UK. 46-year-old Anthony Williams walked seven days in a row after being inspired by his dad who lived with dementia for a few years and a friend’s father who is living with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK, including 7,600 in Wales. There are over 40 symptoms, from…

A solicitor with a leading north Wales law firm is swapping the office for Scotland’s great outdoors as she joins Gwrych Castle I’m a Celebrity…Get me Out of Here 2020 winner Giovanna Fletcher on a 100km trek in aid of breast cancer awareness. Rebecca Robinson, of Swayne Johnson who have a base in St Asaph and offices at Menai Bridge, Llandudno, Denbigh, Ruthin and Tattenhall, Chester, was selected from hundreds of applicants to take part in the gruelling walk in the Scottish Highlands to raise funds for the CoppaFeel breast cancer awareness and education charity, which encourages people to check…

GE Tools is one of the largest independent distributors of tools, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), hygiene products and personalised workwear in North Wales. Based in Deeside and Rhyl, the company is recruiting new staff to meet demand and revamping its digital and web presence having forged partnerships with top international brands such as Gedore, Makita, Sandvik, Portwest, Ambersil and SC Johnson. A proactive member of the Troy Group – number one in the UK for industrial engineering supplies – GE Tools has grown year on year since being launched in 1988. However, they have never experienced a period like this…

Neath Port Talbot’s Community Safety Partnership is calling on the public to report any incidents of antisocial behaviour in Neath town centre to South Wales Police. The Community Safety Partnership is a joint approach between South Wales Police, Neath Port Talbot Council and other support organisations to tackle antisocial behaviour and criminal activity in Neath town centre and elsewhere in the county borough. Local Police Inspector Matt Otteson explains: “Quite often we are the first point of contact for anyone who wants to report anti-social behaviour or believes they are a victim. We want to ensure that everyone who contacts…

Neath Port Talbot Council is working in partnership with Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Powys County Council and local transport operator South Wales Transport to operate a Park and Ride service for visitors to Waterfall Country at Pontneddfechan this summer. Starting at Lancaster Close Car Park in Glynneath, the service will run on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday from Saturday 17th July to Sunday 5th September 2021. This year the service will also be free of charge with the aim of gathering visitor views on the future delivery model for the service. The Waterfall Country Park and Ride is…

An unadopted street in Porthcawl will become maintainable by Bridgend County Borough Council after securing Welsh Government funding. Ynyslas was previously one of thousands of streets across England and Wales not adopted by any authority and, as such, responsibility for its upkeep rested entirely with residents and property owners. But, in a new Welsh Government pilot, the street is to be adopted by the council and funding has been awarded to bring the carriageway and footways up to standard and allow future maintenance. The £230,000 scheme will also help to better understand the cost implications of tackling the historical backlog…

A new £23,000 play park has opened at Waun Cimla in Kenfig Hill offering children a safe place to play. The park is one of three across Bridgend County Borough which have been funded by the Welsh Government’s Play Sufficiency project which enabled play equipment to be replaced. Funding was also secured for Coychurch Play Area and Pandy Crescent Play Area. The Play Sufficiency Duty comes as part of the Welsh Government’s anti-poverty agenda which recognises that children can have a poverty of experience, opportunity and aspiration, and that this kind of poverty can affect children from all social, cultural…

Derwendeg Primary School recently celebrated its 100th birthday, with a number of activities held to commemorate the milestone. One of the celebrations involved pupils working with an artist to produce a commemorative piece of artwork to be installed outside of the school. A small socially distanced ceremony was held at the school on Friday 2nd of July, where Chair Councillor, Donna Cushing cut the ribbon and three Year 6 pupils were pictured with the artist, Megan Jones. Lynsey Wangiel, Head Teacher of Derwendeg Primary School said, “Derwendeg Primary School is, and always has been, a very special school at the…