Author: Rhys Gregory

In line with Welsh Government lockdown restrictions, NAT Group will be introducing significant timetable changes from January 25 until restrictions are lifted or reduced. To assist with the ‘Stay at Home’ message where only essential travel is permitted, NAT Group has complied with Welsh Government directives to reduce its operations in South Wales. Local routes will be reduced by between 15% and 50% until directed otherwise. From now until 25th, NAT Group is working on finalising timetables, altering staff rotas and communicating the changes to its team and passengers to ensure disruptions are minimal. NAT Group Managing Director Adam Keen…

Creative Wales supported the filming of The Pembrokeshire Murders in 2020, with the ITV drama, featuring a Welsh lead actor, director, cast and crew, airing on ITV on 11th, 12th and 13th January at 9pm. The mini-series is from the makers of Line of Duty and Bodyguard, World Productions. It was written by Nick Stevens, directed by Marc Evans (Manhunt, Safe House) and produced by Ed Talfan (Hinterland, Hidden) for Wales-based Severn Screen. The drama is adapted from the true crime book, The Pembrokeshire Murders, written by Senior Investigating Officer Steve Wilkins and ITV news journalist Jonathan Hill. Creative Wales…

A heartfelt video message from the people of Montgomery (Trefaldwyn) has become a hit in Hungary, landing the Powys town on TV screens across the nation. The historic town has always been proud of its literary links with Hungary, which stem from Hungarian poet János Arany’s 160-year-old ballad ‘The Bards of Wales’ – an allegorical poem set in Montgomery Castle which most Hungarian children must learn at school. The video, produced by members of Montgomery Town Council – including the Mayor himself – has attracted over 50,000 views across social media within weeks, and has been the subject of national…

WALES’ leading health advice and information website had the highest number of visits in 2020 since its creation. A record 5.8 million visits were made to the NHS 111 Wales website last year, the largest proportion of which – 1.6 million – were made in March after the global pandemic had been declared. The Covid-19 Symptom Checker remains the most visited page on the website. Other popular search terms include headache, dentist and sexual health services. Claire Roche, Executive Director of Quality and Nursing at the Welsh Ambulance Service, which runs the website, said: “The record number of visits proves…

The Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, has today launch a new commemorative coin celebrating a British milestone – the 50th anniversary of Decimal Day.  The introduction of a new decimal currency was formally adopted on 15th February, 1971 and was one of the largest and most intensive public awareness campaigns ever staged by the government. The new commemorative coin celebrates this monumental moment in history with a design that conveys the transition from pre-decimal to decimal coins. The design, created by Royal Mint designer Dominique Evans, adds nostalgia to the occasion by featuring a whole range of…

The Welsh Government is investing £4.9m to improve digital public services in Wales so that they are easier and slicker for people to use. One consequence of the coronavirus pandemic has been that many more people have needed or chosen to access public services online, and this has already driven the transformation of some digital services. An example of this has seen Neath Port Talbot Council working with Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Councils, and supported by the Centre for Digital Public Services, on a project to improve people’s experience of accessing adult social care services online. First-hand insights from users…

Health Minister Vaughan Gething will today (Monday) publish the Welsh Government’s Covid Vaccination Plan, setting out a series of milestones for when people will be offered a vaccine. The ambitious plan will describe how all eligible adults will be vaccinated in the biggest programme of its kind. It comes as Wales will publish daily vaccination figures from today – more than 70,000 people had received their first dose of the Covid vaccine by the end of last week. The Welsh Government has confirmed that is has 250,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 25,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab.

Legislation to further suspend evictions until 31st March 2021 will come into force from Monday 11 January the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James has confirmed. The Welsh Government had already agreed measures to suspend evictions, from social and private rented accommodation between December 11 and January 11 this year as part of its response to tackling the spread of Coronavirus and protect public health. The legislation introduced today will extend these measures to protect renters during the pandemic by preventing evictions except in cases of anti-social behaviour or domestic violence. Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James…

Cardiff Council continues its work to address the issue of digital deprivation and over the next few weeks a further 2,340 Chromebook devices will be delivered to schools to assist in the delivery of online and remote learning, whilst schools are closed due to COVID-19. This is in addition to the 12,775 new digital devices and 2,000 new 4G broadband devices already provided to schools since the start of the pandemic. Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “Ensuring that all children and young people are presented with the same opportunities to engage with remote learning…

There is still time to enrol in one of almost 40 free online courses being run in the spring term by Swansea Council’s Lifelong Learning Service. Starting next week, there is a wide range of subject areas to choose from including IT, Art & Craft, Music, Family Learning and Essential Skills, Cookery, Yoga and Digital Photography. As well as learning new skills the courses provide an opportunity for participants to meet fellow learners online and stay connected whilst Wales is in lockdown. The Spring Term runs from January to April and to take part learners will need access to a…