Author: Rhys Gregory

Wannabe Welsh witches, ghosts, goblins and vampires could definitely grab a treat rather than a trick thanks to a surplus of unsold fancy dress from Tesco stores. Due to the current firebreak lockdown, Halloween items including dressing up costumes for children, partyware, tricks or treats or face paints that might usually be part of traditional Halloween house parties are classed as non-essential. So rather than leave these to go to waste on their shelves, Tesco has decided to donate what stock they have to local community and charity groups so they can be put to good use in the future.…

Transport for Wales is reminding the public in Wales that they should only make essential journeys during the ‘firebreak’ lockdown period, ahead of sporting events this weekend, followed by Halloween and Bonfire night. The Welsh Government introduced new ‘firebreak’ restrictions to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 last Friday until Monday 9 November 2020.  TfW is reinforcing that during this period there are restrictions on all travel in Wales and people should only travel if their journey is essential. Last weekend, TfW figures revealed that many people were travelling from North Wales and into England for the day/evening. They are also aware that there…

People told to self-isolate for up to 14 days will be eligible for financial support from the Welsh Government as two new schemes are unveiled today (Friday October 30). People on low incomes can apply to receive a £500 payment if they have tested positive for coronavirus or they are asked to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service because they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. And a new top-up payment is being introduced for the social care workforce in Wales, to increase statutory sick pay to their normal wages…

Arrangements have been made this year which will allow members of the public to participate in the National Service of Remembrance for Wales, safely in their own homes. For the first time, the service will be available to watch live on the Cardiff Council YouTube channel. Coverage will start from 10.50am on Sunday, November 8, available at www.youtube.com/cardiffcouncil. Broadcast from the National War Memorial in Cardiff, the coverage will capture a small, socially distanced service, conducted by Reverend Canon Stewart Lisk. Due to  Welsh Government Coronavirus Regulations which place restrictions on outdoor public gatherings, general access to the National War Memorial…

During these challenging times for food and drink businesses in Wales, Radnor Preserves, a mid Wales artisan preserves company is expanding, picking up numerous awards and securing export deals in Asia and the Middle East. Radnor Preserves has been honoured in The Great British Food Awards 2020 for their Hand–Cut Lime & Laver Marmalade. It received the overall winner of the Sweet Preserve Category, judged by food writer and influencer, Rosie Birkett who described the product, “I love the unexpected combination of laver and lime in this beautifully zesty marmalade. The laver brings a beautifully saline, umami note which works…

WELSH language opportunities for learners, staff and apprentices at Coleg Cambria will be bolstered by a new partnership. The college has launched its own branch of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol – Cangen Cymraeg Cambria. Welsh medium students will have access to further training, undergraduate and postgraduate university scholarships, and support with their learning. Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol is aiming to develop quality, modules, courses, and resources for learners in collaboration with higher and further education institutions across the country. Cambria’s branch officer Haf Everiss said: “We take pride in our language and traditions and want to celebrate this by strengthening the Welsh…

Transport for Wales continues to move forward with South Wales Metro developments and has recently erected the steel frame for the new Control Centre at Taff’s Well. The Control Centre will oversee Metro operations including signalling and train movements and will be a vital part of the £100 million Taff’s Well Metro Depot. There will also be a modern maintenance facility built to service and home brand-new Metro vehicles (tram-trains). On completion, the Control Centre will control the Core Valleys Lines, which TfW took responsibility for earlier this year.  It will use the latest Traffic Management System (TMS), combining operations…

A tourism boss has warned of the “catastrophic” threat to the livelihoods of 1,800 people in Wrexham because of a lack of government support. Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, said the support package on offer from the Welsh Government is nowhere near enough to protect the industry as he spoke in a video to Wrexham Business Professionals. The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and the enterprise and expertise that exists in the region. Wrexham supports around 1,800 jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector,…

Legal & General, one of the largest private employers in Cardiff, announces that it will relocate its two Group offices in Wales to a 120,000 sq. ft. facility in Cardiff’s Central Square as part of a wider £450m regeneration scheme. The move, which is planned to take place in early 2023, will see over 1,800 Legal & General employees relocate from its existing offices in Cardiff to a modern, eight-storey office space within ‘The Interchange’. It will be located alongside the new BBC Cymru Wales broadcasting studio, HMRC and Cardiff Transport Interchange. The £140m Interchange building is the fifth phase…

There was dramatic progress when volunteers returned to complete their preparations for the reconstruction of Schoolhouse Bridge on the Montgomery Canal south of Crickheath, near Oswestry. After the crops were harvested, the restoration team were able to access the final field by the bridge site thanks to generous agreement from the farmer. The field was fenced and the track to bypass the construction site was completed. The work involved volunteers using the machines on site to drive fencing posts, lay the track and roll the track surface. The materials for this work were generously supplied by the Tudor Griffiths Group…