Author: Rhys Gregory

A new residential home for adults with needs associated with autism is set to create 30 jobs in Pontarddulais and the surrounding areas. Orbis Education and Care is due to open the service, called Cartref Mynydd, in the coming weeks. Set in 20 acres of countryside, Cartref Mynydd takes its name from its stunning mountainside location and is set to welcome five adults into its brand new self-contained apartments before the end of the year. Orbis Education and Care supports children, young people and adults with autism in homes and schools across Wales, and is actively seeking enthusiastic, caring and…

Hybrisan, the South Wales based advanced antimicrobial specialists, have installed a new Elmarco electrospinning production line to increase the production of PEE equipment, while also accelerating product development to expand its business offering. The equipment is the first of its kind in the UK and forms part of a recent investment to aid the fight against COVID 19, using venture capital secured earlier this year, to purchase the new ‘electrospinning’ production line.  Hybrisan can now scale up the manufacturing of facemask filters and progress the development of their leading-edge wound dressing technology.  Having recently developed an electrospinning recipe which allows…

A Swansea University honorary senior tutor and a master’s student have been honoured for their dedication to diabetes care at a major UK healthcare awards. Dr Rose Stewart, who lectures on the MSc Diabetes Practice course at the University’s Medical School, won the NHS Wales outstanding contribution to diabetes award at the Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes Awards. She also picked up the prestigious Unsung Hero award at the ceremony, which was held virtually this year. The judges described Dr Stewart, who is principal psychologist at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board, as one of the brightest stars in the field…

North Wales builder Brenig Construction have started work on a landmark eco-friendly council housing scheme. The Mochdre-based contractor are putting shovels in the ground on a 12-month contract for the first new council homes to be designed and built for Denbighshire in 30 years. They will build 18 two-bedroom and four four-bedroom semi-detached houses for social rent on land above Tan y Sgubor, Denbigh, for Denbighshire County Council. The low-carbon homes, which will be built and certified to the energy-efficient Passivhaus standard, are part of the Council’s target to provide 170 more council houses by 2022. Brenig Construction will erect…

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain across Wales this week. Periods of heavy rain are expected to develop across Wales and northwest England during Thursday and Friday. Accumulations of 30-40 mm can be expected widely, whilst areas of higher ground exposed to strong southwesterly winds are likely to see 50-80 mm. The heaviest rainfall, however, is expected to be across the hills and mountains of northwest Wales where 100-130 mm of rainfall is possible by the end of Friday. What to expect There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing…

Pensions Minister Guy Opperman has announced a possible auto enrolment review next year to assess the need to increase pension contribution rates and increase the number of people who are eligible for the system. The Department for Work and Pensions announced in 2017 that changes to the current auto enrolment pension system were needed, but the government dismissed alterations until the mid-2020s. While Mr Opperman acknowledges that now is not the right time to make changes, his comments suggest an earlier than planned review of the hugely successful initiative to get people saving for their retirement. Partner and Pension Actuary…

Traditional Halloween activities, such as trick or treating, parties and other gatherings, all risk spreading Covid-19 further and are prohibited under the current Wales firebreak lockdown rules. Newport Council is urging residents to forego the traditional Halloween activities this year by celebrating safely from their own homes and not meeting anyone, either indoors or outside, that are not part of their household. It is unfortunate that so many events have been impacted by coronavirus this year and Halloween is no exception.  The fire-break restrictions are in place to help keep the virus under control and it is vitally important to…

The modern digital world is constantly developing. It is difficult to overestimate the role of the financial technology industry in global business growth. It is remodeling the traditional market and presenting countless opportunities to companies of any size around the world. In this report, we will present a brief analysis of fintech industry development in 2020. An overview of the fintech industry in 2020: main trends 2020 has been a challenging year for the world economy, as it was full of failed expectations and unpredictable events. It took much effort for a business to withstand the covid-19 crisis. The increasing…

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in Wales, BAFTA Cymru, has announced the winners of the 2020 British Academy Cymru Awards. The awards honour excellence in broadcasting and production within film and television in Wales and by the Welsh in UK productions and inspire the next generation of creative talent. His Dark Materials received three awards, for Ruth Wilson (Actress) and Suzie Lavelle (Photography and Lighting) with their first BAFTA Cymru wins, and for Joel Collins (Production Designer), the third of his career. In the other performance categories, the Actor award was won by Jonathan Pryce for…

Taking over the quiet streets of Llandudno during Lockdown, the Great Orme goats soon became a viral sensation with videos and pictures being shared worldwide.   St David’s Hospice, Llandudno is no stranger to visits from these curious creatures, as they often wander down to the Hospice’s car park in early spring. Although this year was different, their presence became the inspiration for a new Hospice’s fundraising initiative – a boost to their Covid-19 Recovery Fund. As for many, 2020 has been a devastating year for the local end of life charity. All events have been cancelled, twenty-six charity shops and…