Author: Rhys Gregory

A west Wales honey producer is celebrating after receiving a top accolade in the Great Taste Golden Fork awards. From the three Welsh products that received the top honour of 3-gold stars in the Great Taste awards 2020, the Golden Fork from Wales was awarded to Wenallt Hive for their Honey Vinegar with Raspberries. The judges praised it for its “beautiful flavour, delicate and vibrantly coloured”, which took them on “a fine flavour journey – fruity and sweet and sour and rich and fun.” Wenallt Hive, located near Newcastle Emlyn are beekeepers and small-scale producers of top quality food and…

Macmillan Wales has warned that the latest cancer waiting times data suggests that far too few people are being tested or treated for cancer due to coronavirus. The warning comes as the latest data for August shows a 23% year-on-year drop in the number of people entering the system for cancer diagnosis, and an 18% drop in those starting treatment for cancer when compared to the same month last year. The figures also suggest that the month-by-month improvement seen since the first peak of coronavirus hit in April, has also now stalled with a larger drop in people entering the…

A COLEG CAMBRIA apprentice has picked up one of the most prestigious prizes in work-based learning. Carwyn Roberts, from Trefnant, was given the Engineering Apprentice Final Year Award at the Make UK Wales virtual ceremony, sponsored by Sony TEC. A CNC Machining Apprentice at the Airbus wing-making factory in Broughton, and learner at the college’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham, Carwyn was commended for his “willingness to take on new tasks” and a strong work ethic. The 21 year-old is in his final year with Cambria – the apprenticeship was extended due to the Covid-19 pandemic – and thanked lecturers…

A young woman who was left devastated after her sister was killed by a drunk driver has got her life back on track and is training for a degree in nursing thanks to a pioneering pilot scheme at a care organisation. Amy Rowlands, 27, left Ysgol Friars in Bangor without completing her A-levels because she was so distraught by the fatal accident that claimed her sister’s life. After spending several years caring for her grandparents, she got a job at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon – and hasn’t looked back since. Amy signed up for the Open…

A social care leader has spoken of the growing alarm over the high rate of false positive Covid-19 test results that’s piling pressure on struggling care homes. Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, revealed a survey of members had shown that nearly a third of care homes had experienced a test which had been a false positive in the previous fortnight. Another problem adding to the rising anxiety, confusion and frustration in the sector was the fact that results were often too slow in coming back, with delays up to a week not uncommon. Mr Kreft is…

Julian John, managing director of award-winning diversity and inclusion consultancy Delsion, has been announced as one of the most influential people with a disability in the UK. The Welsh disability champion was named on The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list at an online event yesterday (Wednesday 21st October) for the second time in its five-year history. Julian was one of more than 300 nominations put forward for inclusion in the annual publication and takes his place on the 2020 list after previously being included in 2016. Julian said: “To have been recognised in this way once before was a…

Leading yogurt-maker Llaeth y Llan has clinched a new deal to supply 54 Morrisons stores in the South West of England, more than doubling their contract with the supermarket giant. Their popular creamy products are already on the shelves of over 40 Morrisons outlets across Wales as well as at the UK’s biggest supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, and the Co-Op. The good news for the award-winning North Wales family firm based at Llannefydd, near St Asaph, comes hot on the heels of a major re-design aimed at increasing sales and modernising the brand. Director Gruff Roberts said: “We’re delighted to…

RSPCA rescuers in Wales will continue to respond to emergencies and cruelty calls during the upcoming ‘firebreak’ lockdown – which starts today (Friday 23 October) at 6pm.  The animal welfare charity has reassured animal lovers they will still be dealing with emergency calls made to their helpline as usual in Wales despite the new restrictions. The RSPCA frontline rescuers – along with staff who work in animal centres/clinics – are classed as critical (key) workers. However the new ‘firebreak’ lockdown restrictions will impact rehoming procedures at RSPCA animal centres in Newport, and Bryn-Y-Maen in Upper Colwyn Bay. These two centres…

Pobl Group’s Ty Mawr development in Croespenmaen, Caerphilly county borough, is providing a fantastic learning and development opportunity for local carpentry apprentice Liam Baker. Liam has been on site for seven months, under the wing of Concept Carpentry, following a successful previous placement. Liam is undertaking his apprenticeship at Coleg Gwent, Newport Campus and has recently started his third year. Liam commented: “I really enjoy the hands-on experience of working and study once a week. I especially enjoyed being part of the Jehu and Concept team. The team at Concept have been extremely supportive in helping me to progress in…

RCT Council has announced that car park charges in Aberdare and Pontypridd town centres will be FREE after 10am each day from this Saturday morning (October 24) – for the remainder of 2020. The announcement has been made following the ‘firebreak’ lockdown implemented by Welsh Government (from October 23-November 9), which will help prevent the spread of Covid-19 following a steep rise in cases in Wales. Council-run car parks in Aberdare and Pontypridd will be FREE after 10am each day from Saturday, October 24, up until December 31, 2020. They remain free all day on Sundays and Bank Holidays during…