Author: Rhys Gregory

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…

First Cymru will be operating a temporary reduced service during the national ‘firebreak’ lockdown period, from Sunday 25thOctober until the start of Monday 9th November. The bus operator will revert services to their current service levels after the firebreak period ends. The company has made the arrangements after the government asked bus and train operators to reduce services during the firebreak to highlight the government’s ‘stay at home’ message. Jane Reakes-Davies, First Cymru’s Managing Director said: “We ask that customers use our services during the firebreak lockdown for essential travel only. We are prioritising our services to ensure that key…

Representatives from Swansea Council, development partner Fusion Students and construction specialist ISG, celebrated the successful topping out of the latest regeneration project at the small ceremony – in accordance with social distancing measures. Previously the location of the Mariner Street carpark site, the new tower stands at 62 metres tall making it central Swansea’s second tallest building and among the tallest in Wales. Included in the development is the £39.8m student accommodation. The striking 21-storey tower, with distinctive cladding, will house 244 students, with a further 531 accommodated within the surrounding six to eight storey brick-clad structures. It will provide…

Two innovative projects from UWTSD’s Assistive Technologies Innovation Centre (ATiC) have been shortlisted for the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards 2020. Both projects aim to improve patients’ lives with the use of technology. Established in 2004, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges. ATiC’s two shortlisted projects, ‘Reducing the Impact of 3D Scanning Methods for Bespoke Helmets for Children’ and ‘The Surgical Journey: Transforming patient outcomes’ incorporate environmental considerations set out to address user needs by making research accessible to different user groups. The projects are part of Accelerate, a pioneering…

NatWest has announced that it will set this year’s National Enterprise Challenge  – the largest enterprise and employability challenge for secondary schools in the UK. The high street lender has set 14 and 15 year olds from around the UK the challenge to create their own social enterprise to address a common issue affecting their daily life, school, family or local community. Pupils will create their own social enterprise solution, considering how it would operate, and market and promote their products and services to their target audience, before pitching their business proposal to the judging panel. The winning team from…

Sony UK TEC colleagues and friends have paid tribute to its inspirational founder, Mr. Tetsuo Tokita OBE, following his passing on 7th October 2020. Mr Tokita was the founding Managing Director for Sony in Wales, establishing the Bridgend factory in 1974. He played a crucial role in rooting Sony UK TEC not only as a major employer in South Wales, but also as an outstanding supporter of community initiatives. Mr Tokita brought to Sony UK TEC a commitment to the importance of staff relations, placing particular emphasis on the nurturing of team spirit and value, which is ever present in…

Some of Swansea’s leading cultural services plan to make sure that residents are stimulated through the firebreak. Although the latest coronavirus restrictions mean that venues will be temporarily closed to the public, Swansea Council staff will be reaching out online and in other ways. Those aiming to publish engaging fresh material on the web include the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, local libraries and the West Glamorgan Archive Service. Meanwhile, the city’s open spaces will remain available for residents to exercise locally and in line with restrictions through the firebreak that runs from October 23-November 9. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet…