Author: Rhys Gregory

North Wales Fire & Rescue Service is upgrading its finance systems to a new state-of-the-art Software as a Service solution from leading enterprise software provider TechnologyOne. The fire and rescue service, which protects hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists across 2,400 square miles of picturesque North Wales, is switching to the new software to help improve real-time financial decision making and business reporting. By upgrading to TechnologyOne’s SaaS enterprise software, employees at the fire and rescue service will be able to access and use new general ledger, accounts, budgeting, forecasting and asset management systems at any time, using any…

Improving care for patients in Wales living with heart failure should be a priority according to a new report from the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Disjointed and unequal care, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, is leading to more people dying with heart failure. The report reveals that prior to lockdown, UK hospital admissions for heart failure had risen by nearly a third (29 per cent) over the last five years to more than 100,000 per year (1). This could be in part due to missed opportunities to diagnose and treat people with the condition before they become more unwell and…

Mrs Buckét, the specialist cleaning operation based in Wales and the South West, today celebrates its 15th anniversary.   Since its inception in 2005, the company has gone from strength to strength; its projected turnover for the end of the year currently stands at £2.9m, with ambitions to grow to a £12m business in the next five years. The business’ expansion plans include: Opening a new Bristol division, creating 100 jobs in the area Growing its current team by 50 per cent Continuing to invest in new technologies and innovation that will push the company into a more advanced era of commercial cleaning To mark the occasion, Mrs Buckét has unveiled a new brand identity and core purpose, which sees the business focus…

The UK’s main cycle museum, based in Llandrindod Wells in Mid Wales, will be welcoming families with discounted entry during school half term fortnight later, starting next week. The National Cycle Museum charts the history of the bicycle, with more than 260 cycles – many rare unusual – of all ages on display, ranging from an 1818 Hobby Horse and Victorian solid-tyred machines to classic lightweights and the latest carbon-fibre designs. The museum, which has received various donated items since it reopened in August, is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm,…

Swansea Council is to offer a new round of grants to help freelance workers in the cultural and creative sectors through the pandemic. The funding – in the form of one-off £2,500 payments – will support applicants facing financial challenges as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. The fund will be managed by the council’s cultural, economic development and external funding teams and will offer grants on a first come first served business. The application portal will close when all grants are committed. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We first offered around £200,000…

AN AMBULANCE technician from Newport is hoping to spread some festive cheer among the homeless community – and is calling on local people and businesses to help. Rhys Tucker, an Emergency Medical Technician at the Welsh Ambulance Service, is making gift-filled shoeboxes for people on the city’s streets to brighten up their Christmas. The surprise parcels will be filled with much-needed essentials like toiletries, as well as sweet treats and a handwritten card. The 35-year-old, who is based in Cwmbran, will gift wrap the boxes and deliver them over the Christmas period. Rhys said: “Christmas is seen as a time…

Transport for Wales and Network Rail are using creative new technology and innovation to help keep rail services running this autumn. The autumn season is a challenging time for the rail industry throughout the UK as a result of poor weather conditions which can damage track and trains, reducing the number of services available. By working closely in partnership since the start of the year, the two organisations have put a number of key plans in place to ensure customers can keep moving. Amongst them are transport for Wales’ Automated Intelligent Video Review cameras which sit on the front of trains and can map…

Wales’ First Minister will join university bio research and technology experts and innovative industry representatives in a virtual event today (Thursday 15th October) to celebrate a decade of investing in green jobs. The event will celebrate 10 years of the BEACON project, which promotes collaboration to grow the economy and creates green jobs. Since its launch in 2010, the £30+ million EU funded BEACON project has built up a strong skill base in the bio business sector, by providing collaborative R&D support for green Welsh businesses; and positioning Wales as a leader in world class research and innovation into the…

Chapter Arts Centre has announced plans to reopen its doors to Cardiff residents on Tuesday 20 October at 9am. They have been busy making improvements to the venue, and putting in place new systems to make sure that it is as safe as possible when customers return. Whether you’re visiting an exhibition, watching a film, rehearsing, attending a workshop, or sitting down to eat or drink in our Caffi Bar, the wellbeing of the community is its top priority. Chapter has made a number of changes, so things won’t be quite the same as they were before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHMD980CZ_0 Whilst they’ve…

Forest Farm Nature Reserve and Hailey Park have been awarded prestigious Green Flags for the first time, meaning 14 parks and green spaces managed by Cardiff Council now hold this this coveted international accolade. Bute Park, Cardiff Bay Barrage, Cardiff Bay Wetlands, Cathays Cemetery, Flat Holm Island, Grange Gardens, Heath Park, Parc Cefn Onn, Roath Park, Rumney Hill Gardens, Thornhill Cemetery and Victoria Park have all retained their existing awards. The awards are judged by green space experts against a range of strict criteria including: biodiversity, community involvement, maintenance, presentation, cleanliness and environmental management. Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure,…