Author: Rhys Gregory

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,…

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, has announced Welsh Government funding of £900k for improvements to community-based facilities through the Community Facilities Programme. This Programme, which funds projects up to a maximum of £250,000, or up to £25,000 for smaller grants, helps well-used community facilities to improve their financial and/ or environmental sustainability, providing opportunities for local people to improve their day to day lives. Projects receiving funding in north Wales include: Llanfairpwll Memorial Institute, Anglesey – £200,000 towards the £302,400 cost to upgrade, extend and renovate the memorial hall for wider community use. Newvol (Denbighshire Voluntary Services…

The Welsh Government is preparing urgent action to prevent people who live in areas with high coronavirus infection rates across the UK from travelling to Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed. The action is being taken after the Prime Minister did not respond to the First Minister’s requests to make advisory travel guidance in English coronavirus hotspots mandatory. Under new regulations being prepared by Welsh Ministers, people living in areas with a high-prevalence of coronavirus in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland would not be able to travel to Wales for the time being. They will help prevent the virus…

Due to the multitude of online gambling rooms, even experienced gamblers find it difficult to navigate the variety of available establishments, what to say about beginners — they find themselves in complete confusion. So what to look for when choosing an online casino? How to protect yourself from fraudsters? And what casino features to pay attention to? Financial and legal aspects, services and bonuses, a collection of featured games — all this should be taken into account. You don’t need to be a guru in these matters to choose the best casino, but a little knowledge will come in handy.…

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has received more than 54,800 claims from customers using a new online portal which allows workers to claim tax relief for working at home. Launched on 1 October, the online portal is simple to use and has been set up to process tax relief on additional expenses for employed workers who have been told to work from home by their employer to help stop the spread of coronavirus. From 6 April 2020, employers have been able to pay employees up to £6 a week tax-free to cover additional costs if they have had to work…

EE has switched on 5G in Porthcawl, allowing customers in the town to receive the latest mobile network technology. The company, part of BT Group, launched the UK’s first 5G service in May 2019 and has now expanded to a total of 112 towns and cities across the UK. Cardiff became one of the first cities in the UK to receive 5G when it was launched there in May last year alongside London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer business, said: “Delivering the best mobile experience for our customers has never been more important. Our 5G…

A royal composer has challenged people to try and go 24 hours without enjoying any of the arts – from music to computer games and Netflix. According to Prof Paul Mealor, who was born in St Asaph and raised in Connah’s Quay, the fact that most people would find it virtually impossible to live without any form of the arts – even for a day – underlined the importance of saving the creative industries from being decimated during the coronavirus crisis. He was speaking as patron of the North Wales Music Cooperative whose future is under threat because of the…