Author: Rhys Gregory

A farmer-owned creamery has joined forces with a quartet of top cooks for a new drive to promote “world-class” Welsh produce. Each of the culinary maestros came up with a mouth-watering recipe for the campaign launched by South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC), based in Chwilog, near Pwllheli. The fab four include BBC MasterChef 2017 contestant  Imran Nathoo from Cardiff, Great British Bake Off contestant Michelle Evans-Fecci from Tenby, Sam Lomas, the head chef at Halen Môn’s Tide/Llanw café on Anglesey and Caernarfon-based TV cook Chris Roberts. The creamery devised the social media campaign after all the summer events they usually attend…

Swansea University innovation experts are helping to refine a high-tech device which is already making a vital difference to people living with dementia and their carers. Staff the Healthcare Technology Centre (HTC) have teamed up with Swansea-based CPR Global Technology to work on its Guardian II smart watch. Worn on the wrist, it contains a range of technologies including GPS and WIFI location tracker, SOS button, two-way calling, and a heart rate monitor. The device, aimed at helping users to remain in the familiar surroundings for as long as possible, has already proved popular with families. Now CPR and HTC…

Welsh business confidence is now the second highest across the UK, although still sits lower than it did this time last year, FSB’s latest Small Business Index has shown. However, the picture on employment was not so positive, with Wales scoring the worst in terms of quarter 2 employment levels, with further cuts expected. 26% of Welsh businesses reported a reduction in employment levels over the last three months, with more than 1 in 5 firms expecting additional cuts to the numbers that they employ in the coming months. As lockdown curtailed spending and consumer behaviour, 74% of businesses reported…

Two south Wales businesses specialising in the construction industry have collaborated to devise an accredited COVID-19 safe working training course. CovCert is an online programme designed to provide employees with an understanding of how to work safely to minimise the risks from COVID-19 to themselves and their colleagues as construction sites continue to re-open throughout the country. Swansea headquartered Green Hat Consulting have collaborated with Cardiff based recruitment specialists Sphere Solutions to devise the programme, which is designed to educate construction workers and ensure construction sites are, and continue to be, safe and compliant. James Hughes, Managing Director of Sphere…

The RSPCA raced to the rescue of a deer buck on Monday (20 July) – after his antlers became tangled in a climbing rope attached to a tree at Hilston Park in Monmouthshire. Remarkable video footage shows the extent of the panicked fallow deer buck’s plight – with the animal unable to escape, and the rope – at some points – pulling all four of his legs off the ground. Members of the public spotted the deer and contacted the RSPCA – but avoided watching him too closely, as they reported this was making the buck even more distressed. RSPCA…

The family-favourite Welsh Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park is to reopen to the public on Tuesday 28th July in line with Welsh Government guidance for underground attractions. During the period of closure RCT Council and staff at the Welsh Mining Experience have been working behind the scenes to ensure social distancing can be maintained for visitors within a safe environment. To certify this the Welsh Mining Experience has been awarded the Visit Wales “We’re Good to Go” accreditation.  This means there are processes in place to maintain cleanliness and social distancing as per Government guidelines and to expected standards.…

From Monday 27th July people travelling on public transport must wear face coverings in Wales. The law will also apply to taxis. The change was announced by the First Minister on 13th July as part of ongoing efforts to protect people from coronavirus. Under the new law, people aged 11 and over will be required to wear face coverings on public transport. There will be exemptions for people with certain health conditions, including respiratory diseases. People are advised to wear a face covering made up of three layers of the same close knit, or close woven material. Drivers, guards and…

Wales largest ever flu campaign, which will see more people benefit from the free flu vaccine programme has been announced by the Minster for Health, Vaughan Gething. The potential for co-circulation of COVID-19 at the same time will make this year’s flu vaccination programme even more vital. Alongside extending the programme it’s important that those in the existing eligible groups including those aged over 65 years, pregnant women and people with medical conditions are vaccinated first. Increasing uptake in health and social care workers will also be a key priority this season. Subject to confirmation by the UK Government, that…

A further 20 children’s play areas in Cardiff will be re-opened on Monday (27thJuly) following the initial 30 sites that opened last week. Play areas are being opened on phased basis, following a safety first approach and with a view to ensuring that children across the city have some play provision in their local area as quickly as possible. The 20 play areas that will open from lunchtime on Monday are: Adamscroft open space (Adamsdown) Belmont Walk (Butetown) Windsor Esplanade (Butetown) Trelai Park (Caerau) Bute Park Play Trail (Cathays) Maindy Park (Cathays) Whitland Crescent (Fairwater) Maitland Park (Gabalfa) Heol y Delyn (Lisvane) Watkin’s Square (Llanishen) Waun Fach (Pentwyn)…

This July, the first ever Welsh Wine Week will see a calendar of virtual events hosted by vineyard owners and friends from the hospitality, food and drink industry, take place via social media and video platforms.  The week’s free events are designed to give audiences in Wales and beyond the chance to discover the country’s growing number of vineyards and reveal its range of award-winning vintages, including those that have already reached international notoriety. There are almost 30 vineyards in Wales, and all are owned by independently-minded pioneers using Wales’ unique micro-climates to produce small quantity, terroir-driven, quality wines. Following…