Author: Rhys Gregory

On Thursday 25 June, Pearson celebrated the tenth anniversary of their National BTEC Awards online, announcing Coleg Gwent learner, Georgia Kenvin from the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, as winner of the prestigious bronze award for Uniformed Public Services. Georgia, aged 20, from Tredegar – South Wales, was recognised by teachers and peers for succeeding in her career ambition of joining the police force by demonstrating her passion, tenacity and willingness to learn during her time on the Uniformed Public Service course. In response to her exceptional achievement, Georgia commented: “I’ve loved the past two years of the course. It has introduced me to new…

A company based in Wales is helping in the fight against coronavirus after its clinical laboratory diagnostic equipment has been shown to have a key use for medical teams treating Covid-19 patients. Benson Viscometers, based in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, designs and manufactures clinical viscometers which are used in the NHS and in the USA to test the viscosity (or thickness) of bodily fluids, notably blood plasma, serum, whole blood and synovial fluid. The plasma viscosity test is an important diagnostic aid for a range of conditions and has now been identified by scientists as important in monitoring critically ill Covid-19 patients.…

A British bulldog has been pulled from the River Taff, prompting the RSPCA to remind people not to dump pets who may sadly have died.  The tan and white female adult dog was found in a sleeping bag liner inside a navy blue, 60-litre rucksack in Troedyrhiw. RSPCA Cymru has confirmed there were no visible injuries or signs of trauma on the dog. The canine was microchipped – but the chip was not linked to an owner’s details. She was found in the river on Thursday 11 June – but veterinary examinations suggest the dog had been dead for some…

Swansea Building Society has reduced its interest rates on buy-to-let and holiday let mortgages while highlighting its flexible approach to lending on these types of mortgages. It has reduced its rates to 3.55% variable (previously 4.25% variable) on mortgages with a loan-to-value ratio of up to 60% and to 3.95% variable (previously 4.75% variable) on mortgages with a loan-to-value ratio of up to 70%. It has also changed the calculation used to stress test the mortgage payment for such products to reflect the tax status of the main applicant. Unlike some lenders, the Society will consider income from Airbnb lettings.…

Every pub across the UK should be allowed to stock and sell beer and cider from small, local and independent brewers and cider producers to help them recover post-lockdown.  That’s the message from CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, as they launch their new ‘Cheers for Choice’ campaign this week. As pubs prepare for reopening, CAMRA’s 190,000 members across the UK are signing petitions to pub company bosses urging them to allow all landlords to stock local brews. Over 7000 people have taken part so far. Current beer ties mean that most pub tenants are restricted in what they can sell in their pubs and are often banned…

The RSPCA has raced to the aid of a horse who became caught in barbed wire in Llanelli. Officers from the animal welfare charity were notified after a member of the public spotted the horse’s plight in fields near the A4138 at Dafen on Saturday June 20. The horse was half-way over a barbed wire fence, with his foot tangled in some wire netting below. The horse was in great danger of cutting his legs on the barbed wire fencing. RSPCA inspector Nic de Celis attended, and was able to set the horse free by cutting a single strand of…

Shoppers are being urged to show their support for key workers in Wales’ food and drink industry by taking part in a new online campaign #CaruCymruCaruBlas #LoveWalesLoveTaste. The campaign aims to encourage people to continue to support Welsh producers and retailers by buying Welsh food and drink products – either in shops or online. It will launch on 3 July with a day of Welsh food and drink celebration providing people with an opportunity to thank those who are working around the clock to feed the nation during the coronavirus pandemic. Two further Welsh Food & Drink Celebration Days are planned…

The Welsh Government is extending measures to protect businesses affected by coronavirus from eviction during the summer, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales Ken Skates, has announced. The extension to the moratorium on commercial lease forfeitures comes as non-essential retail businesses began reopening in Wales last week. Although rent due should be paid whenever possible, this measure will ensure no business is forced out of its premises if it misses a payment in the next three months. The measure was due to expire on June 30, but has now been extended to September 30, and will help support the…

Cardiff saw 6,600 children and young people returning to the classroom today, as the city’s schools reopened to provide the ‘check in, catch up, prepare’ approach announced by Welsh Government on the 3rdJune. In order to maintain social distancing, up to one third of pupils and students are in school at any one time. This means that there are staggered starts for the children and young people, with timetabled check in and catch up sessions taking place between now and the end of term, on 20th July. In the run up to today’s opening, schools have been issuing information, and the…

People from two separate households will be able to join together to form one exclusive extended household the First Minister has announced today. It is intended the concept will be introduced in Wales from July 6 – the same day Ministers want to lift the stay local requirement – if cases of coronavirus continue to decline across the country. Creating a single extended household will enable families to be reunited and will also help support working parents with informal childcare over the summer months as more businesses reopen their doors and return to formalised working arrangements. But to help control…