Author: Rhys Gregory

In a remarkably short span of time, working from home has gone from a niche luxury to something vast swathes of the British workforce are intimately acquainted. There are definite advantages to working from home, to be sure: it means we’ve cut down on our travel expenses, and gained that little bit more freedom to choose our own hours. But there are definite downsides, too. Printing company instantprint has conducted a survey of around five-hundred workers across the UK in order to determine what they’re missing most about work, and the results have provided plenty of surprises. Despite this, they…

A leading Welsh transport provider and Local Authorities in South Wales have unveiled plans to recover a key bus route that will operate between Chepstow and Bristol. NAT Group, in partnership with TrawsCymru and Monmouthshire Council, have unveiled plans to continue the ‘Severn Express’ bus route, which is an existing bus route that operates between Chepstow and Bristol via Cribbs Causeway and Clifton. The route, which was originally operated by First Group and then Stagecoach, was unfortunately terminated. However, after many voiced their concerns to the local authorities, NAT Group, TrawsCymru and Monmouthshire Council, were able to take over the…

Rhondda Cynon Taf council will shortly begin the significant process of moving 60,000 tonnes of spoil material following the landslip in Tylorstown during Storm Dennis – and has also outlined its future vision for the area. Located on the Llanwonno mountainside, the site is classified as a Category D tip and was being inspected every three months against a set of monitoring criteria prior to the storm – in accordance with relevant regulations. In February 2020, Rhondda Cynon Taf was hit with three storms in a matter of weeks and Storm Dennis, a one in 200-year storm event that saw…

The ABP Newport Wales Marathon and 10k has been postponed until 2021. The organisers had originally hoped to hold the event in October this year, but the ongoing restrictions relating to Covid-19 have meant that this would not be possible while maintaining the safety of all those involved. It will now take place on Sunday 18 April 2021. Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of the council, said: “The marathon is definitely one of jewels in our events crown, but the most important thing is ensuring the safety and health of competitors, supporters, volunteers and staff. “We look forward to welcoming the…

One of the UK’s biggest spectacle lens manufacturers has been supported by a £1m CBILS loan from NatWest ensuring it as able to continue supporting NHS opticians during lockdown. Lenstec Optical Group, which is headquartered in Caerphilly and has facilities in Leeds and Hertfordshire, manufactures over 4,500 pairs of glasses every day. More than half of its 200 strong workforce are based at its centre in Bedwas in Caerphilly. The company supports around 2,000 opticians throughout the UK from major retailers through to independent high street stores. Opticians are recognised as key workers during the pandemic, triaging patients with eye…

Endangered birds are continuing to flock in their thousands to National Trust farmland in Pembrokeshire, according to the latest data from the conservation charity.  Results from the Trust’s biggest winter farmland bird survey in Wales suggest that more than 28,000 birds are now benefitting from its nature-friendly farming approach, with 13 red and 12 amber list species of conservation concern sighted. Nationally, farmland birds are one of the fastest declining groups of birds in the UK, with a 54 per cent loss since 1970, largely due to modern intensive agriculture, fewer hay meadows and the removal of hedgerows. This is…

Washable three-layer face masks are available for the public to purchase from a local Bridgend charity to help ensure PPE is not taken away from healthcare and frontline workers. Homelessness charity Emmaus South Wales is making sustainable face masks using donated clothing and fabrics. The charity is aiming to produce 100 masks per a week and orders can be placed by email while the Emmaus shops are temporarily closed. The masks will cost £3 each and all funds generated from sales will go towards the charity’s work helping people to rebuild their lives following homelessness. Emmaus, which has five shops…

The Swansea Council team that organises the annual Wales Airshow is planning to celebrate the event in an alternative way this year. Unfortunately, this hugely popular event in the Swansea events calendar won’t be taking place this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, rather than having a gap in the calendar, the team has developed a digital celebration of the Wales Airshow on Saturday, July 4, from 11am-5pm. Wales Airshow – A digital celebration #AtHome is a virtual event that will showcase the very best highlights from some of the many display teams that have attended and…

Sara Rosser of Hope Recue, Llanharan, has been shortlisted for Animal Charity Employee of the Year in the Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards 2020. Now in their eighth year, the awards recognise the remarkable work carried out by animal charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands. In light of the current situation the awards ceremony will take place virtually with well-known actor, and avid animal charity supporter Anthony Head hosting the proceedings on Facebook @PetplanUK. Commenting on her nomination Sara said:  “I was thrilled to be told I was a finalist, it is so lovely…

The current COVID-19 crisis has impacted severely on all sectors but businesses are also considering how they will adapt in the future in an ever changing world. The food and drink manufacturing sector is no different and a new jobs site has been launched with the aim of matching vacant posts with relevant job seekers. The new service is launched by Food Skills Cymru, a programme delivered by Lantra which supports businesses of all sizes within the Welsh food and drink sector, ensuring employees have the right skills and training for their business and the wider industry as a whole.…