Author: Rhys Gregory

Healthcare firm, Forth , has launched its new Covid-19 antibody testing kit on to the UK market. It is the first to meet the MHRA guidelines and made available to the public. The finger prick test is laboratory analysed to check for the presence of Covid-19 IgG antibodies which develop after exposure to the virus. The kit meets the required MHRA guidelines of more than 98% specificity and sensitivity, and has CE marking. All kits can be purchased online with the samples taken in the home or workplace, before being sent away for analysis, and is currently available for over…

The transformation of a Victorian railway building into an entertainment and business complex is nearing completion having secured a £2.9 million investment from the Development Bank of Wales. Due to open in the Summer of 2020, the 1880s goods shed on Hood Road, Barry is  part of the Innovation Quarter at Barry Waterfront, a joint regeneration venture between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Welsh Government. The mixed-use scheme will include a shipping container village and apartment complex. The fully let and sold scheme is being developed by award winning DS Properties (Goods Shed) Limited and is expected to…

A rousing performance of the famous Welsh hymn Calon Lȃn by a digital choir put together by top tenor Rhys Meirion has gone viral on social media with more than 190,000 views…and counting. The 130-strong choir, which included members from across North Wales and as far afield as Australia, was assembled virtually for the popular S4C series, Corau Rhys Meirion. Calon Lȃn was originally written in the 1890s as a hymn, with words by Daniel James and the tune by John Hughes, but it’s now also firmly established as a Welsh rugby anthem. As well as parts sung to the…

It may not quite be ‘business as usual’ for small food and drink producers in Wales. Still, many are turning to alternative ways, and collaborating with fellow producers to maintain sales. Once a familiar sight, doorstep milk deliveries are proving to be a vital service for many people who are self-isolating. For south Wales dairy, Tŷ Tangwlyst, doorstep milk deliveries are also helping to keep open an essential outlet for the farm’s award-winning dairy produce. The Lougher family has long been supplying milk from their 110-strong herd of Pedigree Holstein dairy cattle to customers’ doorsteps around a ten-mile radius of…

A Swansea gallery has gone online to bring together artists, cultural historians, museum professionals and academics from around the world. The city centre Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is running an online seminar series that has attracted global attention. As well as bringing experts together digitally the programme aims to highlight and strengthen the cultural bond between Wales and the Indian subcontinent. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “At this challenging time it’s important for Swansea to maintain its connections; this initiative is proving to be an excellent way of doing this. “People are embracing…

A cuddly toy that tracks a patient’s vital signs could soon be a crucial weapon in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The innovative idea for the Digital Bunny is being developed by a team taking part in a first ever online Health Hack event organised next week by M-SParc, Menai Science Park, in Gaerwen on Anglesey. It is being led by Dr Christian Subbe, Consultant in Acute Medicine at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Computer Science and Electronic Engineering students from Bangor University and Chester-based Bryan Griffiths Healthcare who joined forces at a Health Hack in North Wales earlier…

Blood donors across Wales have responded to a request from the Welsh Blood Service to ‘donate differently’ by rolling up their sleeves to make a lifesaving donation at one of the Service’s new regional hubs. Of the 6,234 individuals that visited a Welsh Blood Service donation session in April, almost two thirds (65%) of donors attended a clinic that was not their usual donation venue. Following a series of Covid-19 related venue cancellations and social distancing restrictions, the Welsh Blood Service was unable to host donation sessions at the thirty community venues it would typically visit across Wales each week.…

Police in Wales are committed to working together with partner agencies to protect those affected by sexual violence or abuse, and to pursue and hold offenders to account for their actions. South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Danny Richards, Wales Policing Lead forVulnerability and Safeguarding, said “Sexual violence and abuse is unacceptable in any situation at any time. “If anyone in our communities is suffering, or feels that they are at risk of, sexual violence or abuse it is important that they know that there is help and support available during the Covid-19 crisis. “No one should feel unsafe in…

The first cars have arrived at a drive-through Coronavirus testing unit in Swansea for health and other frontline staff. Work on the six-lane facility at the Liberty Stadium started last Wednesday and took just two days to complete. Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea Council and Swansea City FC worked closely together to create the unit, which complements the unit in Port Talbot that the health board opened in March. Around 150 people a day can be tested at the Margam unit, while the Liberty will be able to test up to an additional 360 people daily. The testing facility…

Home buyer and seller priorities in the housing market will change in light of the experience of Covid-19 and the extended lockdown, with moving intentions, budget, size of property and location all impacted, a new survey from property group Savills suggests. The firm surveyed almost 700 registered buyers and sellers between April 21 and 27 to explore how their attitudes to moving had changed and how that might impact market activity. With buyers expecting to split more of their time between home working and the office, well  connected locations such as Cardiff and surrounding areas – with access to good…