Author: Rhys Gregory

Passive fire protection is an integral part of any overall fire prevention strategy, employed to protect a building from fire damage. In fact, it is the first prevention and protection plan against fire, which is implemented at the construction level. The other part of fire prevention  and protection strategy is called active fire prevention, which is geared more towards educating residents about fighting fire at a preliminary level, as well as survival strategies and best practices. Passive Fire Protection: How to Abide by Fire Regulations As mentioned, passive fire protection is a strategy, or a bundle of steps, taken and…

Plans for a groundbreaking Swansea city centre building that allows innovative tech and creative businesses to establish and grow could be given planning permission tomorrow. A planning application for a glazed structure rising six storeys on the site of The Kingsway’s former Oceana nightclub is being recommended for approval. More than 600 people could work there. The plans, assisted by feedback in a public consultation last year and further feedback this year, feature two underground levels making use of the former building basement. They show a roof terrace and balconies with green infrastructure including trees. This reflects Swansea Council’s commitment…

Nando’s has opened a further 54 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, taking the number of locations to almost 100. There’s good news if you live in Cardiff, as Nando’s in the Brewery Quarter is open for both delivery and collection. According to the Nando’s website, the St David’s 2 restaurant is open for deliveries only. Many businesses across the food industry are starting to fire up their kitchens once more and opening their doors with additional health and safety precautions. The chicken chain has introduced a number of safety measures for staff and customers, including daily briefings with staff…

A Cardiff couple are celebrating life and love with a virtual ceremony for family and friends on what should have been their wedding day. Anna-Louise Bates and Zachary Stubbings from Thornhill were planning to tie the knot in a lavish ceremony at Castell Coch, followed by a church blessing on 29th May, but the Coronavirus pandemic means the official wedding has been postponed until next year. Instead, they shared a video service on YouTube with contributions from loved ones, the Priest would have officially blessed their marriage, and an actor who supports the charity Anna-Louise set up in memory of…

Lockdown has made many things more challenging, none more so than giving birth. But thanks to the dedication of our maternity staff and the bravery of mums and dads, Swansea Bay University Health Board has welcomed more than 150 bundles of joy both in Singleton and Neath Port Talbot hospitals and at home during these anxious times. We have gathered together some of their stories and pictures to inspire, offer hope and make you smile. Among the babies welcomed was Millie Hopkins-Evans who was born at Singleton weighing 8lb 4oz on April 21st. Mum Laura Evans is deaf and relies…

Food Innovation Wales has provided vital technical support to a Llanelli-based food and drink manufacturer to help them launch six new products in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.  With a workforce of nearly 50 people, Llanelli-based Prima Foods specialises in the manufacture of suet, dumpling and pastry products. The company supplies the retail, ready meal and foodservice sectors and has a number of major UK manufacturing customers. Since lockdown started in mid-March, Prima hasn’t been fazed by the challenges presented by COVID-19 and the company has maintained full staffing levels and manufacturing across key product lines. The business has…

From today, First Cymru will increase services on several routes across its network in an effort to ensure key workers are able to travel to work. At the same time, increased social distancing measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of passengers and staff, including a reduction in the number of passengers that can be carried down to a capacity of 25%. Passengers will begin to see posters and capacity stickers appearing on the buses, these show the existing and newly introduced safety measures. Customers are advised to take note of the ways in which they can help, by…

Changes to advice for people shielding from coronavirus are being introduced from Monday 1 June. On Sunday, Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething announced plans to ease the lockdown restrictions recommended for people with health conditions, which put them at the highest risk of harm from the virus. People who have been shielding can now take exercise outdoors and meet people from another household, as long as it takes place outdoors. There are two changes to the advice for this group: Outdoor exercise is unlimited, as long as individuals strictly follow social distancing rules and hygiene practices. Those…

Following the announcement by Welsh Government on Friday, Caerphilly Council has taken the decision to reopen the car parks of country parks in the area. All 5 parks will reopen, however the car park at the bottom end of the Sirhowy Valley Country Park will not re-open yet due to ongoing tree felling works by Natural Resources Wales. Cllr. Philippa Marsden, Leader of Caerphilly Council, said, “I welcome this decision to allow our residents to once again enjoy our beautiful country parks, however I must stress the importance of social distancing when using these facilities. As a community you have…

Hundreds of people joined together in support of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd in the US. The demonstration took place outside Cardiff Castle and was organised following the death of Mr Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May while in police custody. There has been civil unrest across the USA sparked by the 46-year-old’s death, which has sparked worldwide protests including those in UK cities. Ex-policeman Derek Chauvin, 44, was sacked and has since been charged with murdering Mr Floyd. George Floyd, died in police custody after being arrested outside a shop in Minneapolis,…