Author: Rhys Gregory

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging farmers to be vigilant following alerts by South Wales Police that there has been an increase in dog thefts across the UK. FUW Glamorgan County Executive Officer Rachel Saunders said: “Whilst recent statistics don’t show an increase in the South Wales policing area and these crimes are extremely rare, vigilance is the best policy. “Dog theft is very distressing for both owner and pet and we urge our members and the public to not just be aware of the problem, but to take active steps to reduce the risk of their dog being…

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is introducing a new and innovative approach to how patients access urgent care, the main message being: from Wednesday 5 August 2020, you will need to phone first if you think you need to attend the Emergency Unit and do not have a life-threatening emergency. Traditionally, patients have been able to access the emergency department by walking into their local Emergency Unit (EU) or A&E. The ‘phone first’ system replaces this for non- emergencies with patients being encouraged to phone ahead and, if required, they will get a booked appointment – saving precious time.…

Cwmbran-based Comparison Creator is marking its 10th birthday with significant additions to its team, going from a staff of seven at the end of 2019 to 14 today. Comparison Creator has also moved into a bigger office at its base in Springboard Innovation Centre in Llantarnam, which will enable the business to grow further in the coming years. Founded by CEO Steve Jones in 2010, Comparison Creator powers white label comparison services for brands such as MoneySuperMarket, Compare the Market, GoCompare, Confused.com, uSwitch and Money.co.uk. It provides a range of product comparisons from gadget insurance, breakdown cover, home emergency and…

Today, Decca Records can reveal the signing of Britain’s most successful female artist of all time, Dame Shirley Bassey. With a career spanning seven decades, Dame Shirley is thrilled to have signed an exclusive record deal with the prestigious label, where she will record and release her grand finale album entirely dedicated to her fans and career. The new album, the title of which is yet to be announced, will include both brand new material written especially for Bassey, as well as tracks which the world-renowned singer has handpicked to reflect her incredible life and career. The recording is taking…

Plans have been announced to transform a prominent commercial building in Swansea city centre. If approved, they will see the former Barclays building – 69-70 The Kingsway – become home to new-style flexible workspace suitable for a range of companies. The development would complement the neighbouring 71-72 Kingsway, a multi-million pound home for innovative tech and creative businesses about to go up on a site once occupied by nightclub Oceana. Plans show that the three-storey glass-fronted former Barclays building will be renovated with new tall glass windows and a ribbed aluminium screen. There will be new doors and, inside, a…

GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates ‘Better’ leisure facilities across Cardiff on behalf of Cardiff City Council, has today (5 August) announced its plans for a phased re-opening of leisure centres from Tuesday 11th August 2020. Monday 10th of August will be a live training day for staff and invited members only. In the initial reopening phase, gyms, studio space and work out areas will re-open at the following locations on Tuesday 11th of August: Eastern Leisure Centre Fairwater Leisure Centre Llanishen Leisure Centre Maindy Centre Western Leisure Centre Star Centre Maindy, Star and Fairwater Centres will also open…

More active lockdown lifestyles have seen cycle sales skyrocket – almost doubling – at UK Cash Converters stores after they re-opened their doors to customers in June. With lockdown restrictions slowly easing throughout the UK, Brits are now enjoying the great outdoors more than ever, and it looks like more and more families are gearing up to get on two wheels during the school holidays this summer. New stats from the UK’s leading retailer of second-hand goods, Cash Converters, show bike sales have soared by 74 per cent since re-opening, as thousands turn to its booming high street bargain stores…

Four dumped cockerels have been rescued by the RSPCA after being found on the side of the road in Swansea. A member of the public reported the abandoned birds to the RSPCA, after spotting them last Wednesday afternoon (29 July) on Allt-Y-Graban Road. Three white cockerels and one brown cockerel were rescued by RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Ellie West and are now at a local private boarding establishment. An appeal for information has now been launched in the hope of finding out who dumped the cockerels, or any details linked to their sudden appearance on Allt-Y-Graban Road. The cockerels…

RCT Council will begin a flood alleviation scheme at Park Lane in Trecynon, using joint Council and Welsh Government funding to reduce the risk of flooding while also increasing the area’s biodiversity.  The £550,000 scheme, which will get underway in the week commencing Monday, August 10, will replace the existing underground pipe and manhole system with a new surface water channel and flood attenuation pond. This will significantly increase the network’s capacity during periods of heavy rainfall. Importantly, the scheme will also increase the area’s biodiversity in the long-term, as the basin of the new pond will be utilised as…

The Welsh Government has today (Thursday, August 6) outlined the measures it will take to improve the country’s air quality under its Clean Air Plan for Wales: Healthy Air, Healthy Wales. Poor air quality is the biggest environmental risk to public health and also has effects on biodiversity and the natural environment. In Wales, poor air quality contributes to a reduced life expectancy equivalent to between 1,000 and 1,400 deaths each year – often having a pronounced impact on the most vulnerable, such as the very young or very old, and those with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. The Clean Air…