Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales is just one more ballot away from bringing the culinary world to the nation in 2024 by hosting the Worldchefs Congress and Expo. Following a landslide victory in the first round vote, when beating Poland and the Netherlands, the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) increased their winning margin against Russia as the second round ballot result was announced on Tuesday. Wales now needs to win the third and final ballot against Singapore in either July or August to host the Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2024 at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales), Newport. This major culinary event attracts…

A north Wales mum celebrating her five-year cancer all-clear has called for urgent action to restart national cancer screening tests in Wales.   Ali Alcock, a social worker from Corwen, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015 following a routine smear test.   As it stands in Wales, all such routine screening is suspended as the NHS continues to adapt to the challenge of coronavirus, raising concerns that cancer diagnoses are being delayed and may be missed.   Commenting on the suspension of cervical screening in Wales, Ali said:   “I had absolutely no symptoms and the smear test that…

With the discussion about pupils’ return to school ever-present in the media, Gareth Evans, Director of Education Policy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Yr Athrofa: Institute of Education and Humanities looks at the challenges that lie ahead for schools, their teachers and the new curriculum in Wales.  In what has become a weekly tradition, Wales and the rest of the UK comes together each Thursday to Clap For Our Carers.  A small, but heartfelt tribute to those working to keep us alive, and safe from serious illness.  But to some extent, the heroic fightback against coronavirus is only possible because of our education…

Award-winning Sri Lankan restaurant group The Coconut Tree has reopened its Cardiff restaurant. After investing in new procedures and technology, customers will now be able to order an island-inspired feast via their favourite delivery apps (Uber Eats or Deliveroo). The re-openings are part of a phased return to normality for the Sri Lankan street-food pioneers, who are shortlisted for ‘Best New Business’ at this year’s Cardiff Life Awards (postponed until September 2020). What’s on the menu? The menu at The Coconut Tree is made up of smaller tapas-style dishes cooked fresh to order, making them perfect for a take-away. In…

Public relations agency Effective Communication has launched an Academy to provide training services in communications and marketing. Designed to help organisations and individuals position, promote and protect themselves, the Effective Academy offers a range of training programmes to develop the skills of in-house marketing and communications professionals. In line with Effective’s wider marketing strategy, the planning for the Academy has taken several months, and the courses have been developed after several trial projects with Effective clients. Delivered by Effective’s experienced senior team, the Academy programmes launch next week by webinar, however, future programmes will be designed to be delivered in…

Construction of improved athletics facilities in Clydach Vale is now complete. The King George V athletics track has benefitted from £800,000 #RCTinvest funding, which has delivered a series of upgrades – including a new and improved athletics track surface, enhancements to field event areas, drainage improvements to the existing football pitch and the introduction of floodlights. The facility has been closed to the public since last summer to ensure works were completed safely. The final weeks of the scheme were undertaken with contractor South Wales Sports Grounds adhering to social distancing, due to the Coronavirus emergency. All work has now…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will expand its emergency childcare provision from the start of June – by increasing the number of hubs from 13 to 25 in response to the ever-increasing demand for key workers and vulnerable learners.  In response to the Coronavirus national emergency, the Council has been operating 13 very successful childcare hubs, to help key workers who are parents/carers of pupils aged 4-14 in mainstream and Pupil Referral Unit settings and aged 4-19 in special school settings. This provision is in addition to the childcare offer for 0-4 year-olds delivered in a range of settings. Key workers…

While many people still work as an employee at a small, medium or large company, it is becoming increasingly popular for people to be self-employed. This is especially true in the UK, where the number of self-employed people has been growing steadily over the last decade-plus. Being self-employed can offer several benefits from greater freedom to do what you want in life, to being your own boss and controlling your own destiny. While it might seem difficult to some, there are a ton of tools and technologies that can make life as a self-employed person easier. For example, you can…

Swansea and Newport Council has agreed a deal with department store Debenhams to help secure its long-term future in those cities. Unlike most city centre shops, Debenhams is not covered by the new Welsh Government retail, leisure and hospitality rate relief scheme. The decision will enable Debenhams to continue discussions with the Welsh Government which could reduce its liability and enable Debenhams to access the Covid-19 retail rates relief support scheme in line with other retailers. The company has also been advised to apply to the Economic Resilience Fund. Mark Gifford, Chairman of Debenhams, said: “I have been overwhelmed by…

WORK is set to start this Tuesday on an essential £250,000 refurbishment of the busy Loughor Bridge. The essential maintenance upgrade is being planned to take up to six weeks and will mean the bridge will be reduced to a single lane controlled by traffic lights in each direction. At peak times staff will be on site at the bridge to manage the temporary traffic lights to help improve traffic flow. Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure at SwanseaCouncil, said: “Loughor Bridge is a busy route and is used by hundreds of vehicles every day. “Due to the…