Author: Rhys Gregory

Satisfaction levels among public transport passengers using Traveline Cymru’s suite of information services have reached 94% thanks to its ease of use and helpfulness, according to its latest report. The research, which was conducted by independent organisation Finger on the Pulse, reveals that customers found its ‘one stop shop’ for travel information to be highly regarded and valued over the past 12 months. Customer feedback suggested that staff helpfulness, accuracy of information and ease of use were among the reasons users rated the bilingual service highly. The research found that the public transport information provider’s website scored an overall satisfaction…

A PhD student from Bangor University has launched a new website to open the door to Welsh literature for youngsters during the coronavirus crisis. The Sôn am Lyfra (Talk About Books) website created by Morgan Dafydd offers bilingual reviews of Welsh children’s books to help them develop a passion for reading in Welsh. The former primary school teacher said children studying Welsh as a second language often struggled to grasp Welsh literature which affected their confidence and enjoyment of reading. The aim of the website is to make it easier for parents and young people to find the perfect book.…

The Welsh Government has announced a £150,000 fund for healthcare firms to find new ways to use digital technology to combat coronavirus. The challenge fund aims to quickly trial solutions in health and care to improve remote diagnostics, data collection and monitor PPE availability. It is hoped projects applying to the Covid-19 Digital Solutions Fund will change the way people are diagnosed, treated and managed by the health service. The fund will support the rapid piloting and evaluation of new digital platforms, apps and technologies to determine their long-term use and potential in the health service. Health Minister Vaughan Gething…

This week it was announced that Cocorico Patisserie head chef, owner and 2017 Bake Off: Crème de la Crème finalist Laurian Veaudour will be competing in this year’s Great British Bake Off alongside his Pastry Chef Thibault Courtoisier, who came second in the UK Sugar Championships in 2017. Since 2010, Cocorico Patisserie on Whitchurch Road has been creating delicious French delicacies in the Welsh capital; from praline and hazelnut cream-filled Paris-Brest, to salted caramel-filled tarte au chocolat. However, due to the continued social distancing measures in place across Wales, the café had been closed for business. With new systems in place, the patisserie…

RSPCA Cymru has issued a reminder about the importance of responsible angling, after a herring gull was trapped by an unattended, fully-baited rod in North Wales. The warning comes with recreational fishing activity expected to increase in Wales amid an easing of Covid-19 restrictions. The Welsh Government has confirmed that local, socially-distanced fishing has been allowed under regulations previously passed into law – and with people now allowed to exercise more than once a day, it is anticipated that fishing activity may increase. Officers from the animal welfare charity were alerted after a gull was caught on a fishing hook,…

The team has been on limited duties during lockdown but will now offer shoppers and businesses a fuller service. They will work to latest government guidelines and will do all they can to observe social distancing measures. Managed by Swansea Council, the rangers are supported with funding from Swansea Business Improvement District (BID). Ranger Jay Harry said: “Please use the city centre if you have essential matters to attend to but do maintain social distancing. “Also, please be considerate to the staff of businesses in the area – they’re doing their best in unprecedented circumstances.” Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet…

A Morriston Hospital trauma consultant is urging motorcyclists to take care after dealing with the consequences of a string of serious accidents. Professor Ian Pallister confirmed one person had died and others had suffered life-changing injuries in motorbike collisions in the last week. “In the eight weeks preceding that, we had none” said Professor Pallister, who also runs the MSc programme in trauma at Swansea University Medical School. “It could be that they are now starting to take advantage of the quieter roads and going out and about more. “However, just because the roads are quiet does not mean they…

A young football fanatic from Merthyr is shooting for greatness in support of sight loss charity RNIB Cymru. Tabitha Ryan, 12, is completing 26,000 penalties and 26,000 keep-ups in her back garden as part of the nationwide 2.6 Challenge. Football-mad Tabs has been passionate about the game since her parents started taking her to the Little Kickers club as a small child. She now plays for the Tredegar girls under-13s squad as an attacking midfielder and striker. Her mum, Ellen, is an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) for RNIB Cymru, working for the Powys Health Board. Through her work, Tabs…

A misconduct hearing has been cleared a South Wales Police officer of gross misconduct allegations. During the course of the hearing, witness evidence did not support the allegation that the officer, PC Paul Evans, had assaulted a 14-year-old boy during an incident in Bridgend in 2018. Assistant Chief Constable Andy Valentine said: “The allegation made against PC Evans was subject to an independent investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct which found the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct. “However, a misconduct panel, comprising of a legally qualified chair, a Police Superintendent and an independent member,…

For the last 60 days, the UK has been forced to adapt its’ behaviours and social interactions amidst the latest guidelines. While England has been quite aggressive in terms of how it will start to relax its’ enforcements, Wales and the other members of the UK have taken a more proactive and cautious approach to ensure they are as protected as possible. Perhaps this is the explanation for a surge in the trending popularity of mobile slots in Wales but not England? Smash Casinos – an online gambling news website, decided to take a better look at it. With Online…