Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Children and Young People – Janet Finch Saunders AM – has this week (21 April) urged the Welsh Government to do more to support Welsh foster carers who may be struggling with their finances as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Many foster carers report increasing financial insecurity as a result of the current coronavirus outbreak. Leading fostering organisations have now called for foster carers, who are unable to foster because of COVID-19 restrictions, to be paid a retainer. Charities also say that foster families are being put under increasing pressure as respite sessions are cancelled, in line with the advice to stay at home. The Shadow Minister has now said that she believes extra financial…

A music teacher will reveal an unusual talent on a new TV show by playing three instruments at the same time – a cornet and two trombones with his feet all at the same time. Osian Davies, 26, from Llanerfyl, near Welshpool, will take centre stage as part of a wacky oompah band in a new programme, Sioe Fach Fawr (Big Little Show) on S4C. The aim of the six-part series is to unearth and showcase local talent in communities across Wales, with each episode culminating in a variety-style concert. It’s described as a cross between a traditional Welsh noson…

Governments need to give ‘urgent consideration’ to their public health response to prevent any   possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the number of suicides, experts warn. There’s growing concern about the far-reaching impact COVID-19 may have on people’s mental health across the globe, with the consequences likely to be present for longer and peak later than the actual pandemic. Forty-two researchers from around the world, including Professor Ann John, Deputy Head of Swansea University Medical School, have formed the International COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration. Writing in The Lancet Psychiatry, they say an increase in suicides is not inevitable…

Wine lovers are being urged to support their local vineyards and discover award-winning Welsh wines by joining Welsh Wine Night, a live virtual event which aims to encourage consumers to place orders directly with producers. A partnership between the Welsh Vineyard Association and the WineGB organisation, Welsh Wine Night will go live on YouTube and Instagram Live (Black Book Winery followed by Wine Time London) at 7pm this Friday (24thApril) and will allow viewers to be guided through a series of acclaimed Welsh wines that can be ordered directly from Welsh vineyards. In advance of the event, consumers are being…

Sophia Gardens may have been an unlikely setting for Steve Smith’s return to captaincy but Glamorgan’s ground will become a welcome home for the former Australian skipper. Along with Bristol and Taunton, the newly-formed Welsh Fire will entertain visiting franchises from across the country in The Hundred – a brand new competition with one or two twists on conventional cricket laws. Smith is in charge and, with a strong squad assembled for this season, the solitary Welsh franchise will be confident of becoming the first-ever champions in this format. Stoking the Fire Welsh Fire are set to kick off their…

We’re fast approaching that time of year that camping and caravan sites start becoming busier. The longer, warmer days draws tourists in their droves to the Welsh coast and countryside. For the foreseeable future, however, that won’t be happening as the UK remains in lockdown. For campervan and motorhome owners, it is a concern. While non-essential travel is prohibited, thousands of motorhomes across the UK are going nowhere. But there are things that can be done to keep a campervan or motorhome in prime condition for when the restrictions are lifted. Check and review your documents Now is an ideal…

South Wales Police arrested three people in the early hours of this morning on suspicion of committing arson with intent. At approximately 4.45am, police stopped a car being driven along the A4059 and arrested two males, aged 19 and 17, and a female, aged 16. All three individuals arrested remain in police custody at this time. Officers made the arrests as fire service colleagues spent day and night tackling grassfires across the region. Incidents include a 20 hectare fire in Ton Pentre, which individuals arrested are being linked to, and a large grass fire in Ystrad, Pentre, which spread across…

Stuart Price, Partner and Actuary at Quantum Advisory, considers what might happen pension-wise in the country when businesses get back on their feet.

While the rugby season may be on pause, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the regional teams are keeping the excitement levels high for fans every day of the week in a truly innovative way.  Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets have partnered with award winning tech startup doopoll (https://doopoll.co) to find out the fan’s ultimate XV from current and past players. Each day on social media, the regions asked followers and fans to choose their favourite player from each position on the field. The results have been incredible with the surveys gathering over 50,000 votes in total. Fans were…

Medito Foundation​ has launched the Medito app with a vow to make meditation and mindfulness freely accessible. Medito Foundation was founded by four friends, three of whom are from Caerphilly, South Wales; Steven Yorke, Gareth Yorke and Michael Speed. There will be no subscription fees, no paywalls and no ads. Medito is made for people, not profit. The app has been created by a team of volunteers from around the world who are dedicated to helping people to positively transform their lives through meditation. They also hope to help people to cope better with depression, stress, anxiety, and any other…