Author: Rhys Gregory

From next Monday (23rd March), Transport for Wales will reduce its weekday service to balance a reduction in demand, availability of its workforce and the need to support key workers. A spokesperson from Transport for Wales said: “At Transport for Wales our primary focus is keeping our colleagues and customers safe. In line with the rest of the UK rail industry, and based on advice from public health bodies, we have taken the difficult decision to reduce weekday passenger services moving forward. “This timetable has been designed to be as resilient as possible, whilst ensuring we balance a reduction in…

A police boss is warning people in North Wales to beware of heartless scammers using the coronavirus pandemic to prey on the vulnerable. Already over £800,000 has been stolen across the UK by fraudsters cashing in on fear generated by the unprecedented outbreak but North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is determined to clamp down on the cheats. He said: “These are heartless criminals seeking to make money out of what is a worldwide crisis by preying on people’s fear and concern. “We have seen from public order incidents in supermarkets just how desperate people can become and…

With confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Caerphilly area, the council are following steps similar to other councils and will be making a number of changes to its services. The council continues to follow official advice from key agencies such as Welsh Government and Public Health Wales. In a statement on the Caerphilly Council website, a spokesperson has said: “The health and wellbeing of our loyal customers remains our utmost priority during this period of rising concern relating to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak. “In recent weeks, we have taken a number of precautionary measures to ensure we can provide…

Caerphilly Council has been closely monitoring the situation surrounding the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak, aligning their response to the Public Health Wales guidelines, whilst making preparations for any upcoming events. In line with recent decisions from high profile sporting events such as the London Marathon, the council have decided that it is in the best interest of runners, spectators, volunteers and event staff to postpone the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K/2K that was scheduled to take place on 17th May 2020. The Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K/2K will now take place on Sunday 13th September 2020. In a statement on the council…

Today (Friday 20th) the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill received Royal Assent and became the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020. The new law seeks to end the physical punishment of children in Wales, protect their rights and build upon the Welsh Government’s commitment to the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. Today’s occasion was marked by the First Minister Mark Drakeford officially sealing the Bill, meaning the law will come into force on Monday 21st March 2022. The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Julie Morgan, who has…

Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, responds to the latest NHS Wales activity and performance data published yesterday (Thursday 19 March). Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, said: “February was another busy month for our emergency departments and ambulance service. It was encouraging to see an improvement in the four hour waiting times for emergency departments and the ambulance target was met again. After one of the busiest winters on record our hard-working and dedicated health and social care staff now face the challenge of dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. For this reason I announced last…

A call has gone out for volunteers to help isolated and vulnerable people in the Corwen area as the coronavirus pandemic spreads. The appeal has come from South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), a locally-based and grant-funded community charity for the people of the Edeyrnion district. SDCP, which provides a range of community services ranging from meals on wheels to renewable energy projects, has had over 20 people come forward in the first 24 hours of the appeal. The outbreak has already forced the closure of its regular Cawl A Chan lunch club for older people and its programme of activities…

In an effort to help independent food & drink businesses survive the Coronavirus lockdown, an online marketplace and marketing platform dedicated to Welsh produce is waiving all commission until at least 1st May. DiscoverDelicious.Wales – based in Aberystwyth – curates and celebrates the best food & drink products and experiences available throughout Wales. It gives independent Welsh brands a way to market themselves and sell directly to customers all over the UK, by creating a one-stop-shop for some of the tastiest, independently made products from across Wales. Launched in April 2018, the marketplace is currently home to over 70 producers collectively offering…

Wales’ first ever care home artist in residence is celebrating a quarter of a century in the ground-breaking role. Talented Sarah Edwards was engaged as a consultant by the Pendine Park care organisation by arts loving owners Mario and Gill Kreft in 1995. Since then Sarah’s has supported the development of award-winning enrichment programmes at their eight care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon where she has also masterminded their interior design. Sarah, a gifted artist in her own right, first helped Pendine Park when they were opening their third care home, Highfield House, in Wrexham. Mario and Gill were keen…

A bakery boss has paid tribute to the workforce for the way they doubled bread production in the wake of the panic buying caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Robin Jones, managing director of the Wrexham-based Village Bakery, revealed staff were working 12-hour shifts to keep up with the spiralling demand, particularly for bread and rolls. There had also been a huge surge in sales of their crumpets, pikelets and pancakes – and to a lesser extent their scones. But he urged shoppers to calm down and said there was absolutely no need to panic. He said there were plentiful supplies of…