Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Government is contacting people in Wales who have been identified as being at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus. Each person will be given specific advice about how they can protect themselves, based on their individual medical history and health needs. The letters, which are currently being sent out, will include clear advice to stay at home for 12 weeks, and will list the medical, practical and emotional support available. Wales’ 22 local authorities and the Welsh Government have been working closely with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) to ensure everyone who receives the…

With an increasing number of people working from home or at home following the Government’s latest advice, it’s not surprising that BT’s Openreach has already seen a 20% surge in demand. Openreach, the UK’s bigger provider of broadband connections, has said they ‘confident’ that their networks can ‘deal with a big increase in people working from home’. That said, home broadband users may still see a drop in their broadband performance. There are many factors that can affect your broadband connection. The distance between your home and the telephone exchange is one, as well as the time of day that…

The West Wales region opened the doors to their Parc y Scarlets home to tackle expected overspill from hospitals dealing with the Covid-19 health crisis. The decision to hand over their stadium to help relieve the strain on services was reached discussions with the Carmarthen County Council and the Hywel Dda University Health Board. Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels said: “Community has always been a huge part of what the Scarlets is about and in unprecedented times like these communities stick together. “The health service and workers are doing an incredible job in challenging circumstances and we are…

The Red Dragon Centre will be offering free parking spaces for key workers across Cardiff Bay during the lockdown period with immediate effect. Following Government guidelines, the Centre has closed its doors to keep its staff and visitors safe. During this time, the Centre wanted to offer its car parking facilities free of charge to key workers who are working in Cardiff Bay, including supermarket workers, NHS and medical staff, and staff at the schools and nurseries nearby who have to stay open. Emma Constantinou, Marketing and Tenant Liaison Manager at The Red Dragon Centre, said: “At the Red Dragon…

NAT Group is offering free travel to all NHS workers as well as implementing a new cashless policy

A new, online platform designed to support startup and early-stage entrepreneurs has launched, providing free, daily lunch-time workshops. As more people than ever are now having to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many early-stage founders are struggling to balance the need to develop and grow their business alongside their day-to-day operations. StartupClub, run by small business experts TownSq, will provide daily, virtual workshops across the UK to help founders address such concerns and give them the guidance and support to stay on track and prepare for the future. Starting Wednesday (25 March) the workshops are open to…

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a lockdown of the UK, amid the rapid growing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) across the country. The announcement comes as the UK death toll has reached 335 yesterday, with 16 of those in Wales. The total number of confirmed cases in the UK rose to 6,650, with 418 in Wales. In his statement, the Prime Minister has announced the immediate closure of non-essential businesses and limit people from leaving their homes. The Government has promised to review these measures in three weeks times, and will relax them if they can. The following businesses and…

Swansea Building Society celebrated new record‐breaking highs in terms of its total assets, mortgage and savings balances in 2019, when it produced its largest year of balance sheet growth in the Society’s history. The Society’s total assets increased by £61.0m to £370.4m, a growth rate of 20%. Its mortgage balances increased by £40.1m to £273.4m, a growth rate of 17.1%. All of the growth in net mortgage lending was funded by a £59.2m increase in retail savings balances from personal customers. Gross mortgage lending hit a new high at £74.3m in 2019, up from £62.2m in 2018. Despite the increased…

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has announced the cancellation of the Royal Welsh Show 2020. The event, which is hugely popular not only with the agricultural community but also attracting visitors to Wales, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement issued, Steve Hughson, Chief Executive of the society said: “It is with deep regret that due to the deteriorating situation surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society after taking careful account of the latest Government and Public Health guidance, has announced the cancellation of the 2020 Royal Welsh Show “With the Government advising against attending…

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after a lethargic bearded dragon was found abandoned at Moss Valley Park in Wrexham.  The reptile was found in some undergrowth by the car park and was found to be very unwell. RSPCA deputy chief inspector Phil Lewis said: “This poor bearded dragon was found by a member of the public on Sunday (22 March). He was extremely lethargic, cold and flat – which is a sign of being seriously ill. “He was taken to a specialist exotic vet and it was touch and go if he will make it through the night due…