Author: Rhys Gregory

The Together for Cardiff volunteer force is now a 1,000-strong group of residents from across the city who have pledged to give their time and services to help people in need during the COVID-19 emergency. In only two weeks, the scheme has been flooded with offers of support and assistance as the city gets to grips with the challenges presented by the Coronavirus crisis and seeks to ensure that vulnerable people are able to get the provisions and support they need at this difficult time. Hosted on the Volunteer Cardiff website, Together for Cardiff acts as abrokering service, matching people…

Up to 7,000 extra hospital beds are being created by NHS Wales as it prepares for an increase in coronavirus cases, Health Minister Vaughan Gething today revealed. Critical care capacity has more than doubled across Wales and 1,000 new ventilators are on order. The plans have been bolstered by a massive response from recently retired NHS staff ready to return to work – 1,300 healthcare professionals have already responded and 1,200 registered GP locums are preparing to enter the NHS Wales workforce. They will be supported by thousands of trainees. Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I have been overwhelmed by…

Cardiff-based Zipporah is offering its market leading Appointment and Booking Solution, free of charge, to all local Government organisations throughout April and May. The product, (named ‘Generic’), is Zipporah’s leading Booking and Appointment solution, allowing councils to get residents booking their phone-based appointments and call-backs with the aim of ensuring home working can be effectively handled – without the need for anyone to leave the house. The system will ensure that customers will receive an email confirmation of their booking and should significantly reduce demand to customer service staff via their telephone lines. As with all Zipporah solutions, Generic is fully…

A company that first got into business by making cough syrup 166 years ago, has reported enormous interest in its newly launched hand sanitiser gels which claims can kill the coronavirus. The Cardiff-based survival equipment manufacturer, BCB International Ltd, is renowned for supplying its products and packs to emergency services, including the police and military. In 1854, Dr. Brown came up with a cough medicine and shipped some off to British troops suffering in the trenches in the Crimean War. Dr Brown’s Cough Bottle gave the initials for a registered company, BCB. In recent weeks, the company has converted its fuel…

A range of help and support has been put in place for people experiencing difficulties with food and other essential provisions at this time. Staff and volunteers at Cardiff Council are helping to provide emergency food parcels to those struggling financially or for those self isolating with no family or support during the Coronavirus outbreak. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to many countries across the world, claiming over 55,000 lives and infecting over 1 million people. A range of help is available from shopping for food for those who cannot leave home themselves, to the provision of emergency parcels…

South Wales Police are investigating a fatal road traffic collision which occurred shortly after 6:30pm on the evening of Friday 3rd  April 2020, at the junction of the A4119 James Street and Adelaide Street, Cardiff Bay. The collision involved a KTM RC8 motorcycle and a Cardiff Bus. Unfortunately the male rider of the motorcycle, a 34 year old local male, died at scene as a result of his injuries despite the best efforts of Ambulance and Air Ambulance staff. The male’s family are being supported by a specially trained officer. South Wales Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the…

Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn is reminding people to play their part in keeping each other safe and protecting our NHS by acting responsibly when it comes to taking their exercise this weekend. Public paths and land in several popular areas across Wales have been closed to avoid crowds gathering. Local authorities, national park authorities and Natural Resources Wales have powers to close paths in their areas if their use poses a high risk to the incidence or spread of infection in their areas. While the majority of paths are still open, the Deputy Minister has…

The Welsh Government has announced financial support to assist Cardiff Airport in facing the early impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, while calling on the UK Government to urgently change its policy towards providing further financial help for regional airports. The existing loan arrangement, on commercial terms, between the Welsh Government and Cardiff Airport is worth £28m. The support announced this week is part of the £21.2m agreed in September 2019. Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales Ken Skates announced that the Welsh Government will provide finance to the airport, through varying its existing agreed commercial loan facility, to support…

The number of confirmed new Coronavirus cases have risen by 345 in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,466, a marginal increase on yesterday’s figure. There has also been 24 further deaths of people who had tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of deaths in Wales to 141. The Queen will speak to the nation this Sunday after a further 684 people die with coronavirus in the UK. Buckingham Palace said the message which will be recorded at Windsor Castle, will be broadcast on TV and radio at 20:00 BST. The Department of…

We’re coming to the end of the second week, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s increased restrictions on movement in a bid to try and prevent further spread of COVID-19. For many like us this is now the third week of working from home and has impacted our daily lives greatly. Those key workers who still commute daily will have noticed the drastic changes in our capital city. Fewer commuters on the trains and buses, quieter roads and streets across the capital and sheer number of businesses that remain closed. It’s Friday once again in Cardiff but tonight instead of people…