Author: Rhys Gregory

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…

Hay Festival has today announced the cancellation of its upcoming edition due to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic, placing the not-for-profit in immediate financial jeopardy. The announcement comes following the government’s new public health guidelines, which advised against non-essential public travel and social contact, and growing concerns for the local community. Refunds for all tickets are available now. All ticket holders are being contacted. With 70% of income derived from ticket and book sales, the cancellation arrives at the moment of maximum exposure for the organisation, which is already committed to large infrastructure costs. A GoFundMe page to support the Festival’s immediate…

Cardiff-based CatSci, a fast-growing and award-winning process research and development contract research organisation (CRO), has appointed a new senior leadership team as part of its strategic expansion in supporting global innovator pharma to meet their growing Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) needs. These key members of staff will enable the cofounding directors to focus on ancillary strategy, building upon CatSci’s continued growth. This will help to balance the company mission of delivering affordable, best-in-class small molecule therapeutics with the vision of striving to create 500 high-value jobs by 2030. The broad expertise of the new leadership team completely encompasses the…

New advanced nurse practitioners (ANP) are helping to transform GP surgeries in Wales, as they look to take the pressure off of GPs. Ruth Rice, who is the new ANP nurse at Strawberry Place Surgery in Morriston, is helping take the pressure off GPs by going above and beyond the role of your traditional nurse. Ruth, who has over 30 years nursing experience, has undergone advanced additional training to diagnose and treat minor aliments which has allowed her to see patients independently and reduce waiting times. The role has been utilised in England for several years and is now becoming…

Ceredigion Council has issued an update on its services in the wake of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  It is following Welsh Government guidelines and will be closing all schools in the authority by the end of today (Friday, 20 March). They will also be temporarily closing a number of facilities in the area, including museums, leisure centres and other services. Following the announcement that this week that a support package will be made to businesses, the teams at Ceredigion Council are busy working on developing and implementing the business rates reliefs announced by Welsh Government. Aberystwyth Farmers Market will be open…

Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB will be postponing routine surgery, outpatient clinics and appointments from Friday March 20th. The decision to postpone these planned treatments and appointments has been taken so clinicians can train, plan and prioritise delivery of emergency services as the health board responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health teams are carefully reviewing their lists to identify which patients might need additional support during this time, and all patients will be contacted about their care. John Palmer, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Decisions to postpone activity are never easy, but it is vital that we do this so we can…

Swansea City Centre businesses are stepping up to support their customers amid the Coronavirus crisis, with Swansea BID praising their members’ agility and positivity. Throughout the City Centre, firms are upping their online services and adopting new user-friendly tools to help local people get their essentials, to keep people connected and to help keep the region in business.  Andrew Douglas, Business Liaison Manager at Swansea BID, said: “We are very proud of the way our Swansea City Centre businesses are responding to these unprecedented circumstances, to make sure people are able to get the goods they need. “We are seeing…