Author: Rhys Gregory

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is extending the opening of its temporary testing facilities in Bargoed and at Caerphilly Leisure Centre. The testing units will be open until 23/11 and will provide a walk up testing service to Caerphilly residents. If you have symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste and/or smell, please call 0300 30 31 222 to book a test. Remember these symptoms can be very mild. Morning Walk Up Tests (Booking Required) Caerphilly Leisure Centre, Virginia Close, Caerphilly, CF83 3SW Operating Hours: Morning (08:30am-11:30am) Operational dates: Open until 23/11…

Applications for September 2021 primary school places open today, (Monday 16 November 2020) and a new campaign has been launched to provide guidance to parentsapplying for a place. Cardiff Council’s School Admissions teamhave identified 7 tips to assist families by explaining how the admissions process works, the importance of using all preferences available to them and why they should apply on time. Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “The application process for school places can feel complicated and it is important that families have a clear understanding of how best to apply for a place.…

For many years, the number of females beginning careers in butchery, processing and distribution was below 10%, in what is a historically male-dominated arena. But in past weeks, FDQ Limited – a specialist awarding body pioneering innovative qualifications in food – revealed women have accounted for 18% of their butchery assessment successes this year, with the figures continuing to rise. And in management roles there has also been a sea change, with colleges across the UK offering courses in various positions. Among them is Coleg Cambria, and one of its learners, Esther Dyke, has risen to become a supervisor at…

A retired nurse who treated soldiers injured in the Battle of Dunkirk has revealed the secret of her long life as she celebrated her 103rd birthday – a small tot of whisky in her cup of tea in the morning. Staff and residents at Pendine Park’s Gwern Alyn care home, where Hilda Richards now lives, tucked into an afternoon tea and a birthday cake to mark the momentous milestone. At the party, she explained her recipe for longevity. She said: “The secret is a tot of Bell’s whisky in my morning cup of tea. I always had that.” Pointing skywards…

The go-ahead has been given for 107 new homes in the Conwy Valley which are “ideal for homeworkers” and will provide a £60 million boost to the local economy. Conwy County Borough Council’s planning committee gave their blessing to the Maes-y-Felin scheme on the outskirts of Glan Conwy. According to Calon Homes, it will also create 500 jobs, with 95 per cent of the people employed coming from within a 20 mile radius of the 13-acre site just off the A470. The community-conscious company have also committed to training local apprentices and to use local suppliers wherever possible. Around 30…

A big-hearted trailer firm has come to the rescue of a GP practice that desperately needed a separate clinical area to assess patients with Covid-19 symptoms. Ifor Williams Trailers worked with the doctors at Corwen Family Practice to design and build a bespoke mobile clinic that’s now parked outside the town’s health centre in Green Lane. To ensure there is no cross-contamination, the insulated clinic has two different entrances – one for the patient and one for the doctor. On the doctor’s side there is a clean room where the PPE is stored and an internal door to the clinic…

The world is their oyster for two Anglesey producers who have combined their skills to launch a new alcoholic drink with a seafood twist. Menai Oyster Gin is the result of a novel collaboration between craft producer Llanfairpwll Distillery and shellfish enterprise Menai Oysters and Mussels Ltd. Over the first lockdown, distiller Rob Laming and oyster producer Shaun Krijnen hatched a plan to create an oyster-infused gin. Now the spirit is on sale ready for Christmas. Llanfairpwll Distillery is a member of Food & Drink Wales Fine Food Cluster, and Menai Oysters and Mussels Ltd is part of the Food…

Pioneering natural microbial and anti-microbial manufacturer, Genesis Biosciences, has won two Wales STEM Awards in the event’s inaugural year. The Cardiff based global biosciences company was among 42 innovative businesses to be named finalists in this year’s highly anticipated awards, which celebrated those making a difference to, and championing, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in Wales. The winners were announced in a virtual ceremony hosted by Sian Lloyd on Thursday November 12th. Genesis Biosciences enjoyed double the success at the inaugural awards, winning the Innovation in Science Award and the STEM Environmental Initiative of the Year for the company’s…

The build of a new housing development on the site of the former Penallta Colliery in the Caerphilly county borough has begun. United Welsh is working in partnership with Caerphilly Council and Morganstone Ltd to build 48 new energy efficient homes, which will include homes for social rent and homes for sale. The construction phase is now underway after Morganstone Ltd, the contractors for the new development, broke ground on the site in October. The Penallta Colliery development will see the creation of 6 one-bedroom apartments, 15 two-bedroom houses and 16 three-bedroom houses. There will also be 10 three-bedroom homes…

Plans to bring two prominent buildings in Mountain Ash and the Tonypandy area back in to use are progressing. Both schemes will each be able to benefit from up to £250,000 of Welsh Government funding from their Transforming Towns and Valleys Taskforce initiatives. This funding provides support for developing and improving underused or derelict properties in bringing them back into use for a range of purposes. Under the proposals, the Council-owned Mountain Ash Town Hall will be redeveloped via a long-term lease into a vibrant co-working hub with an on-site café and events space.  Similarly, the Council is also working…