Author: Rhys Gregory

The Ospreys and leading manufacturer Sony UK Technology Centre (UK TEC) have teamed up to launch an “exciting” new initiative encouraging pupils to tackle coding. The team’s Ospreys in the Community arm has launched the educational Try Pi initiative with the Pencoed-based manufacturer, encouraging pupils across South Wales to become more digitally literate. The collaborative initiative was launched at the award-winning manufacturer’s facility, after a successful pilot of the programme, with members of Ospreys in the Community, Sony UK TEC, Warburtons, Swansea Council education, Bridgend AYPD, Cefn Cribwr Primary, Welsh Netball, and ERW all attending. As part of the launch,…

Financial support for Cardiff residents and businesses affected by the flooding following Storm Dennis will be provided by Cardiff Council the authority has announced. The Council will provide support, via a new Community Flood Recovery Grant – Hardship Payment, of £500 for residents and £1,000 for businesses, which have suffered internal property damage through flooding. Cardiff Council leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “While Cardiff escaped the worst of the floods there were still 24 properties in the city which suffered from internal flooding. We want to show support for the families and businesses which have been affected so we will be…

Barbering students at Cardiff and Vale College have been given mental health training in order to help prevent suicide within their client base. Lions Barber Collective founder Tom Chapman visited the College’s urbasba salon to show the learners how they can spot and advise male clients who are struggling with their mental health. The BarberTalk initiative aims to enable barbers to recognise the signs, ask about wellbeing, listen and help to act as a bridge between the communities they serve and the resources that are available in a safe and non-judgemental space. Lions Barber Collective Tom Chapman said: “It’s been…

A training programme designed to develop the food and drink processing and manufacturing industry has hit a major milestone, having supported 100 businesses with their training needs within its first year of delivery. The Food Skills Cymru programme is delivered by Lantra and supports businesses of all sizes within the Welsh food and drink sector, ensuring employees have the right skills and training for their business and the wider industry as a whole. Working across all sectors within the industry, it helps employees adapt to future economic and environmental challenges and capitalise on opportunities for business development and growth. Commenting…

Global tech giant Fujifilm has given Welsh healthcare professionals an exclusive first look at its latest medical innovation ahead of the product’s global clinical launch. The Japanese multinational photography and imaging company, which is a pioneer in medical imaging and diagnostics equipment, previewed its new artificial intelligence (AI) software, which is integrated into a mobile radiography system, at an event hosted by Life Sciences Hub Wales. Flown in from Tokyo for the event, the FDR nano is a mobile X-ray unit that uses integrated AI technology to quickly identify and flag abnormalities that need further investigation.  The product is the…

Two budding young entrepreneurs are set to shake up the property market in Wales, with their own company which tackles some of the challenges facing investors and sellers. George Dugard, 25, along with his business partner Hannah Robson, 27, have formed Dugard Property Ltd, which secures property investment deals for clients while also helping people trying to sell ‘problem properties’. The pair started their business with the help of Big Ideas Wales, which is part of Business Wales and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The service can support anyone between the age of…

A chef and a nursing assistant from Llanharry are marking their first-year wedding anniversary in style after a life-changing £1M UK Millionaire Maker win from the EuroMillions draw on Friday, 24 January 2020. David Taylor (40), who is a chef, and his wife Stacey (37) have returned to the venue where they were married – Manor Parc Hotel in Thornhill, Cardiff – for a doubly special celebration. The pair still can’t quite believe their luck since becoming Wales’s newest National Lottery millionaires. David described the moment when he found out the life-changing news: “I’ve always been a night owl and…

They’ve held a tarantula, braved an icy Boxing Day swim and taken on high ropes – now two sisters are gearing up to take on even tougher challenges for Macmillan Cancer Support in their mother’s memory. Sisters Verity Pyke, of Cardiff, and Lauren Turner, of Bridgend, have completed 12 of 20 fundraising challenges for Macmillan Cancer Support to mark 20 years since their mother Susan Turner sadly died of breast cancer in April 2000. And the duo has doubled their £2,000 target by raising £4,000 for the charity with the challenges they’ve completed since April 2019. They have now set…

A local dog rescue is appealing for help from the public after suffering terrible flood damage to their Pontypridd charity shop. Llanharan based Hope Rescue helps vulnerable dogs in need from across South Wales but is facing a huge loss of funds after the flooding from Storm Dennis caused their only charity shop in Pontypridd to fill with contaminated water. Not only will repairs include replacing fixtures, fittings and stock damaged by the flood water, but the shop also needs specialist deep cleaning and drying out before any work can take place.   The shop will need to close for…

A blind man from South Wales is calling for an end to pavement parking after he was hit by a car in December. Steve Lawrence, 62, from Talbot Green, was walking home with his shopping on a residential street when he encountered two cars parked on the pavement. Steve, who uses a long cane to detect obstacles on his route, tried to avoid them. But one of the cars began to drive along the pavement before pulling out into the road, hitting Steve in the arm and damaging his cane beyond repair. Steve said: “I’ve been blind since 2014 and…