Author: Rhys Gregory

Green jobs for the unemployed and a multi-million pound package to decarbonise housing should be central to how Wales is reshaped in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, says the Future Generations Commissioner. Sophie Howe says we have a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reset Wales’ economy and is calling for “visionary ideas and transformative investment” in the nation’s recovery plan. The commissioner has published a series of recommendations for Welsh Government as it announces its first Supplementary Budget, detailing how funding will be allocated during and after the crisis. The Welsh Government budget has increased by more than 10% for the…

Denbighshire County Council and Denbighshire Leisure Ltd made the announcement that the award-winning Airshow, now in its 11th year, will not go ahead this August Bank Holiday as planned. Last year’s show was regarded as being the best ever and won the prestigious ‘Best Crowd Puller Award’ at the North Wales Tourism Awards. Councillor Bobby Feeley, Chair of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “Over recent weeks we have been monitoring government advice closely, and after much discussion and careful deliberation we have arrived at this inevitable conclusion.  Our decision has been made in light of the challenges presented by Covid-19, and…

A Swansea-based art company have been responsible for painting special mural designs on metal boxes as a thank you to the NHS and key workers during the coronavirus crisis. Residents in Penyrheol, Gorseinon and Grovesend have been enjoying the newly painted boxes which have been created by Fresh Creative Co. and funded by Penyrheol Labour Councillors Andrew Stevens and Jan Curtice from their community budget. The painted boxes are close to Awel-Y-Mor Care Home, Penyrheol Primary School, Gorseinon Hospital and Frampton Road Post Office in Penyrheol and by the children’s playground in Grovsend. “We have tried to get the boxes…

Wales is just one more ballot away from bringing the culinary world to the nation in 2024 by hosting the Worldchefs Congress and Expo. Following a landslide victory in the first round vote, when beating Poland and the Netherlands, the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) increased their winning margin against Russia as the second round ballot result was announced on Tuesday. Wales now needs to win the third and final ballot against Singapore in either July or August to host the Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2024 at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales), Newport. This major culinary event attracts…

A north Wales mum celebrating her five-year cancer all-clear has called for urgent action to restart national cancer screening tests in Wales.   Ali Alcock, a social worker from Corwen, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015 following a routine smear test.   As it stands in Wales, all such routine screening is suspended as the NHS continues to adapt to the challenge of coronavirus, raising concerns that cancer diagnoses are being delayed and may be missed.   Commenting on the suspension of cervical screening in Wales, Ali said:   “I had absolutely no symptoms and the smear test that…

With the discussion about pupils’ return to school ever-present in the media, Gareth Evans, Director of Education Policy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Yr Athrofa: Institute of Education and Humanities looks at the challenges that lie ahead for schools, their teachers and the new curriculum in Wales.  In what has become a weekly tradition, Wales and the rest of the UK comes together each Thursday to Clap For Our Carers.  A small, but heartfelt tribute to those working to keep us alive, and safe from serious illness.  But to some extent, the heroic fightback against coronavirus is only possible because of our education…

Award-winning Sri Lankan restaurant group The Coconut Tree has reopened its Cardiff restaurant. After investing in new procedures and technology, customers will now be able to order an island-inspired feast via their favourite delivery apps (Uber Eats or Deliveroo). The re-openings are part of a phased return to normality for the Sri Lankan street-food pioneers, who are shortlisted for ‘Best New Business’ at this year’s Cardiff Life Awards (postponed until September 2020). What’s on the menu? The menu at The Coconut Tree is made up of smaller tapas-style dishes cooked fresh to order, making them perfect for a take-away. In…

Public relations agency Effective Communication has launched an Academy to provide training services in communications and marketing. Designed to help organisations and individuals position, promote and protect themselves, the Effective Academy offers a range of training programmes to develop the skills of in-house marketing and communications professionals. In line with Effective’s wider marketing strategy, the planning for the Academy has taken several months, and the courses have been developed after several trial projects with Effective clients. Delivered by Effective’s experienced senior team, the Academy programmes launch next week by webinar, however, future programmes will be designed to be delivered in…

Construction of improved athletics facilities in Clydach Vale is now complete. The King George V athletics track has benefitted from £800,000 #RCTinvest funding, which has delivered a series of upgrades – including a new and improved athletics track surface, enhancements to field event areas, drainage improvements to the existing football pitch and the introduction of floodlights. The facility has been closed to the public since last summer to ensure works were completed safely. The final weeks of the scheme were undertaken with contractor South Wales Sports Grounds adhering to social distancing, due to the Coronavirus emergency. All work has now…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will expand its emergency childcare provision from the start of June – by increasing the number of hubs from 13 to 25 in response to the ever-increasing demand for key workers and vulnerable learners.  In response to the Coronavirus national emergency, the Council has been operating 13 very successful childcare hubs, to help key workers who are parents/carers of pupils aged 4-14 in mainstream and Pupil Referral Unit settings and aged 4-19 in special school settings. This provision is in addition to the childcare offer for 0-4 year-olds delivered in a range of settings. Key workers…