Author: Rhys Gregory

A MULTI-MILLION pound early New Year present has arrived to turbo-charge the Swansea Bay City Deal. The first phase of City Deal funding – worth £18 million – has been released by the UK Government and Welsh Government for the investment programme, which covers Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. The funding is based on the approval of two City Deal projects – the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District, and Canolfan S4C Yr Egin. Construction work has now started on a 3,500-capacity digital indoor arena on a site adjacent to the LC in Swansea. Also forming part of…

The police unit tasked with tackling serious and organised crime across southern Wales has been involved in more than 300 arrests and seized more than 30 kilogrammes of drugs during 2019. Tarian, the southern Wales regional organised crime unit is tasked with tackling serious and organised crime across southern Wales and managing the threat posed from crime types such as firearms supply, county drugs lines, child sexual exploitation, cybercrime and modern day slavery. In 2019, officers from the unit have directly arrested 47 people, secured jail sentences of 199 years for both drugs and cybercrime, recovered six weapons under firearms…

Speakers from Amazon, INTEL and Pfizer are set to meet with Welsh innovators this March at an event which promises to reveal the near future technologies that will transform frontline health and social care in Wales and beyond. ‘Tomorrow’s Health 2020’, a major conference organised by Life Sciences Hub Wales, will see health and social care pioneers, industry experts and academia join forces to explore how collaborations in Wales will bring to life new revolutions in healthcare. Discussions will include explorations of how artificial intelligence and cloud computing will transform the care that we and future generations receive. Amazon, Intel…

Leading up to the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch over weekend of January 25, 26 and 27, RSPB Cymru is holding exciting events on its nature reserves across Wales. From discovering how to make some brilliant bird feeders to identifying the creatures you share your home with, there’s something for everyone. Come along to RSPB Ynys-hir on Sunday, January 19, from 10.30am – 3pm, and practise your bird ID skills with the birds on our feeders. You’ll also get to make a bird cake to take home. No need to book. Cost £2 per bird cake. For further information call:…

Online career and hiring marketplace Digital Profile has identified the top skills employers are looking for when it comes to recruiting new staff this new year. The pioneering job-hunting company, which helps businesses find new employees and job seekers find employment, found that soft skills including communication, numeracy and literacy are crucial requirements from employers. Digital Profile specialises in recruiting for the creative and tech industries, so when it came to technical ability and knowledge, employers are looking for those with understanding of Javascript programming language, as well as CSS (cascading style sheets), PHP, UX (user experience design) and GIT…

An “incredibly worthy” cancer research charity transforming lives across Wales is set to benefit from the inaugural Wales STEM Awards. Cancer Research Wales, which invests over £1 million each year in ground-breaking cancer research projects, has been chosen as the nominated charity partner for the first annual awards. The charity, which is dedicated to developing life-changing treatments, diagnostic techniques, and research, will receive all funds raised through the newly established event taking place at Cardiff City Hall on May 1st. The Wales STEM Awards will celebrate those making a difference to, and championing, the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)…

Aberystwyth University’s iconic Old College, one of Wales’s outstanding Grade I buildings, has today been awarded almost £10 million (£9,732,300) of National Lottery money to help in its renovation and secure its long term future as a centre for culture, heritage, discovery, learning and enterprise attracting 190,000 annual visitors. An additional £3 million will also be invested from the Welsh Government and £3 million from the European Regional Development Fund through the Tourism Attractor Destination programme to promote the new tourism opportunities that will come in the wake of its redevelopment. The Grade I listed Old College is synonymous with…

Work on the third phase of Glan yr Afon Industrial Estate in Aberystwyth has begun with confirmation of a commercial property loan for developers Ellis Development Company (Wales) Ltd  by the Development Bank of Wales. Speaking on Monday 13 January 2020, Ken Skates, Minister for Economy and Transport welcomed the first investment from the £55 million Wales Commercial Property Fund managed by  the Development Bank of Wales. Launched last year to encourage SME developers to invest in Wales’ commercial property market, the fund is financed by the Welsh Government. Loans from £250,000 to £5 million are available with a maximum…

The proposed new Dyfi Bridge on the A487 north of Machynlleth, has been given the go-ahead by Welsh Government Transport Minister Ken Skates. The £46m scheme will improve road safety, strengthen links between communities, provide active travel opportunities and build resilience against flooding, as well as improve transport connectivity to help stimulate further economic development in this part of Wales. The current Dyfi Bridge is a 19th century stone narrow bridge with poor visibility and no footways. The river Dyfi frequently floods, severing communities on either side of the bridge, with these incidents likely to increase because of climate change.…

COLEG CAMBRIA has launched a new a dog grooming salon and training academy. The Collar and Comb Dog Grooming Academy at the north east Wales college’s Llysfasi site will be formally unveiled with a seminar hosted by Julie Harris, co-founder of The Groomer’s Spotlight website. With more than 35 years’ experiences in the sector, Julie is one of the most respected names in the world of dog grooming and will discuss the topic: Canine Anatomy, Coat and Skin. Wendy Murray, a Dog Grooming Lecturer at Cambria, said the decision to transform the previous dog grooming space into a working salon…