Author: Rhys Gregory

The First Minister Mark Drakeford will today see how tourism businesses are preparing to welcome back visitors to Wales as the sector prepares to open for the first time since the since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. He will visit The Hide in St Donats, in the Vale of Glamorgan, to see the measures self-contained accommodation is putting in place, as the first visitors arrive in Wales today (Saturday July 11). The visit comes after the First Minister announced a new – and extensive – package of measures to further lift Wales’ coronavirus restrictions, which will see large parts…

Are you fed up of losing more money than you are winning whilst engaging in online slot gambling sessions at one of the thousands of online casinos around these days? Some gamblers just cannot seem to catch a lucky break, and often end up losing way more cash than they would ever win whilst spinning the reels of these incredible little gambling games at https://www.megareel.com/all-games. It is tempting to just blame fate, but the reality is that many of these gamblers are inflicting this on themselves through poor slot game choice. The reality is that each online slot has slightly…

Hairdressers, barbers and most indoor tourist attractions will reopen on Monday, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today (Friday 10 July) as he set out further measures to lift Wales’ coronavirus restrictions. Following the latest 21-day review of the coronavirus regulations, the First Minister has set out a phased timetable to ease restrictions for large parts of Wales’ visitor, hospitality, and leisure and tourism sectors. He is asking the beauty sector and other close-contact services, including tattooists and nail salons, to begin preparing to reopen from 27 July, if the conditions allow. Although cases of coronavirus are declining in Wales, the…

Today at Swansea Crown Court Kyle Bowen, aged 28, of Glynneath, has pleaded guilty to the murder of David Williams. 73-year-old Mr Williams was found in the Danygraig Lane area of Pontwalby, Glynneath, on Monday, 27th January 2020. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Peters, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Williams’ family who continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers. I am pleased that today’s plea means they will not have to endure a trial which can be very distressing. “Myself and my team would like thank the community of Glynneath and Pontwalby…

The Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has today urged the Welsh Government to open up the housing market at a quicker pace and to match the recent changes to stamp duty land tax that have been introduced with immediate effect in both England and Northern Ireland. While the CA says it continues to acknowledge the ongoing health risks presented by COVID-19 it points to the example set in England and the lack of any evidence to suggest this has caused an increase in cases or put property stakeholders at any greater risk. Last month,…

Demand for digital diagnostics and social prescribing services by healthcare providers has significantly increased since the Covid-19 pandemic, as the NHS looks at alternative ways of caring for its patients during lockdown. Among those to answer the call is medtech company Signum Health, which has won six contracts to supply its digital solutions since the beginning of 2020 to date. Founded by former public health worker Victoria Norman, the Caerphilly-based company is one of a handful helping healthcare providers UK-wide make the move to online service delivery and has seen its technology and services more in demand than ever. Victoria…

Swansea University has signed up to be part of a new online initiative aimed at supporting students disadvantaged by the coronavirus pandemic to enter higher education. The University is one of 50 organisations from across the UK HE sector that have teamed up to create online hub Uni4Me which offers more than 250 online activities for school pupils. Led by the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) and funded by the participating organisations, the hub will act as central portal where learners, parents and teachers can access free activities to help them progress to higher education. The free resources include virtual…

Barely a year since its launch, specialist alcohol-free craft brewer, The Drop Bear Beer Co, is celebrating success at one of the UK’s most prestigious drinks industry awards. Founded by newbie brewers Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena, Swansea-based Drop Bear burst on to the scene promising to ‘disrupt’ the traditional view of the non-alcoholic beer market. And their mantra of ‘Dropping the alcohol, perfecting the craft’ has undoubtedly rung true with a gold award at the inaugural ‘Imbibe No & Low Taste Awards 2020’ – where judges awarded Drop Bear’s Tropical IPA the title of ‘Best No & Low IPA’.…

Learnings from Leaders: Forging our Tech Future (14th July  at 18:30) is a free headline event in Wales Tech Week, and features members of the Welsh Technology Leadership Council, some of Wales’ most influential figures in technology, along with some of the country’s rising stars as they share learnings and explore new and exciting opportunities for collaboration in Wales and beyond. Participants in the round table event include: Gareth Williams, VP Secure Communications & Information Systems at Thales Group, who also sits on the Cyber Management Committee of Tech UK and is a member of the RISC Council; Anne Boden…

The Fflecsi services will run in Prestatyn and Denbigh from August 3 offering passengers the chance to book journeys by app or phone and be picked up at the nearest and clearly identified suitable point to their home. Denbighshire County Council has secured funding from Transport for Wales for the services which will cater for increased demand for buses as lockdown eases while maintaining social distancing guidelines on-board. Cllr Brian Jones, the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “As we emerge from lockdown and see an increased demand for public transport, Fflecsi offers peace of mind…