Author: Rhys Gregory

The Paul Popham Fund, Renal Support Wales, has moved to new offices in Tawe Business Village, Swansea. It has also recruited a new support service co-ordinator. Hayleigh Isaac, a trained counsellor, will oversee the charity’s befriending scheme, which provides support to kidney patients. The Paul Popham Fund works to improve the quality of life of renal patients in Wales, and a key part of its service is to recruit and train kidney patients and carers to support those currently undergoing treatment. As well as running this scheme, Hayleigh will provide counselling where needed, in collaboration with the University Hospital Wales.…

The team behind an award-winning Cardiff pizzeria have opened brand-new restaurant in the city centre. Those familiar with Dusty Knuckle name, know they are renowned for their wood-fired pizzas and family friendly environment. However, DARK is a completely new venture for the husband and wife team. DARK will nod to Dusty Knuckle’s roots by including a few new pizzas on the menu, but the focus will be on bolder choices and experimental flavours, with a ‘nose to tail’ ethos playing a big part. Well, if you’re going to kill the whole animal? Why not… The menu at DARK offers a range…

A Blackwood woman has been banned from keeping animals for life after failing to get treatment for her suffering dog. WARNING: Some readers may find the following images distressing Nicola Mireille Jones, 29, of Brynglas Avenue, was sentenced at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court today (18 December), after pleaded guilty to an Animal Welfare Act offence of causing her Husky crossbreed to suffer. She will not be able to apply for her ban to be removed for a period of five years, while Ms Jones was also handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. RSPCA Cymru had been seeking to…

Budding inventors from across Wales were recognised for their exceptional creations at this year’s WJEC Innovation Awards ceremony at the Pierhead Building. Thomas Jenkins, 18, from Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun in Cynon Valley was crowned the overall winner for his ‘stacking chair aid’, which helps move multiple chairs once they’ve been stacked. Welsh inventors have been instrumental in bringing the world some of its most game-changing inventions including the modern microphone, X-ray and radar technology. The annual Innovation Awards, in partnership with the Welsh Government, aims to encourage future generations to continue this legacy by challenging the design of everyday products…

Cardiff and Vale College has unveiled its biggest ever range of part-time courses, due to start from January 2020 onwards. Following on from the success of the free part-time courses CAVC started offering in the summer, the College has decided to greatly expand its provision. The courses, offered across a range of vocational and academic areas, are designed to cater to people looking to get back into work, develop their skills or try something new. From an introduction to flying drones to automotive engineering, hair and beauty and health and safety at work, the College has something for everyone. As…

A care agency in Wales is supporting a New Year (January, 2020) recruitment campaign that hopes to find more care workers in Powys. NHS England (NHSE) and NHS Improvement (NHSI) have allocated funds to place Powys patients in Shropshire/Powys border provision and is working with care providers to increase carer numbers. Neil Griffiths, Regional Manager at Abacare, which has offices in Newtown and provides care across Powys, said: “There is always a need for care workers and we’re fully supporting the recruitment campaign to ensure people can come home from hospital and be looked after by experts. “As part of…

The family of a woman who died following a collision at a residential home’s car park have paid tribute to her. Daphne Joan Williams was fatally injured during the incident at Morgana Court on Porthcawl Road, South Cornelly, at approximately 2.35pm on Monday (December 16). The family of the 85-year-old, who was from Maesteg, said: “It is with great sadness that we as a family announce the sudden and tragic loss of Daphne. “A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Daphne has the softest heart and would do anything for anyone. “Nothing was ever too much trouble for her, whether…

Festive travellers looking to use public transport during the Christmas and New Year period are alerted to changes to service patterns. Traveline Cymru is urging those looking to get out and about during the festive season to use its free transport information service to keep abreast of the latest changes. Many operators will be running alternative services over the festive period. This includes running no service, a different day service and early finishes. Customers will be able to plan their journeys by visiting the bilingual website, mobile app, text service or social media channels. Alternatively, customers will be able to…

Too many older people living in our local communities will face the festive period all alone without seeing another human being and only the television for company. No one should have to experience loneliness like this at any time of the year, and one local organisation decided they wanted to do something about it! Panasonic Manufacturing has been based on the outskirts of Cardiff in Pentwyn since 1976. Every year the 400 plus workforce based there enjoy a three course festive lunch in the canteen and this year they wanted to ensure it was not just them sitting down for…

Leaders in the Welsh food and drink industry are urging small businesses to prepare for the impact of Brexit following the result of the UK General Election. The Food and Drink Wales Industry Board (FDWIB), the designated voice of the industry established to encourage and sustain Welsh food and drink growth, believes there is a potentially significant  need for readiness and understanding surrounding Brexit among SMEs and that delays in the process around the General Election have continued to cost businesses money. With Brexit now on the horizon, the FDWIB advises food and drink businesses to plan for the future…