Author: Rhys Gregory

Research by Cardiff Metropolitan University’s ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre has found that that despite increased awareness of the importance of handwashing, people are still not using adequate techniques. Worryingly, hand washing techniques are also said to be poor amongst those receiving cancer care, as well as their caregivers. The research, highlighted ahead of Global Handwashing Day on October 15th, found that of a group of 100 participants observed: only 30% implemented adequate hand washing and drying before preparing food 90% failed to implement adequate hand washing and drying immediately after handling raw chicken 62% failed to rub hands, palms and…

Police in Merthyr Tydfil are continuing their search for missing woman Brooke Morris. Brooke, 22, hasn’t been seen since the early hours of Saturday morning (12 October, 2019), when she was given a lift home to Bontnewydd Terrace, Trelewis, by people known to her after a night out in Merthyr Tydfil town centre. Officers believe that Brooke didn’t actually enter her house, but her next movements are unknown. Specially trained officers are continuing their search which they are focussing in the Trelewis and surrounding areas, including in and around local waterways and  woods. Brooke is described as being 5ft 3,…

Llangoed Hall Hotel has been shortlisted in the Venue category within the mid region in the Welsh National Wedding Awards. [aoa id=”1″] The luxury hotel, which has hosted a selection of high-profile weddings, will be up against a number of other wedding venues in the mid region of Wales. Llangoed Hall is the ultimate venue to celebrate special occasions, with dedicated and highly experienced staff who make certain that everything runs smoothly. From drinks on the Terrace to a wedding breakfast in the Orangery, the hotel provides a variety of spaces to create the perfect wedding reception. The Welsh National…

One of the most prestigious craft producers in the UK, the Dyfi Distillery based at Corris Craft Centre, near Machynlleth, has released its first new gin for two years. [aoa id=”1″] Navigation Gin – the distillery owns this trademark for gin, along with its Pollination and Hibernation labels – has been bottled at 57% alcohol. This was traditionally the strength at which the Navy could test that their barrels hadn’t been tampered with, because gunpowder could still be ignited when immersed in something so strong. Before the days of accurate testing, this was proof of strength and is also…

The Size of Wales Mbale programme passes its 10 million milestone as climate change activist Leah Namugerwa and First Minister Mark Drakeford plant trees on two continents. The ambitious Mbale tree planting scheme, which is funded by the Welsh Government’s Wales for Africa programme, plants trees in the heavily-deforested region of Mount Elgon region in eastern Uganda. It is also supported by the Welsh Government’s Plant! scheme, which plants two trees for every child born or adopted in Wales – one in Wales and one in Uganda. Leah Namugerwa, 15, also planted the 10 millionth tree in a special ceremony…

The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth is proud to announce that it has purchased the Welsh iconic painting ‘Salem’ on behalf of the nation, to protect and cherish it forever. Painted in 1909 by the artist Curnow Vosper, it depicts a scene at Salem Chapel, Cefncymerau, Llanbedr near Harlech, with Siân Owen the central character. ‘Salem’ is an iconic record of Welsh life and the noncomformist tradition in Wales and increasingly became a talking-point due to the fact that some viewed an image of the devil in the fold of Sian Owen’s shawl. The work purchased by the library is one of…

The woman charged with running a pioneering scheme to help vulnerable people break away from a life of crime knows what it’s like to live under the shadow of addiction. Anna Baker is the manager of the Checkpoint Cymru programme a new initiative by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones which aims to help keep minor offenders out of trouble and out of the courts. The 44-year-old was brought up with a grandmother who was addicted to prescription drugs while her sister, Anna’s great aunt, who was alcohol dependent ran a pub in Hampshire. Anna, who has worked…

According to the latest NatWest Wales PMI® data, private sector firms registered only a fractional expansion in business activity, following a sharper contraction in new orders during September. Subsequently, employment and backlogs fell further and at faster rates. Nonetheless, business confidence picked up slightly and was modest overall, as firms hoped for a resolution to ongoing Brexit uncertainty. Although input prices rose at the joint-slowest rate since July 2016, and client demand weakened, firms were able to raise output charges at a solid and quicker pace. The headline Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the…

Paperwork has long been the bane of many a farmer’s life, but a new record-keeping phone app has been launched for Welsh beef and sheep producers which saves time and ensures accuracy.   Exclusively created for farmer controlled co-operative Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd (WLBP), the app simplifies and standardises livestock record keeping and eliminates errors when entering vital medicinal information.   The easy-to-use WLBP Stockmove Express app, for Android or IOS phones, enables farmers to instantly record important livestock medicine information – including purchases and treatments. The QR barcode scanning facility records the product name, batch number and…

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Mid Wales, a world-leading Eco Centre that demonstrates and showcases practical solutions for a sustainable future, has developed new group travel packages. Having delivered quality courses on a huge range of sustainability topics for more than 40 years, CAT’s group travel packages are perfect for groups looking for something a little different. Expert tutors guide visitors through experiences ranging from traditional crafts and sustainable building to ecology and organic gardening. Favourites include clay oven building, nature connection walks and building pallet wood furniture. A Zero Carbon Britain workshop explores the radical changes needed…