Author: Rhys Gregory

Cinemas, museums and beauty salons can reopen from Monday, as Wales’ coronavirus restrictions continue to be relaxed, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today. Tourist accommodation with shared facilities, such as camping sites and all hotels will be able to re-open from Saturday (25 July) as will underground attractions, marking the full re-opening of Wales’ visitor attractions. New rules making it compulsory to wear a face covering on public transport, including taxis, will also come into effect on Monday (27 July). This is the latest in the phased re-opening of Wales’ hospitality, leisure and retail sectors. In addition to beauty salons,…

The statue of slaver and Waterloo war hero Sir Thomas Picton is to be removed from the Marble Hall of Heroes in Cardiff City Hall. The decision was taken following a debate and vote held at Cardiff Full Council. Cardiff’s first Black Lord Mayor, Cllr Dan De’Ath, called for the statue to be removed because of Picton’s links to slavery and his documented torture of a teenage girl forced into slavery in the West Indies. The call to remove the statue was backed by Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, who said: “There have been well-publicised calls in the wake of…

Genesis Biosciences has begun supplying primary schools in Wales with its unique general purpose sanitiser that is proven to be effective against Covid-19 and is free from any harmful chemicals.

Under new rules announced by the UK Government’s Department for Transport, e-scooters are now allowed on roads across the UK as part of a rental pilot scheme. Now a local Welsh company, GOiA, is leading the charge on the electric micro-mobility future with the launch of e-scooter rental opportunities. Part of the south Wales based Inter Vehicle Group which operates a number of companies in the vehicle and vehicle sharing sector, GOiA is looking to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds and create ten new jobs through its e-scooter rollout. It is currently in talks with Local Authorities across Wales…

BUSINESS is bubbling up nicely for one of the country’s most ethical and inspiring manufacturers. Dr Zigs distributed 10,000 litres of its popular products during the Coronavirus lockdown – that equates to a staggering 10 million giant bubbles. And the sales surge comes as the company, based on the Vaynol Estate near Bangor, approaches its 10th anniversary. Bubbler-in-Chief Paola Dyboski-Bryant has big plans for the future; she wants to create a viable, sustainable organisation with a minimal carbon footprint that reflects her own ethics and activism. A former professional sailor and lighting technician – Paola was the West End’s first…

A new visitor attraction with a living history medieval village, dinosaur park, nature walks and a wedding venue has opened in the Vale of Glamorgan. Fonmon Castle, which dates from Norman times, is a beautiful country home set in 100 acres of grounds in the Vale of Glamorgan, close to Cardiff Airport. It was purchased last year by Nigel Ford, a businessman who has built a successful wholesale seed business, All Things Rural, as well as a popular visitor attraction, All Things Wild, in the Midlands. He has taken what he learnt from these ventures to help recreate Fonmon Castle…

South Wales college, Coleg y Cymoedd has teamed up with the Wales Rugby League to launch a brand-new dual academy aimed at supporting Wales’ future male and female professional rugby players. The ‘Wales Rugby League National Development Academy’ will be the only dual academy in Wales officially accredited by the Rugby Football League. Committed to producing the next generation of male and female rugby league talent, for the first time, the academy at Coleg y Cymoedd will be open to everyone aged 16-19, regardless of gender, and will offer a potential pathway to play in the Super League and international…

A new scheme designed to offer reassurance to newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients in Swansea Bay, via telephone, is being declared a ringing success. The scheme, conducted by Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Infectious Disease Team and Medical Students from Swansea University, aims to offer support to patients as they come to terms with their diagnosis. Since the beginning of the outbreak 1,748 patients in Swansea Bay have been infected and tested positive for COVID-19 at a time of reduced access to health care.  Many have needed to cope with their diagnosis relying on the internet and those around them for…

A man who led police on a death defying chase through the streets of Merthyr Tydfil has been jailed. On 31st March, 2020, Leon Fear ignored a request to stop from a police officer who was carrying out checks on High Street in Dowlais. The 23 year-old from Ferndale sped away but was followed by the officer who got back into his police car to catch up with the black Audi that Fear was driving. Despite the police vehicle displaying blue lights and siren, Fear ignored the officer and continued on his reckless pursuit to get away. He led police…

Following the success of their first Robin Morgan & Friends event last month, Chapter Arts Centre is delighted to announce another virtual comedy gig, The event will take place on Friday 7 August and will feature comedians Jessica Fostekew (Live At The Apollo, QI, The Guilty Feminist), who performed at Chapter last February with her sell-out show ‘Hench’, and Clint Edwards (Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week), who in usual times organises the monthly Drones Comedy Club at Chapter. The host for the night will be Robin Morgan (BBC Radio 4, Sky One,…