Author: Rhys Gregory

Compared to other countries around the world, the USA has one of the strictest immigration policies there is. Any person wanting to travel to the USA would therefore do well to read up on the visa rules. As a standard, any non-US nationals need a visa to travel to the USA. The only exception to this is if you possess a US passport. However, there are a number of alternatives to the visa. By far the most popular one is the so-called ESTA. Travellers from countries like the United Kingdom can make use of an ESTA if they want to…

The Royal Mail has announced that it will stop its Saturday letter delivery service starting this weekend. The temporary changes have come into force due to a number of factors including staff absences relating to coronavirus. The changes will only effect its Saturday, with normal Monday-Friday service unaffected. The statement on the website reads: “Our postmen and postwomen are working very hard across the UK in challenging conditions. As we said at the start of the coronavirus crisis, there will be some disruption to services. Relevant factors include high levels of coronavirus-related absences and necessary social distancing measures. “We understand…

Two new drive-through testing centres and an online booking service will start in Wales this week. The testing centre in Llandudno will open tomorrow (Wednesday 29 April) and the Carmarthen centre will start testing critical workers on Thursday (30 April). Staff from the NHS, police, fire and ambulance services; care homes and other critical staff will be tested by appointment at the centre in Builder Street. They will have a self-swab test without leaving their vehicles. The Showground in Carmarthen will host a new drive-through testing centre for critical workers in West Wales. This will support other existing testing centres…

The huge rise in demand for food home deliveries has prompted one Welsh retailer to launch a consolidated delivery service for store cupboard items and fresh produce essentials – all sourced directly from small businesses in Wales. DiscoverDelicious.Wales is an online multi-vendor marketplace specifically for Welsh food and drink producers and experience providers, allowing them to sell directly to consumers, nationwide. Until now, customers have been able to use the site to browse and purchase from multiple Welsh producers in one easy transaction, but each delivery was separately fulfilled by the respective producers on a drop-ship basis. Now, in response…

An exciting new not for profit organisation is the first of its kind in the UK to link landowners and the public to slow climate change by planting thousands of broadleaf trees. 9Trees, a community interest company, has a mission to plant nine trees per person per year at sites across the UK to help offset personal carbon footprints. “The average person in the UK emits nine tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and the average broadleaf tree sequesters one tonne of carbon in its life,” said Michael Cunningham, who founded 9Trees.org last year with fellow director Michelle Kent. “If we…

Business confidence in Wales fell 54 points during April to -52%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their individual business prospects month-on-month, at -39%hen taken alongside their views of the economy overall, this gives a headline confidence reading of -52%. The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. More than a quarter (28%) of businesses in Wales reported operating below 50% capacity, while almost a third (32%) reported operating above this level. More than third (34%) were…

Charities and organisations affected by the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK are being given access to a comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million from The National Lottery. Thanks to National Lottery players, millions of pounds of National Lottery funding will be distributed over the next few months in Wales alone to help projects most impacted by coronavirus and which support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The extensive funding packages span the arts, community, charity, heritage, education, environment and sports sectors. The funding packages announced to date which will help…

Property or business owners in Bridgend town centre are being invited to apply now for grants of up to £250,000 to improve the appearance of their buildings. Bridgend County Borough Council is working in partnership with the Welsh Government on the property enhancement project. The grants are up to 70 per cent of the total eligible costs, up to a maximum of £250,000. The Urban Centre Property Enhancement Fund can be used for: Renovation of vacant properties Shopfront and signage Windows and doors Internal and external structural works Improved accessibility Utilities and services Welfare facilities In return, business and property…

Caerphilly’s Trading Standards team is encouraging residents to be extra vigilant, after receiving reports of rogue traders in the area. These criminals will offer a low a price for work, then vastly increase this, once the job begins. They have been operating specifically in the Caerphilly and Aber Valley areas. Remember, when entering into a contract at your home for any type of building work, you are entitled to receive proper paperwork. This will include the full details of the trader you are contracting with, a comprehensive list of the work that is to be done and the estimated time…

A Pontllanfraith based company is gearing up to begin manufacturing vital ventilator connectors to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Motion29, based at Newbridge Road Industrial Estate in Pontllanfraith, has secured a grant of £6,811 from Caerphilly County Borough Council to purchase equipment enabling them to be ready to react at short notice in supplying connectors for ventilator projects. The funding has been granted from the council’s Caerphilly Enterprise Fund and is match funded by Motion29.  In addition to supporting the Government’s response to COVID-19, the funding will also help to safeguard 11 existing jobs at the company. Andrew Wilkinson,…