Author: Rhys Gregory

Thousands of people with cancer in Wales may be too ashamed to seek help with life-changing side effects that are considered taboo – potentially putting their health and recovery at risk. Macmillan Cancer Support says thousands of people with cancer in Wales are facing side effects including anxiety or depression, sex and relationship issues and bowel and bladder problems. However, a poll for Macmillan by YouGov has revealed that these, and many other common side effects of cancer, are often seen by the Welsh public as taboo. The poll also revealed that among those living with cancer in the UK…

A traditional ironwork business is gearing up to move premises, improve productivity as well as teach the next generation of blacksmiths thanks to a loan from the Development Bank of Wales. [aoa id=”1″] This will be the second time Poplars Forge has received funding from the development bank following a fast-track loan to purchase new equipment in 2018. The company makes high quality bespoke iron gates, railings, balconies and banisters from their workshop in Mold, Flintshire. Following the £20,000 micro loan, the company will be able to buy more machinery and increase their production. [/aoa] It will also support Poplars…

Staff and customers from Trivallis have been thanked after raising more than £8,600 for Tenovus Cancer Care. Over the past two years staff and customers from the Rhondda Cynon Taf-based housing association have been raising money for Wales’ leading cancer charity by taking on fundraising challenges, including a 150km bike ride and braving one of the UK’s longest zip wires. Lisa Roberts, Community Projects Officer at Trivallis, said: “Supporting Tenovus Cancer Care is something our customers and staff voted for and feel very passionate about. “It’s been a great two years and we are so grateful to everyone who put…

The tiniest patients on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales (NACHFW) have received some beautiful incubator covers to help them to have a more restful stay thanks to some generous members of the local community. Incubator covers are designed to protect the baby from the bright hospital lights and sounds, encourage sleep and to create a homely atmosphere while the babies grow. The parents or guardian of each tiny baby is able to choose an incubator cover to use while they are on the unit.  Although families become quite attached to their…

Leaders of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (Worldchefs) are to hold a board meeting in Wales for the first time next week. [aoa id=”1″] The invitation was extended by Arwyn Watkins, OBE, president of the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), to Worldchefs president Thomas Gugler at the Worldchefs Congress and Expo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year. The Worldchefs board will meet from Monday to Wednesday at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport where members will be given a virtual presentation on the new International Convention Centre Wales which is under construction. [/aoa] Wales’ Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural…

Local accountancy firm Bevan Buckland LLP has reiterated the importance of having good cash flow to businesses throughout the region. The advice comes as companies of all sizes and niches face an uncertain economic climate due to Brexit. [aoa id=”1″]Examples of the changing economic landscape continue to make regional and national news. Challenges linked to the consumer shift online affecting retail and the high street, and huge changes in motor manufacturing have also been reported as the reasons behind a number of high-profile business closures.[/aoa] Over the last few years, the media has highlighted stories relating to well-known brands such…

Two community diabetes nurses from Ceredigion have raised more than £10,000 for Diabetes UK Cymru this year thanks to an auction and sponsored cycle ride. Novice cyclists Anwen Jones and Helen Saunders, Community Diabetes Specialist Nurses for Hywel Dda Health Board, cycled a total of 88 miles from Borth to Cardigan on Saturday 8 June. [aoa id=”1″] The tough, winding route through the Ceredigion countryside passed through every surgery area that the nurses cover and took them more than nine hours to complete. The riders stopped off at GP surgeries they passed to drop off diabetes information packs. They were…

Innovative design and pioneering technology helped Swansea University scoop for a top award for one of its highest-profile new buildings. [aoa id=”1″]The Active Office, which demonstrates the Active Building concept developed by SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC), was officially opened a year ago, and won the Innovation in Delivering a Sustainable Education title at the prestigious Education Buildings Wales Awards which celebrate excellence and achievement in the field.[/aoa] The building at the Bay Campus is a daily example of how to integrate innovative technologies that generate, store and release solar energy and challenges current construction methods. Designed by SPECIFIC,…

Aldi, Britain’s fifth largest and fastest growing supermarket, is set to celebrate the opening of a brand new store in Gabalfa on Thursday 4th July at 8.00am. [aoa id=”1″] Standing at 1,310 sqm of retail space, the Gabalfa store will be the seventh Aldi store in Cardiff and will be run by Store Manager, Joe Scanlon. Exclusive offers will run throughout the opening day and the first 30 customers through the door will receive a complimentary bag of fresh fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s fantastic Super 6 range. [/aoa] The new store will bring a number of job opportunities to…

Catalan Ombudsman and President of the European Ombudsman network, Rafael Ribo, addressed a seminar at Aberystwyth University last week (21st June). The event took place in advance of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ new powers coming into force in July. The event, hosted jointly by the Ombudsman Association and the International Ombudsman Institute, explored how the new powers could help improve the delivery of public services in Wales and shared best practice from other European nations. [aoa id=”1″]In July a new law comes into force which will make it easier for vulnerable and deprived members of society to complain…