Author: Rhys Gregory

A Bassaleg  woman, who is one of Wales’ longest serving blood donors, is encouraging local residents to “give it a go” after being recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for reaching 100 blood donations, a milestone that has taken her 59 years to achieve. Jeanne Butcher, 71, was one of four local donors that were recognised at a recent awards ceremony for reaching the 100 donation milestone. Commenting at the event, Jeanne, a retired NHS clerical assistant, said: “I was encouraged by a colleague to attend my first blood donation clinic back in 1965 when I was 18 and working…

RAY WELLS will say goodbye to Coleg Cambria this week after helping to lead the institution for more than two decades. Mr Wells, a former manager in the steel industry and quality assessor, stepped down as vice-chair of the Governing Body after almost 24 years with Cambria, and previously Deeside College. He is respected in UK manufacturing and engineering circles for his contribution to the sector, notably as manager of the Corus Colors Total Quality Business Excellence programme. Since retiring from the steel industry, he has worked with Governors Wales, Local Authorities and Welsh Government to improve the effectiveness of…

Towergate Insurance Brokers is advising trustees and those in charge of their local village hall, community hall, leisure or sports hall, to ensure assets are protected appropriately. Adrian Bonas, Charity Champion at Towergate Insurance Brokers Cardiff who specialises in Charity and Third Sector Insurance, is advising trustees to ensure their hall has the correct insurance in place for the variety of activities the festive season brings, as well as being practically prepared to protect their premises from adverse weather conditions. Adrian said “During the festive season community spaces see a lot more activity as people celebrate. This means that your…

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is gearing up for one of its busiest nights of the year as revellers celebrate the start of the Christmas break. The Trust has teamed up with police forces, health boards, St Johns Cymru Wales and local authorities across Wales to ensure ‘Black Friday’ goes off without a hitch. Black Friday is the last Friday before Christmas and traditionally the most popular night for office parties. As a result, it has gained a reputation as one of the busiest nights of the year for restaurants, pubs and the emergency services. Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Director of…

A man has been charged in connection with a serious assault which has left a man critically ill in hospital. Andrew John Davies, 52, of Aberaman, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and is due to appear at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning (Friday, December 20). Officers were called to an incident in Commerce Place, Aberaman, at approximately 8.50pm on Monday, December 16. A 26-year-old man was taken to Prince Charles Hospital with serious injuries, where he remains in a life-threatening condition. Detective Inspector Stuart Wales, from the South Wales Police Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “A 26-year-old…

39% of heart patients in Wales are missing out on vital recovery care that could prevent them dying prematurely, a British Heart Foundation (BHF) report has found. Cardiac rehabilitation is a programme of exercise, education and psychological support which research has shown can reduce the risk of dying from heart and circulatory diseases by a quarter. It is recommended for people after a heart attack, coronary angioplasty and heart surgery, and is also available to some people with angina or heart failure. However latest figures reveal that 68,000 out of 136,000 people eligible for cardiac rehabilitation in England, Wales and…

A top North Wales green energy company has again been named in the UK’s top three renewable heating installers at the UK’s biggest annual green industry awards. Hafod Renewables, based in the Vale of Clwyd, were presented with their award by actor James Nesbitt at the Energy Efficiency Awards, the renewables industry ‘Oscars’ at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The event, which was compered by BBC Breakfast and Football Focus presenter Dan Walker, saw the business, founded in 2010 by former Holywell High School pupil David Jones, 34, short-listed in two categories at the prestigious event. They were named…

These are the powerful words of globally acclaimed Welsh actor, musician and now nature ambassador, Iwan Rheon. In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Sophie Howe, Rheon urges the commissioner to put nature at the heart of Wales’ future. The future generations report due to be released in Spring 2020 will set out what the Commissioner believes should be a priorit­y for the Welsh Government in order to create a better Wales for future generations. It is for this reason that WWF are asking people in Wales to join together this Thursday 19th December and…

SHARP main dealer and Port Talbot-based family firm, Clarity Copiers, Glamorgan are to continue their sponsorship of the Newport Dragons. In addition to match sponsorship, Clarity has also agreed to the sponsorship of ex-British and Irish Lions hooker, Richard Hibbard, Samoa’s Brandon Nansen and also scrum half Dan Babos. Clarity’s Director Warren Dryden and Sales Manager Des Mann are ardent sports fans and have long-since recognised that it is possible to mix business with pleasure.  Supporting the Dragons allows them to invest in good relationship-building with their suppliers, clients and prospective customers whilst enjoying a game of the Welsh national…

A theatre manager has been honoured for two decades of service at a top private hospital.  Diane Hall, who lives in Marford, Wrexham, trained as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) after her dreams of becoming a rookie cop were dashed at the age of 18. Now theatre manager at the private Spire Yale Hospital in Wrexham, the mum-of-three says she could not imagine herself doing anything else after clocking up an impressive 21 years’ with her employers. The 49-year-old, who has three sons’ aged 28, 22 and 15, has now received a special long service award in recognition of her…