Author: Rhys Gregory

Aspiring game designers from across the south Wales valleys have been given expert training from digital skills specialists, as part of Social Enterprise GoConnect and the Cwm a Mynydd Rural Development Plan programme for Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent. The ‘Let’s get Digital’ programme is the latest in a series of GoConnect initiatives designed to provide young adults living within rural communities of Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent better access to specialist digital education to help address a growing skills gap and open up routes to employment opportunities within the digital workplace. The project aims to highlight the importance digital technology can…

Two prominent members of Powys County Council have pledged their support for the multi-million-pound restoration of the Montgomery Canal. Cllr James Evans, the council’s portfolio holder for economic development, housing and regulatory services and Cllr Elwyn Vaughan, leader of the council’s Plaid Cymru group, both said they would like to see the canal restoration included in the projects submitted for Mid Wales Growth Deal support. They advised John Dodwell, Montgomery Canal Partnership chair and Michael Limbrey, Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust chair, to develop a proposal in discussion with the Mid Wales Growth Deal team. Because the canal restoration is a…

Archaeologists have unearthed fascinating new evidence of one of Wales’ most powerful industrial stories. They are working hard to record hidden historical features on Swansea’s Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site. Over the next few years the location will be transformed for the use of future generations. Construction is due to start soon. The site will include the renovation of the historic Powerhouse building. Wales’s Penderyn Distillery will expand there and to fit it out as a new distillery and visitor centre. Swansea Council is overseeing the transformation as part of its plans to regenerate the lower River Tawe corridor. Richard Lewis, managing…

Trainee police dogs are being put through their paces at a disused mental health hospital in Swansea, as they get ready for paw patrol. The canine constables, along with their human handlers, are in training as the next generation of police dogs for South Wales Police. Their training ground is a disused section of Cefn Coed Hospital in Cockett, where the maze of old corridors and rooms make it a perfect place for the animals to learn their new skills. The 13-week course is aimed at training the dogs, mainly German Shepherds, in ‘person search’ skills, so they can seek…

The corporate and personal benefits of improving workplace mental health and  wellbeing will be under the spotlight at a charity conference taking place in Cardiff this week (January 29th). Designed for businesses and organisations who are looking to address the importance of staff mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.  The “Taking Care of Business: Mental Health at Work” conference will include presentations from people with first-hand experiences which also offer practical insight and tips on how to support the workforce. It is the second in a series of mental health conferences launched by commercial law firm Darwin Gray and…

Leading Welsh law firm, Capital Law, has launched international desks to cover twelves countries and territories in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US. Working on a global scale is nothing new for Capital – a member of several international networks like Consulegis, GBL Alliance and the China Collaborative Group. But as it expands, the firm has introduced designated international desks to facilitate access to such services, for its many clients who are seeking support in navigating the various cultural, legal and regulatory environments they operate in. Each international team is made up of lawyers who originate from, or…

Up until recently, drivers  going above the speed limit in England and Wales could potentially avoid losing their right to drive if it meant losing their job. The Sentencing Council – an organisation lead by judges – plans to make a major change to the law in England and Wales, with a set of new guidelines that were recently launched in a public consultation. The consultation will run for 12 weeks in full – from January 22 to April 15, 2020. The judges state that hardship is in fact nearly always involved (to some degree or another) when drivers are banned from…

Having a fully functioning heating system is essential for any household. In fact, in our previous post ‘Not Checking Heating System Biggest Regret Of House Buyers In Wales’, home buyers explained how they regretted not checking the heating systems of their prospective homes since it can be a big source of stress and added expenses if it isn’t working properly. Despite its importance, a lot of people often overlook boiler servicing. Plumbing experts HomeServe outline how important proper boiler maintenance is for homeowners as it will ensure that you reduce the chances of any unexpected and costly breakdowns. A comprehensive…

Swansea’s historic Grand Theatre is to be home to a pioneering culture and digital hub – the first operation of its kind in Wales. The venue’s Arts Wing is to become a focus for more than 20 grassroots communities who will help develop a diverse arts programme. The hub will host new opportunities for the arts, cultural events, community activities and skills programmes. It will develop an ethnic street food café and offer a catering support service. Race Council Cymru, with the support of Welsh Government funding, will improve and upgrade the Arts Wing to provide new spaces for arts…

Rory Wilson, a distinguished professor of zoology at Swansea University, has been granted a Humboldt Research Award by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany. The award is granted in recognition of a researcher’s entire achievements to date, and to academics whose fundamental discoveries, new theories, or insights have had a significant impact on their own discipline and who are expected to continue producing cutting-edge achievements in the future. Award winners are granted €65,000 to conduct research, and are invited to spend a period of up to one year cooperating on a long-term research project with specialist colleagues at a…