Author: Rhys Gregory

A police boss in North Wales says that securing funding for an extra 167 Tasers will help protect frontline officers as well as the public. The region’s police and crime commissioner, Arfon Jones, welcomed the additional £137,000 from a £10 million pot provided by Home Secretary Priti Patel. The cash will cover the cost of buying the new tasers. Meanwhile, money for batteries, holsters and training has been included in the budget for the remainder of this year and next by the commissioner. As well as having more Tasers available for officers, it will also mean more can be trained in how to…

In 2016, the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum told hundreds of young people that they were key to the sustainability agenda and global efforts. They were advised to aim high and to have ambitious goals and today we’re seeing young people do exactly that – from Greta Thunberg to students looking to realise change in their local area. Sixth form students from St David’s Catholic College, based in Penylan, have taken matters into their own hands, setting up a sustainability group in the college to encourage action. “I think it’s extremely important that everyone…

Wales & West Utilities has been announced as a key partner with Pembrokeshire County Council to deliver the Milford Haven: Energy Kingdom (MH:EK) project – to meet the Prospering from the Energy Revolution Industrial Strategy Challenge. Over £2million has been given by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to run the project, which will deliver a detailed design for the Milford Haven waterway area. It will trial new technology, which could become a blueprint for greener local energy generation and will contribute to the UK and Welsh Government’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. MH:EK is a 22-month project…

Two businessmen are investing £1 million to open an Italian restaurant and a gastro pub which will create around 30 new jobs in Wrexham. Brothers-in-law John Blaney and Carl Burleigh are breathing new life into the former Barclays Bank premises in High Street that’s lain empty for 10 years. Both men have many years’ experience in the food and drinks industry and say the two new eateries, Belushimo and the Frisky Pudding, will herald the creation of a new café quarter in the town when they open later this month. The development spans two buildings next door to each other…

Aberdovey’s Tom Cave is looking forward to returning to the event where he posted his first of three British Rally Championship victories last year, the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally, which takes places this coming St Patrick’s Day weekend – March 14 and 15. Cave, a manager at his family’s Trefeddian Hotel, will be partnered by co-driver Dale Furniss from Llanfyllin. In a nail-biting, final stage shoot out in 2019 against fellow Welshman Matt Edwards, driving his PCRS prepared, Get Jerky supported Hyundai i20 R5, Cave and his co-driver on that occasion, James Morgan, secured an impressive win by…

Health records from over 80% of the Welsh population have been used to create the UK’s first national-scale health database for dementia research, which is housed at Swansea University. Researchers have used Welsh NHS records to create the new resource – which is kept in the SAIL Databank – allowing doctors and scientists to investigate fundamental questions about dementia with greater confidence, paving the way for new treatments. Every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia, and the number of people living with the condition is projected to increase. With 850,000 people estimated to be living with dementia in…

The Welsh business community raised a glass to International Women’s Day at a special event hosted by Tiny Rebel Brewery and Lloyds Banking Group in Newport called ‘Big Impact’. More than 100 budding entrepreneurs and experienced members of the business community gathered at Tiny Rebel Brewery to hear from inspirational and empowering speakers, including gold medal winning Paralympian swimmer Liz Johnson, Deputy Minister for the Economy Lee Waters, Tiny Rebel chief finance officer Hannah Williams and Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking director Amanda Dorel. The event, which had an informal dress code to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, was aimed…

They say charity begins at home, but Menter a Busnes (MaB) staff have been out and about undertaking a variety of community charity projects throughout Wales – and has revealed its principal charity for 2020. MaB staff volunteered at a Caernarfon foodbank, helped Nant Conwy Rugby Club to clear up the flood-damage caused by Storm Ciara, and cleaned Llansteffan Beach. They also embarked on a programme of fundraising for children’s hospices Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith – MaB’s main fundraising cause for the coming year. Said MaB Director, Elen Llwyd Williams, “Following the success of our volunteering day to celebrate…

How would you like to get lost in the heart of the Brecon Beacons? One of, if not the, most stunning settings for a music festival in the UK, Green Man is the topmost enchanting option on the festival circuit. Taking place between the 20th and the 23rd of August, there is as good a chance as any that you will get some sun in Wales! The origins and features of Green Man Festival The festival started in 2003 and since then has garnered a reputation as one of the most consistent and intimate festivals on the UK circuit. Located in the lush foothills…

The upcoming budget has been the source of much speculation, and with the recent change of Chancellor, there really is no sure way of telling what will be announced on March 11. Rumours of a tax relief cut or the current higher rate tax relief on pension contributions being replaced with a single flat rate have been circulating.  This would simplify the regime, although many believe Rishi Sunak may have already scrapped the idea for the time being following a backlash from Conservative MPs. A reform of the current tax relief system has been on the cards for some time,…