Author: Rhys Gregory

While uncertainty around Brexit has caused misery for millions, UK students have bucked the trend and say they are happier with university life than they were last year, according to league tables produced by website Whatuni.com and published on April 25th 2019. [aoa id=”1″] This year, overall satisfaction among students was 4.04/5 (or 80.8%) among the 41,000+ students who participated in the annual review of 160 UK institutions – with 69 universities registering improved satisfaction ratings from their own students. Swansea University gained top spot, winning University of the Year, while its Welsh counterparts outperformed their Scottish and English peers,…

A conveyancing specialist who has quickly made her mark on Cardiff’s legal industry is “thrilled” to be joining renowned city firm CJCH Solicitors. [aoa id=”1″] Lauren Powell has been appointed to the role of conveyancing solicitor at the growing Cardiff firm, which specialises in criminal law, family law, public sector law, and commercial property law. The 26-year-old joins the firm from Devonalds Solicitors where she headed up the conveyancing department at the firm’s Pontypridd office. [/aoa]While there she acquired experience in managing freehold and leasehold sale and purchase transactions, re-mortgages, new build properties, probate and auction sales, and…

A nurse who needed a skin graft after being burnt by a hot water bottle is raising safety awareness to help spare others the same pain. [aoa id=”1″] Every year – and not just during the winter – around 20 people are seen at Morriston Hospital’s Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery with hot water bottle-related injuries. Emma Walters knows all too well how painful such injuries can be. [/aoa] Earlier this year, Emma returned to her Neath home after a night shift in Morriston’s Coronary Care Unit. “The house was cold so I filled a hot water bottle…

A brave teenager who decided to have her own leg amputated after years of pain is set to fulfil her dream of competing in an international cheerleading contest after securing a place on Wales’ first ever paracheer team. Carys Price, 18, from Ynyshir, will be representing Wales at the 2019 Senior World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando – a dream she has had since she was little girl. The college learner, who is currently studying childcare at Coleg y Cymoedd, is competing in the paracheer category – a division of the sport designed for people who have disabilities. Having started cheerleading…

Leading commercial law firm, Berry Smith, has strengthened its team with a series of key promotions this month. [aoa id=”1″]The independent Welsh law firm has promoted six of its team members in its Cardiff and Bridgend offices. Paul Evans and Sarah Alford are promoted to the role of Senior Associate with Dan Dowen, Michael Shutt, Benjamin Delve and Alex Mitchell being promoted to the role of Associate. [/aoa] This news comes alongside continued growth which has been attributed to high-profile client wins over the past 12 months as demand for the firm’s services continues to grow. Chris Beames, managing partner of Berry…

Cardiff-based Yolk Recruitment has appointed a head of its newly-created finance and accountancy division to service demand from its existing client base. [aoa id=”1″] Merle Howells, 32, joins the award-winning business as part of Yolk’s ambitious growth strategy, with the firm on course to solidify its position as Wales’ market-leading recruitment agency by 2020. Originally from Cheltenham, Ms Howells has over 12 years’ experience in the recruitment industry, gained with brands such as Adecco. She will be heading up the new finance and accountancy division, managing a growing team alongside developing the strategy for Yolk’s offer in the fast-growing finance…

A group of learners from South Wales have jumped on the opportunity to get an international perspective on their dream careers working with children, after swapping the Valleys for the Mediterranean to take part in an intensive work placement in northern Italy. [aoa id=”1″] Keira-Lee Walker (18), Sian Lawrence (17), Gemma Lynch (35) and Leah Oakes-Bickford (18), have spent the last fortnight working abroad as part of a trip arranged by their college tutors. Organised as part of the ERASMUS+ EU funding programme, the trip allowed the four children’s care learners from Coleg y Cymoedd to gain experience with a…

This May a new walking festival celebrating seven years of the 870-mile coast path will take place. The festival’s aim is to encourage people across Wales to get outdoors, meet new people and appreciate our beautiful Welsh landscapes. [aoa id=”1″] Walks will be held in seven coastal regions and will be organised by the Wales Coast Path and Ramblers Cymru. The Wales Coast Path Walking Festival not only aims to showcase Wales’ beautiful coastline and countless natural assets but also boost local tourism along the path whilst encouraging residents to come together to celebrate the country’s iconic coastline. [/aoa] Taking…

A LEISURE business will make a splash with the country’s first hot tub exhibition. [aoa id=”1″] The North Wales Hot Tub Expo takes place in Mochdre over three days from Friday May 10. Organised by UK Leisure Living, the free event will feature some of the top names in the sector, including Hot Springs, Rotospa, Darlly and Elite Spas. More than 30 hot tubs will be on display at the Station Road showroom, which has been extended to host workshops and seminars on maintenance, filters, compliance, what to look out for when buying products and holiday park installations. [/aoa]…

South Wales Police is currently in attendance with emergency service colleagues from fire and rescue and the ambulance service at an incident at Tata Steelworks, Port Talbot. Emergency services received numerous calls at around 3.35am this morning and remain on scene. All members of staff are have been accounted for and there are only two casualties with minor injuries. Early indications are that the seat of the explosion was a train which carries molton metal into the works. The explosion caused some small fires which are all under control and damage to some buildings on the site. South West Fire…