Author: Rhys Gregory

A young woman, from Newport, has opened up about her battle with tinnitus that left her feeling ‘depressed’ and how she eventually found light at the end of the tunnel.  Normally described as a ringing, whooshing or hissing in the ears, tinnitus is often triggered after being exposed to loud noises like music. One in ten people in the UK have experienced it at least once, but for around 10% of the population the persistent sound never goes away. Despite the earliest reference of the condition stemming as far back as Ancient Egypt, scientists are still baffled as to why…

The masterpieces that adorn the walls of the National Museum Cardiff have been brought to life thanks to the work of a group of costume designers from Coleg y Cymoedd. Hours of historical research and months of painstakingly detailed work by college leaners studying towards their BA (Hons) in Costume Construction for Stage and Screen have created near-exact interpretations of the clothing and garments featured in some of the Museum’s most famous works, including Renoir’s La Parisienne, better known as The Blue Lady. The costumes are the result of three months of work at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus, which…

Cardiff-based web development and online booking specialist, UpriseVSI has strengthened its team with the appointment of five new members to its web development, project management and technical support teams. Myfanwy Maguire joins as Project Manager, having previously led multi-functional teams at Target Group, where she was involved in on the delivery of multi-million-pound software projects for the finance sector.  She will be responsible for the successful delivery of development projects for both UpriseVSI and its award-winning online booking and scheduling software, thinkBooker. Darius Garnham joins the company as Senior Developer.  A multiple-masters graduate in Computer Science and Software Technology from…

In December 2018, Ceredigion Youth Service and the County Council’s Economy and Regeneration team called on young people, aged between 8-25, to help spruce up an area along Aberystwyth Promenade by sharing their creative ideas. An area which regularly attracts vandalism, on the upper level of the shelter has now been replaced with a large, colourful mural reflecting the heritage of Aberystwyth, and what Aberystwyth means to young people. The response to the design competition was fantastic and the Youth Service received a whole host of imaginative designs, with a panel of judges choosing four winners. The panel enjoyed elements…

Acclaimed arts authority Karen MacKinnon is the new curator of Swansea’s prestigious Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. She joins Swansea Council’s city centre venue from her role as Director and Curator of internationally recognised contemporary arts body Artes Mundi. Karen, whose career includes a previous role at the Glynn Vivian, replaces Jenni Spencer-Davies who has retired. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We are thrilled to have a curator of Karen’s calibre leading the Glynn Vivian. “The gallery is a major arts venue for our city and Wales; both are brimming with creative opportunity and…

Detectives investigating an attempted murder are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed an assault which took place in North Walk, Barry, shortly after 12.20am on January 23. Anyone with any information, who has not yet spoken with officers, are asked to call 101 quoting reference number 1900026978 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Two people have been charged with attempted murder in connection with this incident and will appear at Cardiff Crown Court later this month. Ian Huggins, aged 18, of Barry, and a 17-year-old, have both…

A police chief is urging company bosses in North Wales to follow the example of the Timpson shoe and watch repair chain by giving offenders a second chance. According to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones, recruiting people with convictions can have a positive impact on their businesses by giving them access to a new talent pool. Mr Jones’s comments came during an address to the North Wales Business Club at the Quay Hotel and Spa in Deganwy. The commissioner pointed to the success of companies like Timpsons who employ ex-offenders and he urged bosses not to adopt…

Nile Rodgers has celebrated decades of success both as an artist and producer; has been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and in recent years, has collaborated with Daft Punk, Avicci and Sigala. CHIC and Rodgers have a string of top 10 pop hits to their name, including Everybody Dance, Le Freak, I Want Your Love, Dance, Dance, Dance and Good Times. Their one-off gig at Cardiff Castle is being organised by the same team behind the DEPOT venue on Dumball’s Road. It will take place on Friday 12th July, the night before DEPOT in the Castle – Cardiff’s…

Nominated by local mum Emma Rees, Emma Thomas has been honoured as Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year 2019 for the Wales region. The prestigious award is one of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Midwifery Awards, recognising the incredible work done by exceptional midwives across the country. Midwives play such a critical role in so many mums’ lives and the Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year Award enables them to pay a heartfelt tribute to their own special midwife who truly surpassed what was expected of them. After nine years of infertility, seven rounds of IVF…

The importance of vocational qualifications to the Welsh economy was emphasised at the launch of this year’s VQ Awards in Wales at the Senedd in Cardiff. [aoa id=”1″] Speakers called for vocational qualifications to have parity of esteem with academic qualifications and for the Welsh Government to continue prioritising investment in the sector. Iestyn Davies, chief executive of ColegauCymru/CollegesWales, said Wales was one of the remaining parts of the world where there had been a reluctance to recognise the value of vocational qualifications. Academic qualifications had hogged the limelight when young people were considering a career path. However, he believed…