Author: Rhys Gregory

Over half (57%) of the UK population lives within a mile of the National Cycle Network, but major improvements for access and safety are needed to open it up to everyone, including children, wheelchair users, those riding non-standard cycles and the less physically active. [aoa id=”1″] The call is made by Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, as it today launches the first review of the 16,575-mile Network In its “Paths for Everyone” report, the charity unveils the current state of the 23-year-old Network and a long term plan to make it traffic-free and tackle physical problems. These include poor…

CHILDREN in Wales are eating their recommended daily sugar intake – in sweet treats alone. [aoa id=”1″] Research to mark Sugar Awareness Week shows kids in Wales are eating the equivalent of two 1kg bags of sugar a year just by going to friends’ birthday parties. Easter weekend sees Welsh children consume an average of 419g of sugar, 211g at Halloween – and over the Christmas period a huge 1,423g. The government recommends that children aged 16 should eat an average of no more than 30g per day (27g for girls and 33g for boys), with 24g for 7-10-year-olds and…

Swansea University’s Cultural Institute will be one of six hubs this November for the UK’s only national festival of humanities. [aoa id=”1″] Being Human is coming back for a fifth time this year to celebrate the humanities and will take place between 15-24 November with a theme of Origins and Endings. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy, the festival will include a series of free events and activities across the UK. Swansea University’s hub – Once Upon a Time, the End – will…

Star learners, employers and learning providers from across Wales sparkled as the winners of this year’s coveted Apprenticeship Awards Cymru were revealed on Friday (November 9). [aoa id=”1″] Inspirational individual success stories and a dynamic approach to training and skills development by employers and learning providers were celebrated as the prestigious awards ceremony brought together 30 shortlisted finalists at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport. The awards showcase the outstanding achievements of learners, employers and work-based learning practitioners who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes. Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and…

The Council has signed a 99-year lease to transfer St. Mair’s Day Centre in Aberdare to Age Connects Morgannwg (ACM) – enabling the charity to proceed with its plan to deliver a Community Hub on the site. Last year, Cabinet agreed to the Community Asset Transfer of St. Mair’s Day Centre through the RCT Together approach, to enable the local older people’s charity to transform the Centre through its ambitious Cynon Linc project. RCT Together is focused on working with communities and the voluntary sector to explore alternative delivery models, and maintain services for the future. Cynon Linc will offer…

Last week, six welsh schools were visited by the Power of Muzik – an innovative new programme created to empower and inspire young people through music education. Created by CeCe Sammy, celebrity vocal coach and mentor to rising stars of The X Factor and The Voice, the Power of Muzik uses music therapy techniques and powerful messaging within music to educate and spread positive advice to young people going through personal challenges, mental health issues and bullying. [aoa id=”1″] The programme sees a collective of the UK’s emerging music artists visit schools up and down the country, performing a selection of motivational and inspiring…

Marine collagen and hemocyanin extracted from slipper limpets have huge potential in medicine and advanced wound care, and slipper limpets are a new, novel and very cost effective source of these materials. This is the key message Mikota Ltd will be sharing at the MEDICA trade show in Düsseldorf, 12-15 November 2018.  [aoa id=”1″] Mikota Ltd, a Welsh start-up biotechnology and medical device company, is the first company to extract marine collagen and hemocyanin from slipper limpets. It is taking its key products to MEDICA with the aim of meeting potential strategic partners. This follows a monumental quarter for the…

As public transport users in Wales prepare to enjoy a brand-new £5bn rail franchise, Traveline Cymru steps in to help keep passengers on the go. [aoa id=”1″] Following the news that Transport for Wales will overhaul Welsh rail travel over the next 15 years, Traveline Cymru has joined forces with the organisation to provide full bilingual customer support. With its contact centre in north Wales reporting a 99% customer satisfaction rate, the company will be on hand to provide an extensive bilingual service. This will entail answering essential queries, managing lost property, and delivering up-to-date transport information to keep public…

The final name of a fallen soldier has been added to a First and Second World War memorial at Swansea College of Art’s Dynevor Centre after a search by former Dynevor School pupils. The original plaque commemorated those who lost their lives in WW1. It was erected in the then school hall following a subscription appeal, in 1921, which remembered 49 former Dynevor pupils.  Photographs of the casualties were displayed in the hall also. The school hall and memorial were destroyed in the three nights blitz over Swansea in February 1941. A replacement memorial, remembering losses from both wars was placed outside…

Christmas has arrived at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend. Whether guests are looking to find the perfect present, immerse themselves in the family friendly activities on offer or discover new brand such as Molton Brown, Hotel Chocolat and Jack Wills, there has never been a better time to visit. Father Christmas and his elves will be sneaking away from their toy workshop in the North Pole to visit McArthurGlen Bridgend every Saturday in December from 11am – 4pm. As well as listening to children’s all-important wish lists, Santa will be taking festive selfies with shoppers at the centre’s giant Christmas wreath,…