Author: Rhys Gregory

A new report from British Council Wales says the number of Welsh school children choosing to study international languages is continuing to decline, with Brexit having a negative impact on attitudes to language learning. [aoa id=”1″] The report, Language Trends Wales 2018, says more than one third of schools (37%) say that Brexit is having a negative effect on the attitudes of pupils and parents towards studying modern foreign languages (MFL). Schools are also concerned that Brexit will adversely affect the recruitment and retention of MFL teachers. Schools in south east Wales are most likely to report a negative Brexit…

Welsh holidaymakers planning their getaway to Europe next year have been urged to carry out a Brexit ‘MOT’ before Britain officially leaves the EU. Most people in Wales have taken no action to prepare for potential changes that could affect travel in Europe after 11pm on Friday, March 29, 2019. [aoa id=”1″] Possible post-Brexit changes to travel could include Brits needing visas to visit France or flights being grounded – and anyone hoping to take a pet abroad will need to visit a vet at least four months before the trip. But nearly nine in ten (86%) people in Wales…

Denbighshire’s work to help people into employment and tackle poverty has been given the ministerial seal of approval. [aoa id=”1″] Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Government minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, visited Rhyl Library to find out about Denbighshire County Council’s Working Denbighshire service. Working Denbighshire is simplifying access to employment support for Denbighshire residents through collaboration, integration and sustainability with partners from across public, private, community and voluntary service provision. Projects such as OPUS, ADTRAC, Communities for Work and Communities for Work Plus provide support for residents aged 16 and over who are furthest from the labour market…

The Celtic Manor Resort’s annual festive event which is sponsored by Castle Howell, is offering a new festive experience for 2018. Called The Great Skate, it is promising families and skate goers-alike, plenty of festive fun this Christmas. Guests will be able to glide across a glistening ice rink under a crystal-clear roof in the spectacular setting of the resort’s Rooftop Garden. Open from 23rd November 2018 – 6th January 2019, visitors to The Great Skate will be able to warm up with delicious hot chocolate or a festive tipple from the licensed bar, sponsored by J2O, and savour the…

A £500,000 appeal has been launched to equip an extension to a hospice which will help it double the number of people it supports. The fund-raising campaign got under way as the first sod was cut to mark the start of the work to build the £2.5 million development at St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph. The much-loved hospice provides palliative care for patients in Denbighshire, Conwy and Flintshire. The extension will increase the number of beds there from eight to 12 to cater for the growing demand for the vital services provided there and in the community. The two-phase…

Canolfan S4C Yr Egin – the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s new creative and digital centre – was opened officially today by the Rt. Hon. Carwyn Jones, AM, First Minister of Wales. Located within a striking and iconic building, Yr Egin is a centre that brings the creative and digital content industries together to stimulate ideas and connections while nurturing talent and sharing resources under one roof.  It is a transformational project that brings together the Welsh Government’s economic, linguistic and cultural policy objectives as noted in the programme for government Taking Wales Forward.  It is also due to…

Accountancy firm Bevan & Buckland, is marking the beginning of a second century of trading with the addition of several key hires as part of a company-wide digital transformation program – the largest in its 100 Year history. [aoa id=”1″] With Accountancy & Finance becoming increasingly technology focussed, the company is taking proactive steps as it seeks to establish itself as one of the leading accountancy practices in Wales by 2020. The firm is looking to appoint three senior hires initially, with more over the next two years. These newly created roles will sit alongside regular Tax, Audit & Accounts…

His voice was his life and his passion – but after surgery to remove a devastating tumour, public speaker Simon Green was left with a stammer. [aoa id=”1″] Surgeons could not remove the tumour in its entirety but the 42-year-old from Bridgend is still making great progress with his speech. He spoke to more than 1,000 people at the National Diversity Awards, raising awareness of stuttering and helping others by sharing his story. And Simon trusts he will make further progress with the support of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy team at Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. [/aoa]…

The last beam is being placed on a new palliative care unit being built by Cwm Taf and Macmillan – a year to the date since the turf was cut by the Health Secretary. [aoa id=”1″] Today will see the topping out ceremony for the Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit, which is being built by Cwm Taf University Health Board and Macmillan Cancer Support in partnership with the National Garden Scheme. The ceremony is happening a year to the day since Cabinet Secretary for Health Vaughan Gething helped cut the turf on the site at the Royal…

Swansea Bay Business Club continued their 2018 networking season of events with their re-scheduled St David’s Day lunch at the Parc-y-Scarlets in Llanelli on Thursday 18th October. The event, which was originally scheduled for March, had previously been cancelled due to the severe weather conditions and heavy snow, with the safety of guests in mind. One of Wales’ favourite faces, Jonathan Davies OBE, joined members and their guests at Parc-y-Scarlets on Thursday and spoke at length about his career in Welsh rugby, his life after the game, both in the media and in business, and his commitments to charity. President of…