Author: Rhys Gregory

The annual NHS Wales Beat Flu campaign has launched and is encouraging everyone eligible for flu vaccination to get protected. [aoa id=”1″] The free vaccine is being made more widely available to now include all primary school children and pre-schoolers aged two and three. For the first time the vaccine is also being offered to staff with regular client contact working in residential care and nursing homes this winter. [/aoa] Annual flu vaccination is the best protection against catching or spreading flu, a potentially life-threatening infection. Every year over two thirds of those aged 65 and over and almost half…

The latest NatWest PMI® data pointed to robust business conditions in Wales during September. Strong growth in business activity and new orders was sustained, while extra staff were hired at the fastest pace in one year. Firms were also confident that demand conditions would support output over the coming 12 months.   [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] The headline Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the combined output of the manufacturing and service sectors – registered 55.6 in September, down from 56.0 in August, signalling a slower pace of expansion in business activity at Welsh private sector companies. Nonetheless,…

For the first time ever organic wool, taken from the Rhug Estate’s flock of sheep, has been used by a local Denbighshire artist to create a range of unique and decorative vases and bowls. [aoa id=”1″]Ellie Derbyshire, from Hafotty Interiors, visited Rhug back in the summer to collect wool from the farm’s flock of North Country Mules and spent time sketching the herd of bison for a separate range of artwork which is also unique to Rhug.[/aoa] All pieces created by Hafotty Interiors are uniquely designed, handcrafted or repurposed by Ellie. She gets her inspiration from the beautiful north Wales countryside, with…

Labour shortages, disruption to supply chains, increased pressure on advice services and funding arrangement reforms are some of the potential implications of a‘No Deal’ Brexit for Cardiff. [aoa id=”1″]Amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the terms of Britain’s departure from the European Union, Cabinet will consider the potential impact on Cardiff of the UK Government failing to reach an agreement with the EU at its next meeting on October 11.[/aoa] Work to ensure Cardiff’s readiness for Brexit has been ongoing over the past two years since the 2016 EU referendum result and the position has been closely monitored in terms of…

The Caerphilly Business Forum Awards are once again open for entries, providing firms in the area with the chance to gain recognition for their successes and contribution to both the local and wider regional economy over the last 12 months. Open to any businesses within the county borough, the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards will be celebrating their 17thsuccessive year and they continue to be the only awards catering to the vibrant Caerphilly community. [aoa id=”1″]The awards are being supported by Axiom Manufacturing Services, Coleg Gwent, Lenstec Optical Group, Caerphilly County Borough Council, C37 Coffee Shop & Caterers, Coleg y Cymoedd,…

A Cwmbran accountancy firm has been named as Medium Practice of the Year, beating competition from across the whole of the UK. [aoa id=”1″]Green & Co Accountants and Tax Advisors has beaten firms across all of the UK to win Medium Practice of the Year at the Accounting Excellence Awards.[/aoa] Speaking of the win, Nick Park, Partner, said: “On behalf of the partners at Green & Co, this award is far more than a trophy. For us, it acknowledges the whole team’s hard work, dedication and focus on client service. “To compete on a national level against like-minded proactive accountancy…

Aberystwyth University is launching a single-honours’ degree in Sociology, with students being recruited for 2019-20 entry. [aoa id=”1″] The degree will be ‘housed’ within the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences and will make the most of the strong connections that exist between the disciplines of Sociology and Human Geography. A number of teaching and research staff based in the Department actively research themes that are of key interest to sociologists, e.g. on mobility, nationalism, rural society, and publish extensively in Sociology journals. [/aoa] One of the key attributes of the new degree is the emphasis that it places on…

A team of business and community leaders from across the UK were brought together in Rhyl earlier this month by The Prince’s Trust to discuss the challenges facing young people in the area and the opportunities that will arise from the regeneration of the region. [aoa id=”1″]Representatives of Whitbread, Young Women’s Trust, NHS Employers, Standard Life, Federation of Small Businesses, The Prince’s Trust and Denbighshire County Council toured the town to hear first-hand accounts from young people and employers in North Wales about current employment experiences in rural and coastal towns like Rhyl. The group also learned about some of…

A Cardiff-based radio show has picked up a prestigious gong at the UK Community Radio Awards, becoming the first programme from South Wales to pick up an accolade in the event’s three-year history.[aoa id=”1″]OB’s Saturday Sport Show, presented and produced by Chris O’Brien on Radio Cardiff 98.7FM, collected the silver award for the UK Sports Show of the Year at the 2018 ceremony in Sheffield.The show hit the airwaves in July 2016 – and features sports news, opinion and interviews from in, around and beyond Wales’ capital city, with an ethos based around offering parity of coverage for Cardiff’s professional…

ROBOTIC cats are the latest aid to be introduced at an innovative care home in the battle with dementia. The arrival of pretend moggies was the idea of Mary Effie Williams, the manager of the Gwyddfor care home in Holyhead, who has been named as a shortlisted finalist at the prestigious Wales Care Awards. Mary said: “They are beautiful little things, just like real cats. They are covered in fur, they are battery operated, and they even purr! “We’ve had them three or four months and they’re proving a very valuable tool. All our residents love them. “One of our…