Author: Rhys Gregory

The nation has decided that Bodnant Gardens, Wales is high on the wish-lists for many travellers, with the open-air theatre securing top spot in McCarthy & Stone’s‘Hidden Gems’ survey. [aoa id=”1″]A national McCarthy & Stone survey that had over 1,400 participants and a selection of ‘Hidden Gems’ to choose from, took place earlier this year and garnered exciting results. With an aim to find the UK’s best locations and attractions for family days out, day trips or short breaks away, the voters ranged in age, gender and geographic demographics. Bodnant Gardens proved itself to be a sought-after destination for people…

A new medical pharmacology course at Swansea University Medical School could help reduce prescribing error costs incurred by NHS. [aoa id=”1″] A recent report commissioned by The British Pharmacological Society and produced by PWC has estimated the financial costs incurred from inappropriate and inefficient medicines use and prescribing error as £826million. The report title “Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics: The case for savings in the NHS December” reveals that if the NHS recruited more clinical pharmacologists the cost of human prescribing error could be significantly reduced. Dr Lisa Wallace, course director of the new Medical Pharmacology at Swansea University Medical School…

There was a special mention for Talyllyn Railway during a ceremony last week to name a Virgin Voyager train to mark the centenary of the RAF and its historic links with the railway in North Wales. [aoa id=”1″] Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society’s vice president Winston McCanna and general manager Stuart Williams attended the ceremony at Holyhead Station where the train was named ‘Royal Air Force Centenary 1918 – 2018’. Talyllyn Railway’s own connections to the RAF were mentioned by Air Commodore Dai Williams, OBE, the RAF’s Air Officer Wales. He spoke passionately about railway’s locomotive No.6 ‘Douglas’ as being a…

BDP has been awarded the contract to deliver a significant refurbishment project for the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff.  [aoa id=”1″] The project was procured by Cardiff University from a shortlist of local architecture practices and marks an important milestone for BDP’s presence in south Wales. The Welsh School of Architecture currently occupies part of the Grade II listed Bute Building on Cathays Park in Cardiff but plans to expand to occupy the majority of the building following the relocation of the School of Journalism, Media and Culture Studies later this year.  The Welsh School of Architecture will…

An extra £17m EU funds will be invested to help over 7,000 young people across South East Wales improve their employment prospects, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford announced today (28 August). [aoa id=”1″] Inspire2Achieve, led by Blaenau Gwent and Newport Councils, will receive an extra £15.9m of EU funding to work with schools and colleges to provide support to young people aged 11-19 years who are at risk of falling out of education and training. Newport Council’s Inspire2Work will receive a further £1.46m of EU funding to provide one-to-one mentoring, help with basic and personal skills and digital…

A mumpreneur who set up a virtual assistance business to enhance her work-life balance has appointed six new recruits in less than a year. [aoa id=”1″] Claire Farren, founder of Farrens Executive Assistance, has more than tripled her head count since setting up the innovative business in 2016. The Bridgend-based company has enjoyed success thanks to its bespoke executive assistance service, which supports a range of businesses from self-employed to multi-million pound co-operations. Thanks to its unique offering, Farrens Executive Assistance has seen its client base increase by more than 60% in the last year. [/aoa]The fast growth…

The Vale of Montgomery Rural Cluster of Councils, which is exploring new ways to deliver better services to their communities, has appointed a development officer. [aoa id=”1″] Leon Shearer will be working with the cluster until March next year and is planning a launch event on October 4. One of his aims is to raise the profile of the cluster and what community councils working together can do for their communities. The cluster was established in 2015 as an equal partnership of Abermule with Llandyssil, Montgomery, Berriew, Kerry, Sarn and Dolfor, Forden, Leighton and Trelystan Councils, representing in the around…

Aluminium manufacturing and installation company AB Glass has been appointed by Kier Construction to carry out works at a new school development based in Cwmbran. [aoa id=”1″] The £30 million redevelopment of Croesyceiliog School will accommodate 1200 pupils aged 11 to 16 and is linked to the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme. Swansea-based AB Glass will manufacture and install a range of aluminum systems for the project, including Kawneer AA100 curtain walling, AA540 windows, and AA190 and AA720 doors. Vitral UK rooflights will also be used for the project. The company is due to start work on the new development this…

As school leavers prepare to fly the nest for this year’s university Freshers’ festivities, Traveline Cymru is touring Welsh universities to help keep students on the move. Next month, the public transport information service will make its way around universities in Wales to help new students get to grips with their surroundings in new towns and cities. The Traveline Cymru team will be making appearances at over 20 colleges and universities across Wales throughout September; including Bangor, Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Swansea. As new students adjust to life without their own transport, they will have access to a bespoke service known…

Aberystwyth has become the first university in the world to be awarded Plastic Free University status. [aoa id=”1″] The award has been made by marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage as part of its Plastic Free Communities campaign. The campaign focuses on reducing the use of plastic items that are used only once before being thrown away, such as plastic bottles, coffee cups and lids, bags, cutlery, straws and stirrers. Whilst there are still some single-use plastic items within the University, the scheme recognises the great work being done to reduce their use and the institution’s ongoing commitment. [/aoa] Rebecca…