Author: Rhys Gregory

The research teams of Cardiff and Vale Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and Velindre Cancer Centre (CTU) have been shortlisted for the 2018 Nursing Times Awards in the Clinical Research category.  [aoa id=”1″] This is the first time that the work of the research staff has been recognised at a national level. Staff will be presenting to the judges panel at Nursing Times HQ on 18 September and attending the ceremony in London on 31 October 2018. This is a first-of-its-kind collaboration where research staff from two Welsh hospitals came together to plan the joint delivery of a complex clinical trial…

A study by a researcher at Aberystwyth University into how social isolation affects snail responses to stress has been published in the latest edition of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society Journal. The paper by Dr Sarah Dalesman ’Habitat and social context affect memory phenotype, exploration and co-variance among these traits’ appears in a special edition of the journal on Causes and consequences of individual differences in cognitive abilities 10.1098/rstb/373/1756. Dr Dalesman is a Lecturer in Freshwater Biology at the University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences and a snail behaviour expert. Dr Dalesman said: “Social isolation is…

Those who take on the lease of Swansea’s Beach and Watersports Café – currently known as 360 – will enjoy incredible views of a vast golden beach, dramatic blue tides and rolling green hilltops. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] They will benefit from the thousands of people who walk, cycle and drive within yards of the attraction every week. The lease is being advertised from today (note: Aug 14) by property agent EJ Hales on behalf of Swansea Council which owns the licensed café bar. Deadline for informal tender offers to go to Hales is September 21. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member…

Hilary Sharp, Senior Medical Workforce Manager at Cardiff and Vale UHB, was recently awarded for her all Wales work where she has been leading with the Indian organisation British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) on Medical Training Initiatives (MTI) since 2016. [aoa id=”1″] BAPIO is a national voluntary organisation with a commitment to the principle of providing high-quality patient care through the National Health Service. BAPIO actively promotes the principles of diversity and equality with the aim of “Empowering doctors and dentists of Indian heritage to be beacons of leadership and professional excellence.” The Welsh division of BAPIO…

A Cardiff pizzeria which champions the ‘Slow Food’ ethos has been shortlisted for a national award which recognises exceptional commitment to sustainable practices. Dusty Knuckle restaurant in Canton has been shortlisted for the ‘people’s favourite’ award in the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s ‘Food Made Good Awards’ 2018. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Hundreds of sustainable eateries were nominated by members of the public. A team of judges then chose the three businesses who they thought did the most to champion local producers, reduce waste and support their local community. The overall winner will next be decided by public vote – but competition is fierce;…

A council sporting initiative introduced two years ago is going from strength to strength and the Monmouthshire Games is now firmly established as a highlight of the holidays for the county’s youngsters. [aoa id=”1″] As well as physical exercise, among the benefits offered are an appreciation of teamwork, healthy eating and the impact of role models. The Monmouthshire Games takes place in each of the county’s four leisure centres during school holidays for children aged 5 to 12 and its activities focus on learning new skills, developing confidence, meeting new friends and most importantly, having fun while participating.  Among the…

A call has been made to hold the National Eisteddfod every five years in the Welsh capital.  Cardiff Council leader Huw Thomas is urging organisers to make the city a regular host of the event following last week’s ‘remarkable’ Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay. Cllr Thomas said: “It has been a remarkable week at the Cardiff Eisteddfod. I would like to place on record my thanks and admiration for all the Eisteddfod team, supported by council officers, who helped deliver the event. It simply could not have happened without their hard work and dedication. “Truthfully, it’s probably the best Eisteddfod I…

There was a buzz in the air when six members of staff from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) recently took part in an Introduction to Beekeeping course. [aoa id=”1″] Neil Jones, Paul Price, Sarah Dunne, Sharon Cornish, Jim Bax and Mike Lewis, who all work within the Mental Health Clinical Board, took part in the course to help them look after bees when they are sited at University Hospital of Llandough (UHL) when the hives are located in Our Orchard in the future The WellBeeing project is a collaboration between New Link Wales Buzzin’ Project, Cardiff University, Cardiff…

A Caerphilly IT firm has launched its own telecoms division and brought on board a new manager to spearhead growth as it looks to triple the size of the business within three years. Team Metalogic, based in Caerphilly, has appointed Louise Cryer as Client Services Manager to head up the new division as it works towards its target of tripling the size of the business within three years. [aoa id=”1″] Speaking of the new division and Louise’s appointment, Managing Director Mike Parfitt said: “This is a natural step for us as we become a fully integrated IT and managed services…

A dynamic businessman has pledged to champion the use of the Welsh language after joining a Fast Growth 50 copy firm. [aoa id=”1″] Arwel Griffiths has been snapped up by Wrexham Industrial Estate-based Rawson Digital after he sold his own successful copy firm – Kon-X Wales Ltd – which he started with two partners from a garage in 2005 and turned into a £2m turnover business. Now he has come on board for the senior management team at Rawson Digital which also has an office at Dinorwic Marina in Y Felinheli, Gwynedd, not far from Arwel’s beloved home village of…