Author: Rhys Gregory

Terminal illness charity, Marie Curie, are holding a series of collections throughout the summer holidays to raise funds for its nurses across Carmarthenshire, in what the charity is calling a ‘Trostre Takeover’. Marie Curie says that the appeal is urgently needed as one in four people currently don’t receive the care and support they need at the end of their life*, and with the population getting older, demand on the charity’s services is set to increase. The money raised will help Marie Curie Nurses be there for more people living with a terminal illness, providing them with vital one-to-one nursing…

The Gwent Branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales recently organised a “Wooden Horse Race Night” to raise funds for the President’s charities Alzheimer’s Society Wales and Farming Community Network. The event attracted over 200 people and raised in excess of £4,100 with donations still being received.  The horses were auctioned off for the 6 races, with the winners going forward to a Grand Final, which was very keenly contested. Musical entertainment was then provided by Ricky Jenkins A.K.A Elvis, which kept everyone going well into the night. The event was held at Ty Oakley Farm, Hafodyrynys, and CEO Glyn…

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething, has announced £1.2m to improve the renal dialysis unit at University Hospital for Wales (UHW), Cardiff. During a visit to the unit today (Thursday, 19 July), Mr Gething saw how the money will be used to upgrade the unit to deal with patients in a more clinically appropriate environment and improving their overall experience. He said: “Chronic kidney disease is estimated to affect 6‐8% of the general population. With many of the contributing factors, age, obesity‐related diabetes and coronary heart disease, expected to increase, the demand for renal services is set to grow. Our renal services…

Dedicated Sony UK Technology Centre staff who have worked a combined total of almost 800 years have been recognised at a prestigious awards night. Thirty nine members of the Pencoed factory have been honoured at Sony UK TEC’s annual Long Service Awards’ event thanks to their continuous devotion. The awards night, held at Pencoed House, in Pentrych, recognised staff who have reached significant career milestones of between 10 and 35 years. On the night staff and their partners were treated to a three-course meal, entertainment from a magician, along with a live performance from the Ipop band. They were then…

Hot on the heels of Hollywood stars including Judi Dench shooting scenes for a major new movie in Llandeilo and other beauty spots close by, Carmarthenshire Council is making it easier than ever before to film in the county. The council has launched an improved filming opportunities section of its website to make the process of scouting and booking filming locations as hassle-free as possible for movie-makers and TV production companies. As well as dealing with initial enquiries, the council is also on hand to help with filming permits, logistics, community engagement, traffic management, parking, accommodation and hospitality. Dame Judi…

Hundreds of Carmarthenshire pupils will soon be learning about the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal. From September, the City Deal will feature as part of the enterprise and employability module of the Welsh Baccalaureate at schools across the county. Following a trial in Carmarthenshire, the scheme could also be rolled out to schools in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire in future. A qualification for 14 to 19-year-olds in Wales, the Welsh Baccalaureate aims to help students develop knowledge and skills that universities and employers want them to have when they leave school. The Carmarthenshire trial is part of…

Former international rugby union player and coach, John Dawes OBE, has been honoured as Fellow of Aberystwyth University. An Aberystwyth alumnus (Chemistry, 1962), John Dawes won his first Wales cap in 1964 aged 23. He went on to win a further 21 caps for Wales over the subsequent decade – six as captain, including the Grand Slam winning side of 1971. John Dawes captained the 1971 British Lions tour of New Zealand, where they became the first and only team to date to win a series in New Zealand. He also coached the British Lions tour to New Zealand in…

Dementia patients who become “distressed and confused” with unfamiliar hospital surroundings are getting vital support thanks to Cardiff Bus. The transport operator has donated one of its stop signs and timetable displays to Llandough Hospital, in a bid to prevent elderly patients living with dementia from becoming unsettled and anxious during their stay. The donation comes after Ward 8 sister Teresa Coomer approached Cardiff Bus about the struggles faced by her patients on a daily basis. Sister Coomer explained that people with dementia can become stressed in hospital quite quickly as a result of being removed from their daily routine…

Aside from staff pay, firms are more likely to increase their investment in training, and introduce more flexible working practices, in order to retain staff, according to a survey by the South Wales Chamber of Commerce and recruitment company Indeed. The survey, of over 1,000 businesspeople across all sizes and sectors, shows that just under half (42%) of businesses would invest in training and developing their staff in order to increase staff retention, while 38% would look to introduce flexible working practices, from flexible hours and remote working to job-sharing. Skills shortages are at near record levels, and this survey…

Hundreds of Sony UK Technology Centre staff have swapped the factory for the orchestra for a “one of a kind” musical event at Swansea University. Over 600 staff from the Pencoed-based manufacturing facility came together at the university’s bay campus to make a musical masterpiece as part of their annual team building day. The Beatswork workshop, run by team building specialists Orangeworks, saw all members of Sony UK TEC’s manufacturing operation challenged to learn a different percussion-based instrument during the day. After an inspirational talk by guest speaker Georgina Jones of Turn Lights On, the Sony UK TEC team was…