Author: Rhys Gregory

Auto-enrolment pension contributions increase means average annual pay packet will be £253 lighter. From 6thApril 2019, the minimum contributions employers and their employees will have to make towards their automatic enrolment workplace pension scheme will increase. Rising from 3 to 5% of a worker’s annual salary, the auto-enrolment pension contributions increase will mean the average worker on £30,000 per annum will see their annual take-home pay reduced by £253. Employees earning £15,000 per year will see their pay reduced by £49. These figures take into account the revised personal allowance, which is due to increase from April. The increase will…

TWO Cardiff scientists are starring in Cancer Research UK’s new nationwide TV awareness campaign called ‘I Pledge’. Duncan Baird and Alan Parker based at Cardiff University appear in a moving short film highlighting how their pioneering research is made possible thanks to people who leave gifts in their Wills. The new campaign encourages people from all walks of life to make a pledge – or promise – right now to leave something in their Wills to help beat cancer for future generations. Prof Baird said Cancer Research UK’s funding is “vital” for his research looking at special DNA structures known…

The Grove of Narberth, an award-winning boutique hotel in Pembrokeshire, is challenging the Welsh tourism industry to take its lead and redirect a proportion of its supply chain spend in 2019 into businesses which deliver social impact. [aoa id=”1″] This follows the announcement that the Grove of Narberth has signed an agreement with Welsh social enterprise, The Good Wash Company, to exclusively stock their ethical wash and lifestyle brand within each of its individually and luxuriously designedhotel bathroom suites. The luxury Michelin recommended 4 star hotel has been using the same private supplier for the last few years but has…

Structural engineering firm Cintec International, whose head office is based in Newport, South Wales, is proud to announce a further major success for their work on the restoration of the West Block of Parliament is one of the largest rehabilitation projects in North America. [aoa id=”1″] Having worked on various other projects in North America, including the Statue of Liberty, the Simpson Tower, The White House and the rest of the world such as the Egyptian Pyramids, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. Their latest success in Canada emerges as a result of the company utilising its patented anchoring system. The…

The high standard of nursing education on offer at Swansea University has led to it being shortlisted for four honours at a prestigious national awards event. Next month’s Student Nursing Times Awards sees the University’s Department of Nursing in the running for the Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Pre-registration) category – to the delight of Catherine Williams, Programme Director for Undergraduate Nursing. She said:  “We aim to treat our students as partners and they are involved in programme design, programme validation and even student selection events as they form part of the interview panels for prospective nurses. “Our students…

People with cancer will now be able to access the advice and support they need, following the launch of a new Macmillan information pod at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr. Officially launched with the help of local celebrity Roy Noble OBE, the pod is part of a £250,000 investment into a new cancer information and support service for people affected by cancer in the Cwm Taf University Health Board area. The investment from Macmillan Wales covers a new information pod in the main reception of Prince Charles Hospital, as well as 5 new information points located across the Royal Glamorgan,…

DAVID JONES OBE will step down as Chief Executive of Coleg Cambria later this year. [aoa id=”1″] Cambria’s board of governors thanked him for his efforts and achievements and said he will be “sorely missed”. Mr Jones oversaw the merger of Deeside and Yale colleges in 2013 and has led the institution through an unprecedented period of success. Coleg Cambria has grown year on year, breaking academic records, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, driving economic growth in north east Wales and forming partnerships with global giants of business and industry. Mr Jones’ leadership was rewarded in…

Making gin is “all about the senses” for new producer Pant y Foel Welsh Gin, which in a matter of weeks has launched not one but two flavoured gins. It is barely a month since Lesley Haythorne’s home-produced flavoured gin went from being a favourite present among friends and family to a business which secured its first orders before even going into production. [aoa id=”1″] For the best part of 20 years, Lesley and husband Richard’s lucky social circle had enjoyed a variety of tipples, such as Sloe Gin and Damson Vodka. But it was when Lesley hit upon the…

Aberystwyth University has submitted planning applications to Ceredigion County Council for consent to transform the Old College for the 21st century. [aoa id=”1″] The project to breathe new life into the Old College would provide new cultural, learning, and enterprise facilities for the University, the local community and the wider region. Detailed proposals for the multi-million pound project were revealed at the launch of a 28-day public consultation held in the Old College in December 2018. The University’s application for full planning consent can be viewed on Ceredigion County Council’s website. The proposals include the creation of spaces for art…

Wales’ most isolated areas could benefit from improved transport provision with the support of the Community Transport Association (CTA) which is helping local community transport providers access funding for better transport. One scheme that has so far benefited from the innovative project is the Hay on Wye Dial a Ride scheme which operates a ‘Bank Bus’ service.The unique scheme, which also received funding through the Big Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programme, supports people to travel from Hay to Brecon in order to access over the counter banking facilities and other services which are no longer available in their local community.…