Author: Rhys Gregory

The Chair of the charity regulator is urging greater giving from those with deeper pockets, during visits to charities today and tomorrow where he is seeing first-hand the impact of voluntary organisations in north Wales. Orlando Fraser’s comments came as he visited the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW) today with other visits planned for tomorrow (25th February) to three more charities as he celebrates Wales’s community spirit. AVOW is the County Voluntary Council for Wrexham. It provides free advice and signposts local community and voluntary organisations. AVOW also provides health and wellbeing support to the local community in Wrexham. The charity…

Welsh Ministers have agreed to licence three Bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccines for emergency use across Wales. Welsh Government has worked closely with farming industry representatives who have requested all three BTV-3 vaccines be licenced for use in Wales. An online general licence will be available for vaccine use in Wales from 1stMarch. The vaccines will be available on prescription and sold from veterinary practices and can be administered by livestock keepers themselves, following appropriate guidance. This decision follows the continued spread of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) cases in England since August 2024. On 4 September 2024, three unauthorised BTV-3 vaccines received Defra…

A school in Ceredigion has been recognised by the Deputy First Minister for the action it’s taking to tackle the nature and climate emergencies. Thanks to Welsh Government funding and support from Keep Wales Tidy, Ysgol Penrhyn-coch near Aberystwyth has created a wildlife pond to increase biodiversity and support a wide variety of freshwater species, including frogs, newts and dragonflies – as well as providing a drinking source for garden birds and mammals such as hedgehogs during increasingly hot summers – alongside native trees, plants and shrubs to ensure nature has a place to thrive. The school is a platinum…

An organisation which has been funding a life-extending treatment for patients in Wales with advanced  bowel cancer is calling for NHS Wales to step in to provide access to surgery which can extend lives by up to five years. Moondance Cancer Initiative is currently funding specialist treatment in Wales for patients whose bowel cancer has spread to the peritoneum – the lining of the abdomen. The life-saving treatment is routinely funded by the NHS in England, Scotland and Northen Ireland, but patients in Wales currently rely on a newly introduced service established with Moondance’s support. Over 40 patients across Wales…

A celebrated six-bedroom inn at the heart of the picturesque town of Usk, Monmouthshire, is hitting the auction block—offering a rare chance to own a thriving business in one of Wales’ most charming locales. The New Court Inn, a much-loved public house on the historic Maryport Street, has been meticulously transformed by its current owners into a bustling hub for locals and visitors alike. Now, this landmark property is being offered for sale by Paul Fosh Auctions with a guide price of £399,000-plus. Set within a vibrant community just a stone’s throw from Usk Castle and scenic riverside walks, the striking two-storey inn boasts a…

If you’ve signed up for a 10K race or simply want to push yourself further after completing a Couch to 5K there’s some things you to know to maximise your training. Run 4 Wales Race Director, and double Olympic marathoner, Steve Brace, shares his advice to help in conquering the distance. Build your base – before you rush ahead with a new training plan, it’s important that you’ve set up some good running foundations first. When aiming for a 10K it’s best to first make sure you can comfortably run 5K before starting and then allow 8-10 weeks for your…

Female entrepreneurs Sophie Mason and Merryn Roberts-Ward are starting an ‘inclusion revolution’ with the launch of an App that that has been part-funded by a micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales. The ThinkEDI App collates, measures and tracks diversity and inclusion data. It is a simple and pioneering solution to diversity and inclusion – keeping people at its heart whilst allowing organisations to make actionable and measurable strategic decisions based on hard data. The App has been developed by Cardiff-based WeGetDesign. Co-founders Sophie Mason and Merryn Roberts-Ward both have personal experience of the discrimination and unconscious bias faced…

Since 2017, Aldi has invested almost £600 million to upgrade its stores across the UK, including 29 in Wales. Its store enhancement programme has seen the UK’s fourth largest supermarket focus on expanding its fresh, chilled and food-to-go offerings, while also creating simpler layouts and energy efficient LED lighting. The stores that have undergone the changes include Newport, Cardiff (Dartington Drive and City Link Retail Park), Wrexham and Porthmadog. Aldi is now preparing for the next stage of development, which will see nearly £67 million invested in existing stores throughout 2025. The new phase will bring further improvements, including additional…

South Wales Police was called just after 10pm on Monday February 10 with a report that a 28-year-old man had attended a hospital in Merthyr with multiple stab wounds. 23-year-old George Miles-Williams from Hereford has been charged with attempt murder and has been remanded into custody. Two women from Hereford, aged 54 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and have been bailed for further enquiries. Detective Chief Inspector James Morris said: “I understand incidents such as this are concerning for the public, but I’d like to reassure the local community that this appears to be…

Swansea University has launched a new initiative to help enhance language students’ future career prospects. The Modern Languages, Translation, and Interpreting (MLTI) department now boasts its own industry panel designed to forge stronger relationships between students, academic staff and future employers. The initiative has been developed by Dr Giovanna Donzelli. who will lead the panel, along with her colleague Tanya May. It will meet twice every academic year and its key functions include ensuring the department’s programme of studies meets industry needs as well as giving students the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships and work placements. Dr Donzelli…