Author: Rhys Gregory

What do an 18th century chest used to select jury members, a Crimean war medal, and a box of mouches (beauty spots) from Paris have in common? Each of these items is stored in an independent museum or archive in Wales which is receiving funding to ensure the artefacts in their care are preserved for the long-term and that they have enough space to keep adding to their collections. The Welsh Government is investing nearly £500,000 in eight conservation projects across Wales to ensure thousands of objects (and the local stories behind their existence) are kept safe and available to…

Families and individuals across Wales struggling with the cost of food will receive vital support this winter through £1.7m of additional funding from the Welsh Government. This funding will provide help to those most in need and back community projects working to prevent and tackle food poverty in the longer term. The funding will: provide emergency food aid by helping local groups to store and distribute food to people who need it most, while also addressing the underlying causes of food poverty; support FareShare Cymru by purchasing equipment to store and deliver fresh food during the winter months and running…

ClwydAlyn Housing has published its fourth Environmental, Social and Governance report highlighting progress in its mission to beat poverty across North Wales over the last 12 months. One of ClwydAlyn’s priorities is to reduce fuel poverty and this has come to fruition for hundreds of residents. As part of ClwydAlyn’s work to make homes warmer and more affordable to heat, it has upgraded heating systems, carried out retrofit work on 127 homes and introduced new renewable energy solutions including the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on properties along with battery systems that store the energy for later use. As…

A SURGE in commercial clients led to the busiest period in a quarter of a century for a booming law firm. Mackenzie Jones Solicitors, based in Chester, St Asaph and Menai Bridge, has seen a “huge rise” in private sector contracts across multiple industries, notably tourism and hospitality, retail, health, and eye care. As the firm approaches its 25th anniversary, director Andrew Foley Jones says their strategic approach and opening a new North West office paid dividends in 2024, as the business legally represented clients on deals for major holiday parks, opticians, and high-level commercial property sales. “Despite taking on…

The first AI model that can predict the risk of non-contact lower limb injury in rugby players has been developed by researchers at Bangor University. The model uses pattern recognition analysis to identify the complex and interconnected factors that can lead to injuries such as sprained ankles, torn or sprained ligaments and more severe muscle strains. Lower limb injuries are the most common type in rugby union, accounting for about half of the days lost due to injury in the international game. The researchers, from Bangor University’s Rugby Knowledge Exchange followed 36 semi-professional rugby union players throughout two seasons, using…

A mid-Wales-based start-up which plans to make DNA testing technology as easy to use as a smartphone has been backed with a £350,000 equity investment from the Development Bank of Wales. Amped PCR, based in Powys, is developing PurifAI, an innovative DNA testing system designed to revolutionise how industries detect harmful pathogens. The deployable, modular lab integrates advanced automation and artificial intelligence, making DNA testing faster, more efficient and accessible outside of traditional laboratory settings. Following investment from the Development Bank’s Tech Seed Fund, the company aims to bring the PurifAI system, alongside its reagent Amped Universal, to a wider…

Next Generation Security is now fully operational at the National Airport of Wales. The new technology allows passengers to leave liquids under 100ml in their hand luggage, along with all electronics, providing an enhanced customer experience. It means the screening process will be quicker, giving customers more time to enjoy the great, recently upgraded facilities we have in the Airport’s departure lounge. Airport colleagues have been extremely proud to help deliver this major project. Works have been undertaken in the terminal building for the past two years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKalOE60y64 Spencer Birns, CEO of Cardiff Airport, said: “I would like to say…

SPECSAVERS HAVERFORDWEST has relocated to a larger, state-of-the-art premises in the Riverside Shopping Centre, becoming the largest Specsavers store in Wales following a £1.2 million investment by local partners. The grand opening of the new landmark store took place on Monday 16 December, with customers and local dignitaries, including several mayors, in attendance. On arrival, guests were welcomed with performances from the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir and local musician and dispensing technician, Kyle Kirkhouse, followed by a ribbon cutting by one of the store’s long-standing customers, Madaline Roberts, who runs the Milford Haven branch of the Macular Society. William McNamara,…

Burglar Jamie Laver broke into homes and flats in the Roath and Splott areas of Cardiff. He stole a 72-inch television from student accommodation and jewellery of great sentimental value from the home of a grandmother. But his criminal spree came to an end when he was identified through social media and Retrospective Facial Recognition (RFR). Laver was caught on CCTV in the Co-op on Splott Road using a bank card from a burglary committed minutes earlier on April 22, 2024. His identity was unknown, so in May 2024 detectives turned to our Facebook followers for help. Several people named…

Officers in Anglesey are intensifying efforts to protect victims of domestic abuse over the Christmas period. The operation throughout December aims to safeguard victims and deter perpetrators as statistics show incidents of domestic abuse tend to rise around this time of year. It will see two extra police officers carrying out extra safeguarding visits to those identified as being at high risk of domestic abuse. District Sergeant Christopher Burrow said: “Historically, incidents of domestic abuse sadly increase over the Christmas period. “Everyone has the right to feel safe. The introduction of dedicated officers over the Christmas period will ensure we…