Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh government has confirmed a 5.5% pay increase for NHS Wales staff on Agenda for Change on the 10/10/2024, fully accepting the recommendations from the independent pay review body. You can use this tool to calculate your monthly take home pay with settings such as unsocial hours and overtime. This announcement comes after weeks of anticipation, as the UK government has confirmed pay rise for NHS England staff in September 2024.  Andrew RT Davies, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, said: “It is clearly in the UK’s national interest to bring these strikes to an end, yet…

If you want romance – we’ve got it. In this article, we’ll highlight the 4 premier holiday destinations in Europe for a proper honeymoon. Whether it’s a serene escape to the seaside, a luxurious getaway for two or a break in the City that radiates love 24/7 – let us share some of the best places for a honeymoon in the Old Continent. Paris – the City of Love It’s probably no surprise seeing Paris on this list. The French capital holds the title as the City of Love and does so rightfully.  As of right now, there just isn’t…

A new pop-up Halloween store has launched at St David’s Cardiff this October.     Open now, Halloween Land offers a full range of Halloween merchandise from frightful fancy dress, crazy costumes, and wicked wigs through to horrifying homeware, decorations, and party supplies. The store also sells licensed horror t-shirts and animatronics.     Located in the Town Wall South mall in St David’s, next to Bagel Place and close to Watches of Switzerland and H Samuel, the 1,000 sq ft Halloween Land store is open until Saturday 2nd November.     Owner Luke Ryan commented: “Shopping in a Halloween store like ours…

Gwasg Pia, one of the UK’s leading independent accessible format providers, has transitioned into employee ownership (EO), nearly forty years after it was founded as a cooperative in 1985. Set up as a typesetting business designing and producing printing plates, the company changed direction after winning a major contract to publish a braille handbook for a BBC Radio 4 programme. It then expanded to become a limited company in 1992, developing Braille Maker, the UK’s leading braille translation software. Sharon Williams joined the company in 1999 without an official job title, but as general help around the office, swiftly progressing…

ERS, the UK’s largest specialist motor insurer with a 75-year history, has announced plans to significantly strengthen its counter fraud team in its Swansea office by investing in both people and technology. The move is designed to help the company get ahead in the changing nature of claims and has two objectives: to identify and prevent more instances of fraud – leading to lower premiums for customers – and to create new fraud prevention career opportunities in Swansea. In January this year, Tom Cummings joined the group as Head of Counter Fraud, taking charge of ERS’ strategy for tackling policy…

Up to £3,000 is available to businesses of all sizes on Anglesey to help them make more use of Welsh from day-to-day. The aim is to strengthen business engagement with local customers and the community, as well as give visitors a unique Welsh experience. As part of the Arfor scheme, and led by Menter Môn the funding is available to enable companies to make the language more visible in their operations. But, with only a few weeks left to apply the message is clear – there’s no time to lose to apply for the support. It’s seen as an opportunity…

A 32-year-old man has been charged following the seizure of a large quantity of European eels at Holyhead Port. A vehicle was stopped at the port by Border Force in January earlier this year, where numerous boxes containing the fish were recovered. A joint investigation was launched into the incident between the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team, National Wildlife Crime Unit and CEFAS (Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). Kevin Forbes, of Rossa Court, Dungannon in Northern Ireland has since been charged with offences under the Customs and Excise Act, Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations 2018…

Porthcawl Comprehensive School has claimed the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Gold Award for its outstanding wellbeing provision. The much-coveted award, recognised UK wide, was established several years ago through a collaboration between the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, part of Leeds Beckett University, and social enterprise, Minds Ahead. Demonstrating a whole-school approach to supporting the mental health of staff and pupils, Porthcawl Comprehensive School was assessed against eight competencies, ranging from leadership and strategy, support for pupils and staff, to working with external services. Kath Owens, Assistant Headteacher: Director of Planning…

Residents in a local Swansea community have helped develop a project to boost nature and increase green space. Swansea Council has begun work to transform a main roundabout in Townhill by planting more trees, plants and a rock garden. The large roundabout is at the heart of Townhill’s retail centre at Graiglwyd Square and mainly features paving stones at present. Funding has been secured through the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and via the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature programme. During the next few weeks, the site will be transformed into much greener attraction for locals and also to…

The Sport Pembrokeshire team have put in an oar-some effort to spruce up the premises of a popular Pembrokeshire rowing club. Sponsored by Valero as part of Sport Pembrokeshire’s annual Task Force Day, the volunteer team picked up their brushes to give Fishguard and Goodwick Jemima Rowing Club a new lick of paint. Based in the picturesque surroundings of Lower Town Fishguard, Fishguard and Goodwick Jemima Rowing Club is a Disability Sport Wales accredited Insport Club at Ribbon level. The Task Force Day – now in its seventh year – is a small way the Sport Pembrokeshire team can give…