Author: Rhys Gregory

With Christmas around the corner, diaries will be full of office parties, family activities and social gatherings. Combined with a growing to-do list of presents to buy and food to prep it’s easy for your training to fall to the wayside. If you’re keen to keep up your fitness, but don’t know how to fit it in, Run 4 Wales Race Director, and double Olympic marathoner, Steve Brace, shares his top tips on how to stay motivated and active during this time of year: Move with others. If you plan to run with a friend, you’re far less likely to…

Four new apprentices have launched their careers working at the leading edge of the UK advanced manufacturing sector after securing roles with Newbridge-based Axiom Manufacturing Services. Over the past 14 years, dozens of aspiring engineers and electronics specialists have embarked on successful careers thanks to the multi-award-winning apprenticeship programme developed by Axiom. The latest cohort are Josh Parfitt (17) from Tir-y-Berth, Ieuan Webber (18) from Ebbw Vale, Willam Hawkin-Smith (19) from Blackwood, and Macey Jayne (21) from Abertillery. Over the next four years, Josh, Ieuan and William, will rotate through every department within the company, before choosing a specialism. University…

Creative Wales has announced the launch of a new fund aimed at supporting the continued growth and development of the nation’s games industry. Games Scale Up Fund for Wales is aimed at games companies based in Wales that are looking for their next step up – designed to assist in scaling operations, fostering innovation, and expanding their reach, both within the UK and internationally. Specifically set up to help companies propel themselves beyond development stage, the fund will help take games projects from a pilot to a more substantial and self-sustaining model; by allowing for growth in scope, reach and…

A man from Swansea has been jailed following conviction for ABH and sexual assault. 47-year-old James Birmingham, from Cwmbwrla, launched an unprovoked and lengthy attack on his victim, before he sexually assaulted them at their home in November 2023. He has this week been sentenced to three years in prison at Swansea Crown Court. Detective Constable Abi Doxsey said: “With this sentence, a violent and extremely dangerous individual is now unable to pose a threat to women for a number of years. “I would like to commend the role the victim has played in aiding our investigation, as well as…

Vegetable soup, stuffed Welsh turkey and traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce all to be served on selected Transport for Wales trains this Christmas. Transport for Wales (TfW) is bringing the Christmas spirit to the railway with its own mouth-watering Christmas menu. From Monday, 2 December to Friday, 20 December passengers on selected rail services running between north and south Wales can indulge in a three-course meal cooked by TfW onboard chefs. The menu offers passengers a delectable array of seasonal dishes, including a handmade seasonal vegetable root soup, a roasted stuffed Welsh turkey parcel, and a traditional Christmas pudding…

A county project is breathing new life into areas hit by destructive tree disease. Denbighshire County Council’s Tree Team help manage the Councils’ tree asset and are leading the response to Ash Dieback, surveying affected trees and commissioning works where necessary. Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus ) is a highly destructive disease. As the common name of ash dieback suggests, infected trees typically die back and have to be cut down where there are health and safety concerns. There is no known cure or method for preventing the transmission of this airborne fungus, therefore alternative approaches are needed to manage its…

Swansea is brimming with festive spirit this Christmas with lots of free and low cost things to do for the whole family. Bringing the feel of an Alpine village to the city is Waterfront Winterland, now open at Museum Park until 5 January. New for 2024, enjoy the lights and capture family selfies in the enchanting Christmas themed lantern trail. The city centre Christmas Market is now open, until 22 December. Thousands of gift options are also available in the Quadrant Shopping Centre, Swansea Indoor Market and city centre shops. Jack and the Beanstalk is on at Swansea Grand Theatre…

The UK and Welsh Governments welcomed Ed Tomp as the newly appointed permanent Chair of the Celtic Freeport, marking the project’s transition from the development to the delivery phase. Ed Tomp assumed his role on 1 December 2024 and will lead this vital re-industrialisation and regeneration project. The Celtic Freeport is set to attract £8.4bn of private and public investment, deliver 11,500 new jobs and add £8.1bn of economic value (GVA).  This vision is underpinned by investment incentives for businesses setting up new operations in designated development zones – tax sites – in Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire. From 26 November…

In a UK first, Wales is to have a new process for reviews following a person’s death or abuse to help reduce family trauma, prevent similar cases and protect others in the future. The Single Unified Safeguarding Review (SUSR) will incorporate all safeguarding reviews into one single process for everyone in Wales to follow. Safeguarding reviews occur after a serious incident of abuse or neglect of a child or adult, who is at risk, which results in their harm or death. Previously, this could have involved multiple reviews over a long period of time with the affected family and various professionals who…

Increased financial support for students and an additional £20 million investment are part of package of support for the further and higher education sectors. To help more people access and participate in higher education and support students facing continued cost of living pressures, the Minister for Higher and Further Education has this week [4th December 2024] has announced an 1.6% increase to student maintenance support for eligible part-time and full-time undergraduate students from Wales, both new and continuing students, for the 2025/26 academic year. The maximum amount of support for postgraduate masters and postgraduate doctoral study will also increase by…