Author: Rhys Gregory

Pembrokeshire-based Barti is scaling-up production with a £200,000 investment from the Development Bank of Wales and a loan of £27,000 from Pembrokeshire Lottery. Now stocked by Tesco and Co-op, the award-winning Barti Spiced Rum and Barti Cream Liqueur are available in retail stores throughout Wales in addition to independent outlets and online. The loans from the Development Bank and Pembrokeshire Lottery will be used to fund product development and pursue export global opportunities in Canada and Japan. Barti will also build a bespoke mobile bar for use at outdoor events. Barti was established by Director Jonathan Williams in the summer…

A man has been arrested following an incident in Criccieth yesterday afternoon. Officers were made aware of concerns being shared locally about a man who was suspected to be carrying a weapon in the areas of Llanystumdwy and Criccieth shortly before 2pm, Tuesday November 19th. Following enquiries, a 36-year-old local man was identified and arrested on suspicion of public order offences. He was not found to be in possession of a weapon. Inspector Jamie Owens said: “I would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident and that there are no ongoing concerns. “No weapons were identified,…

Wales will be taking on South Africa on Saturday 23 November at Principality Stadium. With the kick-off taking place at 5.40pm – there will be a full city centre road closure from 1.30pm until 9.45pm to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium safely. The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy due to this rugby match – so please plan ahead – and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at the former Toy’s R Us site car park in the Sports Village – CF11 0JS. For up to…

The major mountainside repairs at Rhigos Mountain Road are now entering their final few days. The Council can confirm that substantial work completion, and the reopening of the road, is still on course for Friday, November 22. However, the reopening date is subject to the weather conditions with snow and ice potentially impacting work and causing a delay. Earlier this month, the Council provided a progress update on the final phase of work, which has proven extremely challenging – and provided an updated timescale that would ensure the safe and full completion of this complex repair scheme. The scheme remains…

Access to NHS dental care in Wales is in crisis. One-third of people we heard from were unable to find a dentist or were stuck on lengthy waiting lists. Children, older adults, disabled people, and low-income families face the most challenges getting essential dental services. Llais, the citizen voice body for health and social care, has released its position statement on the Welsh dentistry crisis after hearing from over 12,000 people across Wales about their health and social care issues, with dentistry consistently coming out near the top. Latest figures from Welsh Government show that there were less NHS dentists…

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, delivered the keynote speech at the first day of the annual Community Housing Cymru conference, focussing on working with the sector to deliver more homes, recognising the key role of frontline workers and ending homelessness in Wales.  The two-day conference is a chance to network, build relationships and focus on the ambitions of the social housing sector in Wales. The Cabinet Secretary said: “I am proud to be responsible for an area that is of such importance to the people of Wales and our future generations. “Access to good quality housing…

Schools are working to reduce the impact of poverty and break the link between educational attainment and financial background. Thanks to £85,000 of Welsh Government funding, six school clusters across Wales will receive training and support to tackle the impact of poverty on day-to-day school life and identify ways to reduce its impact on children and their families. In Rhondda Cynon Taf, Ferndale Community School and the primary schools in the cluster are one of the first groups of schools to take part in the scheme. Teachers have been undergoing training from Children North East, an organisation specialising in identifying the…

Flour will be boosted with folic acid to protect hundreds of babies against serious disabilities every year. But daily supplements are still vital urges Wales’ top doctor. New law will require non-wholemeal flour to be fortified with folic acid from the end of 2026. This will help prevent around 200 neural tube defects in babies every year. Neural tube defects affect the brain, spine and spinal cord from developing properly in the womb. This can cause life-limiting spinal conditions like spina bifida or anencephaly. Before becoming pregnant and in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, women are advised to take…

The Parc Dewi Sant site in Carmarthen has opened a wellbeing and healthcare hub which offers a wide range of medical services including a private GP’s surgery. The historic 38-acre Carmarthenshire site’s history dates back to 1850, and was bought by Parc Dewi Sant Limited in May from Carmarthen Council. Then, Parc Dewi Sant Ltd announced its plans for redevelopment, with health and wellbeing benefits for the local community at the forefront. These include retaining and recruiting both NHS and private health providers. The well-being and health hub Medispace has now opened, providing medical businesses and professionals the opportunity to…

HOWDEN, the global insurance intermediary group, is continuing its period of growth in south Wales as it places its focus on corporate and commercial growth. Currently undergoing a recruitment surge, Howden Wales attracts new talent through its unique employee ownership model, different from the traditional share price and shareholder value model, and is setting its sights on further growth to maximise its potential in providing solution-based insurance support to its growing clientele in south Wales. Stephen Yandle is the latest expert recruit to be enticed by Howden’s model, joining as regional corporate and commercial sales director for Wales. Stephen joins…