Author: Rhys Gregory

Leading social scientist from Swansea University, Dr Lella Nouri and her team, have developed a new app which revolutionises the way communities can track and report hate graffiti ¾ all with the aim of understanding tensions within a community, and building intervention programmes to eradicate the issues. A first-of-its-kind reporting system, the StreetSnap app will soon be available for use across all local authorities in Wales and England. The app is currently being trialled in Bridgend, and was created in partnership with the Legal Innovation Lab Wales and Bridgend County Council, putting the Welsh Government’s Anti-racism Action Plan into practice. The app is now available for all counties in Wales…

The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales releases its final report into its work today following a two year national conversation. Co-chaired by Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Rowan Williams, The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales was set up in 2021 to look at how Wales is governed and options for change. The group of 11 Commission members come from a range of diverse backgrounds and bring a wealth of expertise and political views. The Commission began a national conversation to listen to a range of voices in Wales and set to work looking at…

Winter can be a fun time for pets, but with forecasts of an ‘arctic blast’ on the way, PDSA experts are warning owners to keep our four-legged friends safe and warm in the wintry conditions. Pets can be at risk of hypothermia if they get too cold, but it’s also important to ensure they stay active during freezing temperatures. PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, asked their Vet Nurse Nina Downing to put together her top tips on keeping our pets cosy and safe through the big freeze. Dogs Giving dogs their daily walks is important for their…

Love Trails Festival has announced the first acts on its music line-up for 2024 with JOY (Anonymous) and Stornoway confirmed to round-off a unique weekend of exploration set in the Gower Peninsula, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Love Trails is the world’s first trail running and music festival, transforming the Gower Peninsula, Wales into a natural playground for revellers and adventure junkies alike. Combining the collective euphoria of watching live music on a big stage, the ‘runner’s high’ and the liberating freedom of the rugged Welsh coastline, it’s a magical event like no other. Headlining the festival this…

The RSPCA is reminding XL Bully owners in England and Wales who want to exempt their dogs under the new law that they have just two weeks left to apply online. The UK Government has set a deadline of noon on Wednesday 31 January 2024 for online applications, and XL Bullies who have not been exempted by this date will be illegal to own and a criminal offence.. Owners of XL Bullies in England and Wales can apply for exemption on the UK Government website. There is a fee of £92.40 per dog and a requirement to have third party…

FSB Wales has published a new report Manufacturing Momentum on the future of the manufacturing sector in Wales. The report, written by Professor David Pickernell and colleagues at Swansea Business School at Swansea University looks to provide a stocktake of the challenges that firms within the sector have faced in recent years and look at future opportunities, informed by FSB members and manufacturing firms in Wales. FSB’s earlier research emphasized challenges in energy, transportation, and the recruitment of suitably trained staff. However, our latest report reveals a concerning pattern where these pre-existing issues persist concurrently, creating new barriers to growth…

Aspire 2Be, a multi-award-winning learning technology company, this week announced the launch of the Levels 2 & 3 Digital Skills for Business Qualification. This qualification extends the range of business-focussed professional learning qualifications offered by Aspire 2Be, which also includes the Level 3 Diploma for Digital Learning Practitioners. The Digital Skills for Business qualification is aimed at anyone in an office or administrative role who uses digital tools, such as Microsoft 365. It has been designed to enhance the digital skills of staff within their role and increase digital confidence and competence within the business. Learners will explore how technology…

Estyn has launched Ready Already (Barod yn Barod), a campaign addressing some of the misconceptions around inspections in schools and PRUs, aiming to reassure education providers not to overprepare for inspection and to teach as they usually would. Estyn introduced changes to inspections in school and Pupil Referral Units in 2022, including removing summative gradings such as ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’, ‘Adequate’ or ‘Unsatisfactory’. Our approach has created more opportunities for Learners, leaders, teachers and support staff to contribute constructively to collaborative conversations during the inspection process. Ready Already is an informative campaign featuring school leaders and teachers from across Wales who…

The music scene in Cardiff is vibrant, with the city the location for exciting festivals and scores of venues, recording studios and rehearsal rooms catering to every musical style – from classical to jazz, hip-hop and electronica. Cardiff Council is supporting the scene through the Cardiff Music Strategy, which puts music at the heart of the city, championing and promoting music as a tool for growth, rather than a by-product of it. Key to this is encouraging young people to embrace music, in line with the Welsh Government’s National Plan for Music Education, and today the Council officially launched Little…

Swansea Council is in the early stages of the development of 22 new homes on council-owned land in Ravenhill. The Council’s chosen housing planning consultants for the scheme – Asbri Planning, have started a pre-planning consultation and are seeking the views of locals about the proposals. If given the go-ahead, the new homes will include eight one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom bungalows, six two-bedroom houses and six three-bedroom homes. The latest new homes proposal is part of the Council’s wider More Homes programme which has already seen the completion of a number of housing schemes across the city. Andrea Lewis, Cabinet…