All posts by Lisa Baker

News

Welsh language society celebrates first anniversary with growing numbers and live events

A WELSH language partnership celebrating its first anniversary has gone from strength to strength.

Coleg Cambria’s branch of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol – Cangen Cymraeg Cambria – has been a huge success in the last 12 months.

Welsh medium students have enjoyed access to training, events, and education online during the Coronavirus pandemic.

As restrictions ease, more and more activities are being held in person at college sites in Wrexham, Northop, Llysfasi and Deeside, including drop-in sessions with branch officer Haf Everiss, guest speakers and weekly society meetings, with more than 50 students of all ages attending.

Haf said collaborations with organisations including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – which held a virtual Welsh-language health and social care session seminar with learners – have also proven popular.

“Covid-19 has brought its challenges, but we have still managed to engage with students and communities in north east Wales to promote the use of Welsh in the workplace and education,” said Haf.

“It’s been a learning curve, identifying resources we might need bilingually to take the branch forward for learners, discussing any obstacles they’ve faced and how we can grow together – the response has been fantastic.”

She added: “We are starting to see numbers increase and people want to meet up and see other students in a safe, warm environment.

“The social aspect of the society meetings in particular has been pivotal for those learning Welsh or lacking in confidence after this period of isolation; they are made to feel supported and welcome, which is what Cangen Cymraeg Cambria is all about.”

Demand for Welsh-medium education has grown significantly as many employers are now experiencing the benefits of having a bilingual workforce.

Llinos Roberts, Head of Corporate Communications and Welsh Language at Coleg Cambria, said the college will continue to celebrate and preserve the language for generations to come.

She added: “The college is committed to championing the Welsh language, providing opportunities, and delivering a first-class bilingual education for our learners.

“While we are working hard to help the Welsh Government reach its target of one million Welsh speakers, it is crucial the courses and programmes we deliver are relevant, adding value for participants and highlighting the importance of the Welsh language as a valuable skill in the workplace.”

For more information, visit www.cambria.ac.uk and follow @Cangen_Cambria on social media.

Visit www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk for more on Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, or email help.cymraeg@cambria.ac.uk.

News

Pop-up pilot attracting independent producers to showcase products in seaside town

INDEPENDENT producers can showcase their goods and garner support and advice at an innovative business hub.

Running for eight weeks from Tuesday November 9, Love Live Local @ Rhyl will be based in the town’s White Rose Centre.

Supported by Denbighshire County Council, Antur Cymru and the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Coastal Communities Fund, the project aims to attract new and existing food and drink firms or those looking to launch or develop their own venture to take up space, display local produce and utilise the expert guidance and mentoring on offer.

Open Tuesday to Sunday until the new year, the initiative will be based in a 3,000 sq ft unit and is inviting anyone in the county and surrounding towns and villages who does not already have a commercial premises to take up retail space.

Project Manager Lowri Roberts said this is an incredible opportunity for those interested in expanding or starting an artisan business in the seaside resort to explore the possibility ahead of the opening of the nearby Queen’s Market redevelopment, set to begin in 2022.

“We want to hear from food and drink producers, crafters and makers who want to expand into a retail premises, or those who have just started out or are planning to do so,” said Lowri.

“There will be space to display your products, access to advice on a number of topics – from finance and strategy to branding, marketing and much more – and a platform to develop your business model in a real, commercial environment.

“We are specifically targeting Denbighshire and areas on the county border, but also traders who might be interested in operating out of Rhyl in the future.

“Whether you make cheese, preserves, honey, environmentally friendly items or something completely different and need a place to demonstrate whether it’s a viable, profitable venture – this is the chance to do so.”

She added: “At present we are also seeking two candidates to run the shop day to day during this initial eight-week term, so please get in touch if you are interested.”

Kevin Harrington, Antur Cymru’s Business Development Manager, reinforced those words, and said: “We are delighted to be delivering this pop-up shop initiative having provided entrepreneurship and industry support for more than 40 years, including the Welsh Government’s flagship Business Wales programme.

“We encourage people in Denbighshire and the surrounding area to capitalise on what is a terrific opportunity to take your business, or business idea, to the next level in a warm, welcoming and friendly environment.”

Cllr Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for the Economy, said: “We are excited to be able to provide on the ground support for Denbighshire businesses within Rhyl town centre’s biggest shopping centre.

“As well as acting as a support hub for businesses, by adding to the town centre retail offering it will attract visitors and provide a temporary use for a vacant retail unit. Local businesses need all of our support this winter – together let’s support our towns by shopping local and using the hashtag #LoveLiveLocal to encourage others.”

All participants will receive fully-funded access to Business Wales advisors and mentors on-site, marketing materials and advice on how to tender on Sell2Wales and other relevant websites.

For more information, email lroberts@anturcymru.org.uk or call 01745 585025/07779 457367.

Follow the hashtag #LoveLiveLocal and visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-support/love-live-local.aspx for more on the Love Live Local campaign.

News

College and engineering firm join forces to launch cutting-edge software for apprentices

COLEG CAMBRIA has joined forces with a leader in manufacturing and engineering to launch an innovative apprenticeship training programme.

The north east Wales college unveiled a five-year partnership with Hawarden-based LCA Group to use the software provider, EPLAN.

EPLAN provides solutions for electrical, automation and mechatronic engineers globally, and is committed to supporting the development of new workers in the sector.

Cambria and LCA Group – which has recruited apprentices from the college’s Deeside site over the years – will use the platform going forward, with costs covered by the Flintshire company.

In addition to software and support, EPLAN provides lesson plan materials, and lecturers will also be fully trained.

Prior to this new software, electrical engineers had to use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) packages to create their designs. EPLAN offers a bespoke system, with the capability to increase efficiency and facilitate a smoother path between design and production.

Dan Jones, Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at Coleg Cambria, said: “We have a long history of working in partnership with employers across north east Wales and will continue to develop our teaching resources in line with advances in manufacturing technology.

“Having access to EPLAN will mean our learners now have the opportunity to understand how modern industrial electrical panels are designed.

“The college hopes to further develop its training to include advanced fault-finding skills and techniques, in order to better prepare our electrical engineers for the future – EPLAN will undoubtedly assist in this area.”

Alan Sheppard, Managing Director of LCA Group, added: “Finding the right talent is a perpetual challenge for every business, but for electrical engineering companies like ours there is the additional shift in how we deliver for the requirements of Industry 4.0, and the challenges and opportunities that brings.

“The partnership with EPLAN is a first step in a wider LCA Group programme to help now establish even closer ties with the college.

“We want to also give students additional, first-hand experience of electrical engineering, with visits to our facility, access to our experienced engineers and, of course, the continuation of our apprenticeship scheme.”

For more information on LCA Group, visit the website: www.lcagroup.co.uk

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for more on the wide range of courses and qualifications available at Coleg Cambria.

News

Estate agent celebrates 21st anniversary and targets record national award win

A PROMINENT estate agent celebrating a landmark anniversary is heading for record-breaking awards success.

Williams Estates has handed over the keys to thousands of doors across North Wales over the last 21 years.

Director Jason Williams launched the company at the turn of the century and has grown it strategically from one employee and one office to 25 staff across seven sites in Denbigh, Mold, Rhyl, Ruthin, Holywell, Prestatyn and Rhuddlan.

Having taken on six new Welsh-speaking employees in past months the 51 year-old is laying the foundations for a bright future.

“We have grown through the pandemic and expanded our workforce, which is an achievement given the challenges all sectors have faced since the onset of Covid-19,” said Jason, who is married to Emma and has three children, Harry, Rory, and Nathan.

“But we have done so sustainably, as before, and are now focused on making ourselves even better, rather than bigger.

“That means improving by 10-20%, which will make us even more efficient and meet the huge demand we have for our services at present. We have set the benchmark high, but you can always aim higher.”

He added: “Like many firms we had to quickly pivot in the pandemic but long-term the changes we made, including video tours, online forms for tenants and vendors to complete remotely and virtual conferencing, will only make us more efficient and accessible.”

Williams Estates is hoping to win Gold for Wales Estate Agent of the Year for the ninth time in succession at the prestigious ESTAS Awards ceremony in London this Friday (Oct 22).

And having developed the lettings side of the group to management of more than 400 properties, Jason – a former President of the North Wales, South Cheshire, and Merseyside branch of the National Association of Estate Agents – says life has never been busier.

“When I opened our first office in Denbigh it was just me and a commitment to being a family-orientated business offering that personal touch and never forgetting that the customer is always number one,” he added.

“I’ve never strayed from that ethos and am now joined by a fantastic team who share that belief.

“We’ve grown together – as people and as a company – and I am so proud of what Williams Estates has become, and our place in the sector.

“To win awards is a huge honour, and we are delighted to again be a finalist at the ESTAS, but for me seeing the joy on the faces of a family when they get the keys to their new home is unsurpassable.

“That’s what has kept us at the forefront of this industry and why we are determined to stay there for another 21 years and beyond.”

For more information, visit the website www.williamsestates.com and follow Williams Estates on social media @williamsestates.

News

Tech company seeks investment for revolutionary global water leakage solution

A BOOMING technology company has relocated its headquarters from Singapore to the UK and is seeking £2-£3m investment to take a revolutionary water pipeline application to the global market.

Having opened a new base in London in addition to its offices in North Wales, Jersey, Singapore, and the Philippines – iVapps is perfectly placed to begin manufacturing a ground-breaking digital solution that will serve ‘smart cities’ and meet demand for a solution to the world water leakage crisis.

There has been widespread interest in the environmentally-friendly portal – which includes the world’s first recyclable smart cartridge – with orders coming in from across Europe, Asia, and North America.

The technology will ultimately replace the widely used but outdated data logging systems used by water utility firms.

Colin Patterson, Executive Chairman of iVapps, said their immediate priority is delivering the product to customers in the UK following successful trials earlier this year.

“The feedback we’ve had is just incredible because what we have is a solution that meets ‘smart city’ requirements now and for future generations because it is so easy to replace and upgrade,” said Mr Patterson.

“The cartridge and portal are sustainable and meet environmental targets, which has made this a very attractive proposition for water companies and large industrial organisations.

“We are now ready to take the next step and begin manufacturing on a wider scale, initially for the UK market before rolling it out globally given the demand we already have from overseas.”

He added: “We have an incredible opportunity for Series A financing as we have a strong model with huge potential that has captured the sector’s imagination, and iVapps is EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) compliant.

“The company is growing; trials have been very positive, and we are ready to go – are you ready to join us?”

The smart cartridge is fitted with inflow real time technology sensors to digitise pipelines and control and monitor temperature, flow, pressure, turbidity, quality and more.

As a result, it can identify problems including leakages, contamination and bursts that cause billions of pounds in financial and environmental damage each year.

With England and Wales losing 3.1 billion litres of water a day, iVapps’ International Business Manager Nigel Roberts says they are “on the cusp” of a landmark moment for the utilities arena.

“The smart technology is in place but of course we are fully aware of the pressures and challenges the supply chain has been under because of the Coronavirus pandemic and other factors,” said Nigel.

“We have commercial models and are now seeking investment to deliver on the larger orders we have received, so we can build momentum and get it out to market.

“The industry can see the iVapps portal and digital solution is what they have been waiting for, it’s sustainable and future-proof because of the ease with which it can be replaced, with little or no disruption.

“We want a long-term commitment because this is just the beginning of the revolution of the smart and green management of the precious commodity of water. The foundations are in place, now it’s time to build on the interest and orders we have with the support of an investor or investors who share our vision to positively transform the global water pipeline network for many years to come.”

For more information, visit the website www.ivappstech.com and follow @iVAPPST on social media. Alternatively, email sales@ivappstech.com or call 01745 535132.

NOTES: The iVapps cartridge solution can be serviced without having to shut down pipelines or excavate roads, causing major disruption. Once installed any future sensor technologies can be introduced or upgraded within 10 minutes and reused again. Delivering a low cost, low carbon, green friendly advance on the current process.

ENDS

Construction, News

Director says goodbye to top North Wales industrial supplier after 30 years

ONE of the driving forces behind a leading industrial supplier says goodbye this week after more than 30 years with the business.

GE Tools director Neil Coleclough joined the Rhyl and Deeside-based company in 1988 and has helped oversee a period of sustained growth

The 59 year-old plans to spend more time with wife Christine and family, pursuing hobbies including photography, walking and yoga.

Neil follows GE Tools founder Gordon Evans into retirement and is confident new managing director Chris Owen – who has more than 20 years’ experience with the organisation – will lead them to an even brighter future.

“It is strange to be leaving after a third of a century but it’s the right time and the company is in safe hands,” he said.

“We have always had an incredible team with a positive, hard-working attitude and I am confident they will continue to go from strength to strength.

“I’ll miss all of them, and our fantastic customers, but after so many years here and out on the road I look forward to getting my camera out and actually stopping and enjoying some of the places I’ve driven past over the last three decades!”

Born in Blackley, Manchester, Neil was raised in Bangor and was working in a Llandudno hotel when he met Christine in 1980.

The unsociable hours saw him switch to Mochdre-based sweeper machine manufacturers Danline Ltd, where he learnt the value of diligence and high standards from esteemed colleague, Maurice Tadman.

Rising to the role of production controller, Neil later moved to Barrow Hepburn Equipment in Deiniolen, where a chance meeting with Gordon Evans – then working as a sales director – would lead to him taking the leap and helping establish GE Tools.

“Things were so different back then, everything was paper-based and when the fax machine arrived in the office it blew everyone’s minds,” said Neil.

“Gordon was representing a company we worked with and after speaking on numerous occasions we identified a gap in the market and saw the potential in launching a new business supplying tools to industry.

“He did so, and I soon joined him before we later became equal partners and took it forward.”

GE Tools has always been at the forefront of advances in technology, notably ecommerce, which they capitalised on immediately.

“We were selling online before many of the global giants you see today,” said Neil.

“From Vale Road we grew and grew, first regionally and then alongside some of the biggest names in the trade.

“Most of my focus was on customer development, and the customer has always been at the centre of my thinking – that has never changed.

“We were successful in bringing onboard some very significant accounts that included Pilkington Special Glass, Ferodo, Wylfa and Trawsfynydd power stations and Hotpoint, to name but a few.

“And from there we have continued to deliver, innovating and opening a base in Deeside to extend our footprint into the North West – I could not be more proud of what we have achieved together.”

He added: “There have been so many highlights and of course challenges; the Coronavirus pandemic has been tough for everyone, but we diversified and managed to remain profitable throughout.

“In fact, the name GE Tools doesn’t begin to describe what we do. From PPE to school uniforms and cutting-edge machinery and equipment from international brands such as Gedore, Makita and Sandvik, we do so much more.

“We have built a team of dedicated, long-serving employees who share the company’s vision. They are without doubt our biggest strength, and I can’t wait to watch them take GE Tools to even greater heights.”

For more information, visit www.getools.co.uk or contact salesdesk@getools.co.uk. 

News

North Wales education scheme targets next generation of STEM workers

AN INNOVATIVE education scheme is helping to meet a surge in demand for skilled STEM workers.

Over the last decade there has been rapid growth in students opting to take STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) subjects at university, including a 400% rise in AI (Artificial Intelligence) applicants UK-wide.

Despite this, there is still an overwhelming need for more candidates in areas including IT, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Analysis and Biology, which is why STEM Gogledd is working hard to attract more young people into these sectors.

Targeting 11 to 19 year olds in Conwy, Anglesey and Gwynedd, the project launched two years ago and was gaining momentum when Covid-19 took hold in the UK; all communications were moved online and as a result they managed to unite industry and academia to help bring through the next generation of apprentices and employees.

Supported by funding from WEFO (Welsh European Funding Office) and the European Social Fund (ESF), Regional Manager Dyfed Jones says their aim is to increase awareness and interest in STEM from an early age.

“A lot of the younger children are unsure what STEM is, and, as they grow older, whether there will be a viable career in it for them,” said Dyfed.

“Through this initiative we can engage Year 7 onwards and go on that journey with them through school to higher education, an apprenticeship or the world of work.

“We do this via mentoring and our close partnerships with companies across North Wales, hosting visits and welcoming them to speak to the pupils. During Covid we have had to do this virtually but that has made them more accessible and means more than one school can take part.”

Working with thousands of students and staff at 24 secondary schools across the three counties, the STEM Gogledd team will begin holding face-to-face sessions when it is safe to do so – adhering to social distancing and Coronavirus rules – and are also planning to launch a new podcast.

They hope to hear from businesses this academic year, and also want to engage more girls in what is traditionally a male-dominated arena.

“The number of women in STEM careers is rising but it is still only around 25%,” said Dyfed.

“Education is key and so is demonstrating – for girls and boys – that there are options for them in STEM right here in North Wales.

“We have many incredible companies in this region and there is demand for skilled workers, so we have to step up and meet that challenge as the issue is very much on the agenda in Wales and we are at the forefront of a push to fill these roles for this and future generations.”

He added: “Our service was launched just six months before the Coronavirus pandemic; like many organisations we were hit for six and stopped in our tracks for a little while.

“We were really making inroads and getting into the schools, so we hope to be able to do so again in now and bring business and industry into the classroom.

“The aim is to embed stem into the curriculum even more and to work closely with teachers, parents and their communities to help drive young people to skilled jobs, jobs that will make a difference to the North Wales economy.

“We will keep working hard to do that and engaging with more companies, as from this coming year onwards more than one in five jobs will be in STEM industries.”

For more information, visit the STEM Gogledd website www.stemgogledd.cymru or email stemgogledd@gwynedd.llyw.cymru.

NOTES: AI (Artificial Intelligence) and education figures according to 2021 UCAS Report.

News

Green light for green projects as £500k funding lays foundation for low carbon development

LOW CARBON projects have been given the green light after securing more than £500,000 in grant support.

The three schemes will be based at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi and pioneer new technology aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector.

Funded by the Welsh Government via its Whole System Business Research Innovation for Decarbonisation Challenge (WBRID), and supported by North Wales Economic Ambition Board, the projects are:

  • A collaboration between M-SParc on Anglesey, the college, and businesses to explore the potential for drones to identify on-land issues such as weed growth. The second phase of the scheme includes research into how drones could communicate with a rover on the ground to target issues remotely, a dual-concept application.
  • Promar International, based in Cheshire, is developing a bilingual carbon footprint resource for farmers in North Wales, where they can go online and input information on the landscape, current meat and milk production systems, potential for tree planting and more. Their carbon footprint will be calculated, and results given, which in turn will encourage best practice and be used on a regional basis to support the industry.
  • BioFactory Energy are developing a low-cost, modular Anaerobic Digestion system for small-medium Welsh dairy farms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from slurry management.  A prototype plant is expected to be on-site in the new year that will generate energy for the farm and improve slurry quality for spreading.

The Welsh Government Smart Living WBRID demonstrators or ‘challenges’ apply the tested principles of Small Business Research Initiative schemes. These will run in several Welsh regions until late Spring with benefits including reduced carbon emissions, energy savings and business economic support with the testing of new technology, products, systems and processes.

Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters recently visited Llysfasi to see for himself the range of leading technologies and innovative solutions in development.

He said: “We’ve all got to quickly adapt to the challenge of understanding what achieving Net Zero emissions means for the way we go about things.

“The existing work being done at Llysfasi shows that the action we need to take to tackle carbon can also bring about much wider benefits. I’m pleased our Smart Living initiative is trialling new ways of doing things that can be used right across Wales.”

The Challenge projects will provide significant input into the Net Zero Farm Centre at Llysfasi, a centre of excellence which will form part of the Ambition Board’s Agri-food and Tourism programme.

Project Manager George Fisher says progress on all three schemes marks an exciting time for agriculture in North Wales; he believes there is a real appetite for education and growth among the farming community.

The industry is pivotal to North Wales, employing 7% of the workforce and contributing more than £370m to the economy each year.

“We want to take farmers on this journey with us, as we look to embrace advances in technology to become more sustainable as a sector,” he said.

“These pioneering ideas will play a big part in that – I’m delighted to see them move forward and pleased they have received such significant support from WBRID. It’s a real commitment from Welsh Government and will have a positive impact for years to come.”

Following this phase, George hopes all three projects will be in position to move forward on a commercial basis and be utilised by landowners and farmers as they look to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt precision agriculture approaches.

Lois Shaw, M-SParc’s Business Support Officer, says collaboration between the organisations involved will be a huge positive for the area, adding: “It’s great to see businesses from the region benefit from the emerging agri-tech sector.

“We’ve been able to secure a collaboration between two companies on Anglesey to drive this project forward and are now looking forward to the potential for commercialisation of the project in 2022.”

Jon Blake, BioFactory’s Chief Commercial Officer, was in agreement, and said: “The collaboration with Coleg Cambia Llysfasi has been instrumental in enabling the development of our micro-AD (Anaerobic Digestion) technology, which is much needed in the sector and will enable more Welsh farmers to access the benefits of AD in the drive for net zero farming.”

Tom Gill, Head of Sustainability at Promar International, said they too are excited at the prospect of leading a revolution in the way agriculture operates in the future.

“Promar is pleased to continue to support Coleg Cambria Llysfasi to devise and implement its net zero ambitions,” he said.

“To do this, Promar will be supporting project partners to understand options which will contribute towards maintaining farm productivity performance whilst identifying climate reducing actions which will be implemented over the next two, five and 10 years.

“In addition, the tools to do this will be made available to all livestock farmers across North Wales (and wider) with the support of an industry representative group.”

For more information, visit www.cambria.ac.uk and www.northwaleseab.co.uk.  

News

Three-metre ‘Knife Dragon’ will be used as a weapon for education campaign

A KNIFE Dragon will be used as a weapon for education.

Coleg Cambria, North Wales Police, Wrexham Council and other stakeholders have joined forces to construct a three-metre ‘Knife Dragon’ using weapons safely handed in at local police stations as part of regional amnesty campaigns.

The sculpture is under construction at the college’s Bersham Road site, where students and staff will spend the next year welding and fabricating submitted items – including blades and knuckle dusters – onto a steel frame.

Inspired by the 20ft ‘Knife Angel’ designed by artist Alfie Bradley, unveiled in 2017, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Bersham Road Karl Jackson said: “This statue will form the centrepiece for multi-agency work that will inform and educate in an effort to maintain low instances and reduce occurrences of knife crime in the area.

“For several years we have been in discussions with North Wales Police and Wrexham Council about designing and constructing an artwork that will help raise the profile of knife awareness campaigns.

“Our concept is that of a dragon protecting a child; the dragon will be welded by our skilled tutors and learners, and I’m sure will look incredible on completion.

“It will be placed on a concrete plinth of Welsh stone slate in front of the Institute of Technology, with red, white, and green up-lighting to represent the dragon sitting amongst the remnants of a Welsh Castle.”

He added: “The sculpture will be based at the college but – in partnership with the council and local knife crime group – it can be moved and transported to spread the message and help educate people as to the dangers of carrying weapons and the devastation knife crime can cause.”

Wrexham Town Inspector Luke Hughes said the area experiences a low level of knife crime, adding: “Wrexham is a particularly safe place where knife crime isn’t as big a problem as it is in other parts of the country.

“However, through the very nature of offences involving knives, it only takes a single act to cause devastation. In a moment of madness, the lives of so many people can be changed in an instant.

“As such, it is particularly important that we can create opportunities to highlight knife crime and what we can do to prevent it.

“In recent months we have taken more than a hundred knives off the streets of Wrexham in our local amnesty.

“The ‘Knife Dragon’ offers a way in which we can work with our partners on a project that just might prevent another tragedy. Made with weapons we have seized from our own streets; they will never again be in position to harm anyone.

“We all have a responsibility to educate anyone who may think it acceptable to carry a knife. The consequences for doing so can be catastrophic.

“This project serves as a reminder that as a community we can protect our most vulnerable by working together to raise awareness and educate anyone who might otherwise make the wrong choices.”

Wrexham’s Lead Member for Communities Collaboration and Partnerships, Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “North Wales and Wrexham are very safe places to live and work.

“We work closely with local and national organisations in efforts to curtail instances of crime. Knife related crime doesn’t just impact on the victim and their immediate family, it also impacts on the wider community.

“We are proud to be part of this project, and hope that the dragon will bring about discussion on how and why these weapons have no place in our communities.”

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “North Wales is one of the safest areas in the UK in which to live and work and my focus remains on keeping our communities safe.

“This is an issue about which I will never be complacent, and this sculpture will send out a powerful message about the dangers of knife crime. The more we can do to raise awareness the better.”

For more information, email karl.jackson@cambria.ac.uk or visit www.cambria.ac.uk.

If you have concerns about knife crime, call North Wales Police on 101 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, visit www.fearless.org/en/give-info.

News

Inspired Ali gets on her bike and bucks national trend with lockdown weight loss

THE Coronavirus pandemic inspired Ali Yates to get on her bike and keep fit in lockdown.

With new figures revealing a third of people in North Wales have put on weight since the onset of Covid-19 – with the average gain being 6.1kg or nearly a stone – the 45 year-old has bucked the trend.

An Operations and Programme Manager for Sport Wales, based at Plas Menai Watersports Centre, Caernarfon, Ali decided the time was right to try and shed a few pounds and encouraged others to focus on their health and wellbeing given the challenges of the last 18 months.

“I realised lockdown could go one way or the other. I could either eat too much, drink too much and put on a stone. Or I could use the time as a good opportunity to get fitter and lose a stone,” she said.

An outdoor instructor for more than 20 years, Ali had struggled with her weight going into lockdown in 2020 and her new desk-based role limited time previously spent being active.

She decided, together with a group of friends who attend Slimming World in Bethesda, to take on the challenge of walking, cycling or running the equivalent distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats – a staggering 1,083 miles.

The group have also braved the Menai Straits on stand-up paddleboards, supported by the team at Plas Menai, took part in Aquadance sessions and began cycling regularly, all of which helped achieve her goal.

A report by YouGov in support of the Welsh Government’s Help Us, Help You campaign revealed more than 50% of responders in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) region are eating less healthily than they were pre-pandemic.

And around 36% had partaken in fewer sports and fitness sessions despite admitting they had more time on their hands in lockdown.

Medical chiefs are urging people to access the vast range of resources and support available to them in a bid to reverse the trend and combat potential serious illness and conditions such as obesity and heart problems.

In addition to the NHS 111 Wales website there is information and guidance available on the Healthy Weight Cymru social media channels.

Beca Lyne-Pirkis, Health Weight Cymru Ambassador, urged anyone concerned about a decline in their wellbeing in past months to make simple alterations to their lifestyle, adding: “It’s not always easy to exercise regularly and eat healthily, and many have found recent lockdowns especially tricky.

“But even small changes can make a big difference to your health and make you feel better too.

“There is lots of information and advice on how to take more exercise, eat better and improve your wellbeing on the NHS 111 Wales Living Well website, so take a look.”

For more information and advice, visit www.111.wales.nhs.uk/LiveWell.

Visit www.bcuhb.nhs.wales for the latest news and information from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Please use the hashtags #HelpuNiHelpuChi and #HelpUsHelpYou to support the Help Us, Help You campaign.