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A set of new targeted restrictions in the hospitality and leisure sectors, together with a £340m support package, has been announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford. The new measures are being introduced as cases of coronavirus accelerate in Wales once again, eroding the gains achieved during the recent firebreak period. From Friday, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will have to close by 6pm and will not be allowed to serve alcohol.   After 6pm they will only be able to provide…

“Richard Caring, Executive Chairman for The Ivy Collection and Caprice Holdings, Rachel Ledwith, Development Manager at FareShare and Mark Curtain CEO of The Felix Project launch a new campaign ‘Food from the Heart’. The campaign initiated by The Caring Family Foundation, founded by husband and wife, Richard and Patricia Caring is in partnership with The Felix Project and FareShare. ‘Food from the Heart’ will start by providing 80,000 meals to children going hungry this Christmas who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”…

Staying connected through social contact and taking care of our physical and mental health plays a crucial part in our wellbeing. With the COVID pandemic and winter upon us, it’s more important than ever that we take initiative, put our health at the forefront and stay connected. Here are my top tips: Get out and about – embrace nature and alert your senses to the world around you Listen out for others – pick up the phone and stay connected…

Image Credit: Jack Alexander THIS MAKES THEM ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RECORDING PARTNERSHIPS IN HISTORY!  The only non-family duo to have topped the album charts three times, Michael and Alfie prove that friendship and togetherness really is what everyone needs, this year more than ever! Two of the greatest voices in the world and now the most successful UK double act, their album ‘Together At Christmas’ is packed full of holiday cheer – a heart-warming antidote to a year…

What is the legacy of this extraordinary woman? Do you have the facts at your fingertips to share with your children when we celebrate her achievements on December 1? Former primary school teacher Catherine Lynch of education experts PlanBee is here to help In the US, Rosa Parks Day is a public holiday which honours the work of this inspirational woman who is known as ‘the first lady of civil rights’ and ‘the mother of the freedom movement’ by the…

Image: Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society The year 2020 has been challenging for everyone, but particularly so for our choirs. Being unable to rehearse and perform together, many have had to develop new ways of keeping their choral communities alive. Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society (LCCS), along with friends from Penarth’s Cavatina Singers and Cheltenham Choral Society, have done just that by creating a unique virtual concert of original Christmas music entitled Winter Legends, Christmas Bells.   The common link between the…

Photo credit:Sam Hardwick   From Rocketman and the Vicar of Dibley, to Booker Prize Winners and candle-lit storytelling, Hay Festival’s Digital Winter Weekend (26-29 November) has a starry line-up guaranteed to beat those seasonal blues. The full line-up is available online hayfestival.org/wwe, but we’ve handpicked a few of our Festival favourites for you here. If you love the beautiful game, then Elton John and Arsène Wenger in conversation (Sunday 29th, 8.30pm) is the event for you. Arsène secured a record…

Spanning over several days Diwali, the ‘Festival of Lights’, is among the most celebrated dates In the Hindu calendar. But, like many other religious events, the Hindu festival has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, our lockdown saviour the live-stream is here to help once more. From a Bollywood dance workshop and deep yoga to a virtual firework display, Uswitch has rounded up the best virtual Diwali events and activities you can stream from the comfort and safety of your own home. Leicester…

The British Red Cross is urging the Welsh Government to come up with a plan to tackle loneliness this winter, as a new report shows that many people aren’t coping. In new polling, over a third of people (37%) in Wales said loneliness was having a negative impact on their mental health. With most of the country now back under tighter restrictions, the British Red Cross is calling on everyone – governments, charities, communities and individuals – to come together…

In the midst of a pandemic, there has never been a greater need to protect communities and our National Health Service from harm.  The charity Crimestoppers has today launched a new campaign with a stark warning that silence won’t stop violence, urging people to speak up anonymously to help save lives. Crimestoppers highlights a 93% rise in UK hospital admissions for knife attacks on under-16s since 2012.* Furthermore, violent injury costs the Wales NHS an estimated £13.9 million annually including…