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Homebase today reveals the positive effects Britain’s gardening efforts have had on our outdoor spaces during lockdown, but warns these efforts could go to waste if busy Brits neglect their gardens as life returns to normal. With 322 million additional plants gracing gardens, courtyards and balconies across the country, it’s all good news for bees, birds and insects as almost half (48%) of those surveyed by Homebase revealed they think plants that benefit wildlife are a must for any outdoor…

International Trade secretary Liz Truss visited the Port of Southampton on the 10th July, to see Aston Martin’s first luxury SUV, the DBX, which will be shipped to the United States later this summer. This comes ahead of the third round of trade talks with the US expected in late July. On her visit, Liz Truss discussed how the production of innovative British vehicles like the Aston Martin DBX will play a part in Britain’s economic recovery from coronavirus, and how…

BBC journalist George Alagiah has spoken to a woman with advanced bowel cancer about life in lockdown and her devastation at having an operation cancelled due to coronavirus, in an exclusive videocast for Bowel Cancer UK. ‘In conversation with George Alagiah’ sees the newsreader talk to 41-year-old Beth Purvis, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer four years ago, and was due to have surgery to remove a tumour from her lungs at the end of March. Bowel Cancer UK CEO…

UK’s leading stroke charity warns research faces long-term threat due to coronavirus pandemic Almost three quarters (74%) of stroke research projects funded by the Stroke Association have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. (i) Moreover, the UK’s leading stroke charity anticipates a shortfall of £1.5 million in its funding programme this year, to resume current research and support vital new projects. The charity warns of a catastrophic knock on effect for stroke research which could delay access to important…

A flagship centre where ideas will spark invention has been ‘topped out’ by Cardiff University and Bouygues UK. sbarc | spark – Cardiff’s #HomeofInnovation – brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, student start-ups and academic spinouts in a state-of-the-art building at the heart of Cardiff Innovation Campus. More than 70% of site contractors and labour are based locally, bringing economic benefits to Wales during the construction phase. Featuring commercial units, a visualisation centre, auditorium and fabrication lab, the hub provides the seedbed…

American actor and singer Zac Efron highlights the huge issue of London’s plastic waste problem as part of a new series on Netflix airing in the UK from 10 July. Efron visited a key plastic waste hotspot at the scenic Concrete Barges, Rainham, an area of Essex saltmarsh where tonnes of lightweight plastic waste from the capital accumulates, forming huge plastic carpets.Thousands of single-use bottles, cotton buds and food containers wash up on the strandline at high tide, and local…

We asked Cardiff based International Mountain Leader Alan Ward how people might want to improve their hill and mountain walking skills now that restrictions on travel and countryside access have been lifted. The hills and mountains are now open so what do we need to do next? The upland areas in the United Kingdom are areas of outstanding natural beauty and journeying into and through these areas can be a wonderful experience. These opportunities can be more safely enjoyed by…

Older people’s charity, Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale, continues its long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable and isolated older people living in our local communities amidst the Coronavirus outbreak. As the crisis continues to hit, the number of people requiring its support has risen immensely and additional requests for assistance continue to be received daily.   Jeff Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer explains: ‘As a small, local charity with limited funds, our resources are under huge strain and our infrastructure at…

Having a child can be a wonderful experience, one that is guaranteed to change your life. For both women and men, starting a family is akin to stepping into the great unknown. With a new arrival comes the promise of adventure, excitement and challenges, the likes of which you’ve never faced before. As well as the love and joy that can come with having a baby, many parents undergo negative and overwhelming emotions too on this rollercoaster.  Some even fall…

The National Lottery is searching for your ‘hometown hero’ or ‘lockdown legend’ as part of the 2020 National Lottery Awards. This year the annual search for the UK’s most popular National Lottery funded projects will, for the first time, honour individuals who have made an extraordinary impact in their community, especially those who have adapted during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. New figures reveal more than £24 million of National Lottery funding has been invested in good causes in the Cardiff…