Aberystwyth University has been awarded five new fellowships under the Rutherford Fund Strategic Partner Grants scheme administered by Universities UK International (UUKi).

The short-term fellowships are funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)through the Rutherford Fund, with the aim of attracting global talent and strengthening the UK’s research base.

Aberystwyth is one of only 19 universities in the UK to be selected for the prestigious research fellowships.

Professor Chris Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, said: “The Rutherford Fund opens up exciting new opportunities for international and interdisciplinary collaboration with strategic overseas partners, especially in the Global South. The development of these new research networks will further strengthen our links with the global research community and enhance our reputation as an international research institution that has an impact on real lives.”

Two of the five Rutherford Fellows have been based in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth during the summer of 2018.

Dr Benjamin van der Waal from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, and Dr Peyton Lisenby from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, have both been workingwith Aberystwyth’s Professor Stephen Tooth on the science and management of wetlands in arid environments.

Dr Paul Harvey from Macquarie Universitywill join the research project as a Rutherford Fellow on 25 August 2018.

Professor Stephen Tooth of the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, said: “The first three Rutherford Fellows are working with us to try and embed scientific understanding of water and sediment transport processes into wetland rehabilitation and conservation strategies. These wetlands play an important role in terms of supporting people’s livelihoods as well as biodiversity but many are being damaged or destroyed through poor land management or are vulnerable to future climate changes. Through collaborative international research, our aim is to inform the work of policy makers and landowners as we respond to what is increasingly becoming a global challenge.”

In November 2018, a further two Rutherford Fellows from the University of Namibia will arrive at Aberystwyth University. They will spend five months working on research projects related to the management of water resources in arid environments alongside staff from the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS).

Photo: Rutherford Fellows Dr Benjamin van der Waal and Dr Peyton Lisenby visiting the Elan Valley wetlands, rivers and dams as part of their research programme at Aberystwyth University.

Links:

Rutherford Fund Strategic Partner Grants: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/International/funding-and-opportunities/Pages/rutherford-fund-fellowships-scheme.aspx

Department of Geography and Earth Science: www.aber.ac.uk/dges

Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences: www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers

Aberystwyth University is involved in a multi-million pound initiative aimed at improving equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering and physical sciences.

A total of 11 different projects have been launched at universities across the UK, funded with £5.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The projects were selected under the EPSRC’s Inclusion Matters call, the first initiative of its kind launched as part of a collective approach by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

Aberystwyth University is a partner on the ‘Challenging Different Forms of Bias in Physical Sciences and Engineering Research’ project, led by the University of Birmingham.

Other partners on the £531,287 project are the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, and Vitae, a global leader in supporting the professional development of researchers.

The academics from Aberystwyth University involved in the research include Dr Christine Zarges from the Department of Computer Science, and Dr Sarah Riley and Saffron Passam from the Department of Psychology.

Speaking after the project launch on 9 August 2018, Dr Christine Zarges said: “We are proud to be part of this important research project which will investigate the underlying causes surrounding career progression among women academics and academics from ethnic minority backgrounds working in engineering and physical sciences. Best practice and successful initiatives will be identified and shared across the sector as we tackle together the issues of equality and diversity in engineering and the physical sciences.”

Dr Alison Wall, EPSRC’s Associate Director for Building Leadership, said: “The Inclusion Matters call projects display ambition, creativity and a commitment to addressing the pressing equality and diversity issues facing engineering and the physical sciences. Through new research, innovative approaches and a broadening of activities, they will inform and shape significant cultural change across institutions and share their learning with the whole sector.”

Programme Director Professor Jon Rowe, Director of Research at the University of Birmingham’s College of Engineering and Physical Science, said: “Activities will include looking at how the quality and value of academics’ work is assessed in promotion processes and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) to understand where sources of bias arise. Questions such as ‘Is there a bias when the gender of the academic is known?’ ‘Is it the result of the group dynamic of a panel of assessors?’ and ‘Are women encouraged to work in particular research areas, perhaps those outside of STEM subjects’ will also be addressed.”

Photo: The award winning Physical Sciences Building at Aberystwyth University

Links:

EPSRC https://epsrc.ukri.org

Physical Sciences at Aberystwyth University www.aber.ac.uk/en/impacs

Department of Computer Science www.aber.ac.uk/cs

Department of Psychology www.aber.ac.uk/psychology

About EPSRC epsrc.ukri.org

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. EPSRC is the main funding body for engineering and physical sciences research in the UK. By investing in research and postgraduate training, it is building the knowledge and skills base needed to address the scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. Its portfolio covers a vast range of fields from healthcare technologies to structural engineering, manufacturing to mathematics, advanced materials to chemistry. The research funded by the EPSRC has impact across all sectors. It provides a platform for future UK prosperity by contributing to a healthy, connected, resilient, productive nation.

The South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership is to receive funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) over eight years to deliver postgraduate supervision, training and skills development from 2019.

The Consortium – a collaboration between Aberystwyth University and eight other universities Bath Spa, Bristol, Cardiff, Cranfield, Exeter, Reading, Southampton and UWE – is one of 10 Doctoral Training Partnership to have been awarded a total of £170 million funding from the AHRC.

The South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership was originally established in 2014 and has adapted and expanded to form a strategic regional partnership which will offer greater opportunities for staff and students alike.

In addition to new members, Cranfield University and the University of the West of England, the consortium has formalised membership with an Independent Research Organisation, the Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum of Wales.

The Consortium will offer postgraduate studentships, Collaborative Doctoral Awards, and training and development opportunities across the full range of the AHRC’s disciplines, with a strong emphasis on collaboration between the members of the consortium and 23 cultural, arts, heritage and industry partners including Aardman Animations, Arts Council South West, Cornwall Museum Partnerships and Historic England.

The South, West and Wales consortium is committed to developing creative approaches across disciplinary and interdisciplinary research that will facilitate the building of a new communities of scholars, researchers and professionals who are flexible and able to respond to both fast-moving research and industry environments.

The funding will allow for the development of a diverse pool of highly trained, skilled and professional researchers who will contribute to the UK’s cultural, economic and social wellbeing.

Professor Chris Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Aberystwyth University, said: “As a research-led institution, Aberystwyth University is committed to supporting and developing early career researchers to undertake world-leading research with impact. This latest funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council builds on interdisciplinary collaboration across a range of universities as well as external partners and professional practitioners, with the aim of delivering excellence in all aspects of research supervision and training. This high quality training programme is a further enhancement to Aberystwyth’s thriving postgraduate community and we look forward to working with our partners as we develop the research talent of the future.”

Professor Edward Harcourt, the AHRC’s Director of Research, Strategy and Innovation, said: “The AHRC is delighted to announce its renewed commitment to the Doctoral Training Partnerships model. Our support for the next generation of arts and humanities researchers is critical to securing the future of the UK arts and humanities sector, which accounts for nearly a third of all UK academic staff, is renowned the world over for its outstanding quality, and which plays a vital part in our higher education ecosystem as a whole.

“We were extremely pleased with the response to our call, which saw high-quality applications from across the UK from a variety of diverse and innovative consortia, each with a clear strategy and vision for the future support of their doctoral students.”

Links:
Postgraduate Study at Aberystwyth University
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/

Arts and Humanities Research Council
https://ahrc.ukri.org/

AHRC commits to postgraduate research through new Doctoral Training Partnerships
https://ahrc.ukri.org/newsevents/news/ahrc-commits-to-postgraduate-research-through-new-doctoral-training-partnerships/

Hywel Dda University Health Board is working with Teifi Surgery in Llandysul to ensure the continued provision of GP services in the area following the resignation of their General Medical Services contract.

The Partners’ decision to resign their contract with the Health Board follows the decision by one of the Partners to leave the practice in January 2019.

This decision by the Practice was not taken lightly and follows a period of close working with the Health Board to try to support the practice.

The best interest of the patients remains paramount, alongside the continued sustainability of the future of General Medical Services in Llandysul and surrounding areas.

For patients this means that care will continue to be provided by the same doctors, nurses and reception staff currently within the practice for the next few months, but the Practice and Health Board will now look to work with the community and neighbouring practices to find a longer-term future that secures this important service for the Llandysul area population.

Patients registered with Teifi Surgery can be assured that services will continue to be delivered as normal for now, and patients are asked to remain registered with the practice while longer-term plans are developed.

The Health Board will be writing to the patients registered at Teifi Surgery to inform them of the situation and inviting them to feedback their views on how these services can continue to be delivered. Both the Practice and the Health Board are working closely together to ensure that patients are affected as little as possible by any changes that need to be made in the short-term or longer-term.

The Health Board’s assistance at this time will ensure continued delivery of services and reassurance to local people and staff, whilst a solution is sought. The opinion of the local community and patients will be gathered prior to any decision about long term provision of the service, and the Health Board will be working closely with the Community Health Council. The Health Board appreciates the continuing support given by the community to the team at Teifi Surgery.

A public engagement drop-in event will be held on Thursday 4th October 2018 from 2.00 pm to 6.30pm in Tysul Hall, Llandysul.

Rhian Bond, Assistant Director of Primary Care for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “The Health Board is committed to maintaining the high standards of care that are currently provided at Teifi Surgery and would like to reassure patients that the provision of these important services will continue in this area.

“We have agreed to work together with Teifi Surgery and neighbouring practices to find the best way to secure services for the patients. We will now work with the existing team and stakeholders to develop plans for delivery of future services.”

For further information your queries can be directed to the Health Board’s Patient Services Department 0300 0200 159, the Locality Development Manager for South Ceredigion Carys Davison on 07773 384876, or email Carys.Davison@wales.nhs.uk

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Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Benyw Iau o dan 13 ~ U13s Junior Female
1st Lydia Pearson Judo 1af
2nd Daisy Thompson Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Benyw Iau o dan 13 ~ U13s Junior Female
1st Lydia Pearson Judo 1af
2nd Daisy Thompson Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwryw Iau o dan 13 ~ U13s Junior Male
1st Gruffudd Owen Criced/Cricket 1af
2nd Liam Edwards Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwryw Iau o dan 13 ~ U13s Junior Male
1st Gruffudd Owen Criced/Cricket 1af
2nd Liam Edwards Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Benyw Canolradd o Dan 16 ~ U16s Intermediate Female 1st Emily Warwick Cicfocsio/Kickboxing 1af
2nd Ella Barnwell Beicio/Cycling 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Benyw Canolradd o Dan 16 ~ U16s Intermediate Female 1st Emily Warwick Cicfocsio/Kickboxing 1af
2nd Ella Barnwell Beicio/Cycling 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwryw Canolradd o Dan 16 ~ U16s Intermediate Male 1st Kian Davies Pŵl 8 Pêl/8 Ball Pool 1af
2nd Aled Llewellyn-Jones Hwylio/Sailing 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwryw Canolradd o Dan 16 ~ U16s Intermediate Male 1st Kian Davies Pŵl 8 Pêl/8 Ball Pool 1af
2nd Aled Llewellyn-Jones Hwylio/Sailing 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Benyw Ieuenctid o Dan 19 ~ U19s Youth Female
1st Bethan Lewis Rygbi/Rugby 1af
2nd Olivia Haines Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Benyw Ieuenctid o Dan 19 ~ U19s Youth Female
1st Bethan Lewis Rygbi/Rugby 1af
2nd Olivia Haines Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwryw Ieuenctid o Dan 19 ~ U19s Youth Male
1st William Edwards Athletau/Athletics 1af
2nd Thomas Jones Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwryw Ieuenctid o Dan 19 ~ U19s Youth Male
1st William Edwards Athletau/Athletics 1af
2nd Thomas Jones Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Benyw Hŷn ~ Senior Female
1st Jenny Jones Sboncen/Squash 1af

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwryw Hŷn ~ Senior Male
1st Ken Owens Rygbi/Rugby 1af
2nd Dewi Griffiths Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwryw Hŷn ~ Senior Male
1st Ken Owens Rygbi/Rugby 1af
2nd Dewi Griffiths Athletau/Athletics 2ail

Gwobr Arthur Jones – Hyfforddwr y Flwyddyn The Arthur Jones Coach of the Year Award 1st Jessica Shore Chwyrlïad/Twirling 1af 2nd Louise Beard Judo 2ail

Gwobr Arthur Jones – Hyfforddwr y Flwyddyn The Arthur Jones Coach of the Year Award 1st Jessica Shore Chwyrlïad/Twirling 1af 2nd Louise Beard Judo 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Trefnydd/Gwirfoddolwr ~ Organiser/Volunteer 1st Percy Jones Rygbi/Rugby 1af
2nd Sue Holland Canŵio/Canoeing 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Trefnydd/Gwirfoddolwr ~ Organiser/Volunteer 1st Percy Jones Rygbi/Rugby 1af
2nd Sue Holland Canŵio/Canoeing 2ail

Tîm Iau ~ Junior Team
1st Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Myrddin’s 1st Rugby Team 1af 2nd Carmarthen Harriers Junior Cross Country Teams 2ail

Tîm Iau ~ Junior Team
1st Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Myrddin’s 1st Rugby Team 1af 2nd Carmarthen Harriers Junior Cross Country Teams 2ail

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Tîm Hŷn ~ Senior Team
1st Carmarthen Wanderers 1st X1 Cricket Team 1af

Enillwyr Gwobrau Chwaraeon Tref Caerfyrddin 2017 2017 Carmarthen Town Sports Awards Winners Gwobr Arbennig ~ Special Award
Dr Peter Herbert

Carmarthenshire-based EB Associates have played a key role in the merger of a well-known Pembrokeshire cleaning firm with one of the leading private facilities management companies in the UK.

Contract cleaning Services company Atlas FM, who employ more than 8,000, have made a strategic merger with Apple Blossom Cleaning Services Ltd, who employ more than 100 and are based in Narberth, Pembrokeshire.

Atlas has a 30-year track record as a leading private facilities management company.

EB Associates director Edward Ball said his consultancy business was delighted to handle the merger.

He added: “This merger represents a growth opportunity for both businesses and increases the presence of larger organisations within Wales, giving greater opportunity to employees and suppliers alike.

“Both companies are highly respected in the industry. This merger gives large company backing, while continuing with a local presence servicing Apple Blossom’s many clients, as has been done over several years past.”

Atlas FM director Jamie Davies said: ‘This merger is part of a strategic plan to grow our business and improve our presence within Wales.”

Linda Wilshaw, director of Apple Blossom, said: “This is perfect for us, becoming part of a much larger organisation without disturbing relationships with existing clients.”

About EB Associates:

EB Associates director Edward Ball developed a wealth of international experience as an Operations Manager with internationally recognised companies such as Shell UK and Mobil Oil. After 10 years in this role, he returned to South Wales and started working in senior roles for local companies varying in size and market sector with turnovers ranging from 1-12 million GBP. Over the next 10 years he began to understand the problems faced by such companies and was able to help develop these businesses, resulting in much-improved bottom lines and enhanced shareholder value.

Following this period Edward took on the running of companies as a shareholder and Managing Director. At this stage it became clear that being an employee and gaining experience generally in business was no substitute for actually being there and doing it. The day-to-day issues in a business can be overwhelming and have to be tackled with a degree of finesse. Running a company with an individual stake can create immense personal and financial pressures, which then results in a 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week involvement. Along with his success in these businesses he also experienced market forces brought about by the strength of the pound and the dangers of becoming exposed to certain markets and clients. These experiences have given Edward a vital insight into the key factors of success and failure that can be experienced within business.

It became very apparent that the day-to-day duties of small-to-medium sized businesses often restrict the ability to focus on the strategic issues and decision-making processes that are required to achieve success. In 1985 Edward formed EB Associates. However, it was not until the above experiences were gained that the real benefit of the consultancy could be brought to SMEs.

EB Associates now provides a comprehensive range of services, within a wide range of businesses, backed by real experience and professionally qualified personnel. This, coupled with an extensive network of contacts and external partners, has seen the business grow – to the added benefit of clients both large and small.

Most small-to-medium sized companies cannot afford to employ individuals who have the skills and knowledge that EB Associates will provide. If businesses did employ such individuals it is unlikely to be cost-effective, as their abilities would not be required on a full-time basis.

Contact details –

EB Associates, PO Box 14, Kidwelly, SA17 4YH

01554 890 300

www.ebassociates.co.uk

Email eba@ebassociates.co.uk

About Apple Blossom Cleaning:

During the last 20 years Apple Blossom Cleaning has built its reputation on first class service and highly trained, uniformed staff.

The firm is passionate about cleaning and believe it should be delivered to a high standard – discreetly and efficiently, without hassle.

There’s now more than 100 staff in the Apple Blossom team – providing the scale and flexibility to handle any type of cleaning work.

Clients include The National Trust, Castell Howell, Morganstone, Burns Pet Nutrition, Hafan Cymru, Redkite Solicitors and Calon Wen.

Apple Blossom is proud to sponsor and support a number of local charities and teams, including Race for Life, Paul Sartori, The Royal Welsh Regiment and SCW Motor Sports, as well as being sponsors of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society three-day show, and Llandeilo, Narberth and Crymych rugby clubs.

The firm has won West Wales  awards for Family Business, Business Services and Best Supplier. It holds ISO certificates in quality management and environmental management.

Contact details –

Apple Blossom Cleaning Services Ltd, Unit 12, Rushacre Enterprise Park, Redstone Road, Narberth, SA67 7ET

Phone

Narberth: 01834 86 26 26

Carmarthen: 01267 49 31 07

Swansea: 01792 64 59 08

Email: hello@appleblossomcleaning.co.uk

Photos:

Atlas and Apple Blossom logos.

Edward Ball.

EB Associates logo

Apple Blossom employee factory floor cleaning.