Author: Alice Gregory

A new graffiti and street art festival brought colour, creativity and culture to Central Park in Barry. Paintworx took place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, bringing together some of the UK’s street artists for two days of live artwork, graffiti battles, music, fashion and independent traders. The free festival was organised by local artists Hurts So Good and offered a family-friendly celebration of street art and contemporary culture. Central Park was transformed into a showcase of creativity, where visitors could watch artists producing new work in front of the public. Entertainment, food and trader stalls also helped create…

Services that help people to maintain their independence and to remain living in their own homes for longer have been described as being among the best that Wales can offer following a glowing report by Care Inspectorate Wales. Inspectors visited Bridgend County Borough Council between May and June to assess the Domiciliary Care Service and awarded it their highest rating of ‘Excellent’ for its leadership and management arrangements, the quality of its care and support, and for its levels of well-being. Working with people across supported living settings, extra care facilities and within their own homes, the service helps them…

Residents in parts of Cardiff can now apply for advice, support and potential funding to make their homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. Applications for Tai Clyd Caerdydd opened yesterday, 1 September, for households in Fairwater, Adamsdown and parts of neighbouring Splott. Delivered in partnership by Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government, the pilot scheme aims to improve the energy performance of homes, reduce household bills and lower carbon emissions. Residents taking part can receive a free whole-house assessment and independent advice about potential improvements. The scheme also provides access to installers vetted by the Welsh Government and help…

he Great Council Bake Off returned to Milford Haven Youth Centre for the tastiest annual competition of the year. Milford Haven Youth Council organise the annual event that mixes together young people and decision makers in teams and create their best bake to present to a panel of judges. Seven teams took on the challenge on 27 August, cooking up some delicious cakes that were judged by Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Tessa Hodgson, Chairman Cllr Delme Harries, Henry Tuffnell MP and Kath O’Kane from the Children Commissioner for Wales office. The event is all about fun, collaboration and meaningful…

Award-winning chef, television presenter and bestselling cookbook author Clodagh McKenna will appear at Newport Food Festival this autumn. Clodagh will join the festival’s chef demonstration line-up on Saturday 3 October, sharing seasonal recipes and cooking tips with visitors. She will also help judge the festival’s Teen Chef competition. Renowned for her passion for seasonal and sustainable food, Clodagh is the founder of Broadspear, a 100-acre sustainable farm in the English countryside. Festival-goers may recognise her from regular appearances on ITV’s This Morning, where she shares her approachable and vibrant cooking style. Her television career also includes presenting five of her…

Landowners, farmers, campsite operators and rural businesses in Powys are being reminded about important changes to planning rules for temporary campsites that have taken affect as of 1 September 2026). The Welsh Government has introduced new permitted development rights for temporary campsites which change how they are operated and regulated across Wales. The changes are designed to support tourism while ensuring campsites are managed safely and responsibly. Under the new regulations, temporary campsites for tents will generally be permitted to operate for up to 60 days per calendar year, compared with the current 28-day allowance. However, sites located within National…

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth will today vow that financial pressures “will not dim this new administration’s ambition to improve outcomes for the people of Wales.” The First Minister will address a press conference later this morning, where he will warn that the Welsh Government’s budget next year will be even lower in real terms than this year. The FM will say that fiscal challenges have made the case for fairer funding from Westminster “even more of a pressing matter”, and that he will be making the case directly to the Prime Minister during their meeting in October. Rhun ap…

Robert Lloyd, 46, from Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison following his conviction. The sentencing took place at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, August 28, where following a short trial in July, Lloyd was found guilty of being in possession of a knife/bladed article in a public place, attempted robbery and criminal damage below £5,000. He also pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding with intent. This follows officers receiving a call from the victim in August 2025 saying that they had been stabbed. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim…

On October 22, 2025, at around 9.45pm, officers were called to Porthcawl seafront to a report of a man who had been sending inappropriate messages to a girl he believed to be under 16. Upon attending the area, the man – Gavin Bennett – ran into the sea to evade arrest. Despite the risk of currents and the lack of visibility, the officers bravely followed Bennett into the sea to ensure he did not come to any harm, and to ensure the judiciary process could be continued. Bennett was safely brought to shore, detained and transported to hospital for checks,…

Barcud Group’s Director of People and Insights will jump out of a plane later this month to help raise funds for the housing association’s charity of the year – Wales Air Ambulance! On Sunday, 27 September, Deina Hockenhull, will be taking to the skies over Gower to do her first ever skydive, which was a special gift from her three sons for her recent 50th birthday. Deina said, “As I’m mad enough to do the skydive I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to raise funds for Barcud’s charity for this year, the Wales Air Ambulance. If you see…