Author: Rhys Gregory

A North Wales hospital charity is offering its biggest-ever Christmas raffle prize – a massive £500 – as it races to raise money for vital equipment. The League of Friends at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan says the record-breaking festive windfall has only been made possible thanks to the generosity of Lock Stock Self Storage who have sites in Denbigh, Rhyl, Abergele and Llandudno. Chair Dilys Percival urged supporters to snap up tickets before the December 19 draw, praising Lock Stock for backing the charity “in absolutely incredible ways” during one of its busiest fundraising periods. The company already provides…

RHUG ESTATE is set for a busy December as it launches a full programme of festive events and food experiences for all the family. The 12,500-acre estate, based near Corwen in Denbighshire, enters the yuletide season after a thriving autumn, marked by sold-out wreath-making workshops with floral designer Kate Jordan and tasting evenings hosted by chef Jordan Richardson. This year’s Christmas Craft Fair, taking place on December 6 and 7, will welcome dozens of stallholders each day, offering handmade gifts, local produce and seasonal treats. Rhug Farm Shop will also be fully stocked with festive essentials, from ready-made hampers to…

The Budget has landed and reactions are already rolling in. To help cut through the noise, this piece from Nick Haines of Hazlewoods looks at the decisions behind the headlines and the issues they raise. With deep experience in tax and a central role in the firm’s growing presence in Wales, Nick brings a clear perspective on a Budget that will shape the year ahead. With a £30 billion black hole, up from the £22 billion the Chancellor claims she inherited from the previous government, it was inevitable that tax was going to rise, and so it did.  It had…

Osian Pryce has won the 2025 Roger Albert Clark Rally in sensational style – leading the UK’s longest and toughest event from start to finish (all bar one stage) and mastering the most challenging wintry weather conditions to score victory by 2mins 39secs in a Wales Motorsport-built and prepared Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2. Having come close to victory in 2021 and 2023, the 32-year old Machynlleth-born driver was the class of the five-day bi-annual marathon event, setting 11 fastest stage times and bouncing back from an off and a puncture to win Britain’s most gruelling gravel stage rally. It was…

The Llangollen and Corwen Railway will officially launch its 2025 Santa Specials on Saturday, 29 November with a festive celebration featuring live music, special guests and a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Platform 1 at Llangollen Station. Festivities begin at 9.30am, when the Llangollen Silver Band will perform before marching down the platform to the steam engine, which will already be positioned at the bottom of the platform ready for the ceremony. Their arrival will set the festive tone as the first Santa Special prepares for departure. At 9.45am, the band will be met at the locomotive by members of the…

Live facial recognition technology will be in use in Bridgend town centre on Friday November 28 as South Wales Police carry out a proactive operation to help locate suspects, wanted people and high risk missing individuals. The force confirmed that the deployment will be clearly signposted. The van and the zones where recognition is active will be marked so that members of the public know exactly where it is operating. Officers at the scene will also be available to explain how the technology works and why it is being used, and can offer demonstrations where possible. South Wales Police said…

A man from Neath Port Talbot has been jailed after sharing indecent images and videos of children online. 44-year-old Ian Anthony, from Penrhiwtyn, held online communications on multiple chat platforms, during which he demonstrated a sexual interest in children. Anthony pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, three counts of distributing an indecent photo of a child and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images involving an animal. He has been sentenced to 32 months in prison. Detective Constable Martin Charles said: “The material which Ian Anthony was sharing online was depraved and was…

A man who assaulted a taxi driver before stealing his phone has been jailed. Jordan Roberts, of Bryn Goleu, Southsea, Wrexham, appeared at Mold Crown Court on 25 November where he admitted to robbery. In March earlier this year Roberts was a passenger in a taxi near to Rose Hill in Wrexham when he suddenly attacked the taxi driver, punching him to the head and stealing his phone before running away. The 27-year-old was located and arrested later that same day. He was jailed for four years and two months. Detective Constable Harriet Simmons said: “This was a random attack…

All families in Swansea are now eligible for Flying Start funded childcare. This allows parents and carers to access high quality childcare for two and three-year-olds for up to 12.5 hours per week during term time only. Funded by Welsh Government and administered by Swansea Council, families can choose from a range of providers including school-based settings, private nurseries, cylchs and childminders. Progress has already been made through a phased approach and now all eligible aged children regardless of where they live in Swansea can benefit from the initiative. Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Alyson Anthony, said: “Flying Start…

Gnoll Country Park was transformed into a hub of imagination and celebration earlier this month when pupils from Neath’s Alderman Davies Primary School joined storyteller Michael Harvey for a day of outdoor adventure, creative writing and cultural storytelling. Hosted by Neath Port Talbot Libraries and Gnoll Country Park, the event embraced the crisp autumn weather and the joy of learning in nature. The pupils explored storytelling in the open-air bringing tales to life in the park’s newest feature Cadair Y Gnoll, the Gnoll Throne. The Gnoll Throne was crafted by local sculptor Garry Turler using wood from the beloved Tree…