Author: Rhys Gregory

Forest Feastival returns to the Merthyr Mawr Estate in Bridgend this weekend, bringing its family-friendly global feast to these unique woodlands by the sea. The event is run by organisers Street Food Circus, and ringmaster and founder, Matt ‘the Hat’, who is no stranger to assembling an exceptional array of vendors in settings adorned with breathtaking backdrops. Formed in 2015, Street Food Circus represents a continually expanding community—a diverse assembly of wandering chefs, self confessed misfits, creative mixologists, and innovative minds. Together, they craft immersive culinary encounters and gatherings unparalleled in their uniqueness. Forest Feastival at Merthyr Mawr is just…

The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre is delighted to announce the return of the Big Splash Festival on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July 2024, transforming Newport city centre into a vibrant hub of creativity and celebration. Drawing thousands to the city, Big Splash is recognised as the largest free outdoor arts festival in Wales, featuring live music, street theatre, dance performances, workshops, craft and activities for all the family. The Riverfront Theatre is thrilled to have the festival return and looks forward to welcoming local visitors from across Wales and beyond to experience the entertainment. Last year’s festival was…

Welsh rugby returns to the capital this weekend with the Guinness Women’s Six Nations at Cardiff Arms Park. The team return to Wales amidst a tough 36-5 loss to Ireland at the weekend. Last year’s 31-5 victory for Wales over Ireland at the Arms Park seemed like a distant memory as the tables turned in this encounter. However, Gwen Hopkins marked her senior Wales debut with a try, offering a glimmer of positivity for head coach Ioan Cunningham. Despite starting with a strong advantage, Wales found themselves outmatched by Ireland’s formidable pack, notably led by blindside flanker Aoife Wafer, whose…

A television presenter was tricked into believing he’d struck gold while on a rip-roaring adventure in New Zealand. Alun Williams, who hails from Rhuddlan and is a former pupil of Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, was panning for gold in the River Arrow near Queenstown during the filming for the new S4C series,  Alun, Chris a Kiri yn Seland Newydd (Alun, Chris and Kiri in New Zealand). Alun, also one of the co-presenters on Heno, Prynhawn Da and Bore Da, was pranked by the larger than life TV chef Chris Roberts, from Caernarfon,  who was also on the trip,…

Three cheerleading sensations from the south Wales valleys are looking forward to heading stateside this month to compete in a duo of world-renowned cheer tournaments. Coleg y Cymoedd learners Ruby Holifield (16), Amelia James (17), and Libby Andrews (18) are set to represent Wales at two major cheerleading contests in Orlando at the end of April. The girls will be playing for their country at the International Cheer Union (ICU) Junior World Cheerleading Championships on 24th – 26th April before competing at club level at the International All Star Federation (IASF) competition on 27th – 29th April. One of the…

A 35-year-old woman is taking on the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K to raise money for Cancer Research Wales in memory of her mum. Jess Coulthard, from Canton in Cardiff, sadly lost her mum Jacqui in June 2021 after she was diagnosed with leukaemia. She says she now feels she is in a better place and wants to take on her fundraising challenge on Sunday 19 May to ‘do some good’. Cancer Research Wales is an independent Welsh charity that is dedicated to reducing the impact of cancer in Wales. Jess said: “I’ve run both the CDF 10K and Principality…

A Welsh drill artist has opened up about the complexities of modern relationships, as part of the Welsh Government’s award-winning Sound campaign. Talking to presenter Luke Davies, Eretoda Ogunbanwo – who goes by the stage name Sage Todz – discusses modern relationships and perceptions of masculinity in 21st century Wales, saying he wants to see conversations on these topics become the norm.  Sound was launched in 2023 as a community led platform encouraging young men to take personal and collective responsibility in ending violence against women and girls. Sage moved to Gwynedd in Wales, from Essex in 2007, where he…

EMPLOYERS will benefit from a new recruitment programme that guarantees candidates will be suitable for the jobs they are advertising. Conwy Employment Hub’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme is designed to build confidence among jobseekers and streamline the application process for companies looking to hire staff. Those already signed up to the Hub’s raft of employment and training services can capitalise on the initiative, and they are hoping more private and public sector organisations will join them. Among those already registered are Llandudno Pier, Alpine Coaches, Conwy County Borough Council, and hotels in Llandudno including The Imperial and St George’s. Clare Kingscott,…

The acquisition of a former power station in the Vale of Glamorgan by the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has been named ‘Acquisition of the Year for Wales’ in the CoStar Impact Awards 2024. The annual Costar Impact Awards recognises exemplary commercial real estate transactions and projects in 128 major markets in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The deal, which was agreed by Savills on behalf of RWE, paves the way for the transformation of the decommissioned coal-powered station into a renewable energy hob, with the potential creation of thousands of jobs. Savills Cardiff-based development team began marketing…

Wales strengthened its spot as top of the UK nations for the installation of small-scale renewables in the first three months of 2024, according to new data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) – the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy. Wales and Scotland continue to battle for the top spot when it comes to renewable uptake, but MCS data shows there has been a total of 117,804 installations in Wales since records began in 2008, accounting for 8.74% of households with a renewable installation. This puts it ahead of Scotland’s 8.47%, leaving England and Northern Ireland further behind with…