Author: Rhys Gregory

George North has confirmed he will retire from international rugby following Wales’ final Six Nations match in the 2024 Championship against Italy on 16 March at Principality Stadium (KO 2.15pm. Live on BBC and S4C). Speaking on social media Wales’ most-capped men’s back said: “I’ve decided that the game on Saturday will bring my international career to an end. “After 14 years it feels like now is the right time to step away. I have loved and cherished every second in a Welsh shirt and been able to play alongside some fantastic teammates. “I’ve been very lucky to have lived…

A Rhondda Cynon Taff man has been jailed after he was found guilty at Swansea Crown Court of sex offences. Dean Jones, 34, from Tonyrefail, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of sexual assault and coercive controlling behaviour. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. His victim has had a lifetime restraining order put in place. Detective Inspector Chris Evans said: “The victim in this case was abused by the perpetrator over a period of six years. They were subjected to violence, controlling behaviour and sexual abuse. “Tackling this type of…

The Get Jerky Rally North Wales returns to Welshpool for the second successive year on Saturday [March 16] as some of the most closely fought rally series in the country head for the nearby forests to do battle. Sponsored once again by the Welshpool-based Get Jerky brand of beef jerky snacks, the popular gravel stage rally, organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club has attracted an impressive entry of over 100 cars. They will tackle world-famous rally stages, such as Dyfnant and Gartheiniog, in an action-packed day of motorsport in the region. A revised format for 2024 sees the…

A breast cancer survivor, who once felt too ashamed to leave her home, has launched a hair replacement service that can be accessed via NHS Wales prescription, by adults and children undergoing cancer treatment and battling hair loss conditions. Anastasia Cameron (38), a multi-award winning stylist from Rhoose, founded Scarlett Jack Hairitage salon in the Vale of Glamorgan to provide modern hair loss solutions for those living with conditions such as alopecia, or the side effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Having previously worked as a hair stylist and hair loss consultant for 15 years, Anastasia was aware…

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is pleased to announce that the finals of the 2023/24 JD Welsh Cup and Bute Energy Welsh Cup will both be held at Rodney Parade in Newport. The final of the JD Welsh Cup, the third-oldest national cup competition in the world, will be held on Sunday 28 April (KO 17:25). The finalists will be confirmed later this month, with the semi-finals pitting Connah’s Quay Nomads against Bala Town and Cardiff Met against The New Saints. The final of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup will be held on Sunday 5 May (KO 17:25) between Cardiff…

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after 27 snakes – which ranged from one foot to 17 foot in length – along with four dead chickens were found in Pembrokeshire. It is unknown if some of the snakes had been alive when abandoned – but when they were examined shortly after being found they were all sadly found to be dead. The chickens were also found to be dead. The RSPCA were contacted on Friday (8 March) after the animals were found at Green Lane, Waterston – which lies in between Neyland and Milford Haven. They were found in boxes,…

Cardiff rum bar and cantina Revolución de Cuba is playing the Easter Bunny  – teaming up with Mozart Chocolate Liqueur to give away free cocktails in ‘eggs-change’ for chocolate eggs. All delicious donations received will be distributed to The Trussell Trust food bank in Cardiff – ensuring families who would otherwise go without get to enjoy the taste and enjoyment of Easter over the four-day weekend. The appeal runs until Saturday 23rd March 2024, during which time each Easter egg donation will be exchanged for a deliciously chocolatey Bounty Rumtini cocktail, on the house, as a thank you. But be quick, whilst ingredients are in stock! This limited addition to…

A Conwy mobile fitness instructor who switched to supplying exercise equipment in lockdown has now just opened his second gym and business is booming. Jamie Bowen invested in gym machines stored in units at the giant Lock Stock Storage Park in Llandudno Junction and shipped to fitness fanatics for use at home. Demand soared and when lockdown eased the 34-year-old opened a new Ignite gym in Llandudno’s Oxford Road and he’s opened a second on Church Road in Rhos on Sea. They are attractively designed and lit, boast the latest fitness equipment including a Stairmaster which makes you feel you’ve…

A North Wales-based civil engineering firm has completed work on key environmental improvements at the grounds of a landmark Eryri tourist attraction. Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK was awarded the contract for the demolition of First Hydro Company’s Llanberis-based Electric Mountain Visitor Centre, which has been closed since late 2018. Previously used to facilitate tours of Dinorwig Power Station, the building, with the exception of the electricity substation, has been removed and re-instated as an area of grassland that has been earmarked for occasional community events. Wye Valley Group supported with the demolition of the existing infrastructure, ahead of Jones Bros’…

British Gas has been awarded a new seven-year contract to deliver services via the new Welsh Government’s Warm Homes scheme. The scheme has been administered by British Gas since 2011 and it has helped 60,300 low-income households with a package of free home energy efficiency measures. It has also provided 210, 800 households with free, impartial advice and signposting to a range of support services. The new contract is worth approximately £200m over a 7-year period and will support both British Gas’ and the Welsh Government’s work to tackle fuel poverty. The scheme will see improvements in the energy efficiency…