Author: Rhys Gregory

As the excitement builds for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, all eyes are once again on Irish maestro Willie Mullins, who is poised to make his presence felt at Prestbury Park. With an impressive track record and a string of victories under his belt, Mullins is on course to clinch his 11th Leading Trainer award — showcasing his unparalleled expertise in the world of jumps racing. The anticipation surrounding Mullins’ performance at Cheltenham is palpable, with many wondering if he can surpass his own record of 10 wins set in 2022. With another victory this year, Mullins could solidify his legacy…

The countdown to the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod is on! With 150 days to go, the plans for Europe’s largest cultural festival have been released. Ynysangharad War Memorial Park was confirmed as host of the National Eisteddfod last August. Since then, planning work between Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, the Eisteddfod, and our partner organisations has been progressing. Significant work has been undertaken around public transport, traffic management, event infrastructure, and accommodating Eisteddfod visitors. Plans show the “footprint” of the Eisteddfod 2024 which includes: Main Maes at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. Council and privately owned land/facilities, such as the refurbished…

A Swansea city centre business is on the way to being entirely powered by renewable energy. Ninety six solar panels have been installed on the rooftop of Cwtsh Hostel on Castle Street, helping the business cut its carbon footprint and save money on its energy bills. Since the panels went operational at the end of January, they’ve already generated over 1.2MW of green electricity. Cwtsh Hostel has also bought a high-tech battery to store the power generated, meaning they can sell excess energy to the grid and reinvest profits back into the business. Swansea Council helped fund the solar panels…

An award-winning North Wales independent school is creating a new state-of-the-art sixth form centre as part of a major £1 million redevelopment programme. Myddelton College in Denbigh, which opened in 2016 and is one of the newest private schools in the country, is already up to 360 students and includes a thriving preparatory school for four- to 11-year-olds. It has won awards for Outstanding International Involvement and for Outstanding Sport in a Small School at the prestigious Independent Schools Awards The latest works have begun with a makeover of Thomas Howell House completed, including the sixth form male and female…

A  bakery has pledged its support to protesting Welsh farmers and is putting their logo on its pies and rolls to show solidarity with them. The Jones Village Bakery is also placing the No Farmers, No Food design on two of its vans as well as having flags flying outside two of its sites in Wrexham in response to controversial Welsh Government plans to change the way post-Brexit farm subsidies are paid. The proposals contained in the Sustainable Farming Scheme have led to a wave of mass protests by farmers across Wales. They are angry about plans that would force…

Swansea Building Society has celebrated its 100th year by achieving the biggest growth in mortgages and saving balances in its history, supported by record profits. The Society achieved double digit growth in its total assets, mortgages, savings and capital last year despite the difficult economic environment. For the year to December 31, 2023, total assets grew by 15% driven by mortgages and savings growth of 16% and 15% respectively. Total assets increased by £77.2 million to £607 million, savings balances increased by £72.6 million to £565.5 million, while mortgage balances grew by £66.9 million to £477.8 million. The Society’s mortgage…

Controversial new recycling rules will quadruple the cost of dealing with waste for cash-strapped care homes across Wales, it’s been revealed. Georgie Llewelyn, whose family have run the Penpergwm House Residential Care Home, near Abergavenny, for over 30 years, says they could face bills of over £1,000 a month thanks to the Welsh Government’s new policy. Georgie, the general manager of the 34-bed care home claims the new legislation will have an enormous impact on care homes which have complex recycling needs. The new rules will come into force on April 6 and will require all businesses as well as…

Welsh electronic brand Shangri-La is teaming up with DJ Mag to present a sensational 360-degree dance show at DEPOT on Sunday, March 31st. Shangri-La 360, headlined by Fuse Records’ Enzo Siragusa, alongside Josh Baker, Max Dean, and Cardiff’s very own Lucas Alexander, promises to be a landmark event in Wales’ electronic music scene. The show, designed as an ‘in the round’ performance, will captivate audiences from 3pm until 11pm, with an intimate atmosphere heightened by a visual installation curated specifically for this occasion; the focal point will be a suspended four-sided, 3.2mm video screen positioned above the performance area, creating…

South Wales Police is continuing its search for Zahooran Begum, 60, who has been missing from Grangetown, Cardiff, since Saturday evening (March 2). Following extensive CCTV enquiries there is now this confirmed sighting of Zahooran at 7.30pm on Saturday in Marl Park, close to Channel View Leisure Centre. Officers are continuing to search the river and Cardiff Bay Trail area again today and have been supported by colleagues from air support and specialist search. Zahooran is well-known in the local community, and this is a very worrying time for her family and friends. Please could residents check private CCTV, video…

Wales will be taking on France on Sunday 10 March at Principality Stadium. With the kick-off taking place at 3pm – there will be a full city centre road closure from 11am until 7pm to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium safely. The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy – please plan ahead – and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at the former Toy’s R Us site car park in the Sports Village. Gates open at 12.45pm, those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to…