Author: Rhys Gregory

A man who tried to murder a woman has been jailed for 17 years and four months for attempted murder and stalking. Daniel Mihai Popescu, 29, of no fixed abode, was sentenced this week to 17 years and four months in prison for the savage attack in Aberfan last December. He launched the assault on his 29-year-old victim in the middle of a street and repeatedly stabbed her which left her with injuries to her body. Officers were called just before 9.10am on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, with a report that a woman had been stabbed on Moy Road, Aberfan,…

A cyclist who nearly died after being hit by a car 20 years ago is aiming to cycle 150 miles in a day across Wales to raise vital funds for spinal cord injury research. Cycling has always been Robyn Davies’s passion and he regularly competed in road races across the UK and abroad before focusing on the triathlon in his late 20s. “I switched to triathlon as I really wanted to compete for Wales in the next Commonwealth Games.” But that all changed in June 2004 when Robyn went out for an early Saturday morning ride. “My wife was due…

Amelia Trust has launched its revamped café and improved facilities for disabled people to encourage more visitors to enjoy the popular farm charity in the Vale of Glamorgan. Designed by Barry-based Dennis Hellyar Architects (DHA), the refurbished Green Leaf Café is flourishing and looking forward to a busy summer offering refreshments to guests exploring nature and relaxing in the rural woodland setting and interacting with the animals. “We are hugely proud of our splendid new café and other facilities,” said Amelia Trust CEO Karen Turnbull. “This is a very exciting development and step forward for the Trust. We can now offer visitors…

An ice cream and pizzeria business in Beddgelert has won the Upskilling Business of the Year award in this year’s Wales Food and Drink Awards, recently held at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. The awards, which are held annually, provide a platform for Welsh producers and suppliers to celebrate their achievements in a rapidly growing and diverse industry. Winning the Upskilling Business of the Year category was Glaslyn of Beddgelert, which required them to evidence a culture that valued training and improving skills, together with increasing productivity and efficiency, innovation and sustainable growth. Established by Joan and Bert Rowley in 1970,…

Runners who are looking to take part in the stunning Ogi Porthcawl 10K need to be quick to secure their spot, as entries are near to selling out.  This year’s Ogi Porthcawl 10K, on Sunday 7 July, is close to reaching capacity with only a handful of general entries left to snap up before registration closes completely on 18 June (or earlier if sold out).   The popular race showcases the very best in the picturesque seaside town. Starting outside the historical Porthcawl Pavilion on the Promenade the road race provides panoramic views across Newton Bay, Trecco Bay and Sandy Bay…

2wish, the charity which offers support to families affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under, has opened two new bereavement rooms in the ICU unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea. The rooms have been refurbished and fitted out with new furniture, providing a safe sanctuary for families who have suffered a bereavement at the hospital, thanks to the help of Tonypandy-based EBM Group and Space Group, from Gloucester. EBM Group owner Gethin Edwards is himself a bereaved uncle and his family was supported by 2wish at their time of need.…

Laura, 25, originally from Stockport, has won a prestigious national Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx and Homesense Award.  She scooped the NatWest Enterprise Award which recognises a young person who has overcome barriers to create their own sustainable business or social enterprise through The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme.​ She attended a reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to meet His Majesty The King, Founder of The Prince’s Trust, who congratulated the award winners on their achievements. Laura was honoured earlier last week at the star-studded awards ceremony, hosted by Ant and Dec, and attended by many celebrity supporters and Ambassadors of the…

Acorn by Synergie is once again supporting the Dalmatian Bike Ride, helping raise funds for one of the UK’s largest providers of hospice at home care in the process. The UK recruiter has joined forces with St David’s Hospice Care to help keep the wheels of the annual fundraiser – which has raised more than £300,000 to date – in motion for 2024. ‘The Dally’, as it is affectionately known, is a five-route annual bike ride raising money for the hospice, which cares for over 3,200 patients across Wales in Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, and in Mid and South Powys…

Leading Welsh homelessness and rough sleeping charity, The Wallich, has appointed Platfform’s Oliver Townsend as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. Mr Townsend replaces Interim Chair Cinzia Porcedda and predecessor Will Henson, who stepped down following almost three years as Board Chair. Oliver has supported The Wallich since 2014, officially joining its Board in 2021 and becoming Chair in April 2024. Mr Townsend currently works for mental health and social change charity, Platfform, as its Head of Connections and Change. He previously worked at Cymorth Cymru, representing member organisations including The Wallich, Welsh Government and beyond to improve and develop homelessness policies…

Award-winning Cardiff-based contract caterer Cleverchefs has added another café to its growing portfolio and will take over Cantley Park Café in Wokingham from June 1. Cleverchefs Group already runs three locations in the area with Dinton Pastures Cafes (The Coffee House, The Coffee Deck and The Coffee Pod) and the newly-acquired café, at the popular recreation ground in Wokingham, will serve a selection of ethically-sourced food and drink. Founded in 2016 by Nick Collins, Cleverchefs is an innovative catering company, providing high-quality, nutritious food for the education, workplace and leisure sectors. It has grown from £2.7m in 2019 to £11.9m…