Author: Rhys Gregory

Founded in 1893 in Cwmparc and still thriving more than 130 years later, the iconic Parc & Dare Band has been honoured with a Blue Plaque. The band’s origins are deeply rooted in the community. Much of its early funding came directly from the miners of the Parc & Dare Collieries, who each contributed one penny per week from their wages to support the band’s development. This spirit of community pride and solidarity continues to define the band today. Over the decades, Parc & Dare Band has achieved an extraordinary record of success, including dozens of championship first prizes. The…

A major step toward securing the long-term future of Blackwood Miners’ Institute (BMI) has been confirmed this week. On Wednesday 10th December, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet, meeting in its capacity as Trustee, approved a series of recommendations outlining the positive work undertaken over recent months to support the venue’s sustainability and development. Cabinet agreed to progress plans to undertake a market-testing exercise that will assess interest from experienced external cultural organisations in managing the day-to-day running of the venue. This approach will allow the council to retain ownership of the iconic building, while securing a delivery partner to increase…

Residents in Wales are being urged to check their tumble dryers following a national safety alert involving approximately 85,000 appliances. Households with specific models of integrated heat pump tumble dryers manufactured by Haier must check if their machine needs an urgent safety repair because of the risk of fire. The product safety alert has been issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards. Affected brands include Baumatic, Candy, Caple, Haier, Hoover, Lamona, Iberna and Montpellier. Now Powys County Council’s Trading Standards Service are urging households who may have one of the affected appliances to: Immediately stop using any affected…

The first six months of Network North Wales has seen new train and bus services introduced, along with improvements to station infrastructure with more exciting developments to come. Network North Wales is a long-term vision to deliver an integrated high-frequency public transport network in the region. To mark the first six months the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates travelled on a newly wrapped train on the renamed Wrexham to Liverpool line.  The design reflects the areas on the route of the train, with places included following consultation with passengers. In September a new bus service has…

Bridgend-based, renewable energy developer, Infinite Renewables Ltd has successfully leveraged funding from Bridgend County Borough Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to accelerate its green technology development, securing critical funding that will drive local economic growth and sustainable innovation. Through support under the Business Development Grant, the business has made significant strides in developing mobile renewable energy solutions. The funding has enabled Infinite Renewables to purchase a BestWatt 15kW Mobile Wind Turbine and additional critical infrastructure, including solar panels, battery systems, and a commercial trailer.  This support has been transformative for Infinite Renewables, allowing the company to develop prototype…

AerFin, the aviation asset specialist that buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts, has acquired a package CFM56-5B Performance Improvement Package (PIP) engines from a major European customer The PIP engines, featuring the latest hardware configuration, represent an exciting pipeline of material for AerFin’s customers and further strengthen the company’s technical expertise in supporting new-generation configurations. With the teardown now well underway at AerFin’s expanded engine shop in South Wales, high-quality used serviceable material (USM) from these engines is becoming available to operators, lessors and MROs worldwide. Customers are encouraged to contact AerFin’s sales team to discuss availability.…

A major Welsh food wholesaler has delivered a festive lifeline to struggling families on its Llŷn Peninsula doorstep. Harlech Foodservice, based near Cricieth, loaded up one of its delivery vans for a special run to Pwllheli Food Bank at St Peter’s Church, dropping off urgently needed supplies. The family firm – which supplies schools, hospitals, care homes and businesses across Wales – has supported the food bank since it was launched 13 years ago. Its latest donation included staples such as pasta and sauces alongside Christmas treats like mince pies and chocolates. Representatives Ursula Scurrah-Price and Mel Amor handed over…

Human behavior has long been a puzzle with too many missing pieces. We comfort strangers yet clash with family; expand human possibility while remaining strangers to our own psychology. And despite more than a century of breakthroughs — from Freud’s theories of repression to behaviorism’s stimulus–response models, from evolutionary psychology’s focus on survival strategies to neuroscience’s maps of brain circuitry — the central riddle remains: why does the human mind so often feel divided against itself? Each framework has illuminated a different corner of the room. Freud highlighted unconscious drives but couldn’t explain their origin; behaviorism stripped the mind down…

For almost three decades, Stereophonics have proven themselves masters of the album opener. From gritty early-career statements to widescreen anthems and swaggering later-era bursts of energy, each record’s first track has always set the tone. Here are five of their best opening songs, moments that captured the band’s essence from the very first note. 1. “A Thousand Trees” – Word Gets Around (1997) Few debut album openers hit as hard as “A Thousand Trees.” From its instantly recognisable guitar riff to its urgent storytelling, the track announced Stereophonics as a band with both grit and narrative depth. Kelly Jones’ lyrical…

Oasis have been named the most in demand live act in Wales for 2025, according to viagogo’s latest Year in Live Experiences Report. The ticket marketplace has revealed the artists Welsh fans searched for and bought tickets for most over the past year, with Oasis topping the list thanks to their huge reunion tour, The Oasis Live ’25. The band played two sold out nights at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium as part of a global run of 41 dates across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. Coldplay take second place, with their high energy shows continuing to attract huge…