Author: Rhys Gregory

Forty-one energy efficient properties have recently been successfully completed by the Barcud group in the centre of Crymych, Pembrokeshire. The £9m development includes a mixture of one, two, three and four bed houses as well as two and three bed bungalows, and providing a combination of tenures with 20 social rented and 21 properties under the Welsh Government shared ownership scheme. The 20 properties, which are social rented, have already been occupied at the development. As a result of Barcud’s local letting policy, a large number of the tenants are already part of the local community, coming from within just…

Thousands of runners took part in the biggest ever ABP Newport Marathon Festival on Sunday. More than 10,500 people signed up to take part across the marathon, half marathon, 10K and junior races which took place on Sunday 19th April. The sun was shining, the rain held off and it was near-perfect running conditions as spectators came out in their droves to cheer on their loved ones as they set off on a loop of the city centre before heading out on the rest of the courses. All the routes were devised by Run 4 Wales Race Director and double…

The new owner of a picturesque country inn with 10 letting rooms near Llandrindod Wells plans to make it a popular destination venue. Neil Sanders has purchased The Bell Country Inn at Llanyre with the aim of breathing new life into the former 17th century drovers’ resting place and watering hole, which officially opens for business on Saturday, April 25. Having previously owned The Hampton Hotel in Llandrindod Wells and restaurants in the Victorian spa town, he is looking forward to re-establishing The Bell’s reputation for good food and as a venue for weddings, christenings, family parties and corporate events.…

One former slate mining town is buying up their high street and giving it back to its youth. Rugby officer Joseff Edwards said he was “struck” by the number of young people on the streets in Blaenau Ffestiniog late in the dead of winter – asked where they were going, they would say “maybe the quarry” or “Co-op”. “When they have nowhere to go, that’s when problems arise”, said Joseff. In 2022, the 30-year-old from Bala set up a youth club to give them a place to go, and this January, the club moved into a new dedicated space, Yr…

The 2026 Nicky Grist Stages is set to return to Mid Wales this summer with a challenging new route across some of the region’s most iconic rally terrain. Taking place on Saturday 11 July, the popular event will feature 44 stage miles on gravel roads in and around the Mynydd Epynt military range, with new competitive sections introduced to keep the rally fresh and exciting for crews and fans alike. The route will open with the Monument stage before moving on to two well known tests on the Carmarthenshire Powys border, Crychan and Halfway. Crychan will also carry the name…

Pink poppies will adorn the grounds of Cardiff Castle this summer as City Hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign returns. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the charity’s chosen Forever Flower for 2026 is the pink poppy which symbolises love, compassion, peace and admiration. Expertly crafted by the British Ironwork Centre, the unique and lasting tributes will feature in a beautiful display within Cardiff Castle from Saturday 1 to Saturday 8 August. Supporters are invited to purchase a limited edition pink poppy, which are on sale for £28 from today, to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones including relatives, friends…

A man with links to Bristol has been ordered to pay more than £5,000 after a hidden camera in Neath caught a series of fly-tipping incidents. A company had been experiencing several cases of waste being illegally deposited near their entrance off the A4109 in Crynant, which included piles of interior wall rendering. Due to how often it was happening, a CCTV trail camera was installed at the location which captured the culprit. Footage captured a vehicle entering the site where a person can be seen taking items from the boot of a car/vehicle and leaving them at the location…

A consultation over plans for a business park, and an advanced manufacturing centre (AMC) for Mid Wales, to be built on the edge of Newtown is now open. Asbri Planning will be leading on the work to gauge public opinion before a hybrid planning application for the 4.75-hectare CymruTech Park site, to the north of Llanidloes Road, is submitted. Once the feedback has been assessed, Powys County Council aims to seek full planning approval for an access road, the first phase of business units and a green skills academy, and outline approval for further units and the AMC. Copies of…

A brand new riverside walkway for pedestrians and cyclists is set to be developed as part of multi million transport investment in Swansea The Tawe riverside plans are part of a multi-million pound transport funding package which will help create new transport routes, improve road safety, improve public transport links as well as boost infrastructure for electric vehicles and develop flood prevention schemes on roads that regularly suffer from isolated flooding. £6.7million will be invested in Swansea in 2026/27 with further funding secured for the following two years. One of the main schemes to benefit from the investment will be…

Police are appealing for help to find a missing man from Maesteg amid concerns for his welfare. Thomas Lewis, 37, was last seen at around 1pm yesterday (Sunday, April 19) on Garn Road in Maesteg. He is described as bald with a ginger or brown beard and wears glasses. Thomas is usually seen wearing jeans and a shirt style jacket, and sometimes a bobble hat. Officers from South Wales Police say they are increasingly concerned for his welfare and are urging anyone who may have seen him or knows of his whereabouts to come forward. Anyone with information is asked…