Author: Rhys Gregory

Over four decades ago, rural West Wales was at the centre of the greatest drugs bust in history. The police investigation, Operation Julie, resulted in dozens of arrests and the discovery of LSD worth £100 million. Next Spring, the hit musical play from Theatr na nÓg and Aberystwyth Arts Centre returns to explore the story from both sides of the drugs divide – the police, and the hippies who settled in West Wales hoping to spread their ideals in a changing world. The co-producers are thrilled to announce that many of the cast will return to reprise their roles, with…

Hiraeth, the independently run pub and restaurant that secured its place in the prestigious Michelin Guide within eight months of opening, has relocated to Bridgend’s Court Colman Manor Hotel, taking over the stately manor hotel’s 50 cover restaurant. Hiraeth’s relocation comes after the landlord of their original site chose to put the 400-year-old building near Cowbridge up for sale. Having completed their final service at the pub on new year’s eve, the Hiraeth team have pulled out all of the stops to refurbish the dining room at Court Colman Manor, creating a calming, modern space which uses plenty of natural materials…

PopUp Wales and Cwmpas have launched two new projects to support businesses across Bridgend County Borough. The Social Enterprise Programme will be led by Cwmpas and will provide workshops, business advice, networking, and masterclasses to help social enterprises and community organisations to become more sustainable. They will also help to promote, adapt, and diversify existing products and services to respond to market demand. Meanwhile, Urban Foundry’s PopUp Wales initiative supports start-ups and small business by matching affordable pop-up space across the county borough with great business ideas. Helping people find a short-term space to test the market, grow their business…

Renting out dangerous properties in Cardiff has cost two landlords thousands of pounds. Last Friday (February 9), Rowshanara Begum, of Clive Street, Grangetown, was fined £20,000 at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court for failing to comply with five Improvement Notices for work to a house she rents out in Blaenclydach Street, Grangetown. The previous day, on Thursday February 8, Lawford Cunningham, from Edgbaston, Birmingham, was fined £3,000 for failing to comply with legislation relating to the licensing and management of a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) he owns in Ferry Road, Grangetown. 19 Blaenclydach Street, Grangetown, Cardiff This case came to light…

PEOPLE are being offered the chance to spend time at some of Swansea’s most scenic locations on spring and summer afternoons – and get paid for it. Swansea Council is recruiting 13 seasonal Cleansing Operatives whose job it will be to help keep some of our most popular tourist spots spic and span in the spring and summer months. The six-month stint runs from April to September, the busiest time of year for visits to places like Langland, Swansea Bay Caswell Bay and Port Eynon. Applicants need to get their bids in by February 21. The beach cleaning initiative is…

Ambitious proposals to invest more than £400m in new and improved school buildings across Swansea have been approved by the council’s cabinet. The programme would be largely funded by Welsh Government with a local funding contribution including developer contributions and capital receipts. The Welsh Government has asked all councils in Wales to submit their funding ideas and investment priorities for school facilities for the next nine years. The new round of investment in children’s futures being proposed by the council is subject to Welsh Government financial support and approval. The new programme will build on the success story of the…

Swansea’s pioneering free buses initiative is to get a £400,000 boost in the coming year. The hugely-popular boost for families and businesses alike has been a feature of school holidays in the city over the last three years. And Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said money set to be injected into the offer will allow even more people to enjoy more free rides in the months ahead. The initiative is part of the council’s plan to invest record levels of funding in schools and social services in the next financial year, despite facing huge financial pressures. Like other councils…

Caerphilly residents have been in engaged in conversation over the town’s regeneration projects under the Caerphilly Town 2035 umbrella. Excitement is building over the future of the town, and the recent engagement sessions found there was mostly a warm reception to all the plans put forward, with the proposed cultural centre having an overwhelmingly positive response. The feedback also revealed that traffic, parking, and transport remains an issue for those living and working in the area, while the heritage of the town is important to residents and should be considered in future plans. Throughout October and November, a four-week exhibition…

Failing to house captive poultry when an All-Wales Avian Influenza Protection Zone was in place has cost a north Powys man over £2,700 after they were prosecuted by the county council. Alastair Meikle of Gardd Afon, Tafolwern, Llanbrynmair was prosecuted by Powys County Council’s Animal Health Team for the offence. The defendant, who failed to attend Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court on Wednesday 14 February, was charged for failing to comply with the requirements of the relevant Declaration of an All-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone and an Article 82 Notice issued by an authorised person, requiring him to house captive poultry.…

Wales & West Housing’s Colchester Avenue development, located on the former site of the Three Brewers Pub, will see a mix of 50 new modern and energy efficient one- and two-bedroom flats in Penylan, Cardiff. The accommodation will provide much needed social housing and contribute towards the Welsh Government’s ambitious goal of building 20,000 social homes by 2026. The site also includes a ground floor retail store as well as car parking, bike stores and outdoor communal amenity space for residents. Wales & West Housing has received more than £5m in Social Housing Grant (SHG) funding from the Welsh Government…