Author: Rhys Gregory

Blaenau Gwent’s new Welsh Medium Primary school is almost complete, and pupils and staff are really excited to move in this November. Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar is a 210-place seedling school, with co-located childcare, in Chartist Way. With the numbers of children in Welsh education growing, it’s part of our commitment to increasing opportunities for families within the county borough. The school has been fully funded by the Welsh Government through the Welsh Medium Capital Grant. Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar is federated with the county borough’s other Welsh primary school, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg, and shares the same Governing Body and Headteacher.…

More focus on prevention and public health is needed to improve people’s long-term health in Wales. Mental Health Minister Sarah Murphy will call on healthcare professionals to become “champions of prevention” to support people to make healthier choices and to address the underlying causes of obesity and continue to cut smoking rates in Wales. Speaking at the Welsh Public Health Conference, in Cardiff, she will highlight the impact of preventable illnesses on people’s lives; on the NHS and the economy. For example, obesity-related illness costs the NHS £365m ever year in Wales and a quarter of adults live with obesity.…

A North Wales behavioural scientist has unveiled a pioneering new exhibition she believes could revolutionise how businesses and public services influence people. Trailblazer Denise Hampson, author of a critically acclaimed book called The Desire Code, has launched what’s being hailed as the UK’s first interactive and immersive showcase, designed to help clients spark fresh ideas and engagement. Ms Hampson, a former Team GB cyclist who qualified as a systems engineer before moving into behavioural science, said the exhibition brings her Desire Code philosophy to life in a way that is “engaging, accessible and immediately useful.” She explained: “This isn’t about…

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has this week outlined plans to fundamentally reform the way water is managed, regulated and delivered in Wales  Addressing the findings of the Independent Water Commission Report in the Senedd, the Deputy First Minister said this was a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ to reset the water sector and build a better system for Wales. He told the Senedd that changes would mark a decisive shift towards a more sustainable, fair and transparent water sector that puts people, the environment and future generations at its heart. “This is a moment to do things differently – and to do…

A new specialist supported housing scheme in Llanelli is nearing completion after receiving more than £600,000 from the Welsh Government’s Housing with Care Fund (HCF).   The Welsh Government has allocated £60.5 million to the HCF for the 2025–26 financial year and has extended the programme through to March 2027, which aims to expand access to housing that supports independent living with tailored care services in Wales. Thanks to this fund, a former pub on Bryn Road has been transformed into a shared supported housing scheme featuring five ensuite bedrooms—two of which are wheelchair accessible—alongside communal living, kitchen, dining and outdoor areas.…

Rugby Legend Ken Owens and Business Partner Showcase Global Ambitions at Food and Drink Wales premier event at the Celtic Manor. Sheriff’s Biltong, the award-winning Welsh snack brand co-founded by former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain Ken Owens, is set to make its biggest impact yet at Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2025, taking place at the Celtic Manor on the 22nd – 23rd of October. The Welsh born company, established by Owens alongside business partner Ruth Davies, will attend the event with a fully booked diary of meetings with international buyers from Japan, Shanghai, and Dubai, as well as…

Ten years after controlling and coercive behaviour (CCB) became a criminal offence, new figures show South Wales is among the best performing forces for increasing charge rates in these cases, but for families, the real impact is often felt most in the family courts. CCB – which covers patterns of intimidation, isolation, and control – was introduced as a specific offence in 2015 under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. After a clear increase in CCB charge rates year-on-year since the law change, the latest financial year has seen a marked decrease. The analysis, conducted by Woolley &…

I have read enough contracts to understand that one poorly translated sentence can cost a client more than the whole deal. It is agonizingly difficult, whether it is the conclusion of a cross-border M&A deal, evidence provided to a court, or a USCIS packet. In 2025, regulators, judges, and immigration officers still reject documents every week because the translations don’t meet formal standards. Choosing the right linguist or a reputable provider, such as Rapid Translate, therefore becomes a risk-management exercise, not a clerical task. Non-Negotiable Credentials Before I read a sample line of text, I want proof that the translator…

As the seasons change and temperatures drop, daily life in Wales undergoes noticeable shifts. From the bustling streets of Cardiff to the scenic villages of Snowdonia, colder weather influences routines, leisure activities, and even social habits. While the summer months encourage outdoor adventures and long days in the sun, the colder months bring a different rhythm, prompting residents to adjust both practical and recreational aspects of their lives. Adjusting Daily Routines Shorter days and chillier temperatures mean that many people in Wales modify their morning and evening routines. Commuters often leave home in the dark and return under fading light,…

A Swansea University volcanologist is set to explore one of Earth’s most mysterious underwater landscapes as part of a groundbreaking international expedition off the coast of Japan. The mission will investigate “petit-spot volcanism”—a little-known phenomenon that may influence earthquake behaviour—by drilling into the Japan Trench near the epicentre of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. Dr Katie Preece, Senior Lecturer in Volcanology, will join scientists from around the world on the International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) Expedition 502. The team will retrieve a 225-metre core of rock and sediment from close to the subduction zone to better understand how these volcanic features…