Author: Rhys Gregory

An overweight butcher who survived two “near death” scares has opened a new shop and won a major award after taking part in a life-changing TV show. Matthew Rees, 46, from Carmarthen, was one of the stars of the FFIT Cymru series on S4C,  which he described as a “gamechanger”. He left his job as an accountant to run the family’s butcher’s shop in Carmarthen market but piled on the weight in the last six years after two serious illnesses. After suffering sepsis four years ago, he had a clot on his lung in 2020 following a  Covid-19 infection and…

A zoo that’s dedicated to conserving endangered animals is also helping to save the planet by feeding them with surplus fruit and veg from supermarkets. The Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay takes delivery of around 1.5 tonnes a week of food from local stores that would otherwise be sent to the rubbish dump. The types of fruit and veg they receive can vary depending on the time of year. During the run-up to Christmas, the consignments feature a lot of Brussel sprouts and carrots which are particular favourites of the zoo’s fallow deer. It’s mainly items that are past…

Musicians from a  world class orchestra brought the magic of Christmas alive for care home residents. The talented duo from the Hallé performed a string of festive favourites as part of an enrichment partnership with the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham. Cellist and keyboard player David Petri and violinist Caroline Abbott spread the Yule Tide cheer for the residents of Pendine’s Hillbury and Gwern Alyn care homes. Mrs Elsie Galley, who’s in her 90s, was praised by the professionals for her beautiful voice as she sang along to the Irving Berlin favourite White Christmas and the soulful In the…

Three exciting new courses have been revealed for the 2024 ABP Newport Wales Marathon, Half and 10K.  The event, which will be taking place on Sunday 28th April, has been expanded into a full festival of running. And with the new half marathon distance joining the day, there will be something for every level of ability and ambition.  After engaging with previous participant feedback, several exciting changes have been made with the aim to improve the atmosphere and event experience.  But first-time runners or those looking to secure a PB, don’t need to worry as event organisers, Run 4 Wales,…

The person who died following an assault in a property on Princess Street, Treforest, on Sunday, 17th December, can now be named as 30-year-old Daniel Rae. Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea who is leading the investigation said: “Our thoughts continue to be with Daniel’s family and friends at this very difficult time, and our specially trained Family Liaison Officers will maintain their contact with the family as our enquiries move forward. “I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that this is a contained incident and that at this time there is not believed to be any wider…

Medical students at Swansea University have been given vital cash support to take up valuable training opportunities. A donation of £10,000 was presented to the University’s Medical School by The Hospital Saturday Fund, a health assistance charity which also provides support for medical training in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The funding will be used towards the cost of providing medical electives, an integral part of the Graduate Entry Medicine course which gives students the chance to gain invaluable experience before they leave university to begin their careers. Students can choose their own placements, granting them learning opportunities…

A Cardiff secondary school has received a glowing report from inspectors who praised its strong support systems and engaging curriculum. In a report published today, education inspectorate Estyn described Mary Immaculate High School as “a warm and inclusive learning community where pupils and staff feel welcome and valued”. It described the headteacher, senior leaders, staff and governors as “passionate advocates for the school and the community it serves”. The report praised the school’s “highly effective leadership team” and said they have “a clear understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement”. As a result, it said Mary Immaculate has sustained…

Waterless, a pioneer in sustainable healthcare solutions, has launched the world’s first 100% biodegradable shampoo cap. Developed in Swansea, this innovative product is poised to transform hygiene practices in the healthcare sector by providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional non-recyclable shampoo caps. Shampoo caps, commonly used in healthcare settings for bed-bound or mobility-impaired people, offer a convenient, rinse-free solution for hair washing. However, the widespread use of conventional plastic-based caps poses a significant environmental challenge, contributing substantially to single-use plastic waste. In response, Waterless has developed the Nilaqua Shampoo Wrap, a product entirely crafted from biodegradable materials. This sustainable…

Swansea Building Society has celebrated the success of the inaugural Maggie’s Swansea Christmas Extravaganza, a festive celebration where the Society served as the headline sponsor. The event, held at Swansea Arena, raised an impressive £41,000 in support of Maggie’s cancer charity. This marks a significant achievement in the ongoing support provided by Swansea Building Society to Maggie’s, its official charity for the past two years. The Christmas Extravaganza, attended by almost 1,400 people, achieved its fundraising milestone through ticket sales and on-site fundraising activities. While the £41,000 was directly raised from event attendees, it underscores Swansea Building Society’s ongoing commitment…

MORE illustrious names from North Wales industry have joined a new online membership website that offers small businesses access to expert training and advice. Key figures from the worlds of finance, branding, sales, event management, marketing and cybersecurity have joined the ‘board you can afford’ at My Expert Team. Founded by Dawn Roberts, the group has grown to include chartered independent financial advisor Jamie Hughes, from award-winning Mold and St Asaph-based Celtic Financial Planning, and Chris Brown, director of rising Prestatyn cybersecurity business, Brolsh. Others to share their advice, guidance and support on the popular platform are esteemed hospitality consultant…