Author: Rhys Gregory

Passengers are invited to have their say on proposed changes to the Conwy Valley line timetable, with changes planned for December. The Conwy Valley line is an important service that primarily supports local travel to and from Llandudno with the line experiencing increased leisure demand during the summer months, connecting people to popular destinations such as Betws-y-Coed and Eryri. The new timetable aims to address some of the key issues with current services by integrating the rail timetable with other transport methods and changing services to better serve Conwy Valley line communities. The engagement period will run from Monday, 13 October…

The annual FREE Halloween event in Swansea City Centre returns on Saturday 25 October, and this year it’s getting a spine-tingling upgrade. In addition to our family-friendly event area in St David’s Place, a new area designed to frighten, and delight is being introduced this year at Copr Bay’s Amy Dillwyn Park. Prepare yourself for Spooks in the City: Monster Mash-up, supported by the Childcare Offer for Wales, and encounter all manner of creatures in the two areas from 3pm until 8pm. St David’s “Peculiar” Place is perfect for families, this lively area features a main stage packed with children’s…

A recent positive Estyn inspection of Ysgol Casmael and Ysgol Llanychllwydog has highlighted the happy and inclusive community and caring learning environment of the school federation. Estyn’s published reports highlight the excellent behaviour of almost all pupils at the Welsh language primary schools, linking it to the strong sense of belonging embedded by the headteacher. It adds: “Staff provide stimulating sessions which inspire pupils to commit themselves enthusiastically to their learning. They use a wide range of effective teaching methods, plan engaging and meaningful sessions, and adapt activities suitably to meet the needs of almost all pupils.” A spotlight focus…

Santa Claus is getting ready to park his sleigh in a town centre near you as he prepares to bring festive cheer to Rhondda Cynon Taf. With his boots polished, beard fluffed, and grotto packed full of Christmas magic, Santa is set to spread joy across the county with a range of fun, family-friendly events sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Here’s where you can catch the big man in red and his merry crew of elves: Friday 28th Nov, 3pm – 6:30pm Ferndale, Lime Street Car Park   Saturday 29th November, 12pm – 5pm Tonypandy, De…

The Marches Real Food and Farming Convergence 2025 battled the weather to prove a great success at Square Farm, Monmouth, on the 3 and 4 October. The Convergence welcomed attendees from the Marches and beyond to explore the future of local food systems and to foster collaboration for a resilient, sustainable food future. This year’s event focused on important topics, including nature-friendly and regenerative farming, building strong local food networks, and getting communities and schools involved in changing the way we grow and eat food. Through a range of presentations, learning circles, and practical sessions, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on…

Today (Tuesday, October 14) more than £158m has been paid to Welsh farm businesses through Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2025 advance payments. More than 15,500 of claimants will receive the BPS advance which is worth approximately 70 per cent of their estimated claim value. Rural Payments Wales (RPW) will continue to make advance payments, as individual BPS claims are validated for the advance. Full and remaining balance BPS 2025 payments will be made from 12 December, subject to full validation of the claim. It is expected all but the most complex BPS claims will be fully validated, and payments made…

The Welsh Government will today publish its Draft Budget for 2026-27, setting out more than £27 billion of spending plans for public services across Wales. This marks the first stage of the budget process, where high-level allocations for each government department will be revealed. The Draft Budget outlines how funding will be distributed across Main Expenditure Groups (MEGs), which represent key areas such as Health and Social Care, Education, and Transport. Each MEG includes both day-to-day spending and capital investment in long-term projects and infrastructure. More detailed departmental spending plans will follow next month when the Welsh Government publishes the…

Plans for a transformative new housing development on the Slade Lane site, in Haverfordwest, are now open for public consultation, with proposals set to deliver up to 600 sustainable homes – many of them set to be affordable – to help tackle the region’s housing shortage. ­­­­­­­­­­The Welsh Government acquired the previously stalled housing site in 2023 to unlock its potential and bring forward a vibrant, well-designed community. The scheme prioritises affordability, sustainability, and accessibility, with a strong focus on supporting local families and first-time buyers. Key features of the proposed development could include: Up to 600 sustainable homes of…

British rock legends The Cure have today announced a massive headline show in Cardiff for Summer 2026. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and double BRIT Award winners will play Blackweir Fields on Wednesday June 24. The Cardiff date will be one of The Cure’s first UK shows since the release of their Number One album Songs of A Lost World. They then play shows in Dublin, Belfast, Manchester and Edinburgh – alongside a headline set at the Isle of Wight Festival in Summer 2026. The Cure will be joined at Blackweir by special guests The Twilight Sad…

The 7th annual Welsh Law Awards took place on Thursday, 9 October, celebrating outstanding achievement across Wales’ legal sector. Bringing together leading law firms, solicitors, and legal professionals from across the country, the 2025 Welsh Law Awards were held at the iconic Hilton Hotel in Cardiff. The prestigious event was hosted by renowned Welsh television and radio presenter, Sara Edwards. This year’s competition was one of the most competitive yet, with the independent judging panel praising the exceptionally high standard of entries. To recognise the depth of legal talent in Wales, judges introduced a new Silver Award Winner category to…