Author: Rhys Gregory

Monmouthshire County Council will commence work on enhancing the Shire Hall in Monmouth. To bring this ambitious vision to fruition, Shire Hall will temporarily close to the public from 20 December 2025, to allow essential work to commence. The building is expected to remain closed to the public until early 2027. Supported by a £2.8 million investment, including £1.5 million from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, this project will see Shire Hall revitalised as an inspiring community museum and dynamic learning hub. What’s Changing? The revitalised Shire Hall will offer innovative displays telling Monmouth’s story, flexible learning spaces, visible object…

A safety alert has been issued over baby sleep pillows following child deaths in the UK and overseas. The Office for Product Safety and Standards has warned parents and carers about products commonly referred to as baby sleep pillows, which are marketed as cushions or pillows for babies to sleep on or be placed on while unattended. The alert says these products pose serious risks including suffocation and overheating, which can lead to serious injury or, in some cases, death. Parents and carers are being urged not to use these products for babies under 12 months old and not to…

A new process comes into effect today to speed up the planning process and make Wales a more attractive place for investors. The process introduced by The Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 applies to large scale infrastructure developments, including renewable energy, waste, water, and transport projects. It replaces the Developments of National Significance and other existing consenting programmes. Earlier this year hyperscale data centre operator Vantage, which is investing billions in the Welsh economy by building new data centres, was impressed with the speed of the planning application process for its plans to build on the old Ford Factory site in…

More than £41m extra will be invested into general practice this year as part of a deal struck between the Welsh Government and GPs. The deal includes a 4% uplift to the general medical services contract in 2025-26, in line with the independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) recommendations, and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent funding uplift from 2026-27, underlining the government’s commitment to continue to invest in primary care and community-based services. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to general practice in Wales. The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice…

An improved train timetable across Wales has started. The December timetable update on the Wales and Borders network will offer more services, strengthen connections and help boost the economy. The new timetable includes a new additional hourly service between Chester and Wrexham, an extra train in each direction every day on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury, three later last trains from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil and a new hourly service on Sundays on the Coryton line. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “Rail connectivity is absolutely vital in driving…

Police are appealing for help to find a missing 13 year old girl who has links to Wales. Essex Police say they are working hard to locate Jemimah Jones, who has been reported missing from Tilbury. Jemimah is originally from Cardiff. Officers believe Jemimah boarded a Southend bound train from platform 2 at Tilbury station at 10.24pm. Since then, police have been carrying out extensive CCTV checks at stations along the train line and are working closely with a number of other police forces. Jemimah is described as being 5ft 2ins tall with brown hair. She was last seen wearing…

Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident on Partridge Street in Ton Pentre. South Wales Police have confirmed that Partridge Street is closed in both directions between Queen Street and Church Road. Church Road itself is also closed from the junction of Maindy Road through to the traffic lights. In addition, Llanfoist Street has been closed in both directions between Church Road and Church Street. The closures are expected to remain in place for some time while the incident is dealt with. Motorists and pedestrians are being advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. South…

Wales has long been a standout corner of the UK, with dramatic coastlines, castle towns, and a culture that feels distinct from England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. For many Americans, it is also a low-friction trip: English is widely spoken, locals are famously welcoming, and Welsh history has deep links to the early story of the United States. But one travel detail has recently become especially important for US visitors. The UK is rolling out a new digital entry step, and it can affect trips to Wales just as much as trips to London.  Entry Rules and the UK ETA…

Before you can fix or improve anything on a website, you have to see it the way real visitors do. Your dashboard might say everything is fast and healthy, but that doesn’t always match what someone experiences on a slow network or in a different part of the world. That’s where proxies become useful, they give you a second viewpoint that isn’t limited to your own connection or device. Why Tracking Website Performance Matters Most people judge a website within seconds, so knowing how it behaves in real situations isn’t optional anymore. Slowdowns Push People Away When pages hesitate or…

Content creation has transformed dramatically over the past few years, and the biggest change isn’t just the rise of new platforms; it’s the rise in quality. Local creators who once relied on basic phone cameras and improvised setups are now producing videos, podcasts, and short films that look and sound impressively polished.  As audiences grow more discerning and competition increases, creators are discovering that better production isn’t a luxury anymore; it’s a powerful advantage. What’s driving this shift? Accessible professional tools, collaborative local networks, and smarter creative workflows are giving independent creators the chance to elevate their craft without breaking…