Author: Rhys Gregory

An Aberdare craftsman is busy finalising his handcrafted designs ahead of this year’s Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival which will take place next month across the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend (May 28-29th). When John Jones retired four years ago, he decided not to put his feet up and relax but to indulge his true passion for woodworking and establish Penuel Wood Craft based at his home, the converted Penuel Chapel in Cwmbach. John now spends seven days a week in his workshop designing and crafting his bespoke products, all made from reclaimed hardwoods and offcuts. “My real love has always…

An ex logistics manager with Parkinson’s has been hailed as “heroic” for completing a 12 hour croquet marathon. The efforts of Gareth Blake from Cardigan, who took on the challenge to raise awareness of the condition on World Parkinson’s Day on April 11, have been praised by Ceredigion MP, Ben Lake. The 53-year-old, who is originally from Holyhead, on Anglesey, and is a member of Parkinson’s UK Cymru’s Emlyn and Tivyside Parkinson’s group, said he feels “very proud” of what he has achieved. Gareth, who had to give up his career after he was diagnosed with the condition, took up…

Aaron Wharton died at Hope House Hospice in Tŷ Gobaith on Sunday 9 April with parents Nicola and Lee by his side. It’s after he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive anaplastic ependymoma in April 2020. Nicola, 39, and Lee Wharton, 52, of Buckley in Flintshire promised they will do “everything we can” to raise awareness of the disease that cruelly seized their only child. The devastated mum said: “We’re both completely broken, trying to put one foot in front of the other. I desperately want to do everything I can to keep his memory alive and we can…

More than 2,000 young people in Ceredigion have voted for the topics which are most important to them. The ‘Rhoi dy Farn 2023’ ballot, organised by Ceredigion’s Youth Work and Engagement Service, gives young people the opportunity to vote on topics that will then shape the Youth Council’s priorities during 2023. 2,184 young people between the ages of 11 and 25 voted in Rhoi dy Farn 2023 campaign, and the hot topics with the most votes are ‘cost of living crisis’, followed by ‘careers’, and ‘education’ being third. Ifan Meredith, Chair of Ceredigion Youth Council said: “The ‘Rhoi Dy Farn…

Collections belonging to the Myddelton family and spanning over four hundred years of their occupation at Chirk Castle in Wrexham, North Wales, have been purchased by the National Trust. Following negotiations with the Myddelton family, approximately three hundred items of historic importance have been transferred to the National Trust where they will remain for the permanent enjoyment of the public. Many of the items now owned by the Trust have been on loan to the charity since it acquired the castle in 1981. Over more than four decades, the Trust has been actively collecting different objects, artworks and books related…

The FAW has announced that Dr Ian Mitchell has joined the Cymru National Teams as Head of Performance Psychology. Mitchell re-joins the FAW having previously worked with the Cymru Men’s National Team and age groups, most notably during the UEFA EURO 2016 where Chris Coleman’s side reached the semi- finals. As well as experience with the FAW, Mitchell worked with Swansea City during their time in the English Premier League and with the FA in England as Head of Performance Psychology for five years. The new role will entail working with the Cymru Men’s National Team as well as additional…

A community centre struggling to pay its spiralling energy bills has been rescued from closure thanks to a grant of more than £75,000. Calon Tysul Community Centre in Llandysul had appealed for help after its electricity and oil costs tripled. Now the centre, which was opened in 2017 and includes a swimming pool and fitness centre, has had solar PV panels and storage batteries installed. The system will dramatically reduce the running cost of the centre and help to bring those bills down. Around 70% of the cost of the work has been covered by a grant from the Wales European Funding…

Impress, the largest invisible orthodontics chain in Europe has announced the opening of its first clinic outside of England. The brand new Cardiff clinic boasts four dental boxes at 170m2, specialising in world-class dentistry. The clinic opened earlier this week, at Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF10 4BQ, Unit 3 in the Capital Quarter. Impress aims to revolutionise the invisible orthodontic sector, using fully digital processes, high quality treatment and a skilled team to enable the company to become the largest chain of orthodontic clinics in Europe. Using the latest technology in all stages of diagnoses and treatment means people can relax in…

Two men have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency investigation linked to organised immigration crime. The pair, aged 39 and 40, were arrested by NCA officers at a car wash in Caerphilly, south Wales, earlier on Tuesday (18 April). Both were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences, namely employing staff who have no right to work in the UK. Searches were carried out on the premises where a number of mobile phones, vehicles and documents were seized. Two people are understood to have been identified as workers at the car wash business and are now being managed…

A HOLISTIC therapist and coach had a great start to life in business after rising from ‘rock bottom’ to launch her own wellness hub. Based on Wellington Road in Rhyl, Becoming the Great is working with organisations across the country to heal those in need of support, including veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and people suffering panic attacks, anxiety, and negative beliefs. As well hosting workshops and one-to-one sessions, Helen – who herself fought back from depression and addiction with the help of her cousin, a Latvian monk – specialises in breakthrough coaching, while also selling crystals and self-care items.…