Author: Rhys Gregory

Whether you’re looking for pram-friendly places to enjoy the last of the school holidays or a summer stroll accessible for a wheelchair, National Trust Cymru have pulled together some of their most accessible walks for you to enjoy. National Trust Cymru want everyone to be able to access the places they care for across Wales, and while some places are more challenging, the conservation charity have pulled together a list of accessible trails, each specifically chosen for their well-maintained, stile-free paths and gentle terrain. Borrow a beach wheelchair to enjoy the golden sands of Broad Haven South, use the all-terrain…

The Royal Mint Experience, located in Llantrisant, South Wales, is hosting a fun-filled summer, including a Bank Holiday weekend bursting with activities for the entire family. On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August, the award-winning visitor attraction will be host to over 40 stalls bursting with locally produced and hand-crafted treats! Additionally, The Royal Mint Experience is set to have a plethora of rides which can be enjoyed by the entire family, and an ultimate assault course named ‘Lightning!’. All activities (excluding tours) are free for everyone over the Bank Holiday weekend. The Royal Mint opened its popular visitor centre,…

An independent group of opticians with practices across South Wales have been prioritising people and putting their team first following rapid growth over the past year. Julian Davies Opticians, originally established in 1992 in Newport, lies at the heart of the South Wales community and have built strong relationships with patients in and around the area by providing clinical excellence and exceptional eyecare. Over the past year, the opticians have seen significant growth, increasing from 4 to 8 practices and saving jobs in the process. At the start of 2023, Julian Davies Opticians joined forces with Batemans Opticians, saving the…

Shoppers moving away from mid-market brands to more budget-friendly options could become a permanent trend, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker. The research, based on a survey of 3,387 UK adults between 16th and 22nd June 2023, found consumer confidence in Q2 2023 improved for a third-consecutive quarter, rising by one percentage point. Confidence levels however remain below the long-term average, indicating that consumer finances are still under pressure. Despite inflationary pressures easing, prices remain high and as a result consumers intend to continue adapting their shopping behaviours after an extended squeeze on their finances. In a sign that high…

A building society worker from Pontypridd, whose career in the military was halted before it could even start, owing to a serious work-related injury, has defied medical opinion to compete in September’s Ironman Tenby to raise much-needed funds for Help for Heroes. At 25, Steve Bond had an accident at work which saw him receive nine fractures in his left knee and, just a few weeks ahead of his assessment to join the Army, his hopes of joining the military were in tatters. A keen athlete and fitness enthusiast, he was also told his running days were over. Now aged…

Benjamin Brightmore, 33, has been jailed for three and a half years for false imprisonment of a 76-year-old woman. In November 2022, the victim, an elderly female who lives alone in Fairwater, has gone to let her dog out into the garden during the night and an unknown man was in her garden and forced his way into her house. He then assaulted her and then prevented her from leaving on three occasions using violence causing minor injuries. The victim used quick thinking and went into the garage claiming to get cigarettes for the suspect, and then has managed to…

Llanishen High School is celebrating a positive 2023 GCSE Results Day with 30% of the cohort achieving the 5A*/A measure and over 98% of the cohort achieving the Level 1 measure. A community-led high school based in the heart of Cardiff, Llanishen High School saw over 300 students receive their GCSE results today, with students achieving exceptional results in a range of academic and vocational qualifications. These achievements include: 30% students achieved at least five GCSEs at A*/A 42 students achieved 10 or more GCSEs at A*/A grade 9 students achieved 15 straight A*/A grades A further 8 students achieved…

The new season is just starting up for the Cardiff Devils, and with it, an exciting new partnership. Penderyn, the Welsh whisky giant based in Brecon, is the upcoming season’s Man of the Match partner with the Devils – with the brand supporting 80 different awards across the 40 matches to come. Penderyn’s a brand that’s always been passionate about sport – and this latest link-up holds lucrative benefits for both parties. Not only will it help to bring Penderyn’s brand to ice hockey fans across the country, but the Devils,their staff and fans will benefit from some exclusive Penderyn…

Young female students in Pakistan are learning to ride mopeds to give them more independence and help them get to their place of education, as part of an Aberystwyth University transport project. Data shows many women in Pakistan give up their studies because of the sexual harassment and abuse they face when using public transport. The aim of the project is to give female students aged 18-25 years an alternative to public transport by loaning them a moped for the duration of their university course as well as providing training and support. Dr Shala Tabassum, Head of the Department of…

Thousands of families have taken the chance to enjoy free bus rides in Swansea this long summer holiday. The pioneering initiative has been a summer smash hit, enabling people to take a trip to the beach, for some city centre shopping or a day out with friends. And with heaps of things to do this bank holiday weekend, there’s one last opportunity to take your pick and make the most of it by going for free by bus. The free bus weekend begins on Friday and ends on Bank Holiday Monday and council leader Rob Stewart said: “Despite the weather…