Author: Rhys Gregory

Put on your most colourful and expressive outfit and embrace the love and unity at Pride in Usk on Saturday 26th August. Owain Glyndwr Park will be the location for the celebration of unity, fun and inclusivity, where all are welcome, which starts at noon and runs through until 8pm. Pride in Usk is a family friendly community event, to foster a sense of community, promote understanding and advocate for equal rights for all, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation. The event will feature a diverse array of activities and entertainment that will cater to people of all ages,…

Daniel Atkins, 33, has been jailed for 15 years for rape and sexual assaults of children under 13 years old. Atkins from Bridgend has been convicted on further counts of sexual assault by penetration and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. His most recent offences were committed in 2022 but the investigation discovered that the abuse had been ongoing for the past six years. Following a report to police, officers arrested Atkins on 7 May 2022 and he was charged and remanded the next day. Detective Constable Leah Fox commented: “I want to pay tribute to the extreme…

The grassroots music venue aims to expand and upgrade its current site; creating a contemporary, fully accessible space to increase engagement and broaden its activity in line with its charitable objectives. Fundraising launched to support the redevelopment. A NEW planning application has been submitted to increase the size of Cardiff’s iconic Clwb Ifor Bach and transform the space into a brand-new, fully accessible multi-room venue. The venue has 18 months to raise the funds to turn its ambitions into reality. The proposals submitted to Cardiff County Council this week will see Clwb take over the derelict building next door and…

This year’s Llanfyllin Show has been described as one of the most successful as a large crowd attended the popular annual event earlier in August. Chairman Dyfrig Jones said there was a record number of trade stands and entries across all sections, with a particularly high standard in horses section, and a “considerable number” of young farmers supported the Montgomery YFC evening speed shearing competition in the evening. Warm sunshine made a welcome appearance in the afternoon, following intermittent rain showers, as star attraction, The Atkinson Action Horses stunt team, returned for a second year to entertain the crowd with…

The Heritage Park Hotel, in the South Wales town of Pontypridd, has been sold for an undisclosed sum to the Zaman Family who add the property to their existing portfolio. Brilliant Hotels has been appointed to manage the hotel. The modern property was constructed in the 1990s and is set within a large two-acre site. It was designed for modern, corporate hotel use and as such has excellent dining and conference facilities, as well as being a popular wedding venue. The sale of the 43-bedroom purpose-built hotel was handled by Colliers. The Loft Restaurant, which seats 100, has exposed timbers and…

Business owners in North Wales are set to benefit from increased confidence and enhanced skillsets as a key partnership continues to flourish.   The region’s representatives of a global professional advisory service and a national sales training provider have joined forces to further support SME leaders when mapping out their company objectives and strategy.  David Roberts of The Alternative Board (TAB) and Sales Geek North Wales’ Aaron Sussex are combining their expertise of coaching and consultancy, reflecting a broader alliance between the two UK-wide organisations.  For the collaboration’s first major initiative, David and Aaron will be hosting two linked seminars…

Christie Cook has joined Hodge’s senior management team as its managing director of retail. Christie has extensive experience in the mortgage market, as she is the former head of mortgages at Nottingham Building Society, has occupied head of product roles with Glenhawk Financial Services and the Bank of Ireland, as well as being a former operations manager for Kensington Mortgages and Lehmans. Christie will be leading on all Mortgages and Savings related business at Hodge, covering off product, distribution, marketing, customer origination, underwriting and first line risk issues in the process. Christie said of her appointment: “I’m really excited to…

Sarson’s will be sloshing onto the shores of Barry Island this bank holiday weekend, giving away free chips in a bid to protect Wales’ much-loved national dish, fish and chips. On a bustling summer’s day, there’s no better place to be than Barry – enjoying a crispy bite of freshly battered fish doused in vinegar, served with a portion of golden fries – and this weekend the activity will be top of the agenda for hundreds of locals and visitors seeking some bank holiday sunshine. Whilst the dish makes for a big part of Welsh culture, today,  chip shops along…

Work is nearing completion on the first phase of a development of 44 new homes in Newtown, Powys following two investments totalling £4.68 million by the Development Bank of Wales. Oaks Meadow is located in the village of Sarn, on the A489 between Newtown and Churchstoke. A range of two, three and four bedroom homes are being marketed by developers Primesave Homes Limited, a family-run business led by Father and Daughter Steve and Keri Jennings.  All properties will have off-road parking with detached plots also benefitting from single garages. Oil fired central heating will be installed with extensive floor, wall…

Action woman Caroline Platt is on a mission to visit the Seven Wonders of the World – and raise money for charity at the same time. The next challenge for Caroline is a five-day, 100 kilometre trek in the baking heat of Wadi Rum desert in Jordan as she marks two important milestones. She has just reached her 50th birthday and animal bedding specialists Platts Agriculture, the Wrexham-based family firm she heads up as managing director, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary. This time Caroline will be raising money for the Swansea-based Faith in Families organisation which helps struggling families.…