Author: Rhys Gregory

A Cardiff family is being offered the chance to become the first people through the doors of the new Hollywood Bowl XL entertainment centre at St David’s and help shape the visitor experience before it officially opens. The UK’s leading ten-pin bowling and competitive socialising brand has launched a search for a family to take on the role of “Chief Fun Officers” at its new Cardiff venue, which is currently being completed in the city centre. The successful applicants will be invited to an exclusive pre-opening event on July 15, where they will be among the first to experience the…

The Wales Airshow is set to return to Swansea this summer with an exciting new addition that promises to light up the skies after dark. Taking place on July 25 and 26, the free event will feature a brand-new evening programme for the first time, titled Wales Airshow: Afterburn, alongside the traditional daytime flying displays and family entertainment. Visitors attending on Saturday, July 25, can look forward to a spectacular night flying programme featuring pyrotechnic displays from the Otto Helicopter, aerobatic performances from Firebirds, the roar and glow of the RAF Typhoon’s famous afterburners, and a grand finale combining 200…

Motorists are being advised to plan ahead this Sunday as thousands of runners take part in the Mizuno Swansea Half Marathon. Around 8,000 participants are expected to take to the streets of Swansea on Sunday, June 7, with temporary rolling road closures and traffic restrictions being put in place throughout the day to ensure the safety of runners and spectators. Swansea Council has issued a reminder that the main impact on traffic will be along Oystermouth Road, between Sainsbury’s and Mumbles, where restrictions will be in force between 8am and 3pm. Drivers are being encouraged to allow extra time for…

One of Cardiff’s most popular and unique summer events is set to return next month as Graveyard Voices brings the stories of Cathays Cemetery’s notable residents back to life. Organised by A48 Theatre Company in collaboration with Cardiff Bereavement Services and Living Lines, the immersive guided walks will take place at Cathays Cemetery on three dates in July. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the Grade II Listed cemetery while meeting characters inspired by some of the people buried there, portrayed by actors along the route. This year’s production features 10 brand-new scripts and characters, offering audiences fresh stories…

The play area in Rhydypennau Park has officially re-opened to the public following an extensive upgrade, inspired by the reservoirs and lakes that can be found a stone’s throw from the popular local facility. Local children from Rhydypenau Primary School and Coed Glas Primary School helped select the new equipment which includes: toddler, junior, basket and ‘fishing rod’ swings; a wheelchair accessible roundabout; a climbing mound and slide; boat themed multi-play units; bird and fish themed spring toys; an accessible dragonfly seesaw; and an ‘island to island’ zipway. Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “This…

Wales is setting an ambitious target to close its productivity gap with the rest of the UK within the next decade, as the Welsh Government unveils a new economic mission aimed at boosting wages, supporting business growth and strengthening communities. Speaking in the Senedd, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy Adam Price outlined plans to halve the nation’s productivity gap, which currently sits around 15% below the UK average. The strategy will focus on helping businesses scale up, attracting investment and creating a skills system designed to support long-term career progression. The new approach will be delivered in partnership…

New plans to cut waiting times, recruit more GPs and move care out of hospitals and into communities are being outlined by Wales’ new Health Minister. A programme of up to ten surgical and diagnostic hubs will be developed over the next four years to increase capacity of the NHS and cut delays. Two-year waits will be eliminated within months, with the overall backlog reduced to pre-pandemic levels before the end of this Senedd term. Up to 100 new salaried GPs will be recruited and access to out-of-hours primary care expanded to reduce pressure on hospitals. Community care will be…

One of the UK’s leading luxury sleeper coach operators has entered a new chapter after South Wales-based Jumbocruiser was acquired by Hobboard. Founded in 1996, South Wales based Jumbocruiser is one of the UK’s leading providers of luxury sleeper coach transport for touring artists, production crews and live events. The acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the business, with entrepreneur Robert Ezigbo, founder of Hobboard, taking ownership and assuming responsibility for the day-to-day running of the company following the retirement of exiting founder Stephen Lee. Stephen Lee, Founder of Jumbocruiser, said: “I am extremely proud of the…

A paedophile who sexually abused two children has been sentenced to life in prison. Robert Mattravers, 47, of Russell Road, Runcorn appeared at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, 2 June where he was sentenced for multiple sex offences. They included four counts of rape of a child, two counts of sexual assault of a child, five counts of sexual activity with a child, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and causing a child to watch sexual activity. He was also charged with making indecent images of children, including two Category A, two category B, four Category…

A brand-new railway bridge will be installed at Cathays railway station with work starting on 13 June 2026. The ‘Access for All’ (AFA) footbridge will provide better accessibility and help modernise the station to a safer transport hub. Additional features of the infrastructure upgrade include step-free lift access for wheelchair users, improved walkways, and direct access to the Cardiff University’s Centre for Student Life. These improvements form part of the wider South Wales Metro programme, supporting TfW’s commitment to delivering a more reliable, faster, greener, and more accessible transport system for communities across Wales. The project will be delivered in phases with the main construction starting in…