Author: Rhys Gregory

A top dancer is planning to put her best foot forward at the London Marathon in aid of Parkinson’s UK Cymru. Angharad Harrop, who lives in Llandudno, has been inspired to undertake the gruelling run, which takes place on April 23, by the determination of the members of her dance and movement class who have Parkinson’s. The mother of three has an undergraduate and a masters in dance from De Montfort University, and will graduate from her doctorate in July. She leads the National Dance Company Wales and English National Ballet as well as the Dance for Parkinson’s classes at…

From Moominvalley to the town of books… One of the world’s most famous stars of children’s literature landed in Hay-on-Wye yesterday to mark 50 days to Hay Festival 2023. Moomintroll spent a busy afternoon in the town of books, putting the first peg in the ground of the Festival’s Dairy Meadows site and handing out the newly-released print programme. Taking place 25 May–4 June, Hay Festival is the world’s leading festival of ideas, bringing readers and writers together in sustainable events to inspire, examine and entertain on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. This year’s programme launches the…

With a history spanning 4 decades in Cardiff under their belt, Curtins has moved its growing team into brand-new premium office premises in the city centre. They have been custom designed to provide great, flexible working spaces suitable for the varying needs of the innovation-driven engineering team. Central to the design has been ensuring a comfortable and inspiring environment that encourages collaboration. Curtins’ new office dedicates only a proportion to computer desk space, and unlike traditional desk-per-square-meter models, most of this open-plan office is given over to flexible collaboration areas, breakout booths for focused time and virtual meetings, 1-2-1 spaces…

A monthly Street Food & Artisan Market will launch in Riverside later this month, organised by the award-winning Cardiff Farmers Markets. Last year, the same team behind Cardiff’s weekly Rhiwbina, Roath and Riverside Farmers Markets trialled a post-work, midweek market on the Fitzhammon Embankment which went on to run monthly throughout the summer. Following enthusiastic feedback, this midweek market will return on Wednesday 26th April from 5pm – 8pm (then monthly throughout the summer); the perfect excuse to gather a few friends for a post-work feast – and pick up a few other bits and bobs while you’re there. The trader…

Educational talks, cookery workshops and free fitness sessions have been helping to inspire people in Swansea to live an even healthier lifestyle. The Penderi Local Cluster Collaborative (LCC) hosted a free health and wellbeing event with a wide range of fitness classes, workshops and talks on offer. Its main aim was to support and motivate people to improve their health and wellbeing by making them aware of different resources and organisations available to them. Held at Penlan Leisure Centre, it was the first event of its kind to be hosted by the LCC. Members of the public learned how to…

On Thursday 30th March, not-for-profit housing organisation United Welsh welcomed councillors from Caerphilly Council and Bedwas Trethomas Machen Community Council for a tour of Ty Yn Y Pwll, a new apartment building of 25 new homes in the heart of Trethomas. Built at the site of the former Ty Yn Y Pwll pub and hotel on Newport Road, development work to build the new homes for older people is now complete. Ty Yn Y Pwll includes one and two-bedroom apartments for people aged over 55, with communal social space on the ground floor. The new apartments have all achieved an…

A young football star has the world at his feet after playing for Wales and rubbing shoulders with real life royalty and the Hollywood variety. Cai Lloyd Evans, 17, who lives in Bangor and plays football for the Wrexham AFC youth team, was a member of the 20-strong Wales Schools Under 18 squad who took part in the 2023 Roma Caput Mundi tournament in Italy. Cai’s mum Sandra, who is the manager at the award winning Bryn Seiont Newydd care home on the outskirts of Caernarfon, often takes Cai to the training sessions and regularly watches him play. “I enjoy…

A splash of colour and good measure of community partnership working has brightened up the walk to school for pupils and families in Llanedeyrn. A vibrant new mural has been painted on a subway in the area close to St Philip Evans RC Primary School, thanks to a collaboration between the schoolchildren, the Council’s Caretaking Services and Cardiff-based mural company, Wall-op Murals. The Council’s graffiti removal team cleaned and jet-washed the subway, which suffered frequent vandalism and was in desperate need of some TLC, to prepare the space for its mini-makeover. The mural was then created by children from St…

School cook Pat Morgan has retired after more than three decades working for Bryn Celyn in Pentwyn and more recently for Ysgol Pen Y Groes. During hercareer Pat has served nearly 1 million lunches and has seen generations of families pass through the school. Pat has been a huge part of the local community and her smile and sense of fun as she fed hundreds of hungry children every day, has been infectious. Pat is looking forward to her retirement and her husband is hoping to persuade her to join him on his allotment! A spokesperson thanked Pat for her…

TWO of Swansea’s longest-serving councillors have become Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor. Cllr Graham Thomas succeeds Councillor Mike Day, to become Lord Mayor for 2023/24 and his deputy will be Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams. Cllr Thomas, who has been a ward member for Cwmbwrla since 1999, will take up his post following inauguration in May after Full Council agreed the move at its meeting on March 30. As Lord Mayor Cllr Thomas will have an important civic and ceremonial role as the city’s official ambassador. He will also be involved in raising money for local good causes. Cllr Thomas said:…