Author: Rhys Gregory

Visitors and locals alike are nestling down to enjoy a cuppa and a chat at Aberystwyth hotspots, thanks to a young entrepreneur selling mugs of home-made masala chai from a bike. 24-year-old Sally Pierse launched The Chai Bike in April 2023 with the help of Big Ideas Wales, after discovering that the comforting and community yielding powers of tea aren’t limited to a traditional builder’s brew. Sally first discovered chai while on a trip to India as part of a BA Philosophy degree at the University of York. Alongside attending academic lectures on women’s rights and Ghandi, Sally was invited…

Officers carried out a series of warrants in Ely, Canton, Fairwater, Rumney and Gabalfa, as part of an investigation into the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. Also seized were four cars including a Mercedes A180 and BMW X2, under the Proceeds of Crime Act and weapons, including a Taser. Addresses searched on Friday, July 14 were in Heol Poyston and Cwrt Yr Ala Road in Ely, two properties in Cowbridge Road West, and flats in Ash Place in Fairwater, Hazelwood Drive in Rumney and Lydstep Flats, Gabalfa. Inspector Ben Davies, from South Wales Police, said: “Class A drug supply…

A Swansea Olympian is backing plans for a new generation of top-class skateboarding and BMX facilities in the city. Swansea Council has set aside more than £1m for new and improved facilities to help cater for the growing popularity of the sports. James Jones, who was part of Great Britain’s freestyle BMX team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has welcomed the move. The 29-year-old, who’s originally from the Sandfields area of Swansea, said: “BMX and skateboarding are already hugely popular, but they’re only going to get more popular in Swansea and elsewhere in the coming years, with both sports now…

The Maindee on Chepstow Road is set to reopen on the 9th August after a major investment of £215,000. The pub is part of Proper Pubs, the community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, which has more than 175 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales. Behind the bar is community hero and passionate operator, Emma Lewis, who is a resident of the surrounding area and has been the manager of the Maindee for several years. Emma will be running the Maindee alongside a supportive team which includes her partner, John, with the aim of creating a family-friendly environment. The combination…

HOMEBUYERS will be welcomed to a new sales centre at Anwyl’s Parc Bodafon development in Llandudno on Saturday, August 5. The housebuilder is opening its doors on site for the first time, with interested purchasers urged to book an appointment with the sales team. The first wave of homes at Parc Bodafon is now on sale, many of which will boast fabulous views over the coastline and towards the Little Orme. Graeme Gibb, sales director for Anwyl Homes Cheshire and North Wales, said: “This is the first chance homebuyers will have to visit the development and see for themselves what…

BSR Energy has challenged the decision by the Welsh Minister not to grant planning consent to the Rush Wall Solar Park. The Minister’s decision was announced in June 2023, despite the project having been recommended for approval in the Inspector’s Report. Sited on land near the village of Redwick, near Newport, South Wales, the 75MW (megawatt) Rush Wall Solar Park would produce enough clean renewable electricity to power 18,755 homes per year, providing an annual saving of 16,611 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Both the Inspector and the Minister acknowledged that, if brought forward, the approximately 85 hectare scheme would enhance…

A community club in Ogmore Vale is toasting the future after a steady stream of funding has allowed it to make necessary building adjustments that will allow it to continue to throw its doors open. Ogmore Vale Non Political Club has been a community hub for more than 200 years, but with changing regulations it needed to adapt quickly to ensure it could still play host to the multitude of offerings all year round. Long-standing committee member, Anne Strang, explains: “Our building is old and with age comes the need to make large investments to ensure it complies with all…

The first Welsh language daycare nursery has opened in Newport for children aged 2-5 years with funding provided by the Development Bank of Wales. Based in Rogerstone, Wibli Wobli Nursery is registered for up to 40 children per day and offers Welsh medium day care and holiday club places plus free Welsh Ti a Fi sessions on Saturdays. A micro loan of £35,000 from the Development Bank has been used to part-fund the renovation of the building and fit out costs including the build of dedicated indoor and outdoor play areas, a new kitchen and toilet facilities. Ten new jobs…

Independent tea company Bird & Blend Tea Co., is moving home to the oldest shopping mall in the city, to the Royal Arcade. The move to a new larger and more prominent location is in line with the increasing local popularity of the brand and will position Bird & Blend as the absolute go-to location for tea in Cardiff, ensuring that the team can spread even more happiness through its tea. The entire team will make the move to the new 864 sq ft, located just a 5 minute walk from its previous store.  The team play an integral part…

The Welsh Street Food Awards – part of the biggest street food competition in the world – are coming to Cardiff’s Tiger Yardthis weekend, and you can even help with the judging. Eight different independent traders will go head to head across the weekend to impress the award’s head judge and local chef James Sommerin, whose restaurant Home in Penarth was recently awarded a prestigious Michelin Star. James will be joined by local food blogger Kacie Morgan (The Welsh Rarebit), who has been writing and creating content about the Welsh food scene for over a decade. But it’s not just…