Author: Rhys Gregory

A pop-up immersive experience is set to transport people across Wales’ most treasured historical places through a virtual reality film using the latest 360-degree capturing technology. Part of Cadw’s summer events programme, the immersive dome showcases the country’s rich heritage using art to offer a new perspective on centuries old monuments. The dome will be hosted at Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire between 27th July and 2nd August, before moving to Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey from 18th to 24th August. A newly commissioned film entitled ‘From the Shadows of Stones’ will fly visitors across Wales, offering unrivalled views of spectacular abbeys,…

Leading independent insurance brokers Towergate Insurance Brokers is among the local businesses who have been thanked for their support following the annual Saundersfest event in Saundersfoot. Held from 7-9th July, Saundersfest is a unique celebration of live music in Saundersfoot. The event which featured local acts and headliner Wynne Evans, has been hailed as a big success. Chris Williams, Chair, Saunderfest said: “The Saundersfest and Tenfoot Swim committees would like to say a massive thank you to all the businesses who have supported us this year in difficult economic times. We truly appreciate the support as we would not be…

A leading civil engineering firm has hit two major milestones as part of its work to deliver the land-based infrastructure for the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has completed the installation of around four miles of high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cable from the converter station to the Creyke Beck electricity substation for the first phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Another significant landmark was reached as a full end-to-end test was completed at Dogger Bank A, which will allow offshore commissioning works to progress. The award-winning firm had already installed almost 77 miles of…

Street food and circus festival, the Big Banquet, is returning to Caldicot Castle for the August Bank Holiday Weekend. After a successful launch weekend in May, Big Banquet will be bringing flavours from around the world from some Wales’ best-known and up-and-coming street food chefs – all centred around a gravity-defying high-wire act. The Big Banquet will run across the summer bank holiday weekend from Friday 25 August to Monday 28 August. As well as the street food and high-wire shows, visitors can expect walkabout circus performers, a free circus school for kids, fire shows from the Pembrokeshire Fire Spinners…

Ian Gwyn Hughes, Head of Public Relations and Culture at the Football Association of Wales and former BBC broadcaster, has been presented with an Honorary Fellowship of Aberystwyth University. Originating from Colwyn Bay, Ian Gwyn Hughes was educated at Eirias High School, Colwyn Bay and Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St Asaph.  He went on to study History and International Politics at Aberystwyth. In 1982, he began his broadcasting career working for CBC (Cardiff Broadcasting Company) radio. By the end of the year he started working as a presenter and commentator for the BBC Wales Sports Department, and over the next three…

A COLWYN BAY school is one of the most proactive in Wales for inclusion and diversity. Ysgol Eirias has implemented plans and held educational sessions and workshops throughout the academic year, focused on engaging pupils, working closely with community organisations and stakeholders, and communicating positively with parents and carers on a wide range of issues. Understanding themes centred around racism, gender, LGBTQ+, sexual health and more have been driven by Citizenship Coordinator, Haylie Zachara. The school’s Diversity team includes a group of learners from Year 7 and above, who meet regularly to champion equal rights, present assemblies and conduct student…

Golfers from across South Wales came together at Clyne Golf Club to compete and raise funds for Swansea-based kidney charity, Popham Kidney Support, at its annual Golf Day on Friday, July 7. The competition, organised by Mr Kim Loosmore, raised an impressive £9,000 which will contribute to the charity’s target of £130,000 for the refurbishment of the Children’s Kidney Centre Outpatient Department in Cardiff & Vale University Hospital. Currently, there is very little natural light in the department, making it a dark environment. The refurbishment will maximise the natural light, creating a more welcoming, warm and comfortable place for children to undergo…

Carding Mill Lane, a public bridleway in Narberth, is to remain traffic-free after local landowners dropped a claim that they had a right to drive motor vehicles on part of it. Used by walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, Carding Mill Lane leaves Narberth Town Moor adjacent to the RAOB Club and links to Canaston Wood and beyond. In January 2021 the owners of land that was previously part of Plas Farm claimed to have a right to drive vehicles on part of the lane, declaring what they believed to be a private right of way over it. Pembrokeshire County Council did…

The next phase of the Castle Inn Bridge replacement in Treforest will start on July 22, using a road closure at Cardiff Road. The closure is scheduled for the school summer holiday to minimise disruption, while a FREE shuttle bus will run locally. The footbridge provided a key local link over the Afon Taff between River Street in Treforest and Cardiff Road in Glyntaff, but was severely damaged during Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis. Having been closed since 2020 as a replacement scheme was prepared, the structure has been demolished in recent weeks ahead of the upcoming installation of the…

An agreement that will enable £8m of outside funding to be secured from the Cardiff Capital Region to demolish and remediate the large derelict Cwm Coking works site in Beddau, making it ready for future development, has been authorised by Cabinet Members. On Monday, July 17, Cabinet approved an agreement between the Council and developer Persimmon Plc Group, enabling access to major funding from the Cardiff Capital Region Housing Viability Fund. The funding will be used to remove the disused coking works and decontaminate the land – to unlock a strategic site which is included in the Local Development Plan…