Author: Rhys Gregory

Work on a major flood defence scheme in south-east Cardiff is progressing well, as construction on the scheme continues – to protect homes, businesses, and key infrastructure from flooding, coastal erosion, and the impacts of rising sea levels.When complete, the coastal defence scheme will safeguard 1,116 residentialand 72 non‑residentialproperties, local businesses, and vital infrastructure including Rover Way, Welsh Water pumping stations, the steelworks, and local electricity assets for decades to come. The scheme will also deliver improvements to the Wales Coast Path and enhance landscaping along the shoreline. All necessary consents, including planning permission, a marine licence, Crown Estate approvals,…

People in Wales deserve access to mental health support – ‘no matter who they are, or where they are’. That’s the message key decision makers around mental health in Wales were given at the launch of this year’s Mind Federation in Wales’ annual impact report, ‘Mental Health is Everything, Everywhere, Everyone’. Highlighting the vital services 15 independent Mind charities in Wales provide, alongside national information and support from Mind’s helplines and online peer support platform, the 2026 report was launched by Mind Cymru Associate Director Julian John alongside co-host Lexy Gingell, of Mind in Gwent’s Mind Our Future project. Covering the period…

The 2026 Guinness Six Nations gets under way in early February, with Wales facing a tough run of fixtures as they look to turn around recent form in rugby’s biggest annual tournament. The championship begins on Thursday, 5 February, with defending champions France hosting 2024 winners Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris. England, France and Ireland are widely tipped as favourites for the title this year. Wales start their campaign on Saturday, 7 February, with a daunting trip to face England at Allianz Stadium. England come into the tournament on an 11 match winning run and are chasing…

A dozen brand-new pieces of music will receive their world premieres at a major North Wales festival. Founded in 2000, Bangor Music Festival has grown into one of Wales’ leading showcases for both emerging and established composers. The festival, that’s being staged at the city’s Pontio Arts Centre on Saturday. February 14, and Sunday, February 15, has already commissioned more than 175 new works and premiered a further 50 compositions since it started. Launching this year’s programme, Artistic Director Guto Pryderi Puw said the general theme is Perthnasau (Relationships), with six new works specially commissioned for the event. One of…

AS Rhyl’s resurgence gathers pace new UK Government investment will deliver further visible improvements to its high streets and public spaces across Clwyd North. Gill German MP has welcomed £1.5million from the Pride in Place Impact Fund, awarded to Denbighshire County Council to support ‘practical, locally focused projects’ that enhance town centres and community facilities. In Clwyd North, the funding will support improvements to town centre buildings and shopfronts in Rhyl and Denbigh, building on regeneration already underway, strengthening pride in place and supporting long-term regeneration. In Rhyl, this includes further work following recent improvements to the former Woolworths building…

Business confidence in Wales fell 20 points during January to 32%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 30 points at 38%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down eight points to 27%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 32% (vs. 52% in December 2025). Meanwhile, a net balance of 44% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 24 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (43%), investing in their team, for example by investing in training (40%) and introducing new technology (33%). The…

Swansea Council has this week overwhelmingly backed a cross-party motion calling on the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to urgently rethink proposals that could see the Ospreys lose their status as a top-tier regional rugby team. Councillors have warned that any such move would be devastating for the city, the wider Swansea Bay region and Welsh rugby as a whole. This follows confirmation from the WRU that it has entered an exclusive 60-day due diligence period with Y11, the owners of Ospreys Rugby — after they were named as the preferred bidder to take over Cardiff Rugby. It’s a development councillors…

Swansea is set to take a significant step in strengthening the role of nature in urban life by applying for biophilic city status. A successful application would see Swansea join an international network of cities committed to placing the natural environment at the heart of urban design, planning and wellbeing. Natural Resources Wales, Swansea Council and Swansea University are due to make a joint application. Partner cities benefit from sharing learning, innovation and best practice, while also showcasing their achievements on an international stage. The move builds on existing work to improve the quality and diversity of green infrastructure in…

Landlords are reminded to be vigilant after a rented property in the Sandfields area of Swansea was found to contain a disbanded cannabis factory following police attendance this week. Ahead of the tenancy, the landlord was approached by a man unknown to him. The man offered cash and a down-payment to rent the property. All other contact between the landlord and the “tennant” was via text message. The landlord did not create a written lease, nor did he take copies of identification or references. He also did not conduct any visits to the property over the six months that it…

A man from Swansea has been given an extended jail sentence after admitting arson. 42-year-old Christopher Sayce, from Port Tennant, lit a fire at The Wallich, Carlton Terrace, Swansea some time before 4pm on November 16 last year. At around 4:20pm, Sayce used a payphone to phone police to confess to what he had done. The fire caused extensive damage to a room within the premises. Sayce pleaded guilty to arson in court in December. He has been handed an extended sentence of six years and four months in prison. Detective Sergeant James Tincombe said: “Christopher Sayce launched his arson…