Author: Rhys Gregory

The popular Severn Valley Stages, supported by Axon Commercial Catering Equipment, will make a highly anticipated return as the opening round of the 2026 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship on April 11. The highly acclaimed gravel rally is back with renewed energy and an exciting new-look route for crews and fans alike. The rally cancelled in 2025 due to the impact of Storm Darragh, which removed access to much of the Welsh forest estate. Organised by Midland Manor Motor Club, the Builth Wells-based event will once again deliver one of the longest and most cost-effective forest rallies in Wales, with…

A former winner of the prestigious International Escoffier Challenge Grand Final in France has added the National Chef of Wales title to his glowing list of honours. Anglesey born Dion Wyn Jones, executive chef at Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa, Nantwich, beat seven rivals to take the coveted dragon trophy at ICC Wales, Newport last week. It was third time lucky for the proud Welsh chef, who has previously represented Wales in the junior and senior Culinary Team Wales. His previous bid for glory ended with a silver medal, but this time it was gold. “I am a proud Welshman…

RESPLENDENT in a traditional external pink hue a charming Herefordshire cottage for sale at auction is desirable but in urgent need of refurbishment. Preliminary renovation work on Oaklands, on Rhystone Lane, in the village of Lugwardine, has been started. But more refurbishment is required to bring the property, being sold by Paul Fosh Auctions and listed with a  guide price of just £15,000, up to a modern standard. Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “This really is a charming two bedroom property situated in the ever popular Herefordshire  village of Lugwardine. This house has huge potential and what’s more…

A 31-year-old man has been jailed after over £13,000 worth of drugs were discovered in his car and storage container. Ricky James Pritchard, of Maes Llwyn, Amlwch, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on 23 January after previously admitting to possession with intent to supply Class A and B substances and acquiring criminal property. On 27 December, officers stopped a car being driven by Pritchard near to Amlwch Industrial Estate. Upon searching his car, officers discovered a substantial amount of cocaine and cannabis resin. Further searches were conducted in a storage container belonging to Pritchard which resulted in the discovery of…

A man who stalked a woman he had previously sexually assaulted has been jailed for eight years. Michael Davies, aged 60, from Merthyr Tydfil, was given an extended sentenced of eight years and four months in prison after being appearing at Merthyr Crown Court on Friday January 9. He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order and indefinite sexual harm prevent order (SHPO). This followed a guilty plea to stalking involving fear of violence. Over the course of six years Davies sent the victim sinister messages on social media under a woman’s name, including him threatening to strip her…

High sided vehicles are being warned to avoid the A477 Cleddau Bridge after it was closed to certain traffic due to safety concerns. Traffic Wales has confirmed that the A477 Cleddau Bridge is now closed to high sided vehicles. The restriction has been put in place as a precaution, likely due to weather conditions affecting driver safety. Other vehicles can still use the bridge, but drivers are advised to take extra care when travelling through the area and to allow extra time for their journeys. Road users, particularly those driving lorries, vans, caravans and other high sided vehicles, are urged…

Applications for nursery school places are now open and parents with children who turn three between September 1st 2025 and August 31st 2026, can now apply for a part-time nursery place to start in September 2026. English and Welsh medium places are available at one of the 92 nursery classes in 89 schools across the city, including three schools with a dual stream offer. Families are encouraged to apply before the deadline of Monday 23rd February 2026, to help their chance of being offered a nursery place of their choice. To apply for a place in a community school nursery…

Plans to expand ‘our city’s kerbside recycling service and phase out the use of around 10 million single‑use plastic bags each year have been approved by Swansea Council’s Cabinet. The decision means residents will get new reusable containers for household recycling, including a hard‑plastic caddy for glass and cans and a resealable sack for paper and card. Part of the plan also includes the intention to scrap the £2.50 charge to residents for the purchase of new garden waste sacks and will be provided free of charge in the future. The approved plans form part of an intermediate programme designed…

£3.6 million in funding has been secured over the next three years to make coal tips across Neath Port Talbot safe. The local authority secured the funding via the Welsh Government’s new coal tip safety multiyear grant scheme. The funding will be utilised to undertake inspection and maintenance works on more than 620 former coal tip sites in Neath Port Talbot. A total of £80m of funding is available across Wales.  In the application, Neath Port Talbot Council highlighted the unpredictable nature of coal tip conditions, which are exacerbated by extreme weather events. £1.2m of the funding is dedicated to…

Newport City Council has approved draft proposals for changes to some community boundaries following a public consultation and consideration of all the responses. A further consultation has begun to get feedback on the proposals as part of the comprehensive and legally required review. Newport has 21 city council wards but within these are boundaries for 36 community areas. While only some of these areas are represented by community councils everyone in the city lives within a community area. The review is aimed at making sure boundaries are in the right place for elections in the future. You can find full…