Author: Rhys Gregory

Storm Bram is set to bring very wet and windy conditions to Wales, adding to the yellow warning that was issued yesterday and remains in place for parts of the country. For more on the earlier alert, see our report  here. An amber weather warning is now also in force, covering several regions and local authorities. Areas affected include Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Torfaen. Today will start mostly cloudy, with heavy rain during the morning, especially in the south. The rain is expected to ease later, bringing…

South Wales Police are appealing for information to help find 21 year old Layla Martin, who has been reported missing from Roath in Cardiff. Layla was last seen at around 2am today, Tuesday 9 December, in the Glenroy Street area. She is described as 5 foot 4, of slim build, with a short blue and pink mullet hairstyle. She was wearing a pink t shirt and grey joggers and is believed not to be wearing any shoes. Police say she may also have been wearing a black hooded jumper. Officers are concerned for her welfare and are asking anyone who…

South Wales Police are appealing for help to find 33 year old Francezca Roberts, who has been reported missing from Treharris in Merthyr Tydfil. Francezca was last seen at around midday yesterday, Monday 8 December, in the Quaker’s Yard area. Police say she is 5 foot 4, of very small build, with blonde hair tied in a bobble. She was dressed in all black when she was last seen. Officers are concerned for her welfare and are asking anyone who may have seen her, or who has information that could help them trace her, to get in touch. Information can…

You do not think about a carpet until a splash of coffee or a muddy boot print calls attention to it. When that happens, many people reach straight for a stiff brush, yet a handful of good habits will prevent fibre damage and cut cleaning time in half. Before you decide whether to vacuum, blot, or deep clean, it is worth understanding the basics of carpet cleaning in London and the soot-laden city dust that settles between the tufts. The tips below focus on what homeowners can safely do themselves and when to bring in a professional. Regular Vacuuming Routine…

Wales is home to some of the most charming rural communities in Britain, each with its own distinct character and lesser-known hospitality treasures. Beyond the well-trodden tourist paths of Snowdonia and the Pembrokeshire coast lie villages and small towns where authentic Welsh welcome still thrives in unexpected places. These lesser-known finds offer visitors a genuine taste of Welsh culture without the crowds. The rural Welsh hospitality scene has changed quietly over recent years, blending traditional values with contemporary touches. Family-run inns, converted farmhouses and community-owned pubs form the backbone of these local experiences. What makes these establishments special isn’t lavish…

A man from Barry who locked a woman inside an address before raping her has been jailed. Kenneth Crane, 43, left his victim feeling suicidal following months of abuse between September, 2024, and April, 2025. On one occasion he locked his victim inside an address and demanded seeing messages on her phone. The next morning, he forced her to perform oral sex on him and raped her. On another occasion, he grabbed a kitchen knife and held it to his victim’s face, threatening to harm her if she did not give him her phone. He threw a cup of coffee…

South Wales Police are at the scene of a serious collision on the A470 southbound between Pentrebach roundabout and Nelson roundabout. The road has been closed and is expected to remain shut for some time while emergency services deal with the incident. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and use other routes if possible. Police have thanked the public for their patience while the closure is in place.

TGI Fridays used to be one of those places that felt like an event. Growing up in Cardiff, a visit to the Newport Road restaurant was a real treat. It was where we went for birthdays, family get togethers and even my 21st. When St David’s 2 arrived in 2009, it became the new home of those celebrations. Over the years though, as Cardiff’s food scene grew, our visits slowly stopped. It wasn’t out of dislike, more that new places opened and stole the spotlight. Then last year came the closures. Newport, Swansea and the original Newport Road site all…

Cooking more than 600 meals for people who need a hot dinner and a chat is all in a week’s work for Matthew’s House in Swansea. It is home to Matt’s Café which is open three times a week providing a choice of meals to all -comers, whatever their situation, and is part of the Matthew’s House project, an initiative of The Hill Church Swansea Charity, in the city’s High Street. Now Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE has donated £1000 to buy a large freezer to help store food supplied by supermarkets, local businesses, charities and individuals. The Community Fund gives targeted support…

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has unveiled a pioneering new welfare and wildfire vehicle – the first of its kind in the UK. Built and designed in Wales utilising a Mercedes lorry supplied by Euro commercials Cardiff, the vehicles have been custom-built by local body company Neath Coach Builders (and emergency warning systems installed by Elite of Bridgend) to meet the unique demands of prolonged emergency operations. Designed to transport the Service’s wildfire response – Can-Am 6×6 all-terrain vehicles – the fleet of four are the result of a collaboration between Fleet, the Wildfire Group and Operational Risk…