Author: Rhys Gregory

Something shifted in Wales last year. The numbers tell part of the story—around 55 percent of Welsh adults gamble, with an estimated 10 percent at risk of harm—but what’s more interesting is how policymakers responded. The levy came into effect on 6 April and is expected to raise around £100m a year across Great Britain, with Wales’ share equating to approximately £5m per year.  That’s not massive money in government terms, yet it represents a different approach to managing an industry that smaller jurisdictions can’t simply ignore. As regional frameworks evolve, international platforms like 1xBet Syria demonstrate how betting operators…

The wedding morning sets the tone for the entire day. Long before guests arrive and music starts playing, these early hours shape how calm, confident, and present a bride feels as she prepares to walk down the aisle. For Welsh brides planning weddings in 2026, expectations around the wedding morning are changing. There is a growing focus on calm preparation, realistic timelines, and surrounding yourself with professionals who understand how important these moments really are. Below are practical wedding morning preparation tips, shaped around how weddings are now planned across Wales. Start With a Calm, Light Filled Space Natural light…

The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical has landed at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, bringing gods, monsters and plenty of noise with it. I’ll be honest from the start. I’ve never read the books. I’d done a bit of reading online beforehand, but even then I didn’t fully grasp the story until sitting in the theatre on opening night. On paper, it sounds like this. Percy Jackson is a New York teenager who discovers he is a half blood, the son of the Greek god Poseidon. His world is turned upside down as mythical monsters appear, powers begin to…

The RSPCA is appealing for information after receiving distressing reports of a dog being used to hunt squirrels at Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd. The animal welfare charity has been informed of alleged incidents where a lurcher dog is being used by an unknown male to hunt squirrels – who are then killed. It has been reported that one squirrel – who was still alive after a pursuit – was thrown to a sandy-coloured lurcher by an unknown male for him to be killed. It has been reported that this horrific incident was witnessed by children. RSPCA Inspector Simon Evans said:…

One of the biggest dates in the Welsh hospitality calendar is set to return to Cardiff next month, with Wales’s largest drinks trade show coming back to the Principality Stadium on Tuesday 3rd February. After a sell-out debut last year, the event has grown for its second outing and is expected to welcome more than 1,000 publicans, hoteliers and restaurateurs from across Wales. With over 80 drinks suppliers exhibiting, it is set to be the largest hospitality-focused drinks event of its kind in the country. Hosted by drinks wholesaler, LWC Drinks, the show will once again take place inside Cardiff’s…

Wales will put its world‑class food and drink sector centre stage at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition, taking place in Dubai from 26–30 January 2026. This year is its biggest delegation to date, with 19 companies representing the diverse range of Welsh products currently being exported to the region. Supported by the Welsh Government, there will be a mixture of established exporters and those new to the market, all seeking to expand their footprint in region and beyond as they meet buyers from across the world to explore export opportunities. After the European Union,…

Welsh artisan cheesemaker Caws Cenarth is celebrating a proud milestone as it launches four of its award-winning cheeses, Thelma’s Original Caerffili (PGI), Perl Wen, Cenarth Brie, and Perl Las, in selected Tesco stores across Wales. This will bring Caws Cenarth’s handcrafted, small-batch cheeses to even more customers, giving Welsh residents the best taste of traditional Welsh cheesemaking. Caws Cenarth was founded in 1987 by Gwynfor and Thelma Adams, dairy farmers in Carmarthenshire who were determined to preserve their livelihood during a difficult time for Welsh agriculture. In the 1980s, Thelma reignited a family tradition, reviving a centuries-old cheese recipe passed…

A FAST-GROWING cosmetic dental treatment that has seen patients travelling to major cities is now available in North Wales, with one of the region’s first dedicated composite bonding clinics launching in Colwyn Bay. The move follows the arrival of restorative dentist Dr Ella Cadwallader, from Wirral, who brings more than a decade of experience to the group, which also operates surgeries in Porthmadog, Llangefni, and Prestatyn. The new clinics will officially begin with an open day on Saturday (January 24), which has already sold out, prompting plans for further sessions in Spring and Summer. Dr Ella said she was thrilled…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of The Valley Hotel near Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey. The Valley Hotel is a 19-bedroom hotel and event venue which dates back to the 1800s. Situated close to the port of Holyhead, the hotel attracts ferry users and tourists, as well as hosting weddings and functions throughout the year. Anglesey Inns had owned and operated the hotel for 30 years, having acquired the site from Burtonwood Brewery in 1993. During this time, they aspired for it to be a focal point for the local community and offer…

The Development Bank of Wales is part-funding a third renewable energy project for community-owned energy developer YnNi Teg with a loan of £412,000 for the Penrhiw Fach Wind Turbine near Aberaeron, Ceredigion. Set to start producing clean energy in 2026, the 900KW Penrhiw Wind Turbine will generate enough power for 750 homes each year and reduce CO₂ emissions by 9,750 tonnes over its 25 year lifespan. Recycled from a site in Germany, the turbine has been fully refurbished by Renewable Facilities Management, a specialist South Wales firm that will also oversee its installation, helping strengthen the mix of renewable solutions…