Author: Rhys Gregory

The BBC will be celebrating the life and times of Welsh icon and global superstar, Richard Burton later this year, 100 years since his birth in Pontrhydyfen in November 1925. A brand-new documentary has been commissioned to coincide with the centenary. The BBC will also show the critically acclaimed biopic of his early life, Mr Burton starring Toby Jones and Harry Lawtey. The documentary, Richard Burton – Wild Genius (1 x 60) looks through a new lens at the miner’s son from Wales who, against the odds, became one of greatest actors of his generation. Tracing his extraordinary journey from…

Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court has granted an Emergency Prohibition Order (EPO) on The Royal Oak Hotel, Lampeter, prohibiting the use of the bar and cellar areas. The Order confirms emergency action already taken by Ceredigion County Council to protect public health. The Council’s Public Protection team initiated its investigation after receiving a complaint from a member of the public reporting cockroaches. An unannounced inspection on 08 September 2025 found widespread cockroach activity within the bar, including live and dead insects on monitoring boards and a live adult cockroach was observed. Evidence of cockroaches was also noted in the cellar. By agreement…

Football legend Gareth Bale inspired the next generation as he stepped up his drive to promote sporting opportunities for young people at the Celtic Manor Resort. The fourth annual Gareth Bale Festival of Sport took place on the weekend (Saturday 20th September) and saw more than 100 children from some of the most underserved communities in Wales given the chance to try out a wide variety of sports, while 84 young golfers contested an elite junior championship at the renowned Ryder Cup venue. Organised in partnership with Wales Golf, StreetGames and CAA Sports – with support from the R&A – the festival saw…

The Guide Dogs charity has teamed up with Cardiff Airport, which is aiming to be recognised throughout the UK as a flagship airport for accessibility. Guide Dogs has been training staff at the airport to help passengers with sight loss, including guide dog owners, long cane users and young people. Staff have learnt skills including sighted guiding techniques, how to recognise when someone may need support, and how to offer this safely. A behind-the-scenes video of a training day is available on the Guide Dogs YouTube channel. It shows a member of staff helping Gary, a long cane user who…

A man from Swansea has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault. 71-year-old Stewart Read, from Gorseinon, intentionally touched two separate victims on multiple occasions. He was ultimately found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault on a female victim. Read has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Detective Constable Sarah Cook said: “Stewart Read is clearly an incredibly dangerous man who repeatedly lays his hands on women in a sexual manner without their consent. “He obviously derived a sick pleasure from what he was doing, and his not guilty pleas…

The construction of the new £60 million Willows High in Splott has reached a major milestone with a traditional “topping out” ceremony marking the completion of the highest point of the build. To honour the occasion, a ceremonial tree was gifted to the school, symbolising growth and new beginnings. The event was jointly hosted by Cardiff Council and Morgan Sindall Construction, the contractor responsible for the design and delivery of the state-of-the-art facility. The new Willows High is one of the latest projects delivered as part of Cardiff Council and Welsh Government’s Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Once…

A vibrant new Gaming Den has opened at St Mellons Youth Club, bringing a safe, modern space with digital technologies to young people in East Cardiff. The project has been delivered by Kier in partnership with Cardiff Youth Service and Wates Group as part of the Community Wellbeing benefits associated with the construction of the new Court School, to be known as Ysgol Cynefin. It highlights the building contractors ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful social value alongside its core construction work. Volunteers transformed the space into a dynamic and inclusive environment, complete with a state-of-the-art media wall and gaming area.…

Neath Port Talbot Council has announced its support for a voluntary ban on the sale, purchase, and use of plastic flying ring toys on council-owned beaches, to protect marine wildlife from the dangers posed by discarded plastic. A full meeting of the council on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, approved a notice of motion calling for voluntary action to discourage the use of the rings specifically at Aberavon Beach and the associated Small Beach (Little Warren). As part of the notice of motion the council also endorsed the national campaign for a UK-wide ban on flying rings and formally requested that…

Pembrokeshire County Council has informed residents and visitors that Narberth Castle will remain temporarily closed beyond the initial conservation period, as additional essential safety works have been identified. Following the recent programme of stabilisation and conservation, further inspection has revealed additional structural concerns that require urgent attention to ensure the long-term safety and preservation of this important heritage site. The site, including the public footpath, will remain closed while further works are undertaken. These will include reinforcement of unstable masonry, removal of hazardous debris, and installation of protective measures to prevent future deterioration. Due to the nature of the terrain…

The Welsh Government has signed an agreement with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to support businesses and help drive greater investment in creativity and innovation. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recognises the important role that effective intellectual asset and intellectual property (IP) management has in stimulating economic growth. It sets the foundations for the two organisations to work closer together to provide targeted IP support and guidance for innovative Welsh businesses.  This will deliver social and economic benefits for people across Wales. This agreement forms part of the Welsh Government’s vision to create and nurture a vibrant innovation culture for…