Author: Rhys Gregory

You may have noticed how the thrill of discovering something with a past now rivals the buzz of buying brand new. The shift feels natural: rising interest in sustainable living meets a desire for characterful pieces that tell a richer story. You see it in homes, fashion, and even jewellery counters, where vintage treasures now sit proudly beside contemporary designs. As you explore pre‑loved options, you join a movement shaped by curiosity, creativity and a wish to live with more intention rather than more stuff. Why pre‑loved living is growing You live in a time when people want to reduce…

St Dwynwen’s Day is often described as Wales’ answer to Valentine’s Day, but for many people, it feels far more meaningful, quieter and closer to home. Celebrated each year on 25 January, the day honours love and relationships through a distinctly Welsh lens, without the pressure, expense or over the top displays that often come with Valentine’s Day. Why do we celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day? St Dwynwen’s Day is a celebration of love, but also of kindness, forgiveness and emotional wellbeing. It reflects a softer approach to romance, one rooted in compassion rather than grand gestures. For Wales, it is…

Rover Way in Cardiff remains closed this morning following an incident on the road on Thursday evening. Cardiff Council confirmed that the closure is in place for safety reasons, with highways teams working through the night and continuing repairs today in a bid to reopen the route as soon as possible. The affected section of road is between Tide Fields Road and Seawall Road. Motorists are being advised to use alternative routes and allow extra time for their journeys while the work is ongoing. A Cardiff Council spokesperson said highways teams are doing everything possible to make the road safe…

Hazlewoods has cemented its reputation as a leading adviser on the back of a successful year for M&A activity. Against a backdrop of fluctuating markets and evolving economic conditions, 2025 saw the Hazlewoods Corporate Finance team support on 141 completed transactions with a combined value over £1.3 billion – their most successful year to date. In a climate where businesses faced rising costs, shifting consumer demands, and geopolitical pressures, this achievement reflects not only Hazlewoods expertise but also the importance of how strategic M&A activity has remained a vital tool for companies looking to strengthen their position, diversify, and unlock…

A Swansea-based chartered engineer has launched a new renewable energy business to address a growing gap in the local solar market. Ulex Energy, founded by Ian Mach, brings together engineering expertise, bespoke system design and hands-on installation to help homeowners and businesses across South Wales make informed decisions about solar and battery storage. Mach is already well known as the founder of Charge Gully, an innovative product which provides home electric vehicle charging for houses without a driveway, which was acquired by a company backed by Deborah Meaden. With Ulex Energy, he is now turning his focus to solar solutions,…

SD Team, the UK’s leading finishing group, has relocated its headquarters to Llantarnam Business Park, Cwmbran. The business, which has been based in Caldicot for the past ten years, has opened the doors to new offices as it prepares for a period of extensive expansion in 2026. SD will retain its original premises in the Severn Bridge Industrial Estate, which will be used as a warehouse and training facility while the new offices is a base for staff across the SD group of companies. First launched in 1973 as S&D Sealants, the company provides professional sealant and cosmetic repairs services…

A Cardiff mum and business owner, who sometimes works from her bed due to the debilitating and painful chronic condition, fibromyalgia, has made it her mission to make holidays abroad possible for all disabled travellers & their families. Paula Hansen, 52, has set up a first-of-its-kind business, World Accessible Holidays, after travelling around the world with her husband, Steve, 53, and son, Evan, 17, who now plays national wheelchair tennis for Wales. The business idea came after spotting a gap in the market for trips abroad that are less stressful and more affordable for disabled holidaymakers & their families. Specialist…

The University of South Wales is bringing the third annual Creative Industries Careers and Networking Fair back to Cardiff in March, as part of Immersed Festival. Taking place on Thursday 5 March at USW’s Cardiff Campus, the fair will connect emerging talent with leading organisations shaping the future of Wales’s creative industries. More than 40 exhibitors from musical film, TV, theatre, live events, digital media, education, and the wider creative economy will be at the event, which is supported by the Welsh Government’s Creative Wales programme, UK Music, Music Declares Emergency and Cardiff Music City. Visitors can meet employers, funders,…

Two men who stole bottles of champagne worth over £850 from a store in Tywyn have been jailed. Rees Vincent Pennington, 33, and Carl Joseph Ashmore, 36, both of no fixed address, appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court this week. Both were charged with multiple counts of theft from the Co-Op premises on Station Road, Towyn. The offences occurred on six separate occasions between 7-9 January, during which the pair stole 18 bottles of champagne. Ashmore was charged with three further thefts of alcohol from the same store on 20 January. Pennington and Ashmore admitted to all their respective charges, and…

Local recycling crews pulled off what can only be described as a small miracle after recovering a resident’s handbag containing £500 from a recycling bag at Bryn Pica Recycling Centre. Mrs Tracy Williams, from Treorchy, had been clearing up after Christmas and sorting packaging and wrapping paper, filling around 10 clear recycling bags ready for collection. Many people will recognise that heart stopping moment when keys, toy parts or important instructions are accidentally thrown out with festive wrapping and have to be quickly rescued. However, Mrs Williams had finished sorting the recycling, put the bags out for collection the night…