Author: Rhys Gregory

One of Wales’ foremost choirs was triumphant in the main choral competition in the Llangollen International Eisteddfod this past weekend, winning two categories on their way to win the Pavarotti Trophy for the first time. Côr CF1 from Cardiff, rose to the top in the Choir of the World on Saturday, against international choirs who won their categories during the day. This is the highlight of competing in the Llangollen Pavilion, held for the first time since 2019. CF1 were crowned winners after a very successful day of competing, winning the Mixed Choirs and Open Choir Category, the second with…

Two independent, family-run Cardiff businesses have announced that they are joining forces, in a move that will strengthen the city’s booming artisan bakery scene. Pettigrew Bakeries – one of the city’s best-loved craft bakeries based in Victoria Park – will be merging with another artisan bakery business, Friends in Knead; both have attracted their own cult followings over the last 6/7 years. Staff from both businesses will continue under the Pettigrew name, offering the best of both bakeries – but now solely from the Pettigrew Bakeries brand. Friends in Knead founder, Ceri Bower, will also be joining the team in a new role…

The Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Wales has been unveiled as sponsor of this year’s National Geographic Traveller Food Festival, a celebration of food and travel which will bring together some of the culinary world’s biggest names and showcase flavours from every corner of the globe. Held across two days from 16-17 July 2022 at London’s Business Design Centre, The National Geographic Traveller Food Festival is a star-studded event which will offer visitors the chance to widen their knowledge and broaden their palates, whether through a wine tutorial, a culinary masterclass showing a specific cuisine, a live demonstration from a…

The independent Commission tasked with exploring the future of Wales has launched a new fund for third sector organisations to support in its work and ensure every citizen in Wales has a chance to join in its national conversation. The Community Engagement Fund will give organisations and groups that work at the heart of Wales’ diverse communities £5,000 in funding to run engagement projects. The fund has been created to ensure that the views of the many varied communities in Wales are being listened to and then reflected within the Commission’s interim report which is due later this year. The…

Leader Matthew Hirst has edged closer to the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship title after winning the Nicky Grist Stages – Interclub event for the first time. Having already won the opening three rounds of the series, Hirst and co-driver Declan Dear were once again on unbeatable form, scoring maximum points on the Builth Wells-based event in their Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage Ford Fiesta R5+. “This is the first time that we’ve ever had a clean run on the Nicky Grist Stages and I’m delighted to come home with victory and maximum points. We were even able to…

The Royal Welsh Show Food Hall has always been a launchpad for new food and drink talent. This year is no exception, with an enthusiastic group of producers making their debut on the Cywain stand. With visitor attendances potentially in the region of tens of thousands a day, the Royal Welsh Show (July 18-21) allows up-and-coming producers to showcase their products and skills to a broad audience eager for quality and innovative Welsh food and drink. Sixteen producers will have their first taste of Food Hall life when they take their places on the Cywain stand (57 & 58), with…

Temperatures will build again later this week and over the coming weekend, likely peaking on Sunday and Monday. Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible and cumulative effects of warm nights and hot days are expected to bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure. This period of hot weather is expected to continue into the early part of next week, hence an update extending this warning into Monday is likely. What to expect Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life. Government…

Ruby Wax, an acclaimed American-British actress, comedian, writer, television personality and mental health campaigner received an Honorary Degree from Bangor University yesterday (Monday 11 July). Ruby Wax has research and teaching links with Bangor University’s School of Human and Behavioural Sciences and, in particular, with the University’s Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice. She has attended Mindfulness retreats, using her experiences to understand more about how mindfulness can provide therapeutic support for people living through depression and anxiety. Bangor University is presenting an Honorary Doctorate to Ruby Wax for her role in highlighting and discussing mental health. On receiving the…

Pupils across Cardiff are set to benefit from a wide-ranging expansion of special and additional learning needs education provision, with recommended proposals creating more than 270 additional spaces over the coming years. A comprehensive consultation exercise into the special needs sector was carried out over the winter and Cardiff Council has now completed the statutory notice period for eight proposals. After receiving only two objections, each of the proposals have now been recommended for approval and the Council’s Cabinet will debate the issue at its meeting next Thursday (July 14). At the core of the plan is the creation of…

Bridgend County Borough Council has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese green energy specialists Marubeni setting out how both organisations intend to work together to explore and develop a new 5MW-class hydrogen energy initiative. The agreement has been signed after Bridgend County Borough was selected by Marubeni following discussions with Welsh Government as the preferred UK location for a green hydrogen demonstrator project, which aims to create a plant capable of generating and balancing the supply and storage of low-cost green energy. Under the proposals, the project could act as a trailblazer by generating clean fuel for fleet vehicles…