Author: Rhys Gregory

Rising costs in energy, food and services mean that Cardiff Council is facing a £29m shortfall in its budget for 2023-24, a new report has warned. As the public battle their own cost-of-living crisis, with petrol and gas and electricity prices reaching unprecedented levels and inflation forecast to hit 11% before the end of the summer, the authority is under similar pressure. In March the council revealed that its 2023-24 budget gap – the difference between revenue and funds received from government and its predicted spending commitments – was almost £24m. Now, according to an update presented to Cabinet members,…

A go-ahead distribution company has invested more than £600,000 in five new state-of-the-art-trucks. The vehicles bought by Wrexham-based McCarthy Distribution are a home-from-home for drivers and fitted with mod cons including a fridge, microwave and a television. The new TG3 MAN tractor units include the 100th truck they have bought from AN Richards, from Froncysyllte, near Llangollen, in nearly two decades of collaboration. The two family-run companies have being doing business together since 2005, helping each other on the road to success. McCarthy, based on Wrexham Industrial Estate, have been in the distribution and logistics industry since 1950. The ambitious…

A courageous cervical cancer survivor has completed her most daring challenge to date – stripping off for a saucy charity calendar. Brave Ali Alcock, from Corwen, took part in a thrilling sky dive and acrobatic wing walking stunt in a week of charity exploits and she’s now setting pulses racing in a different way in aid of the MacMillan Cancer Support. Ali bared all along with 20 friends and family in a naked photoshoot in a friend’s back garden and a host of other locations – with just a prop or two protecting their modesty. The calendar, unveiled at a…

The experts at luxury wine and food hamper retailer Virginia Hayward have shared their suggestions for how to create the ultimate Wimbledon-themed picnic or garden party, covering décor, food, drinks, and dress code: 1. Choose a relevant colour palette for your décor Go for traditional Wimbledon colours of purple, green, and white, or opt for red, white, and blue for a truly British feel. 2. Lay out a gingham picnic rug or tablecloth A gingham picnic rug or tablecloth works well as a base for your picnic, and you can layer it up with different fabrics and cushions, depending on…

A swimming lifeguard from Swansea just missed out on a medal at an elite surfing competition. Isaac Heaher finished fourth in the Kneeling Class won by his Wales team-mate Llywelyn Williams, from Abersoch, at the Welsh Adaptive Surfing Championships at Adventure Parc Snowdonia in the Conwy Valley. Isaac, who only took up surfing three years ago after he visited the Surfability site on the Gower Peninsula, was impressed by the venue at Dolgarrog, on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. The keen swimmer was born without a thigh bone but has not that keep him out of the water…

The countdown has begun towards this year’s Get Connected Rali Ceredigion on Saturday and Sunday, September 3 and 4. The event returns to Aberystwyth for a weekend of memorable motorsport against the spectacular backdrop of the Cambrian Mountains. After making its highly successful debut in 2019, the much-acclaimed rally returns bigger and better in 2022. The organisers are excited to announce a range of innovations that see this ground-breaking rally continue to set new standards for an event of its size and status. The rally has becomee a round of two national and two international championships: the Motorsport UK British…

South Wales Police is hosting a family fun open day for the public on Sunday 17 July from 10am to 4pm at the SWP headquarters in Bridgend. There will be several attractions, activities, and demonstrations, including a chance to meet the wellbeing dogs and see the latest operational equipment including police cars and bikes. As well as this, there will be a vintage car display, kids uniform dress up, police dog and technology demonstrations, and an opportunity to look around the new Police Learning Centre. Tours of the Heritage Centre can be booked by emailing [email protected]. There will be stalls hosted by SWP…

More than 600 people attended Newtown Summer Fayre on Saturday, creating a festival-like atmosphere as local talent and opportunities in and around the town were showcased. The successful event, co-hosted by Open Newtown and Oriel Davies on the gallery green, delivered a day full of creativity, curiosity and connection.  A highlight for many was the Rinky Dink bicycle powered sound system, a legendary part of Glastonbury and many other festivals over the years. Rinky Dink meandered around the green space showcasing its eco-conscious design whilst filling the ears of attendees with music throughout the day. The event was attended by…

Swansea is to get a new green park that will help bring even more nature in the city centre. Projects such as the planned development of Castle Square will benefit from the temporary pop-up park that’s about to be installed in front of the Iceland supermarket in the former St David’s Shopping Centre. The pop-up, being created by Swansea Council as a mechanism to demonstrate some future urban planting options, will be a boost for health and well-being and will improve the area’s biodiversity. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “We plan a number of major city centre developments over the…

Swansea Council has completed a £750,000 upgrade to the marina’s inner lock gates to provide the important equipment with a further 10-15 years life span. The vital improvements have kept boat owners from entering or exiting the marina for the last few months while the gates were being given their new lease of life. The main entrance to the marina features two sets of lock gates – inner and outer. The outer gates were fully refurbished around 10 years ago. The inner gates have not had any major works completed on them for the last 40 years and were in…