Author: Rhys Gregory

Today (Monday, 30 May) it was revealed that the recipient of this year’s National Urdd Eisteddfod Chief Composer Prize – and the youngest ever winner of a Main Award in the festival’s history – is 12-year-old Shuchen Xie from Cardiff. On the opening day of the 2022 Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod the three finalists in the competition were invited onto the stage for the ceremony to reveal who was in first, second and third place in front of a live audience. This development in the order of the main ceremonies has been inspired by the success of the Eisteddfod T digital…

The bunting is up and local older residents of Barry and the surrounding areas are in high spirits to mark the start of the Jubilee celebrations for charity, Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale. The charity’s long-standing café and Wellbeing Centre hosted a Jubilee Afternoon Tea on Monday 30th May 2022 with over 30 attendees all enjoying afternoon tea with savoury and sweet snacks, a quiz and a raffle. The event is part of the ongoing fundraising efforts of the charity to keep the centre up and running to serve and support the many older residents who attend every week.…

The first ever GWCT Welsh Game Fair at Vaynol Estate, Bangor from September 9-11 has today announced a major sponsorship deal with ADIHEX, the Abu Dhabi based falconry and equestrian festival and celebration of the countryside. ADIHEX will also be sponsoring The Game Fair at Ragley Hall from July 29-31 and the GWCT Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace, Perthshire from July 1-3. All three Game Fairs are organised by The Game Fair Ltd. The agreement also sees the Emirates Falconers’ Club (EFC) taking part in the three Game Fairs alongside ADIHEX, with a presence at The GWCT Welsh Game Fair,…

Neath Port Talbot Council will have to delay opening its popular Aquasplash water park facility on Aberavon Beach after contractors found Herring Gulls nesting in one of its water features. Council biodiversity officers have visited the site and confirmed a pair of Herring Gulls were nesting in the water feature. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) it means the nesting pair cannot now be disturbed until the nest is empty. Opening the attraction, which has been equipped with new changing facilities and updated toilet facilities, would amount to disturbance under the act and so would be unlawful and biodiversity…

At Plantasia this half-term you can find out lots more about the Welshman some say was pipped at the post by Charles Darwin in the race to understand the evolution of humankind. Naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace was neck and neck with his better-known contemporary in developing the theories that explain evolution. And now he’s the subject of an exhibition just opened at Plantasia that celebrates his life and achievements. The exhibition has been developed alongside Museum Wales. Cllr Robert Francis-Davies opened the exhibition at Plantasia. He said: “Darwin is known across the world for publishing his theories about evolution in…

A fabulous evening of live music was enjoyed by many hundreds of people recently in the grounds of Scolton Manor. ‘Music at the Manor’ featured outstanding performances from nearly 100 talented young musicians who play in the County String Orchestra, Wind Band and Young Voices. Organised by Pembrokeshire County Council’s music service and sponsored by Valero, the concert also included performances by Goodwick Community Brass Band, Cleddau Orchestra and the Community Choir. Compere for the evening David Haynes, Headteacher at Greenhill school, thanked all performers, in particular the pupils who will be leaving to move on to pastures new in…

The Licensing Act 2003 (Platinum Jubilee Licensing Hours) Order 2022 has extended licensing hours for relevant premises on the evening of Thursday 2 June, Friday 3 June and Saturday 4 June 2022. The extension will apply to premises that are already licensed with a terminal hour between 11pm and 1am, either via a premises licence or a club premises certificate, for: the sale of alcohol on the premises the provision of late-night refreshment (only where there is also the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises) the provision of regulated entertainment All premises which qualify will be provided an…

Chepstow’s Community Cabin reopened on Monday 23rd May- for the first time since the Covid-19 Pandemic led to its temporary closure. Based at Chepstow Community Hospital, the Cabin is a collaboration between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Monmouthshire County Council, and acts as a hub for the local community and for voluntary organisations. It’s a place where a wide range of wellbeing-focussed organisations can have a base, right in the heart of the community. This also creates a fantastic space for co-operation and working together, as well as a drop-in opportunity for members of the town’s community to find…

Caldicot Library is celebrating 25 years of providing great books, community spirit and support, this year. To mark this special milestone, Monmouthshire County Council will be rejuvenating the Community Hub building in which its based. The refurbishments include new flooring, re-painting and the creation of two new community rooms, making the space ready for its next quarter century. Councillor Catherine Fookes, the council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, said: “I’m delighted to confirm this refurbishment to refresh the Hub ready for the celebrations later in the year and will benefit the community of Caldicot for many years to come.”…

Paul Young will take fans behind the lens in a unique show that will coincide with the publication of his autobiography. He will visit Swansea Grand Theatre on 20 April 2023 as part of a major tour in 2023, called Behind The Lens. Paul Young has been a major star for four decades. He broke into the big time 40 years ago when No Parlez went to number one and spawned iconic hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home). More success followed with the number one album The Secret Of Association and the worldwide hit Everytime You…