Author: Rhys Gregory

First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed the legal requirement to wear a face covering in health and care settings will remain in place. Speaking after the latest three-week review of the coronavirus regulations, the First Minister said the public health situation was improving following the recent spike in cases caused by the BA.2 sub-type of omicron. But Covid case rates remain high so maintaining the use of face coverings in health and care settings will help to protect to some of the most vulnerable people in society, staff and visitors. The First Minister also urged everyone to continue to take…

Pop and now West End star Alexandra Burke and newcomer Jac Yarrow led a fantastic cast in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New Theatre in Cardiff this week. Cardiff-native Jac and Alexandra had played the roles of Joseph and The Narrator respectively for years in the London Palladium, and it really showed with the electric energy and top-class performances they brought to the stage. The costumes and staging were as bright and colourful as Joseph’s iconic coat and filled the New Theatre with a happiness that reflected many of the joyous songs and funny gags. Telling the…

LEADING lights in business and training are powering ahead with plans to open a revolutionary new health and fitness complex later this year. Sion Pritchard and Rich Blake have launched LVL5 Gyms Ltd, taking a fresh approach to the industry with proposals for an accessible, innovative environment welcoming people of all ages and abilities. The duo invested in state-of-the-art equipment – including localised Cryotherapy and the region’s first Fit3D Proscanner – and envision a completely different offering centred on positivity and wellbeing. Rich, a personal trainer and Workplace Resilience and Wellbeing Master Practitioner (WRAW MP) from Dwygyfylchi, and PetPlace owner Sion, from…

A daredevil social worker who’s terrified of heights is taking on a magnificent seven charity challenges – including a skydive and looping the loop while wing-walking. Brave Ali Alcock, from Corwen, is aiming to conquer her fears in aid of the Macmillan cancer charity after they supported her during her hour of need when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015. The week of fundraising is being sponsored by long-term supporters Ifor Williams Trailers with a generous donation of £2,200 from company director Carole Williams. Ali has dedicated the challenges to her beloved cousin, Mark ‘Weeksy’ Weeks, of Johnstown,…

Creative learners at a college in the South Wales valleys have made a giant rhino mascot for a football competition in Africa which is designed to put an end to animal poaching. Learners at Coleg y Cymoedd have spent the last six months tirelessly working on developing the six-foot rhino which will be used to kick off this year’s Rhino Cup Champions League. The mascot was flown out to Mozambique earlier this month in preparation for the tournament. Founded in 2016 by animal charity, the Wild and Free Foundation, which works to protect wildlife and habitats in Africa, the Rhino…

A North Wales TV company is going global with a new big budget show that busts the myth that rain is shaped like teardrops. Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da led an international consortium to make the three-part series which takes an in depth look at how rain has affected humanity and reveals that raindrops actually look like hamburgers. The £650,000 co-production, called Rain: The Untold Story, has already been chosen by industry magazine Broadcast as one of 2022’s Top 10 picks to watch. It’s a follow-up to a ground-breaking series, Tide, which was sold to 50 countries worldwide and won the Silver…

Cardiff street art lovers will remember the sad news from last October, when an administration error led to the removal of several murals from the columns behind the city centre’s old Debenhams site. Now Beth Blandford (Blandoodles) Temeka Davies (Noble Sol) and Amber Smith (BeanHead), the artists whose work was removed, have re-created and re-imagined their artwork in spaces within The Capitol Shopping Centre. People will recognise the spirit of the previous artwork, and will get some new surprises too. The installation, which was again commissioned by FOR Cardiff, took place in April and is now complete. The lead artists were…

Dog lover Gareth Jones is helping others learn canine care, by working with the organisation that put him on the path to opening a celebrated Welsh pet salon. The 29-year-old Caerphilly native learned his skills at top training provider ACT, which has a centre on the town’s Market Street, plus many more across South Wales. Along with partner Jack Pullin, he founded dog-grooming service Pupperazi in 2018, and they have just opened a new premises in Bedwas. Gareth used his own training to get where he is today, so he wants to help others in Caerphilly enter the unusual industry…

AN AWARD-WINNING estate agent will hold free events to support landlords and tenants ahead of a landmark transformation in Welsh rental laws. Williams Estates is to host drop-in sessions and advice clinics at its offices in Ruthin, Rhyl, Denbigh, Mold, Prestatyn and Rhuddlan in the run up to July 15, when The Renting Homes Act 2016 is set to be introduced across the country. The Act has been branded the “biggest change to housing law in Wales for decades” and includes updates to current laws; among them is an increase in the notice landlords must give when issuing ‘no-fault’ evictions…

Volunteers are making some components for Corris Railway’s new Falcon steam locomotive which is progressing after a temporary pause in January while more money was raised for the new build project. Ross-on-Wye based engineering company Alan Keef Ltd has made sections of the footplate for locomotive number 10 which are being fitted prior to the mounting of the smokebox. The handbrake screw has also been machined and connected up to the rest of the mechanism to complete that part of the brake assembly and mountings are being made for the air brake cylinder. Volunteers have made the firebox doors and…