Author: Rhys Gregory

Every culture has its quirks. But England might top the list for odd traditions. Beyond red buses and tea, there’s a long list of facts that are bizarre enough to inspire online game creators who spread their work on casinochan.com and other websites. Some come from medieval beliefs. Others from royal habits. And a few are just… strange. But all of them make for great stories. From royal swans to a village called Shitterton, these weird facts reveal a hidden side of English life. So – what’s the weirdest fact you know? It might be here. Or maybe you’ll find…

La Pantera, Cardiff’s first independent cantina dedicated to mezcal, tequila and Mexican street food, has announced it will close its doors at the end of November. The bar and kitchen, located on Quay Street, confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement posted on social media, explaining that their lease has come to an end. Opening in February 2020, just weeks before the UK went into its first lockdown, La Pantera quickly became known as the “home of the unauthentic taco”, where no ingredient was off limits. The team gained a reputation for their bold weekly menus that saw everything from…

A new coffee culture is helping to revitalise town centres and boost tourism across North Wales, it’s been revealed. The phenomenon is having such a big impact that a new category has been added for this year’s Go North Wales Tourism Awards for the bistro, café and coffee shop of the year. According to Jim Jones, the CEO of awards organisers North Wales Tourism, the trend was helping to draw people – visitors and locals alike – into town centres and strengthening the economy. The Oscars-style ceremony to celebrate the heroes of the tourism and hospitality industry will be  held…

From the secluded 16th-century farmhouse near Penmachno to the iconic landmark of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, National Trust Cymru brings ‘Y Beibl Cyssegr-lan’ from Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant—birthplace of Bishop William Morgan—to the home of the Welsh Parliament. National Trust Cymru is proud to unveil ‘Not Lost in Translation’, a nationally significant exhibition hosted at the Senedd from 5 September to 30 October that celebrates Welsh language, culture, and legacy. At the heart of the exhibition is the extraordinary opportunity to view a rare copy of the 1588 Bible, ‘Y Beibl Cyssegr-lan,’ translated by Bishop William Morgan, usually on display…

The finalists for the 2025 Welsh Law Awards have been revealed, marking what promises to be the most exciting year yet. Since their launch in 2019, the awards have grown in both size and stature, attracting an ever-higher standard of entries. This year has set a new benchmark, with record-breaking applications that highlight how Welsh law firms are not only shaping society but also playing a vital role in driving the UK economy. Now in its seventh year, the Welsh Law Awards remain a standout event in the legal calendar, shining a spotlight on excellence, innovation, and achievement across the…

A man from Butetown has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for sexual offences against children. Liton Ahmed, 47, denied six counts of assaulting a girl by touching and one count of attempting to sexually assault a girl by touching. But he was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in April 2025. Ahmed was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on August 26, 2025, to 18 years in prison. Officer in the case Dc Steven Taylor said:  “I want to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward- thanks to their reports and support, justice…

A man has sustained serious injuries following a road traffic collision on the A55 in Flintshire. At 2.14pm on Saturday, 6 September, we received a report of a single-vehicle collision involving a grey Vauxhall Astra estate in the Halkyn area. It was joining the A55 eastbound at Junction 32 from the A5026 ‘Billy Jeans Café’ slip road when it collided with the central reservation. The man was airlifted to hospital in Stoke where he continues to receive treatment. Sergeant Leigh McCann of the Roads Crime Unit is now appealing for witnesses. He said: “We are appealing to anybody who witnessed…

Cardiff Council has announced plans to extend the age range at Ysgol Gymraeg Coed-Y-Gof, introducing a Welsh-medium nursery class for children aged 3 – 4 years from September 2026. The proposal follows a comprehensive public consultation that revealed overwhelming support for the initiative. The new nursery provision aims to strengthen early years education through the Welsh language, aligning with the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and the Welsh Government’s “Cymraeg 2050” strategy. The initiative is designed to improve access to Welsh-medium education, support early language development, and promote continuity from nursery to primary education. Key Highlights: 93.4% of…

Cardiff’s long, hot summer of music may be coming to an end, but music fans don’t have long to wait before music once again takes centre stage in the capital. As autumn takes hold and the nights draw in, Cardiff Music City Festival will return for its second year, showcasing local artists alongside the very best of Wales’ creative spirit, alongside internationally renowned artists and emerging talent. Running from 3rd – 18th October, the festival promises to be a two week-long celebration of gigs, happenings, talks, installations and pop-ups, harnessing the power of music, performance and tech to unite and…

The annual Neath Great September Fair – one of the oldest charter fairs in Europe – is returning for 2025. Running from Tuesday, September 9th, to Saturday, September 13th, 2025, the fair can trace its origin back to the original Charter granted in 1280 by the Marcher Lord and Paramount of Gloucester, Gilbert de Clare. Key Dates : The event consists of a Trading Fair in Neath’s town centre which will run from Wednesday 10th to Saturday 13th September, from 9am-10pm on all four days. A wide variety of products from UK traders, including artisan foods, textiles, furniture, and homewares will…