Author: Rhys Gregory

Millions of mobile phones across the UK received a loud siren and vibration at around 3pm on Sunday, 7 September 2025, as the UK Government carried out a national test of its Emergency Alerts system. The alert lasted for around ten seconds and was accompanied by a message on phone screens making it clear that it was only a test. This was the second nationwide test of the system, which is designed to warn people if there is a danger to life nearby, such as extreme weather. The alerts allow vital information and advice to be sent quickly in an…

Today marks an emotional moment in Welsh sport as Geraint Thomas rides the final stage of his professional career on home roads, with the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men concluding between Newport and Cardiff. Stage six begins outside the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport at 11:45, before finishing on North Road in Cardiff after 112.2 kilometres of racing. The stage includes the iconic climb of Caerphilly Mountain in the closing kilometres, offering fans the perfect chance to see Thomas in action one last time on Welsh roads. The race comes after an epic stage five on Saturday,…

We were lucky enough to be the first to step inside the brand-new Greenmeadow Community Farm ahead of its grand reopening on Saturday 13 September, and families are in for a real treat. The much-loved farm has been at the heart of the community for generations, and many will remember visiting as children. Thanks to a £3.7 million redevelopment, it has been transformed into a space that’s bigger, brighter and more family-friendly than ever before. From the moment we walked in, it was clear this is more than a facelift, it’s a whole new chapter. We got an early look…

Wales has witnessed two rare whale strandings in a single day, sparking fresh scientific investigation into the health of marine life around the UK. On 1 September, a juvenile long-finned pilot whale was found stranded at Rhossili Bay near the Hillend caravan site. At just over 2.7 metres in length, the whale was still young, as adults can grow beyond six metres and live for up to 60 years. Despite the efforts of members of the public, who tried to return it to the sea, the animal sadly died before help could arrive from the Coastguard and the British Divers…

Drivers’ access to rapid EV charging in South Wales has been boosted with 16 new high-power EV chargers installed at two new hubs in west Swansea and Hendy, supporting local residents, businesses and visitors with reliable EV infrastructure. Osprey Charging, Wales’ largest open-access rapid EV charging network, opened the two new hubs. The 300kW rapid charge points are compatible with every EV on the market today and can typically add 100 miles of range in just 15-20 minutes, depending on the model of the vehicle and its battery. Located at West Swansea Retail Park and Canolfan Gwili Centre in Hendy,…

House prices in Wales have continued to climb, with average property values up 1.6% year-on-year to £227,786, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index. While the pace of growth has slowed in recent months, this still represents steady progress against a backdrop of wider economic pressures. Across the UK, prices rose by 0.3% in August, pushing the average property value to a new record high of £299,331. Annual growth eased slightly to 2.2%, marking the third consecutive month of increases. Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Halifax, said: “UK house prices rose again in August, up by +0.3% (£932),…

Music written to celebrate King Charles’s 75th birthday will be performed publicly in Wales for the first time at a leading festival. A selection of seven songs written by one of the king’s ancestors, Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, have been orchestrated and arranged by royal composer Paul Mealor, the artistic director of the North Wales International Music Festival. They will be given their Welsh premiere at a concert at St Asaph Cathedral featuring the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and renowned tenor Gwilym Bowen at 7pm on Friday, September 19. The performance will be recorded live for both BBC…

The Construction Club Cambria has been officially launched this week.  The not-for-profit construction networking and altruistic club will serve south east Wales. It is aimed at those who work in the construction sector to network, develop business partnerships and raise money for local good causes. Initially chaired for a year by Gareth Hooper, CEO of DPP Planning in Cardiff, the club will be holding events, seminars, and networking events across the region with its first event, an Autumn Lunch, planned for Friday 24th October at the Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff. Other members of the club include Directors Justin Thomas of Bristol…

The RSPCA has issued an urgent plea for adopters in Wales to come forward after several large-scale cruelty and neglect cases left the animal welfare charity caring for a record number of dogs. In July, the RSPCA had 1,646 dogs in its care in England and Wales – the highest number on record and more than double the number from July 2020. Of all the animals in RSPCA care in July, a third of these were dogs – with 445 dogs rescued in July alone, compared to a five-year average of 245 per month. And because RSPCA centres are already…

A new operator has been chosen to run Caerphilly’s container-style market. Town Square Spaces Ltd (TownSq) x Crafty Legs are set to become the long-term operators of Ffos Caerffili marking an exciting new chapter for the retail and leisure facility. Caerphilly County Borough Council began the process in May 2025 to appoint a new long-term operator for Ffos Caerffili, following a successful first year where it was established as a thriving destination for the people of Caerphilly and beyond. The new long-term operator will take on an overriding lease and manage the scheme, working with and supporting the existing traders.…