Author: Rhys Gregory

Brecon-based esports club S.E.A. Dragons have been crowned Welsh Esports League Premiership champions in Counter-Strike 2 after an unbeaten debut season. The club was founded earlier this year by Cardiff Met students Patryk Białowąs and Dylan Carpenter, Lead Analyst for Cardiff Met FC’s men’s and women’s football teams. Their aim was to bring professional sports methods into esports, applying a “Moneyball-style” model based on data analysis, recruitment insights and structured coaching. It proved successful. The Dragons delivered statement results across the campaign – including a 13–4 win over Dragons RFC’s official esports team – before defeating the Pit Ponies, official…

People need more support to deal with “heartbreaking” pet bereavement, as the RSPCA and TV’s Matt Johnson join forces to help those suffering from the pain of losing a pet. It comes as a new survey from the charity reveals fewer than one in 14 (6.9%) respondents believe pet grief is taken seriously enough by society. A majority of respondents (57.8%) feel a stigma exists around pet grief, while most of those affected admit to hiding their grief (57.1%), or being unable to find support (56.7%). But the RSPCA hopes its new campaign – Not Just a Pet – will help pet…

Inspirational mature student Mandy Price’s motto “Rise up and show up” could not be more apt. Despite huge personal and family health challenges, including spending five weeks in hospital after clustered epileptic seizures, she refuses to let the condition define her. The day after being removed from a ventilator on her first hospital admission, she sat in the intensive care unit completing a presentation for her Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Welfare and Behaviour. Two days after her hospital discharge, she was back studying at Coleg Sir Gâr in Carmarthen! In addition to being diagnosed with epilepsy and other…

This September, voco St David’s Cardiff is once again uniting colleagues, guests, and the local community for IHG’s global Giving for Good initiative – a month dedicated to positive action, charitable giving, and community spirit. Throughout the month, the five-star Cardiff Bay hotel will host a series of fundraising events and challenges, with all proceeds supporting local charities and global causes. To kick things off, colleagues have been challenged to ditch their cars and commute to work more sustainably for the whole month of September. Later in the month, on Saturday 20 September, team members will roll up their sleeves…

A conductor who defied the odds after being born with severe hearing loss will take centre stage in Asia this autumn  – leading one of the continent’s most acclaimed orchestras. Robert Guy, a trailblazing conductor from Wrexham, has been invited to guest conduct the renowned City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong. He will be taking up the baton at a glittering two-night showcase called A Night at the Musicals on October 26 and 27. The star-studded event will feature Crisel Consunji, the award-winning Filipina-Hong Kong film and stage actress, singer and star of global cinema hit Still Human. During the…

Work is underway on 16 tourism projects across Powys, aimed at delivering a better visitor experience, after the county council was successful in securing £300,000 in funding. The money from Welsh Government, supplied as part of its Brilliant Basics programme, is covering 80% of the cost, with the organisations delivering the schemes meeting the remaining 20% and investing £75,000. The 16 projects, which must all be completed by the end of March 2027, are: New 3.5-mile Dragon Trail (local partnership project) – Rhayader Town Council: £34,400 grant Re-purpose a wildlife hide and provide interpretation – Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust: £24,000 grant…

A project is being launched to offer fully funded ‘green’ training to individuals and businesses on Anglesey and Gwynedd to take practical steps towards a low carbon future. The Employer Green Skills SPF Transitional Project, which will run from this September to March 2026, is being run by Busnes@LlandrilloMenai and aims to support 30 Employees in Anglesey and 90 in Gwynedd. It’s designed to build on the success of two previous projects – Net Sero Gwynedd and Employer Skills North Wales. All three projects are supported by the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). The new project allows Busnes@LlandrilloMenai to continue to…

Careers Wales has opened the 2025-2026 professional learning events programme, delivering tailored training for teachers and education professionals to integrate Careers and Work-Related Experiences (CWRE) into their teaching across the Curriculum for Wales. This new programme is open to participants nationwide and includes a diverse range of online sessions. Available in English and Welsh, the sessions are spread across the autumn, spring, and summer terms. Delivered via Microsoft Teams, the training is accessible, flexible, and designed to fit educators’ schedules. Key sessions in the upcoming autumn term: CWRE Policy Development National CWRE Network Meeting CWRE Audit Training Careers City Careers…

Running a business often means facing times when expenses don’t wait for income to arrive. Local firms across the UK frequently deal with seasonal dips, unexpected bills, or delays in customer payments. In such moments, keeping operations steady depends on having the right support in place. That’s where unsecured loans provide a lifeline. Keep reading to see how firms manage their cash flow effectively with this option. Why Unsecured Loans Support Local Firms An unsecured loan doesn’t require collateral, making it easier for businesses to access funds quickly. Many firms prefer this route because they don’t need to tie up…

BAFTA has today announced the nominations for the BAFTA Cymru Awards, honouring excellence and celebrating talent across film and television in Wales The BAFTA Cymru Awards will be held in Newport at the ICC Wales on Sunday 5 October. Welsh TV presenter Owain Wyn Evans returns to host the ceremony with 17 categories spanning craft, performance and production. Owain will be joined by a plethora of stars on the night to announce the winners  The highlights are: Seven nominations for Lost Boys and Fairies Five nominations for Until I Kill You Four nominations for Mr Burton and Cleddau Three nominations for documentary…