Author: Rhys Gregory

Norwegian synth-pop band a-ha will join the iconic list of acts confirmed to headline at Cardiff Castle this summer. Founded by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, Magne Furuholmen, and Morten Harket, a-ha rose to fame during the mid-1980s and achieved their biggest success with their debut album ‘Hunting High and Low’ in 1985. Their incredibly catchy tune ‘Take on Me’ is still considered one of the greatest pop songs ever made. In late October 2019, a-ha began a world-wide tour, playing their debut album in full. But due to the unprecedented events that followed, after performing in Auckland, New Zealand in March 2020,…

If, as Napoleon famously declared, an army marches on its stomach, Swansea Bay’s catering team deserves particular mention in despatches. As Wales pauses to reflect on the second anniversary of the first lockdown on Wednesday, it’s worth remembering that so many people, from a range of departments, each played their part in Swansea Bay’s response to Covid. From doctors and nurses to porters and cleaners, and everyone in between, they all stepped up to the mark and did their bit when called upon, and should feel rightly proud of themselves. When accolades are handed out, however, there is one group…

Four rabbits abandoned at a mountain road lay-by have been rescued by the RSPCA. RSPCA inspector Gemma Black collected the rabbits earlier this week (Monday 21 March) after they were found at a lay-by near to Llechwen Hall Hotel, Cilfynydd, near Pontypridd. “The driver who found the rabbits stopped when they saw that one of the rabbits – who had some wounds – was in the middle of the road,” said Gemma. “They then found the other three rabbits nearby and called us. “It does sadly appear that they have been dumped, and we would appeal to anyone with any…

A globetrotting Irish folk music band which has been a regular on the St Patrick’s Day circuit in the USA is booked for a rare gig in its home town of Denbigh where it was formed almost 30 years ago. The Wee Bag Band are bringing their brand of foot-stomping feel good Celtic music to Denbigh Town Hall on Saturday, April 2, for the Denbigh Mayor’s Charity event. Pre-Covid the five musicians would usually have spent the month of March gigging in more far-flung venues from Boston to Georgia to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint’s day. Denbigh Mayor Rhys Thomas said:…

Community-spirited neighbours who brought to life disused land in a Gwynedd village are building a new riverside walk thanks to cash seized from criminals. Y Tir, part of the Dyffryn Ardydwy and Talybont Regeneration Group, is aiming to recruit a small army of young volunteers from the surrounding area as part of a plan to ‘banish boredom’ and bring young people and local villagers together. The group formed in May last year to transform waste land in the centre of the village into 28 allotments and an orchard. The allotments have since become a hive of activity and have helped…

A Theatre Design & Production alumni from The University of Wales Trinity Saint David created props and scenery for the BRIT Awards that was held recently at the O2 Arena in London. Jake Linzey is the Managing Director of Leviathan Workshop, an award-winning company that specialises in prop making and puppets. His company was responsible for producing props and scenery for KSI, Anne-Marie & Digital Farm Animals performances at the BRIT Awards. After finding out about the work, Jake reached out to industry colleague, UWTSD props & scenery lecturer Dave Atkinson to assist with the build of an element of…

Former international referee Nigel Owens has told William Hill that Wales are as low as they have been for a number of years following Saturday’s shock defeat to Italy, and based on current form, they will struggle to reach the knockout stages of next year’s World Cup. Wales ended up finishing fifth in this year’s Six Nations following their 22-21 loss to Italy in Cardiff, and Owens believes they have got a lot of work to do before the 2023 World Cup comes around. “This is as low as Wales have been for a number of years,” the Welshman told…

ANWYL Homes is set to start work at The Airfields in Deeside in April after receiving planning permission for 183 new homes and completing on the land purchase. The new development has been named Summers Bridge and will feature a mix of one-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom detached, semi-detached and mews style homes to meet strong local demand, including for affordable homes. Public open space and play areas will also be created at the location, breathing new life into the former RAF Sealand site. The name Summers Bridge was chosen in recognition of John Summers and Sons, the…

A symbolic planting event was held at North Wales’ new Commemorative Woodland this week as the nation marks a moment of reflection, two years on since the first Covid lockdown. The woodland, located on National Trust Cymru’s Erddig Estate in Wrexham, saw Trust staff, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, local families who have lost loved ones during the pandemic and members of the local community come together to plant the site’s first trees in remembrance. The Trust is proudly supporting the Welsh Government’s commemorative woodland project and providing nine hectares of land at Hafod, on the…

Leisure members across the company will be the first to use the new state of the art fitness app launching by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd. Customers will be able to scan a QR code at site and gain fast track entry into the fitness suite or exercise classes. The new app, which will work as a digital membership card, will run alongside a new front of house management system that is going live at the end of March. The new technology will modernise the customer journey, build a more integrated experience for members and also make the online joining process paper-free.…