Author: Rhys Gregory

A Wrexham man who indecently assaulted two teenage girls has been jailed. David Peers, 71, of Llay New Road, Llay, admitted nine offences of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child. The historic sex offences happened in the 1980s. The victims, who cannot be named as a result of lifelong anonymity were teenagers when they met Peers. He would engage in sexual activities with the girls in their school uniforms and take intimate images of them. At Mold Crown Court yesterday, Thursday, 8 January, Peers was jailed for a total of eight years and four months.…

Rail passengers are advised to check before travelling on Friday 9 January as Storm Goretti brings severe weather warnings across the Wales and Borders network. Service alterations are already in place and will continue into Friday 9 January. Network Rail and Transport for Wales will continue to introduce service alterations and will close parts of the railway network as weather conditions deteriorate, in order to keep passengers and staff safe. A yellow weather warning for snow is in place from 15:00 on Thursday until 12:00 on Friday, with up to 20cm of snow possible in some areas. Strong winds of…

Two Christmas appeals co-ordinated by Caerphilly County Borough Council together raised over £40,000 to help local people. In the run up to Christmas donations flooded in for Caerphilly’s 2025 Operation Santa and Festive Foodbank Appeals.  Businesses, residents and Council staff supported the appeals with donations of cash, gifts and vouchers. Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Leader of Caerphilly Council, said “I would like to thank everyone who has supported our recent Christmas appeals. The generosity shown has been truly heart-warming and has made a real difference to individuals and families across the borough over the festive period. At a time when many…

Pupils at Willowtown Community Primary School, Ebbw Vale, have taken learning beyond the classroom by creating and publishing a unique children’s community recipe book, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of their local area. The project, which was entirely pupil-led, saw children select recipes from families within the local and multicultural community, including treasured dishes passed down through generations. From start to finish, pupils researched, wrote, and illustrated the book themselves, demonstrating creativity, teamwork, and a strong sense of community. Designed as a child-friendly, beginner-style cookbook, the publication aims to encourage families to cook together, build confidence in the kitchen, and…

A pollution incident has occurred following a leak from a heating oil tank located at the former Ardwyn School in Welshpool, Powys County Council has said. The incident has resulted in the migration of an unknown quantity of oil from the site which is known to be impacting properties within the town. The landowner is aware of the situation and is currently commencing actions to make the site safe. The leak has now been stopped. The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crew from Welshpool has responded to the site on Wednesday, January 7th and Thursday, January 8th.…

Welsh farming took centre stage this week at one of the UK’s leading agricultural events, as Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, championed the sector’s world-class produce and sustainable future at this year’s Oxford Farming Conference. Speaking to delegates at OFC26 today, the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs highlighted the quality and innovation of Welsh agriculture to an influential UK-wide audience. The Deputy First Minister, said: “This is a landmark moment for farming in Wales – after several years of development – our Sustainable Farming Scheme commenced last week.   It represents a new partnership between the…

Cold conditions are bringing rain, sleet and snow to parts of Wales today, with multiple weather warnings in place as Storm Goretti continues to affect the country. The Met Office has issued several Yellow weather warnings across Wales, including one for South West Wales and a wider warning for snow covering much of the country. An Amber warning for snow is also in force for more inland areas, where conditions are expected to be more severe. Today will start cold, with outbreaks of showery rain and sleet, and snow falling over higher ground. These wintry showers are expected to gradually…

Theatr Iolo – Wales’ leading children’s theatre company – are preparing to tour Welsh and English language performances of their magical stage co-production of Emily Gravett’s illustrated children’s book, Tidy.  Tidy (Taclus in Welsh) is a co-production with Polka Theatre, and will tour to three venues across Wales, plus performances in Oxford and Nottingham, from 11 February to 1 March 2026.   The show, aimed at children aged three to seven, uses puppetry and original songs to bring to life the tale of Pete the badger who likes everything to be neat and tidy, but who accidentally destroys his own home whilst cleaning up the forest where he lives.  Tidy | Taclus is based on the children’s picture book by multi-award-winning author and illustrator,…

Wales continues to stand out as one of the UK’s most rewarding destinations, and in 2026, it offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, relaxation, and innovation. From dramatic coastlines and mountain escapes to modern wellness experiences and vibrant city life, Wales has something for every type of traveller. If you’re planning a visit this year, these are the top things to add to your itinerary. Explore Wales’ Reimagined National Parks Wales’ national parks are taking centre stage in 2026, with Snowdonia (Eryri), Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), and Pembrokeshire Coast offering upgraded visitor experiences while maintaining their wild beauty. New…

A £180,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales, has helped bring to life an ambitious new eco-friendly tourism development overlooking the River Teifi in Cardigan. Fronteifi Nature Lodges, created by husband-and-wife team Tim and Julia Percival, opened this autumn offering high-quality, accessible and environmentally responsible accommodation designed to support the local visitor economy. Having moved to Cardigan in January 2022, Tim – a retired architect – and Julia – who continues to work in social housing – set out to transform their 2.5-acre site into a small-scale, nature-led destination that reflects the beauty and ecology of the surrounding Teifi…