Author: Rhys Gregory

Welsh scientists have mapped the hidden microbes thriving in south Wales’s abandoned coal mines, helping to overcome obstacles to using mine water to heat Britain’s homes. With an estimated one-quarter of UK properties located above abandoned coal mines, the potential for geothermal heating is vast. A pioneering heat exchange system set up in 2023 warms 350 homes and several businesses in Gateshead using naturally heated mine water. A larger project is underway in County Durham, where 1,500 homes will be heated entirely by this method. The groundwater in flooded former coal workings is heated by natural geothermal processes and is…

Sinfonia Cymru, Wales’ most exciting under 30’s orchestra, is bringing Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent winner, N’famady Kouyaté to the Riverfront in Newport to perform a unique and dynamic concert this September. Blending N’famady’s West African roots and Sinfonia Cymru’s incredible young talents, audiences at the Riverfront will experience a beautiful fusion of classical, folk and West African rhythms, including N’famady’s own music. They will also experience his powerful vocals, and get to see why he’s known as the best balafon player on the planet! Being raised in a well known Griot family, famous for their incredible storytelling and musical talents, N’famady…

Dogs Trust, which has rehoming centres in Bridgend and Cardiff, has revealed that dog owners dedicate more than two hours a day to their dogs, Dachshunds are on the up, and if you have a Labrador named Poppy or Alfie, you may not be as creative as you think… The results from Dogs Trust’s 2025 National Dog Survey are in! Hot off the press data from the UK’s largest dog poll, Dogs Trust’s National Dog Survey, reveals that Labradors named Poppy or Alfie are the most ‘popular’ dog in Wales, while Labradors named Poppy and Teddy are the most average…

A new four part BBC drama , The Guest, has received production funding support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales, the economic development agency that supports the creative industries in Wales. The Guest shines a spotlight on Welsh talent, both in front of and behind the camera. Created by Welsh screenwriter Matthew Barry (Men Up), the four part thriller was filmed at Dragon Studios near Bridgend and on location in Cardiff, Newport and Rhossili with a largely Welsh cast, led by Eve Myles (Keeping Faith) and Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin). Behind the lens, 65% of the employed crew were based in Wales, while…

New businesses across Bridgend County Borough are continuing to receive support to help with their start-up costs thanks to the Bridgend County Borough Council’s Economic Development and Enterprise Team. Through a partnership with UK Steel Enterprise, the grant provides financial assistance to new micro-businesses that are located, or are planning to locate, to Bridgend County Borough. Two fine examples of these businesses were recently visited by Councillor Huw David, Mayor of Bridgend County Borough and Councillor John Spanswick, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council. RB Club, based in Maesteg, has been one of the businesses who have been supported through…

Works are now taking place at Swansea city centre’s former Debenhams unit as a project to bring it back into use gathers pace. Acting on behalf of Swansea Council, a team from Andrew Scott Ltd is now inside the building to carry out stripping-out work to help prepare it for occupation. The council is in advanced leasing discussions for the building with two well-known high street retailers and a leisure operator. The ground floor of the building will be subdivided into two units for the well-known retail tenants and the upper floors will be repurposed for the leisure operator. As…

RCT Council is giving advanced notice of an upcoming improvement scheme at Duke Street Car Park within Aberdare Town Centre, which will include resurfacing the entire facility. This will require the capacity of the car park to be temporarily reduced from September 8, to enable the work. From Monday, September 8, the scheme will begin to improve and enhance the well-used town centre car park at Duke Street – located next to Aberdare Bus Station. Site activity will include drainage work and pedestrian access improvements, along with the main resurfacing element. This will involve the current blockwork being removed and…

More than 25 officers carried out early-morning warrants at three addresses in Rhymney on Thursday 21 August. Neighbourhood officers investigating the supply of class A drugs in the Rhymney area carried out early-morning warrants at three addresses in the village on Thursday 21 August. Officers seized a large quantity of cash; cocaine, cannabis, two off-road bikes, two cars, mobile phones and a laptop, following the simultaneous raids involving more than 20 officers. A 25-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class B – cannabis, and…

Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre has confirmed new opening hours that will take effect from Monday 1st September 2025. The leisure centre swimming pools and health suite will remain open to the community, but with amended hours following a recent Cabinet decision, which reflects the approach set out in the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019 – 2029. From 1st September 2025, the opening hours will be: Monday – Friday: 4pm – 8pm Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 1pm The revised timetable reflects the decision to keep Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre open, while closing the fitness suite and introducing shorter daily…

A deaf and disabled man from Powys who struggled with no broadband access and no mobile signal at his home says his digital connectivity has been transformed thanks to Welsh Government support. Mark, who lives in a very rural area of Powys, found access to decent broadband was becoming increasingly important for communication and security needs. The lack of connectivity created significant barriers for Mark’s work and daily life. He experienced great difficulties using British Sign Language with interpreters during video calls for work, and accessing online entertainment such as streaming TV programmes and films was impossible. After learning that…