Author: Rhys Gregory

The sight of bluebells carpeting a woodland floor can be breathtaking – but the popular spring outing is in danger of becoming increasingly rare, Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust in Wales) has warned. Wales’ largest woodland conservation charity cares for 100 sites in Wales, with a total area of 2,897 hectares (7,155 acres), making it one of the most important organisations for Welsh native bluebell colonies. Bluebells usually bloom in April and May, but the sensitive plants can take at least five years to establish and colonise. This means that trampling by people and dogs can cause serious damage in…

North Wales’ Theatr Clwyd are touring the world premiere production of Seiriol Davies’ brand new Welsh musical Milky Peaks, which heads to Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre from 4th – 7th May 2022. Set in a fictional village in Snowdonia that is nominated for the ‘Britain’s Best Town’ award, this hilarious comedy follows three lost souls and a shabby drag queen as they try to save their community’s heart all while the dark side of the award threatens to blow the community apart. The show welcomes back many original cast members including: Seiriol Davies (How To Win Against History (UK Tour) andMission…

House prices in Wales have risen by 3% in the first quarter of 2022 to a new record average price of £233,361, despite high transaction levels beginning to ease off. The figures have been released from Principality Building Society’s Wales House Price Index for Q1 2022 (January-March), which demonstrates the rise and fall in house prices in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales. Wales continues to experience some of the strongest property price increases across the UK, with house prices also increasing by 9.7% annually as well as rising over the quarter. However, transactions in the first quarter are estimated…

Moneypenny is holding a special recruitment event on Saturday,7th May, for anyone interested in joining the company as demand for its call answering and live chat services continue to increase. The Moneypenny Wrexham HQ has a number of exciting full and part-time roles available, with a variety of shift patterns including evening, weekend and night-time to suit different lifestyles, needs and experience – with lots of staff benefits to take advantage of. There are also some temporary opportunities to cover the Summer overflow and this is the perfect chance to explore job opportunities with the company and discover what it’s like…

A man from Rhondda Cynon Taff has been given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and banned from keeping dogs for ten years after leaving two Patterdale terriers with serious untreated injuries that a vet said were likely to have been caused by fighting with badgers. Wayne Mortimer (date of birth 18/12/74) of Nant y Fedw, Abercynon, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences when he appeared at Merthyr Magistrates Court last Wednesday (13 April) following a prosecution by the RSPCA. The dogs were found with multiple scarring to their heads and necks and were said by a…

A Valleys-based startup has become an instant success with its innovative device designed to help cyclists change their tyre quickly and simply. Tyre Glider is the brainchild of Kevin Baker from Ystrad Mynach, whose newfound interest in triathlons introduced him to the chore of changing a bike tyre – something he initially struggled with. In the midst of Covid-19 lockdown, with plenty of time to mull over the issue, it was when he opened a tin of tuna that the seed of an idea was planted for a mechanism that would form the basis of his unique product, which is…

The National Library of Wales is to host the Wales and the Battle of Britain Touring Exhibition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. A special event will take place today (April 20) when Pedr ap Llwyd, chief executive and librarian and Air Commodore Adrian Williams, Air Officer Wales, will open the exhibition in the company of Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards and Second World War veterans. The exhibition, which will be open free of charge until May 11, has been created by Dr Lynsey Shaw, from the RAF’s Air Historical Branch, together with Air Commodore Williams and his team. Due to the…

Two brave primary school children, a community podcast and a retired Olympic athlete are among the winners of this year’s Mayor’s Citizenship Awards 2022. The awards, organised by Bridgend County Borough Council, recognise the outstanding achievements by local residents who have put their community on the map, or regularly go the extra mile to make a difference. The past couple of years have been an incredible time for acts of kindness, bravery and phenomenal achievements. We were inundated with nominations this year and deciding on our winners was no easy task. Bridgend County Borough truly has a wealth of amazing…

Pupils of Ty’n y Wern Primary School have been busy creating a walking trail around their local area as part of their entry to the Welsh heritage Competition. Each year the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative Committee invites all schools in Wales to enter heritage projects in a nationwide competition. The school’s spring term humanities topic ‘Taith Trwy Trethomas’ saw each class researching the history of certain buildings in and around the locality. Their findings were used to produce the new and exciting walking trail – The TTT – Which will contribute to the school’s 12th entry into the competition. Each…

Local council elections are taking place across Wales on 5 May 2022. Historically voting has always taken place on a Thursday. However, Blaenau Gwent is one of four local authorities piloting ‘advance’ voting which will allow people to vote early on different days. In Blaenau Gwent, you will be able to vote on Tuesday 3 May and on Wednesday 4 May before the election at the Coleg Gwent in Ebbw Vale between 8am and 4pm.  Anyone resident in Blaenau Gwent can go vote here, regardless of where they live and the location of their usual traditional polling station. Andrea Jones,…