Author: Rhys Gregory

Raj Chowdhury, the culinary force behind Raj Kitchen in Swansea, has once again been recognised as one of Wales’ leading chefs, taking home the Regional Chef of the Year title at the 2025 Welsh Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (ARTAs). Hosted by ChefOnline, the Welsh ARTAs celebrate the best in Asian cuisine across Wales, recognising exceptional talent, creativity, and commitment to excellence. This year’s event saw hundreds of entries from across the nation – but it was Raj Chowdhury who impressed the judges enough to retain his title for a second year running. Speaking after the win, Raj said, “To…

Scream Time is back at Margam Country Park, and it’s bigger, bolder, and scarier than before. The event has quickly become a must-visit Halloween experience in south Wales, and after going again this year, we can see exactly why. This is our second time visiting, and what we love most is that it’s not just a static attraction, it’s an immersive trail that takes you through part of the park itself. It’s a mix of creepy fun and eerie atmosphere, with plenty to see along the way. For those who went last year, things have changed quite a bit. The…

Welsh holidaymakers will soon have another way to reach the Spanish sun, as Ryanair adds a new weekly service between Cardiff and Alicante as part of its Winter 2025 schedule. The airline has unveiled its plans for Alicante, featuring 79 routes and ten new destinations including Bratislava (Slovakia), Linz and Salzburg (Austria), Bydgoszcz and Rzeszow (Poland), Cardiff and Aberdeen (UK), Stockholm Västeras and Småland (Sweden), and Lanzarote (Spain). The new Cardiff to Alicante service will operate weekly from November 2025 through to the end of March 2026, with fares starting from €21.99. Ryanair’s Winter 2025 schedule will largely operate on…

Drivers are being advised to avoid the A470 this afternoon following a vehicle fire between Abercynon and Pontypridd. South Wales Police confirmed they are currently at the scene on the southbound carriageway. While the road remains open, heavy congestion has built up in the area. Traffic is backing up as emergency services deal with the incident, and motorists are urged to seek alternative routes where possible. Police have thanked drivers for their patience while the situation is being managed.

With fireworks season fast approaching, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued top tips to help owners protect their pets and livestock from possible injury and distress in the run up to Diwali (20 October), Bonfire Night (5 November) and New Year’s Eve (31 December). Signs of fireworks-related distress can vary from animal to animal. While some pets show obvious signs of fireworks-related anxiety, such as panting, drooling and attempts to escape, there are also more subtle signs that owners should be aware of, including restlessness and toileting in the house. Cats often hide, while rabbits may keep very still…

Work has started on a £14 million development at Singleton Hospital that will transform the diagnosis of cancer and some other conditions. Highly specialised PET-CT scanning was introduced at the Swansea hospital in 2020, avoiding the need for people from the Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda areas having to travel to Cardiff. A PET-CT scan combines computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. It can reveal cancer and some other diseases which may not show up on other types of scans. Its accuracy means it can diagnose cancer, find out how big a cancer is and whether it…

A haunting novel inspired by the largely unknown history of Welsh witchcraft has been published by an Aberystwyth University lecturer. Set in sixteenth century Wales, amid the relentless rain and failing crops, a midwife is accused of witchcraft and her neighbours turn against her. Through the eyes of a naïve gentry woman, associate lecturer Mari Ellis Dunning weaves a dark tale of suspicion and fear. Her magical novel rooted in tradition and realism, tells a story rich with bold feminism that will captivate readers of “witcherature” fiction. Author of the new novel and associate lecture at the Department of English…

BBC Factual Entertainment and Events and BBC Cymru Wales today announce the commission of a new series from South Shore, Matt Willis: The Recovery Project (w/t). The three-part series, fronted by musician and presenter Matt Willis, will explore addiction and could revolutionise the way the UK thinks about recovery and rehabilitation. Having openly battled his own addiction to drugs and alcohol for over a decade, Matt Willis is now embarking on a deeply personal journey to develop a bold new pilot scheme designed to help give those in recovery a second chance, find meaningful employment and challenge the stigma around…

Rugby legend Scott Quinnell is taking on a brand-new challenge – joining Wales’s night shift workforce in a new S4C series that shines a light on the people who keep the country running while most are fast asleep. Dim Cwsg i Quinnell (No Sleep for Quinnell) begins on Sunday 20 October at 8.25pm on S4C, with all episodes also available to watch on demand via S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. The series is also suitable for Welsh learners. In each episode, the former Wales international and British and Irish Lion swaps the scrum for the shift, working alongside people in…

ANTUR CYMRU aims to strengthen its presence in South Wales, building on a strong track record of supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses. The prominent social enterprise, based in Newcastle Emlyn, has already delivered vital guidance to hundreds of firms in Ceredigion, Powys and West Wales, helping local enterprises to grow, innovate and adapt. Building on this success, the organisation has launched a new Business Support Hub in Brecon, ensuring support is delivered across the whole of Powys. The Hub, located on The Struet, will provide free training, tailored coaching and access to resources. Services will include support for businesses…