Author: Rhys Gregory

Merthyr Tydfil players are making big strides in the sport of street football, with several members selected for the county borough side, and the team itself winning two championships in the past 12 months. Chaplin’s hostel residents Lloyd Jones and Thomas Jones, and Adam Davies – who was once sofa surfing but is now living in Merthyr Tydfil with his partner – were all selected to take part in the Four Nations Challenge Cup in Edinburgh, and the club has won two cup competitions, the Swansea Memorial Cup and the Street Football Wales Cardiff 2022 Cup. Two teams from Merthyr…

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has warned the health and social care system in Wales is currently under ‘extraordinary pressure’ as a result of a range of factors. Significant challenges caused by COVID outbreaks within hospitals limiting available bed capacity, high levels of COVID in the community, staff sickness absence and blockages in patient flow through hospitals leading to difficulties discharging patients have put the sector under strain. These issues, which NHS Wales and social care staff are working tirelessly to manage, have been exacerbated by a recent increase in levels of demand. People in Wales are being urged to ‘help…

£25m is being invested in school kitchen and dining infrastructure, as part of plans to roll out free school meals to all primary school children in Wales, the Welsh Government has announced. The policy is part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, which will see free school meals extended to all primary school pupils over the next three years. From September, some of the youngest children in primary schools will begin receiving free school meals as the policy is introduced in a phased way. Working with schools and local authorities, the Welsh Government will plan…

Since their debut EP release in 2001, The Coral have sold over a million UK albums. Their self-titled debut received a Mercury Music Prize nomination and the band have had five Top Ten UK albums including 2003’s chart-topping ‘Magic and Medicine’. During their career they’ve had eight Top 40 singles include the hits ‘Dreaming Of You’, ‘Pass It On’ and ‘In The Morning’. Last year they released their ninth studio album, the critically acclaimed ‘Move Through the Dawn’, proving The Coral are one of the most consistent bands in the UK thanks to their knack for crafting great songs and frontman James Skelly’s powerful vocals.…

COLEG CAMBRIA University Centre has launched a series of fully funded digital degree apprenticeships. Delivered in partnership with Bangor University, the programmes begin this September and are aimed at supporting the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of workers for no extra cost. The apprenticeships are in Applied Data Science, Applied Software Engineering, and Applied Cyber Security, with tuition fees – which equate to £27,000 over three years – funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), subject to confirmation. Based at the college’s Yale site in Wrexham the flexible nature of the courses will allow participants to continue in…

Owners and staff at Tyn Dwr Hall say they are ‘thrilled’ to have been awarded the Best Wedding Venue of the Year North in the Welsh Wedding Awards 2022. As the team enter their most popular wedding season since opening five years ago, General Manager Tracey Owen said the win was a ‘fantastic achievement’ for all at the stunning Llangollen-based hall. She said: “We’re so proud of the team here and this award is testament to the hard work they constantly put in to deliver the very best experience to our couples. To have been recognised in a national award…

David Ian in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce TV personality Gemma ‘The GC’ Collins will star as ‘Mama Morton’ in the acclaimed UK and Ireland tour of the international smash hit musical CHICAGO. Gemma will join the tour at the Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 31 May 2022, ahead of playing Cardiff New Theatre, Blackpool Winter Gardens, Sheffield Lyceum, Norwich Theatre Royal and New Theatre, Oxford. David Ian said today, “We were completely stunned by Gemma’s audition for the role. She’s an undeniable force both on and off stage, and we can’t wait to see her portrayal…

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding working parents in Wales to not miss out on the opportunity to get up to £2,000 a year to pay for regulated childcare, including holiday clubs and other out-of-school activities, during the Easter holidays. Tax-Free Childcare provides thousands of eligible working families with up to £500 every three months (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) towards the cost of holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other approved childcare schemes. For every £8 deposited into a Tax-Free Childcare online account, families will receive an additional £2 in government top-up,…

Bar 45, a new gin bar owned by award-winning local distillery In the Welsh Wind, has opened at 45 St Mary Street, adding to the thriving food and drink scene in Cardigan. Formerly the Bara Menyn bakehouse, which has relocated to new premises on the corner of St Mary Street and Chancery Lane, Bar 45 is a must for gin lovers. The bar stocks the full range of In the Welsh Wind and Eccentric gins and offers a carefully selected cocktail menu showcasing the different gins available. Alongside gin, Bar 45 stock a range of bottled and canned beers from…

Following their initial expansion, resulting in a move from Swansea to Llanelli, the popular American-style smokehouse is announcing it’s return to the city with the opening of a new branch in May. With humble beginnings in Clydach, it wouldn’t be long before the business outgrew its location. Not content with their ambitions being cooled by the COVID-19 pandemic, sights were set on a new home. Having opened with over 4,000 table bookings, the success of the Llanelli branch is attributed to Cattle & Co’s unique take on beautifully smoked, tender brisket and twists on comfort classics such as Mac ‘n’…