Author: Rhys Gregory

A graduate and a staff member from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David have been successful at the Swansea Open 2021 art exhibition at the Glynn Vivian Gallery in Swansea. Swansea Open is an annual art exhibition held at the Glynn Vivian gallery. The exhibition is open to people living and working in the SA1-SA9 region and can be from any background. Each year the selection is made by a different panel of invited selectors which encourages diverse viewpoints annually. This year, Caroline Thraves, UWTSD Swansea College of Art’s Academic Director for Art and Media, and Professor Uzo Iwobi…

This December, Wrexham based Hospice, Nightingale House is aiming to fill their rooms and corridors with extra Christmas cheer this festive season. Nightingale House provide support and care 365 days a year. Over the Christmas period the hospice team always add extra ‘sparkle’ to their care to ensure all patients and families using their services during that time have the best possible Christmas at a very difficult time, however they need your help to do so. Nightingale House is asking members of the community to be part of their lottery with the aim of signing up enough new members to…

Hollywood Bowl Cardiff has joined forces with children’s charity Barnardo’s to kickstart a festive fundraising venture in support of an amazing ‘Claus’ this Christmas. The Race Santa activity will see staff at Hollywood Bowl, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff encouraged to walk, run, swim and cycle the 7,724 mile distance from the North Pole to Hollywood, and back again, all to raise money for Barnardo’s. The initiative will run throughout December, with teams logging their hours online, with the aim to complete the full distance before Christmas Eve to beat Santa to it. Steve Burns, CEO at Hollywood Bowl, said:…

Llanharan based dog rescue charity, Hope Rescue, is calling for local support following a sharp increase in the number of dogs arriving into their care since lockdown lifted. The compulsory time at home throughout lockdown temporarily introduced the perfect scenario to adopt a dog: schools closed, long office hours were erased from memory, and local parks became a sanctuary for much-needed time in nature. As restrictions have eased the charity is now reporting that some owners have found having a dog doesn’t fit into their ‘normal’ life. Hope Rescue has even seen an increase in the number of ‘fake’ strays…

Students from a school in North Wales will be taking part in various hat-themed activities to raise money for Brain Tumour Research in memory of a school teacher and to support another staff member currently living with the disease. Pupils at St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School in Wrexham will be encouraged to wear Christmas-inspired headwear on Friday 17 December as part of the charity’s Wear A Christmas Hat Day. The ‘hat-tastic’ fundraising is in memory of food technology teacher, Lorraine McKeown, 56, who died in May 2019, shortly after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. It will…

A programme led by Mental Health UK and supported by Lloyds Banking Group has helped more than 23,000 young people in Wales to manage new pressures and responsibilities as they enrol into university or step onto the career ladder. The Bloom initiative is delivered for free in schools to 14–18-year-olds across the UK. With three quarters (75%) of mental illnesses starting before a person’s 18th birthday, one in six young adults are now likely to suffer from issues, up from one in nine before the pandemic, according to Mental Health First Aid. The Bloom initiative gives young adults the tools…

Three new brands and four independents have opened at St David’s Dewi Sant Cardiff in the run up to Christmas, offering even more choice for shoppers. Rituals, Hobbs, and Phase Eight have launched brand new stores at the city shopping destination which has also welcomed four new independent pop-ups to its stellar line up. Making its debut in Wales, wellness and lifestyle brand Rituals has launched its flagship new store at St David’s. Located adjacent to Pandora, the store will feature Rituals’ full range of luxurious yet affordable home, bath, and body products, designed to turn everyday routines into meaningful…

​​​​​​​City centre shoppers are enjoying a sociable and relaxing new experience in Swansea Market. The iconic venue has just become yet more welcoming. The Market Garden – a new area at the heart of the venue – is a new place where people can eat, work and enjoy themselves. They take food and drink there having bought it from nearby market stalls. Its launch was welcomed on Saturday, December 4, with a visit by Lord Mayor of Swansea Cllr Mary Jones. Gwaun Cae Gurwen Brass Band helped usher in the new era, there was more music from singer-songwriter Ailie Kenna…

A greener, more welcoming future for a major Swansea focal point could move a big step closer next week. Swansea Council’s cabinet is set to discuss a smart new concept for the city centre Castle Square Gardens – one that introduces more greenery, fun and reasons to visit. Public consultation this year saw 95% of people back a council concept for a space with more trees, grass and other greenery. A detailed design has since been drawn up – and this will be presented to the cabinet on December 16. Members will be asked to commit capital finance funds to…

Plans to create a new Welsh-medium childcare facility on land off the Isfryn Industrial Estate in Blackmill are back on track after the original contractor went into administration. Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that it has sourced an alternative contractor, and that the work will now be carried out by local business Stafford Construction Ltd. The work was originally intended to begin at the site in the summer. A new schedule is currently being finalised, and construction is expected to begin in the New Year. The hub will be one of four all-new Welsh medium childcare facilities planned for…