Author: Rhys Gregory

From Swansea, With Love, a show-stopping visual art project featuring words of love and welcome from well-known musicians, actors, comedians and presenters from Swansea and beyond, has been seen popping up around the city, to celebrate its incredible redevelopment and mark the opening of Swansea Arena which is at the centre of the 135m Copr Bay development. Beautiful phrases, celebrating Abertawe and its music, sunshine, art, creativity, memories and, of course, the gilt edged coastline, have been contributed by musician, author and broadcaster Cerys Matthews, broadcaster Huw Stephens, actor and comedian Keith Allen, actor and singer Luke Evans, actor, producer…

Craft Republic in Barry has been named as the UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub (City) by a panel of industry experts in the 2022 Society of Independent Brewers Business Awards SIBA say the award showcases “pubs or bars which have shown an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent beers”. Located in a converted railway goods shed a short walk from Barry Island, the independent bar serves up fresh draught craft beer, seasonal cocktails, and stocks an extensive wine list. The venue is also known to support local distilleries. The venue also boasts…

Par 59, the St Mary Street bar, restaurant and mini-golf concept backed by Gareth Bale, is throwing open its doors today (March 18th 2022). Par 59’s bar, restaurant & competitive entertainment concept is the result of a partnership between Bale’s company Elevens Group LTD and The DEPOT, one of Wales’ most successful, independent entertainment brands. The new city centre bar features two custom-made mini golf courses, which can be found by following the stairs (or lift) down to the basement venue on St Mary Street. On arrival, you will be greeted by friendly staff at the entrance, as well as at the bottom of the stairs, who…

Access to Swansea’s West Pier is due to be considerably improved for the enjoyment of thousands of people in the coming months and years. Located close to the River Tawe barrage and Ferrara Quay in the SA1 area of the city, a pathway that leads to the pier will be reinstated under new plans to improve the environment in the area. The project will follow-on from Swansea Council reaching an in-principle agreement for the land with Associated British Ports (ABP). Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The pathway that leads to the West Pier has been overrun for some…

Dogs Trust is offering free workshops in South Wales this Easter to help families understand dogs and learn how to live happily and safely alongside them. The charity, which finds new homes for thousands of dogs every year, is offering the ‘How to stay safe this Easter’ workshops to children aged seven and over. The 90-minute workshops will be held at Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres in Bridgend and Cardiff and must be booked in advance as places are limited. Dogs Trust Education Officer, Claire Kendrick, says: “As we spend more time with our four-legged friends during the holiday period, Easter…

In the musical theatre world, is there a greater stamp of quality than having the incredible, epic musical Les Misérables on a performer’s CV? That’s the question The Barricade Boys aim to answer with a resounding “YES” as they head out on the road this year, including an opening night at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on Sunday, May 1. Starring past performers from the global theatrical sensation that is Les Misérables, The Barricade Boys have entertained fans around the world since they formed in 2015.  The Bring Him Home Tour will feature music from some of the best-loved shows…

Former international referee Nigel Owens has told William Hill that Wales played well and should have beaten France in the Six Nations last week, only for their try-scoring ability to let them down, which he feels they will need to work on before facing Italy on Saturday and heading into next year’s World Cup. Wales were on the wrong end of a tight 13-9 defeat to France last time out, with the Six Nations holders’ inconsistent campaign due to finish this weekend when they host Italy. “Wales should have beaten France,” the Welshman told William Hill. “If Jonathan Davies had…

The charity Crimestoppers have launched a new appeal for anonymous information to assist the South Wales Police investigation into the whereabouts of Mohammed Ali Ege. The reward of up to £5k will be available to anyone providing information exclusively to Crimestoppers leading to Ege’s arrest and safe return to the UK, if he is arrested abroad. He is wanted in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Aamir Siddiqi who died at his home in Ninian Road, Roath, on 11th April 2010 having suffered multiple stab wounds. Although two men have been convicted of his murder, South Wales Police remains as…

A college in the South Wales valleys has launched a new initiative to train current apprentices to become the next generation of lecturers at its campuses. Coleg y Cymoedd has unveiled its ‘Apprentice Lecturer scheme’ – an eight-year programme that will equip engineering and manufacturing apprentices at the college with the skills and knowledge they need to become future lecturing staff within those departments. The learners are studying, engineering or manufacturing programmes, the programme will see each of the apprentices spend time shadowing tutors, receiving mentoring, taking part in industry placements and completing a variety of teaching qualifications. As they…

13-year-old Oliver Papadakis from Marshfield, Newport, has set himself the ambitious challenge to run, skip and walk 90 miles in 90 days in a bid to raise funds for Myeloma UK, a charity close to his heart as his grandfather, Josef Parness, 74, also from Newport, was diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer myeloma five years ago. Oliver’s ultimate goal is to fund research into a cure. The plucky teenager embarked on the challenge on Valentine’s Day and is due to reach the ‘finish line’ on May 14. He has covered 32 miles so far and raised a whopping £1,129…