Author: Rhys Gregory

Luca, a working sheepdog, and his owner Carolyn Heath from Wenvoe, Wales, took home one of the top obedience prizes at Crufts on Saturday 12 March after winning the Obedience Championship (dog) final. The judge was Mrs Pat Watson. Eight-year-old Luca (Jezzady It’s Time To Play), came first in the final held at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, after competing against some of Britain’s best dogs for the coveted title. All competitors at the championships had made it through to the final after qualifying at one of the championship shows that were held last year. Proud owner Carolyn said:…

A daredevil Monmouthshire woman has leapt from a plane at 13,000 feet to raise funds for a cause close to her heart. Lisa Hicks, who lives near Monmouth, took part in her first skydive in memory of Tom Walker, raising almost £1,800 for the fund established in his name by Cancer Research Wales. Tom, a quiet, considerate and caring boy, was a pupil at Monmouth School for Boys, when he died from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a rare but aggressive form of cancer, aged just 13, in June 2018. Tom’s sisters, Holly and Emily have been at the forefront of…

Lloyds Bank has strengthened its support for businesses in South Wales after appointing Dave Atkinson as new regional director. Dave will oversee Lloyds Bank’s SME and Mid-Corporate operations across South Wales and the Midlands. He arrives after spending three years as regional director of Lloyds Bank’s operations in the East of England, and brings 34 years of experience to the team, having started his career with Lloyds Bank in 1988 Dave will also continue in his role as Lloyds Banking Group’s UK Head of Manufacturing. He recently authored the UK Manufacturing: From Now to Net Zero report, outlining the steps…

Swansea’s home-grown street food celebration, The Swansea Bay Pop Up, will return to Singleton Park this April. The outdoor dining experience, which takes place under a big top tent, will be bringing local street food, drink and entertainment for the third year running and promises to be even bigger and better. The organisers are looking to invite any interested Swansea-based, street food vendors who may be interested in having a pitch to get in touch via the Pop Up website swanseabaypopup.co.uk. Bookings are also open for the festival which will start on 28th April. In previous years, featured food businesses…

Welsh language four-piece Pys Melyn will be joined by Gwenno Morgan and Bitw at a free-entry showcase in Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, on Friday (18th March) to continue the celebrations of the seventh annual Welsh Language Music Day-Dydd Miwsig Cymru On Dydd Miwsig Cymru in February, a series of free gigs in independent venues at the heart of Welsh communities was announced, including at Clwb Ifor Bach on Womanby Street, the capital city’s cultural centre. Doors open at 7pm on Friday for this 18+ gig with tickets allocated on a first come, first served basis so early attendance is advised.…

A new youth band and a children’s choir are offering young people a route back to normality after the easing of Covid restrictions. Both have been set up for free by the award-winning North Wales Music Co-operative which has sister organisations in Wrexham and Denbighshire. Sessions are free to join and, at the youth band, participants do not need to own their own instruments but can borrow from the Co-op’s supply. The idea is to make music more accessible for young people of all ages and backgrounds as well as boosting their mental well-being in the wake of hardships caused…

Ceredigion County Council will lead a group committed to action on river phosphates in the river Teifi. The river Teifi is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), protected for its national and international significance for wildlife. The river is home to otters, bullhead (a small freshwater fish), Atlantic salmon brook lamprey and river lamprey (primitive, eel-like fish).But water quality is putting these species at risk, as excessive phosphorus levels are destroying its precious ecosystem. Phosphates enter waterways from human and animal waste, laundry, cleaning, industrial chemicals, and fertiliser run-off. They cause explosive growth of aquatic plants and algae…

The much-loved Brisco 10k is returning to the streets of Gorseinon in May 2023 thanks to the efforts of local representatives, namely Andrew Stevens, Nicola Matthews and Jan Curtice. The event, which was last run in the early 2000’s returns after almost a 20-year absence. Local running event company, Front Runner Events will manage and run the event, which will look to replicate the fun and community spirit of the original fun run. Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “As a council, we are delighted to see the Brisco 10k is returning to Gorseinon. The…

Tŷ Hafan is set to receive a ‘substantial donation’ from Patrick Jephson, former Private Secretary to Diana, Princess of Wales. The Princess was Tŷ Hafan’s first patron until her death in 1997 and instrumental in fundraising for the build of our hospice. Mr Jephson, who was private secretary to the Princess from 1988 to 1996, received an undisclosed sum from the BBC, the proceeds of a settlement. This follows the publication of the Dyson Report into the means by which disgraced former BBC journalist, Martin Bashir obtained his 1995 Panorama interview with the Princess.   A BBC statement said: ‘The BBC and Commander Patrick Jephson have reached a settlement following publication of the Dyson Report.   “Commander Jephson was the…

Academics from Aberystwyth University will lead a new European project to boost tourism in rural areas of Wales and Ireland. The new initiative, announced on St Patrick’s Day, sees researchers from Aberystwyth University Department of Geography and Earth Sciences lead the €3 million project in partnership with University College Dublin and the Dyfed Archaeological Trust. It is supported by €2.4m from the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme. The scheme will operate for a period of two years in the Cambrian Mountains, Preseli Hills, Wicklow Mountains and Blackstairs Mountains, using their cultural and natural heritage assets…