Author: Rhys Gregory

A new £51m package of support will help families facing the cost-of-living crisis to pay their bills this winter, Welsh Ministers announced today. The Welsh Government is releasing extra funding from its reserves to target support towards lower income households, providing immediate support for people facing rising living costs this winter. The first phase of the Household Support Fund will target heating and eating – providing families with extra help to pay their energy bills over the winter and giving extra funding to foodbanks and community food schemes. It comes as the UK Government has refused to reverse the cut…

Wales is a beautiful country, so it is not surprising people from all around the globe decide to visit.  The ongoing pandemic has forced a lot of people to ditch their backpacking plans, but countries like Wales are trying to get back to ‘normal’, so tourists are once again welcome to visit the country. The country’s coastline is extremely popular amongst backpackers. The green valleys are also a popular destination for tourists who enjoy the great outdoors. There are lots of unique small villages worth checking out, and the local people are often friendly, and seem to enjoy meeting new…

If you are looking to buy a property, you might have noticed that some properties marketed on selling platforms, such as Zoopla or Rightmove, have been sold using the Modern Method of Auction. But what does this actually mean? The Modern Method of Auction is a hybrid approach to property selling: a cross between traditional selling via estate agents and an auction. The seller sets the rules for the property auction with the help of the estate agent/auctioneer, which includes: Setting a commencement date for the auction to start Choosing the time frame/duration of the auction (typically 28-30 days, although…

The University of South Wales (USW) has announced an industry partnership with award-winning record label Libertino, offering Music students access to masterclasses, bespoke business briefs and a graduate award for excellence. CEO of Libertino Records, Gruff Owen, will bring his considerable experience to the University’s MA Songwriting and Production course, having helped the label grow considerably in recent years to boast more than 20 internationally-renowned artists who create and perform through the medium of Welsh and English. Libertino is home to the mighty Adwaith, who won the Welsh Music Prize in 2019, along with Keys, N’famady Kouyate, Sister Wives and…

One of the nation’s best loved Strictly Come Dancing professionals, Robin Windsor, is coming out of retirement to star in Come What May, one of the UK’s most exciting theatre productions touring across the UK in Spring 2022, is at Swansea Grand Theatre on 19 February 2022. Come What May – The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge and other hit movie musicals, including Rocketman, The Greatest Showman, A Star is Born, Burlesque and more, has announced full casting. Joining Robin Windsor are Charlotte Gallagher, David Wyatt, Ollie Augustin, Óscar Fonseca, Chloe Gatward, Emma Jane, Georgia McEnaney, Hannah Morcos, Stuart Rouse…

On May 14th, Paul Weller released his 16th solo album since his self-titled debut in 1992, his fourth in as many years and his second in just under twelve months following June 2020’s magnificent, chart-topping On Sunset. It’s not hyperbole to state that this new album, titled Fat Pop (Volume 1), is among his most compelling collections, bar none, including all of his era-defining work in the 1970s and ‘80s with The Jam and The Style Council. It’s an absolute scorcher. The show at Swansea’s Singleton Park that will feature work across his prolific career & his brilliant new material,…

Heron Foods, the discount retail chain, has today announced that they’ll be opening a brand-new store on Countisbury Ave in Llanrumney at 9 am on Thursday, 25th November 2021. The new store has taken on all of the staff from the previous store, who are all long-standing and well-known in the community. On opening day, the store will be offering a goodie bag worth over £5 to the first 100 customers who spend £5 or more. Not only that, the first 250 customers who spend over £5 will also be offered a scratch-card which will reveal a prize once scratched…

Five local business have hit the back of the net in a  two year kit sponsorship deal with Raglan Junior Football Club. The Station Road based football club has continued to grow with the launch of a new tots football section, adding to the numbers of boys and girls teams from under 6 to under 15 playing football in Raglan The under 9s have been supported by local travel business Blackhouse Travel.  Owner Paul Watkins said: “Supporting children to be active and making friends on and off the pitch is a delight and being part of the community is very…

After years of being threatened with closure because of council budget cuts, the future of Hay-on-Wye Public Library is finally secured – at least for the next five years. This follows extensive negotiations between Powys County Council and HayPublicLibrary.org, the Community Interest Company (CIC), set up by Hay-on-Wye Library Supporters (HOWLS) in 2019. The Directors of Hay CIC worked with Cllr Rachel Powell, Powys Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, Culture and Leisure, to draw up a 5 year commercially binding contract that guarantees Hay Library will retain the same opening hours and staffing levels. “Our first objective was…

Synchronised support has been the key to success for new Welsh pork producer Mochyn Mawr. When Swansea Valley pig farmer Ann Lewis contacted Menter Moch Cymru – a Menter a Busnes project to support and develop the pig industry in Wales – she tapped into a wealth of practical and business advice. Through Menter Moch Cymru (MMC), Ann connected with Cywain, a sister Menter a Busnes project that supports the development of growth-orientated businesses in the food and drink sector in Wales. Using the expertise offered by both projects, Ann has been able to take Mochyn Mawr forward with ease…