Author: Rhys Gregory

A STUDENT-ATHLETE is on track to achieve a remarkable milestone after securing a full scholarship to study and compete in the United States. Lilly Noble, an A Level learner at Coleg Cambria Deeside, has been awarded a 100% scholarship to attend Murray State University in Kentucky. There, she will study Physiotherapy while competing for the University’s prestigious track and field team. The 17 year-old, who completed A Levels in Physical Education, Psychology, and Biology at Deeside Sixth Form Centre, was scouted shortly after turning 16 by Onfield, a specialist sports recruitment agency. Following a series of calls and interviews with…

WHEN Megan Astbury left Elfed High School to begin her A Level journey at Coleg Cambria she had no idea just how transformative the next two years would be. Now, with university offers from top institutions including Manchester Metropolitan, Liverpool John Moores, and Cardiff Met, the 18 year-old is proudly heading to Bangor University to study Primary Teaching — ready to inspire the next generation in the same way she has been. “I’ve absolutely loved being part of the community at Deeside Sixth Form, from day one, I felt supported, welcomed, and pushed to achieve my best, even when things…

A ticket mix-up between Cardiff Bus and Sightseeing Cardiff has been cleared up after both companies confirmed it was simply a case of good intentions and not a case of tickets being valid on each other’s services. The confusion began when a Cardiff Bus driver stepped in to help a Sightseeing Cardiff service that had run out of ticket roll 25 miles from base. Following a last-minute ticket machine swap, the sightseeing operator was left unable to issue tickets until the Cardiff Bus driver provided a roll so they could keep the service running. While the gesture was welcomed by…

The much-loved Oswestry Balloon Carnival is set to return this summer, filling the skies and parklands of Oswestry with colour, entertainment and community spirit across the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August 2025. Organised in partnership with Nightingale House Hospice, Oswestry Town Council, and Oswestry BID, the event will once again take place in the picturesque Cae Glas Park. With a packed programme of entertainment and activities for all ages, this free-to-attend celebration promises a memorable day out for families, friends and visitors from across the region. While the awe-inspiring hot air balloons remain at the heart of…

A brand new rock festival is landing in the heart of Wales – and it’s set to make some serious noise. On Saturday 27th June, 2026, the grounds of Cardiff Castle will be shaken to their foundations as ALTER BRIDGE’s inaugural BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL bursts onto the scene with a monumental lineup the global rock heavyweights will headline. Tickets go on general sale from 9:30am Friday 22nd August via  blackbirdfest.com with a range of presales kicking off from 9:30am on Tuesday 19th August. Launching their own festival marks a key moment for ALTER BRIDGE – not just as a celebration of…

Llandovery Sheep Festival will be going baaaa-ck to its wonderfully woolly roots next month when the emphasis will be on the different varieties of sheep breeds, wool crafts and wool demonstrations. The weekend-long festival, taking place on 20 & 21 September 2025 in Llandovery town centre, will highlight the wool industry and local sheep farming. It will also be a celebration of rural arts and crafts, local food and drink producers and live entertainment and performers. Rachel Everett, Chairman of the Festival, said, “The Llandovery Sheep Festival is 15 years old this year and has gone from strength to strength…

Surveyors in Wales remain cautious about the outlook for the housing market with demand subdued and supply weaker according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey. A net balance of 1% of surveyors in Wales reported that prices rose over the past three months. Although muted, this is higher than the average UK balance which sits at -13%. However, looking forward surveyors are cautious when it comes to pricing as a net balance of -18% expect prices to fall over the next three months. Although remaining in negative territory, this is up slightly from the…

Dow Schofield Watts (DSW) is strengthening its Cardiff-based corporate finance team with the appointment of Ellis Jenkins, the former Cardiff Rugby (previously “Cardiff Blues”) and Wales Rugby Union captain, who has been appointed as Corporate Relations Lead. Ellis recently retired from a successful career in elite rugby, having represented Wales on the world stage against some of the sport’s greatest teams, including the New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa, often performing in front of 75,000 people at the Principality Stadium. Ellis also studied an Executive MBA at Cardiff University, whilst playing professional rugby. His experience leading at the highest…

A NEW lifeline for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction has been launched in memory of much-loved drag star and TV personality, The Vivienne. House of The Vivienne is described as a “safe, inclusive space” offering free, confidential advice, guidance, and compassionate listening every Tuesday at Ty Enfys (Rainbow House) in Colwyn Bay. The group is led by Chanel Williams, sister of the late James Lee Williams — better known to millions as The Vivienne — and her family, and has been created to honour James’s life and their courage in speaking about their own struggles, and their unwavering…

A women’s touch rugby tournament has scored a remarkable success by raising more than £23,000 for Swansea Bay’s very own cancer centre. The inaugural Touched by Cancer event, in aid of the South West Wales Cancer Centre at Singleton Hospital, was staged at the Talbot Athletic Ground, the famous home of Aberavon RFC. With the sun shining and spirits high, 16 all-women teams came together from across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot for a day filled with sport, solidary and fundraising. It opened with a moving tribute – a minute’s silence to remember loved ones lost to cancer followed by…