Author: Rhys Gregory

With moving costs climbing and buyer expectations shifting, more Welsh homeowners are investing in the property they already own. The kitchen remains the room most likely to move a home’s value, but not every upgrade delivers the same return. The stay-and-improve calculation Across Cardiff, Caerphilly, Newport, Bridgend, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Valleys and the rest of Wales, homeowners are quietly running the same numbers. Moving home has become expensive. Land Transaction Tax (Wales’s stamp duty equivalent), legal fees, estate agent costs, removal bills and the disruption of relocating all add up. Many are choosing to stay put and invest…

For Welsh homeowners weighing up space, value and practicality, the garden room has moved beyond its early home-working reputation. It is now seen as a serious way to make an existing home work harder. The garden feature appearing across Welsh streets Walk down a Cardiff Victorian street, a Vale of Glamorgan village, a Bridgend new-build estate or a Valleys terrace in 2026, and one feature keeps appearing where it did not used to be. Not the flimsy summerhouse at the end of the lawn. The modern garden room is insulated, built, fitted with electrics and connectivity, and designed for year-round…

Census 2021 data shows clear regional patterns in Wales’s divorced and separated population, shaped by age, housing and economic pressures, plus legal issues many families only discover during separation. Wales’ divorce picture is changing Census 2021 data shows clear regional patterns in where the divorced and separated adult population is most concentrated across Welsh local authorities, shaped by demographics, housing markets, local economies and age profiles. In 2026, the legal landscape also looks different. No-fault divorce has now been in place for four years, pension inheritance tax changes are due from April 2027, and rising Welsh property values mean more…

Llangollen and Corwen Railway is set to kickstart the school Summer holidays in spectacular style with a special “Steam into Summer” event featuring two home fleet steam locomotives in action across the Dee Valley. Taking place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, the event has been specially organised to celebrate the start of the Summer holidays and will see five return services operating between Llangollen and Corwen, calling at all stations along the railway’s picturesque 10-mile route through the Dee Valley. Visitors will be able to enjoy unlimited travel throughout the day with a special Day Ranger Ticket priced online at…

The Development Bank of Wales has provided a £180,000 Green Business Loan to JJP Services Ltd to support a major on-site renewable energy investment at its headquarters in Llanidloes. The new funding will enable the electrical services business to install a 100kWp solar PV array with battery storage, significantly reducing its reliance on grid electricity while supporting its net zero ambitions. Founded and led by sole director Mike Prior, JJP Services employs 18 full-time and two part-time staff and has more than 20 years’ experience delivering electrical installation and project management services across Wales. The business previously secured £150,000 funding…

A 17-strong team of walkers from Cygnet successfully conquered Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon and raised £10,000 for the Air Ambulances UK in memory of a former colleague. The team were guided on the trek by Group CEO, Professor Tony Romero, who has enjoyed leading this charity challenge for the past three years, raising more than £30,000 for different charities. The chosen charity this year is in memory of a Cygnet colleague, Ann Fox, who passed away whilst on duty at Cygnet’s Tabley House nursing home in Knutsford, Cheshire. Tabley House manager Deb Jones said: “Ann was a much-loved and valued member of…

South Wales Police are appealing for information after a stolen JCB was driven into a business premises in Llanrumney in the early hours of Monday morning. Officers were called to Countisbury Avenue at around 1.45am on Monday, June 8, following reports that a JCB had been driven into a commercial property. Police say the JCB had previously been reported stolen from a farm in St Mellons and enquiries are continuing to establish exactly what happened. An investigation is now underway, with officers urging the public not to speculate about the incident while enquiries continue. Inspector Meg Butler said: “Extensive enquiries…

A spacious end of terrace South Wales valleys home offering five bedrooms and four reception rooms is on offer for the price of a decent second-hand car. The unusual property in the town of Brynmawr, near to the former steel town of Ebbw Vale, is listed for sale with Paul Fosh Auctions for £15,000. Gemma Vaughan, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to acquire an exceptionally spacious property offering extensive accommodation arranged over no less than four floors. “This impressive property, at 103, Worcester Street, Brynmawr, offers accommodation on a considerable scale with the ground…

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Wales has announced its North Wales Small Business Conference 2026, taking place at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on Wednesday 8 July. Sponsored by the Welsh Government, the Ministry of Defence and Business News Wales, the event will bring together small business owners, entrepreneurs and aspiring founders to share practical insights for modern business success. A range of expert speakers and successful entrepreneurs will focus on key areas designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive, including: Using AI tools to improve productivity and save time Building a stronger brand Turning interest into sales and repeat…

Did you know that varying the types of terrain you run on can help to make you a stronger runner? Run 4 Wales Race Director, and double Olympic marathoner, Steve Brace, explains the impact that different surfaces can have. Treadmill Treadmill running is great for situations when you can’t get outdoors – particularly if it’s too hot, it’s dark, stormy or icy. Not only is it kinder on your joints but it allows you to have total control over how fast you’re running and the incline in which you’re running on. Running on a treadmill indoors is easier than an…