Author: Rhys Gregory

The mother of a North Wales woman who died of a rare genetic ageing condition said the charity that carries her daughter’s name will continue to help people around the world. Jayne Hughes was speaking after the first in-person ‘Amy and Friends Conference’ took place since the death of her 28-year-old daughter on January  1st, 2020. St David’s Park, in Deeside, hosted families from around the UK for the annual conference in August, which was also streamed to families around the world who couldn’t travel because of the Covid restrictions. Amy’s family set up the charity Amy and Friends in…

The 121 Effect is not your typical ‘Get Fit Quick’ book, neither does it simply tell you how to live your life. It is more like having a conversation with a friend, simply listening to their crazy stories. Throughout this memoir, Ryan tells the story of his life; some sad and a little scary, other times inspiring and heart-warming. And through this, he shares the lessons he has learnt. From how to take care of your body, to recognising your self-worth. With self-help books we often find ourselves flipping through the pages of empty instructions and impersonal tips and tricks.…

The Prince’s Countryside Fund is inviting applications for grants of up to £25,000 from innovative projects that will create a long-term difference in remote rural areas of the UK. The PCF’s grant programme aims to empower rural communities to become more self-sufficient and viable, by funding community-led solutions. With thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the PCF aims to invest at least £500,000 each year through our grant programmes to make projects happen, particularly in hamlets, villages, and small towns. The PCF is particularly interested in receiving applications from projects in East Anglia, the north east of…

A group of Welsh and South West National Lottery winners have joined forces with a Cardiff hospice to help make their inspirational fundraising campaign, Forever Flowers, a flourishing success. The Welsh and South West winners first got involved with City Hospice ahead of Christmas 2020 when they produced festive hampers for the hospice staff to thank them for their incredible hard work and sacrifice during the first nine months of the pandemic. Since then, they have been on the lookout for a new way to help the charity. When the winners heard about the hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign, giving people…

ONE of Wales’ leading public relations agencies Effective Communication is celebrating after being shortlisted for seven prestigious industry awards. The Cardiff-based agency is up for the awards at October’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Pride Awards Cymru, celebrating the outstanding work of the PR industry in Wales. Effective has been shortlisted for their work with a variety of clients, including Chambers Wales (Corporate and Business Communications Campaign), Luxury Lodges, the launch of Dylan Coastal Resorts (Consumer Relations Campaign and Travel, Leisure or Tourism Campaign), Veezu (Corporate and Business Communications Campaign and Consumer Relations), and BBI (Healthcare Campaign and STEM…

Swansea Council’s Rural Development Partnership is offering grants of up to £10,000 to innovative community-led projects that would boost the county’s rural areas. And those interested can find out how to submit strong applications by joining one of two free webinars being run over the next month. Andrew Stevens, the council’s cabinet member for business improvement and performance, said: “This a fantastic opportunity for those who have an idea they want to put into practice but need some assistance to get it started. “Alternatively, it may be a plan to help get off the ground with a project to recover…

Children will go free as parks across Swansea host a new family festival this summer. Residents of Townhill, Waunarlwydd, Morriston, Loughor and St Thomas will be among those who won’t have to travel too far for a fun day out. Family based activities and attractions at the series of two-day events will include two outdoor cinema screenings on the first day, followed by children’s activities including circus skills workshops, craft sessions, a bouncy castle, children’s rides, walkabout characters, sports activities and live music on the second day. Catering and a bar will be available on both days. Swansea Parks Fest…

Two families who have been forced to flee Afghanistan are settling into their new homes in Swansea with more set to arrive in the coming weeks and months. Swansea Council is taking part in a UK-wide scheme to welcome people who faced persecution as the Taliban take control of the country. This week two families where members had worked for the British Government but were evacuated last month have arrived in the city. They are being helped to settle in with support from the council and the Swansea-based charity EYST. Another family is due in Swansea shortly and in response…

Fforestfach youngster Steffan Roberts and his mum Eleanor are helping lead the charge for a greener Swansea and saving cash with swish reusable nappies rather than disposables. They’ve taken advantage of a long-standing Swansea Council scheme which is offering a £100 cashback to families who live in Swansea and want to switch from disposable nappies to something better for baby and the environment. The popular scheme has recently passed a landmark 1,000th application which will have resulted in hundreds of tonnes of disposable nappy waste being saved from landfill. An average child will get through around 5,000 disposable nappies before…

Thousands of city residents have been making the most of the #FreeRideSwansea bus trip offer. The bus journey offer has just finished another Friday-Monday long weekend and it’s been really popular among locals and visitors alike. Families are using #FreeRideSwansea to do some shopping, eat out or just enjoy time with friends because it’s easier than using the car and saves time, fuel and hassle. Leighton and his sons Ezra, Charlie and Joshua (pictured below) came into the city for a spot of food at Taco Bell with a visit after to the LC. He said: “Having free travel is…