Author: Rhys Gregory

The world of video gaming has evolved over the past number of years, and this has led to many additions or upgrades you can make even after the first purchase of the game. Whilst back in the day one would only pay a few tens of Euros for a game, these days you would often need to spend more on upgrades. One of the popular upgrades in this category is that of loot boxes, which have gained popularity with both young and old gamers. With loot boxes, you use real money to pay and win random virtual items such as…

Jonathan Campbell, 37, from Mayhill, Swansea, was sentenced to life in prison at Swansea Crown Court today (May 17th) for the murder of Helen Bannister.  He will serve a minimum of 18 years in prison After sentencing, Detective Inspector David Butt of South Wales Police’s Major Crime Investigations Team, said: “I welcome the sentence and am pleased that Jonathan Campbell is now serving a significant sentence for taking the life of his partner. “Jonathan Campbell and Helen were in a relationship for six years, during which he subjected her to years of terror. No person should have to suffer this…

Swansea Council will continue to provide licences for outdoor dining areas free of charge across the whole of Swansea until December 31. The move – which follows the suspension of fees for pavement café licences over the past nine months – will help businesses as they battle back from lockdown. It will help bring added life and vibrancy to city centre streets. It has been welcomed by Swansea BID (Business Improvement District) who are working with members across the city centre to help them secure and maintain licenses for offering services on paved areas, footways and carriageways next to their…

An award winning family vineyard on the Shropshire/Powys border has just planted 500 new vines. Kerry Vale Vineyard has made the bold decision to plant 500 Pinot Noir vines to complement its existing award winning varieties. The vineyard, which lies just three miles south of Montgomery and was planted in 2010, is looking to widen its offer and increase its range of still and sparkling wines. Owner Russell Cooke said: “Pinot Noir produces beautiful, light bodied, red wines which offer high acidity and medium tannins. Its flavoursome, fruity notes make it a popular choice for wine drinkers and we are…

St Peter’s in Langstone’s new hospital unit has received the official seal of approval following a visit from a senior local councillor. Carol Bryant, Chair of Langstone Community Council, has been a long-time supporter of the specialist mental health hospital and after a negative Covid test was welcomed to the site to see first-hand the new facilities on offer. The hospital, which is owned and run by specialist healthcare provider, Ludlow Street Healthcare, is a person-centred assessment, treatment and care centre for men and women with degenerative neuropsychiatric conditions and Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI). The hospital has increased its capacity…

Volunteers from Swansea were the first in Europe to come forward to take part in an international clinical trial of a new Covid-19 vaccine. The Medicago vaccine study is running across 14 sites in the UK, including Public Health Wales, which has now finished recruiting in Swansea. It’s the first study to test the effectiveness and safety of the plant-based Coronavirus-Like Particle Vaccine (CoVLP). The vaccine has already been through early phase human studies and now requires testing on a large scale. The study involves 1,500 people across the UK. Last month, Public Health Wales began recruiting volunteers living in…

A university student who has battled anxiety since his teenage years is urging young people with mental health worries to reach out for help through a new support service in Gwynedd. Jay Roberts, 22, is among a team of volunteers who will be offering support to vulnerable young people in the future through a new Community Hub in Pwllheli, run by youth charity GISDA. The pilot project, funded by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) as part of its successful I CAN mental health and wellbeing programme, has been launched in response to spiralling levels of anxiety, depression and other…

A building at the heart of the famous Chartist riot in Llanidloes in 1839 is springing back to life as a high quality restaurant with rooms, creating up to 20 jobs in the pretty Mid Wales town. Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen, located at the former Trewythen Hotel in Great Oak Street, has been named to acknowledge the historical importance of the building – built in around 1770 – and the town in the history of Welsh Chartism. The Grade ll listed Georgian building has been transformed into a restaurant with seven, refurbished, en suite bedrooms following £250,000 investment by…

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is accepting tax relief claims for working from home due to coronavirus during 2021/22. More than 550,000 employed workers have already claimed and are benefitting from the tax relief. If employed workers were told to work at home by their employer because of coronavirus and, as a result, their household costs have increased, they are eligible to claim the working from home tax relief. It is quick and easy to claim via HMRC’s online portal. HMRC received more than three million claims for the tax relief for the 2020/21 tax year. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director…

Located on Tudor Street in Cardiff, Good Game Café opened on 17 May in time to welcome customers for indoor service. Taking over the previous site of Talk & Surf, this new venture focuses on high performance gaming, tabletop and board games along with serving great food and drink – and filled with fun gaming decor. Good Game Café is stocked with 12 gaming PCs, Nintendo Switch and Playstation4 consoles to keep avid gamers entertained along with older models like mini Nintendo Snes’ for retro gaming fans. There will be board games and all things gaming related to keep any…