Author: Rhys Gregory

Fonmon Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan has launched a host of new and expanded attractions for the summer. It is also set to welcome a team of archaeologists to investigate a suspected iron age ringwork in its grounds. Top of the castle’s list of new attractions is an interactive story trail with a strong Welsh theme: children get to follow the adventures of Fon and Mon in Welsh and English as they track down a dragon who’s been wreaking havoc in the area. Along the way they can make loud noises on woodland instruments, spot fairies and solve the…

On Saturday 10 July, 2021, the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail will celebrate its 50th anniversary since it was first opened by Lord Hunt on 10 July, 1971. To mark the occasion, a brand-new exhibition, Walking with Offa’ by artist, Dan Llywelyn Hall, will launch at the Offa’s Dyke Association and Centre — which will re-open its doors after 18 months of closure. New paintings inspired by the Offa’s Dyke monument and Path will be on display from Saturday 10 July until October, 2021, for members of the public to enjoy at a safe and social distance. In conjunction with…

Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB is holding its first COVID-19 vaccine walk-in clinics. This week’s walk-ins are for any adult who lives in the Health Board area and is yet to have their first dose. They are being held at Mountain Ash community vaccination centre based at the Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Centre. This Thursday (June 24) and Friday (June 25) the walk-in slots are available from 9:30 – 12:30 and then 1:15 to 3:30. 87 percent of eligible adults have had their first dose, and the latest figures show 58 percent have had both and are fully vaccinated. Cwm Taf…

Enso Energy Ltd is consulting on its plans for a solar farm and energy storage facility on land in the centre of Anglesey, known as Alaw Môn Solar Farm. It is inviting residents, businesses and stakeholders to help give their comments on the proposals. Situated to the south of Llyn Alaw, the proposed development comprises the construction and operation of a grid connected solar farm with energy storage. It is estimated that the solar farm with a proposed 40 year operational life will supply up to 160 megawatts (MW) of clean renewable electricity to the National Grid.  The proposal is…

Ten years ago on 23 June 2011 actor and RWCMD Fellow Kate Burton unveiled the bronze bust of her father, the great Welsh actor Richard Burton, opening the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama’s world-class facilities.    The award-winning new buildings included the acoustically outstanding Dora Stoutzker Concert Hall, the Richard Burton Theatre, the Carne Foyer and The Linbury Gallery.     Today the College launches a year of celebration with ten selected events over the course of the next year, showcasing all that the College has achieved over the decade and signposting its ambition for the next ten years.      ‘The College believes passionately in our sense of artistic community and our world-class new buildings have enabled us to welcome students, artists and audiences…

A group of schoolchildren have opened a new bridge in Gwynedd and become the first people to walk across it, following a year-long road closure. The 16 pupils from Ysgol Felinwnda near Llanfaglan also had the chance to talk to staff from the Balfour Beatty Jones Bros joint venture, which is delivering the £135m Caernarfon and Bontnewydd Bypass project. The bridge forms part of an unnamed road, known locally as Lôn Felinwnda, which adjoins the bypass site. Four year 6 pupils, having also experienced their own share of closures over the past year, had the honour of cutting the ribbon.…

The bid to secure World Heritage status for the slate areas of Gwynedd has reached the final stage before UNESCO decides whether the nomination will secure the designation. Following consideration from the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will now make a final decision on the application at their meeting in late July. If accepted, the landscape will earn its place as the fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site in Wales. The application includes the communities of Dyffryn Ogwen; Dinorwig; Dyffryn Nantlle; Cwmystradllyn and Cwm Pennant; Ffestiniog and Porthmadog; Abergynolwyn and Tywyn. The bid – led…

It would appear that Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElenney aren’t the only investors in Wrexham as Openreach – the UK’s largest network provider – announced it is to build its full fibre network in the town. Wrexham has enjoyed considerable media attention ever since the famous duo took ownership of Wrexham FC and in further good news for its residents the town will have access to some of the fastest and most reliable broadband speeds in Europe. People living and working in Wrexham will soon be able to download the latest Ryan Reynolds blockbuster movie in seconds thanks…

Bridgend County Borough Council has received confirmation that a funding bid which will enable it to acquire and demolish Bridgend town centre’s police station has been agreed by Welsh Government’s capital panel. The police station site, which is located at Cheapside, forms a significant part of the council’s regeneration plans for the town centre, and has already been marked as the potential location for an all-new college campus. Early discussions have taken place between the council, South Wales Police and Bridgend College as part of the local authority’s draft regeneration masterplan for Bridgend town centre. With plans to move police…

The sculpture of bees is made of willow and each bee has been individually handcrafted to give each of the bees a unique design and personality.  There are nine bees in total (four large and five small bees) displayed on the side of the Raven’s Cafe. Tania Bryan, Director of NONaffArt, the company that produced the sculpture said “We were delighted to be given the opportunity by the council to showcase local Welsh creative talent and to give the community the opportunity to experience and explore local myths and legends associated with Twmbarlwm. Bees have always had a connection to…