Author: Rhys Gregory

In light of the cancellation of events like Wimbledon, Euro 2020, The Open, and many other events this summer, it has to be said that broadcasters like the BBC did a pretty good job of making up for the lack of live sport in the schedules. The Euros Rewind show, for example, was excellent, showing the full coverage of classic games from the tournament’s history, including Wales’ incredible victory over Belgium at Euro 2016. But if we are honest, even reliving Gareth Bale and Co dismantling one of the world’s best teams cannot compare with live sport. And, while the…

A new skate park and play park are being developed in Penllwyn, along with improvements to the surrounding area. The improvements are being funded by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) environmental improvement programme. Over the term of the WHQS programme over £260 million will have been invested into the homes of council tenants and their local communities. Around £467k will be invested into environmental improvements in Penllwyn, with £131k being invested into the skate park and play park. Works to the skate park are underway, with Bendcrete completing this. Approximately £109k worth of work has already…

A drug-dealer from Liverpool found with more than £100k cash in his car during an intelligence-led vehicle stop has been jailed for 15 years. Neil Croston was stopped as he travelled along the A470 towards Brecon in his BMW on May 28, 2019. Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, had received intelligence that the 45-year-old was involved in the supply of Class A drugs and that he was believed to have travelled to the south Wales area on that day to complete a drug deal. After being stopped by a South Wales Police traffic officer on behalf…

Swansea Council is working on plans to offer hospitality businesses around the city the chance to do more business outdoors. This could see more of them expanding to set up café and bar operations on existing paved areas and others setting up new collective outdoor seating areas. Restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs could be among those to benefit. The plan, a response to the pandemic and social distancing measures, aims to make the permissions process simpler, swifter and less costly for businesses whilst helping keep anti-social behaviour in check. The needs of those with disabilities, other pedestrians, local residents and…

Ceredigion Museum’s ground-breaking ‘Sheep’ exhibition has been shortlisted for the Museums & Heritage Awards 2020 ‘Temporary or Touring Exhibition’ category.  Ceredigion Museum is the only museum of the six shortlisted that’s located outside London. The Museum will be up against stiff competition, including the Royal Collection Trust’s ‘Leonardo da Vinci: Life in Drawings’ and Tate’s ‘Steve McQueen Year 3’ exhibitions. The winner will be announced at a virtual ceremony on the 22 September. Catrin Miles, Councillor Catherine Hughes, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Porth Ceredigion, Early Intervention, Well-being Hubs and Culture said: “I am delighted that Ceredigion Museum have been…

The much loved animals of Swansea’s popular Plantasia welcomed back the public, re-opening its doors on Saturday. They include Rainbow the macaw, a long-standing member of the Plantasia collection, Asian leopard cats Nala and Aneurin – the newest of the attraction’s star animals, and playful crowd pleasers Onesie and Joe the meerkats. The facility, managed by Parkwood Leisure for Swansea Council, opened for the first time since lockdown in March. The reopening took place in line with government restrictions so the Parc Tawe facility. Pre-booking is recommended, a one-way system is in operation along with social distancing guidance and hand sanitising…

Women are abandoning their dreams of starting their own businesses because of the pressures of the Covid-19 crisis. That’s the warning from Ceri Gillett, who runs a social enterprise designed to support parents to launch and grow businesses across Wales. Ceri, who also runs a catering company with her partner, James, launched Mubo to offer workshops and digital support to those wanting to take the plunge and start a business, especially in rural areas. She said she had spoken to many women, especially mothers, who had found the pressures of lockdown, particularly having children at home, put paid to their…

New research by Welsh academics shows that a patient’s pupils can reveal if they have suffered a traumatic experience in the past. Posttraumatic stress disorder can occur when a person has experienced a traumatic event such as a car crash, combat stress, or abuse. They can be left with a greater sensitivity, or hyperarousal, to everyday events and an inability to switch off and relax. The research, led by Dr Aimee McKinnon at Cardiff University and published in the journal Biological Psychology, looked for traces of these traumatic events in the eyes of patients who were suffering from PTSD by…

Dairy producers are reaching new customers by developing from milking machine to vending machine. Self-serve milk vending machines are growing in popularity, and with Cywain’ s help a number of Welsh dairy farms are taking up the technology – and providing a modern twist on traditional farmgate sales. Dewi Evans, Cywain Project Manager, said “Milk vending machines are another way producers can sell direct to the public, adding value to their milk by establishing a premium product brand. “Cywain is working with a number of Welsh producers to create their brands and launch their vending businesses. Also, such has been…

Earlier this month, Cadw successfully re-opened 43 of its unstaffed, free-entry monuments and on Saturday (18 July), the historic environment service revealed a phased re-opening plan for selected staffed sites in its care, including some of Wales’s most iconic historical attractions. The news follows the First Minister’s recent announcement that indoor visitor attractions in Wales are now able to re-open under Welsh Government social distancing regulations and guidelines. With a new online ticketing system in place, Cadw intends to re-open 18 of its staffed heritage sites in phases this summer, starting with Blaenavon Ironworks, Plas Mawr Elizabethan Townhouse in Conwy…