Author: Rhys Gregory

A couple who defied the odds and survived after opening their restaurant just before Covid struck are expanding with an Airbnb rental. Talented chef Rob Dowell-Brown and his wife, Vicky, who run the Nant y Felin, in Llanrhaeadr YC, between Ruthin and Denbigh, were not eligible for financial support from the Government when the world went into lockdown. But the resourceful duo used the difficulty and weathered the storm by turning their hand to providing greatly appreciated take away meals for the community. Now Vicky has also taken on a two-bedroom apartment, Min y Maes, behind the property, effectively turning…

A pioneering cooperative has been chosen to provide a new music service in schools in Conwy. The North Wales Music Cooperative will be launching the service in September and is already recruiting tutors to work with them. The organisation already works in Denbighshire and Wrexham and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, winning a raft of major awards along the way. The move follows a decision by Conwy County Borough Council to change to an external provider to safeguard music provision in its schools, which resulted in uncertainty for the council’s peripatetic music teachers facing redundancy. According to the cooperative’s…

A MUM-OF-TWO from Dinas Powys has completed a 100km trek across the Isle of Skye – just weeks after finishing her year-long treatment for breast cancer. Jodie Morgan has returned from the Inner Hebrides having completed CoppaFeel!’s challenging Skye trek, raising £5,500 for the breast cancer awareness charity. Mrs Morgan was just 37 years old when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) – a rare form of the disease affecting 15-20% of breast cancers¹ and is more common among women under 40. In the UK, around 2,400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer aged 39 and under,…

Business confidence in Wales was the highest of any UK nation or region in June, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 14 points at 66%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 47 points to 68%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 67% (vs. 36% in May). A net balance of 59% of businesses in Wales also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 36 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified…

With temperatures set to soar in most parts of England this weekend, the RSPCA is issuing urgent advice, tips and DIY video tutorials to help pet owners keep their furry and feathered friends cool and comfortable. The advice comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat alert warning until 6pm on Tuesday (1 July) across parts of the UK. The amber alerts are in place for five regions – East Midlands, South East, South West, East and London – while less serious yellow heat health alerts will be in force for two areas, Yorkshire and…

Tickets are now available for the 2025 Gower Walking Festival. An annual celebration of Gower, the Festival is designed to encourage people to appreciate the area’s unique landscape and rich heritage while enjoying the many benefits of walking. This year, the Festival will run from Saturday 6th September to Sunday 14th September 2025.   Since its inauguration, 21 years ago, the GWF has set out to offer a diverse and sustainable programme of walking events, with minimal environmental impact, to educate and sometimes challenge all who take part.  This year is no different with more than 30 guided walks in and around the…

The family of Ian Winder, the 46-year-old man who died following a collision which took place on the A4233, in Porth, on Wednesday, June 18, have paid tribute to him. Ian had four children and two grandchildren. They said: “As a family we are truly heartbroken and devastated and we ask for time to grieve and process the loss of Ian. “Ian was an incredible father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. His warmth, kindness, and unwavering love touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. To know Ian was to love him—he had a rare gift for making people…

Mid Wales-based bus operator Celtic Travel has been awarded a contract to deliver the TrawsCymru T4 service between Merthyr and Newtown from September. The popular route has been operating for 14 years and is well used by commuters, students, residents, and tourists accessing Bannau Brycheiniog, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, and many of the lovely towns and villages along the route. Celtic Travel, based in Llanidloes, Powys, has been delivering reliable transport services across Mid Wales and the surrounding areas since 2006. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “It’s good to see Celtic Travel join the…

After nearly 40 years working in local government, Denbighshire County Council’s Chief Executive is to retire. Graham Boase, who has been the Council’s Chief Executive for the past four years but has worked for the County since its inception in 1996, will step down as Chief Executive at the end of January 2026. A qualified Town Planner, Mr Boase previously held the posts of Director Economy & Public Realm and Head of Planning & Public Protection at Denbighshire. He previously worked for two London Boroughs. Announcing his retirement, Mr Boase said, “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to…

Pembrokeshire residents can now recycle small electrical goods as part of their weekly kerbside recycling service. This initiative aims to reduce the amount of electrical waste going into black bags and instead ensure it is properly recycled. From now on, household items such as kettles, hair dryers, small toasters, irons, and other similar-sized handheld electricals can be placed loose on top of your recycling containers for collection on your usual recycling day. The accepted items include: Handheld kitchen appliances, kettles and toasters (4 slice max) and small coffee machines Hairdryers and hair straighteners Handheld power tools Radios Irons Extension leads,…