Author: Rhys Gregory

Caerphilly County Borough Council has once again support the “Everyone Deserves a Christmas” campaign, led by Nick Smith MP and Carolyn Harris MP, helping families and individuals facing hardship to enjoy a dignified and meaningful Christmas. This year, 50 Christmas hampers will be distributed to families and people in need across the Upper Rhymney Valley. Recipients were identified through partner organisations and council services working closely with local residents, helping to ensure support reached those who would benefit most. The hampers were delivered to Rhymney Library Hub, which again served as the central point for distribution. The initiative was made…

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies recently visited FareShare Cymru in Cardiff to see how vulnerable families across Wales will benefit from expanded food redistribution services this Christmas. The organisation transforms surplus food into meals for those in need, working with school breakfast clubs, community cafés and homeless shelters across Wales. Since 2015, with support from Welsh Government, FareShare Cymru has redistributed nearly 7,000 tonnes of food, preventing food waste whilst delivering over 20 million meals for vulnerable people. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Christmas can be such a worrying time for families facing financial challenges. That’s why FareShare Cymru’s…

Hundreds of children supported by social services teams across the Vale of Glamorgan will wake up to gifts on Christmas morning, thanks to the incredible success of this year’s Santa’s Cause campaign. Gift bags are making their way to doorsteps across the Vale, ensuring that children and young people who might otherwise go without can experience the joy and excitement of waking up to a gift on Christmas Day. Santa’s Cause is a Vale of Glamorgan Council campaign that brings together staff, residents, local organisations and businesses to raise funds and provide Christmas gifts for children and young people from…

A three-storey historic village cottage with views over the River Dyfi in Powys sold for £100,000 at auction. The delightful property, in the hamlet of Forge close to the bustling art and cultural centre of Machynlleth, was listed with a guide price of £75,000. Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The sale presented a rare and wonderful opportunity to acquire a truly delightful and intriguing, three storey cottage of quality in what is a wonderful location. “The property, 2 Bontfaen, Forge, offers the new owner plenty of scope to improve but nevertheless, has a wealth of intrinsic character which…

WALES is missing out on opportunities to save and prolong people’s lives because of a funding shortage for research into cancer. That’s the warning today from Cancer Research Wales which says demand for cancer research grants from scientists in Wales has outstripped its budgets in recent years. The charity has been one of the main charitable funders of cancer research in Wales, since it was established in 1966. Struggling to meet demand But in recent years, it has struggled to meet the demand it has received for funding from cancer scientists. Between 2021 and 2024, the charity had requests for…

With Christmas just around the corner, the magical family adventure Aladdin is now open and once again stars audience favourite Kev Johns who is fast approaching 30 years of treading the boards in panto at the Grand. We caught up with Kev to find out what a ‘normal’ day is like during panto season for Swansea’s legendary dame!   7:00 a.m. Rise and Shine My wake-up call is 7am. To be honest it’s a bit hard for me to believe I’m now an early riser. Back in college, I was always the last to get out of bed! These days,…

Christmas at Nightingale House Hospice has once again been filled with warmth, wonder and heartfelt moments, as patients, families, staff, volunteers and the wider community came together to celebrate the festive season. Throughout December, the hospice has been transformed into a welcoming winter setting, with twinkling decorations brightening the building and the sounds of Christmas music filling the air. Staff embraced the spirit of the season by wearing Christmas jumpers and decorating hospice spaces, helping to create a homely and festive atmosphere for patients and families spending time there. The hospice have welcomed a number of special visitors during the…

voco St David’s Cardiff has marked a successful year in 2025, welcoming 67,463 guests to date and generating record turnover, underlining its position as one of Wales’ leading five-star hotels. The iconic Cardiff Bay hotel recorded a 5% increase in total revenue year on year, alongside a 25% rise in corporate room nights, reflecting strong demand from conferences, business travel and major events. July proved to be a standout period, delivering the hotel’s highest revenue month of the year, boosted by a busy city events calendar including Oasis performing at the Principality Stadium. Throughout 2025, voco St David’s Cardiff has…

Premier Forest Products, one of the UK’s leading timber companies, has acquired two Arnold Laver locations from the administrators of the National Timber Group England. The move secures 36 jobs at the two sites, with plans to increase that number to over 100 as the branches are rebuilt and re-staffed, ensuring continuity for customers and suppliers. The acquisition of the Manchester and Reading operations is a strategic investment by the 32-year-old business, strengthening Premier Forest’s presence in the two regions and supporting its long-term plans to build a sustainable UK-wide network. Arnold Laver was an established brand within the National…

Wales’ brightest young inventors have been recognised for their invention and creation at the 25th annual Innovation Awards, hosted by WJEC. The Innovation Awards, held in collaboration with Welsh Government, are a celebration of Welsh design and technology, recognising and rewarding the next generation of innovators. In parallel to previous years, the 25th Innovation Awards encouraged young people in Wales to be technologically innovative and appreciate the importance of design and technology. The event held at The Pierhead in Cardiff Bay, was also a reflection on the legacy of Welsh inventors and acknowledges their contributions. Some of the world’s most groundbreaking inventions have come from Welsh inventors, such as the electronic breathalyser, the RIB Boat, and the modern microphone. This year’s inventions were no exception and included a…