Author: Rhys Gregory

One of north Wales’ best-known live events companies has entered a new chapter after long-serving employees Gwyn and Mandy Hughes, from Bethel, Caernarfon, take ownership of the business. The husband-and-wife team have been part of MAD Sound and Lighting for almost three decades between them, with Gwyn having worked for the company for 17 years and Mandy for 8 years. Having now bought the business, they will continue to build on the strong reputation it has established over the past 25 years, while keeping it in the hands of experienced local people. Founded by Arwel Hughes in 2000, MAD has become one…

The Old Brewery, Brains’ brand-new pub and immersive beer experience in Cardiff’s Brewery Quarter, is officially open to the public today following its VIP launch event last night. The evening brought together a host of Welsh talent, including former Welsh international rugby players Alun Wyn Jones andJosh Navidi, comedian and actor Mike Bubbins and BBC Morning Live star Justine Jones, who gathered to celebrate the opening of Cardiff’s newest beer destination. Based in the city’s historic Brewery Quarter and aptly named The Old Brewery, the venue is a collaboration between Brains Brewery, global brewing giant Heineken and Breaking Brands’ director…

Applications are now open for the latest round of SMART funding to help organisations across Wales invest in new equipment and technology. The funding round is open to businesses, universities, research organisations, further education colleges, third sector organisations and NHS Health Boards operating in Wales. Since 2023, SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS) has supported 171 organisations across Wales, with more than £20.1 million in grant funding awarded. The funding has helped organisations develop new products, services and ways of working, improve productivity and explore new opportunities for growth. It has also supported collaboration between businesses, universities and public sector organisations,…

From this week young people will begin to receive the second dose of their potentially lifesaving Meningitis B vaccination. In the first four weeks of the time-limited roll out, over 17,000 young people across Wales came forward for their vaccination. Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health, Nerys Evans, visited a clinic at Maelfa, Cardiff, where she met young people receiving their second dose ahead of starting university this autumn. The vaccine is administered as two separate doses, one month apart, and eligible young people must complete both doses to ensure best protection. The second dose can be accessed in…

A grassroots running challenge created specifically for Cardiff’s hospitality community will return this September for its biggest year yet, bringing together 130 people from across the city’s bars, restaurants and venues. The Lab 22 Hospitality vs 10K Challenge will see runners representing more than 30 Cardiff hospitality businesses take on the CDF 10K on Sunday 6 September, raising money for local children’s charity Dreams & Wishes. Now in its third year, the initiative was started by Lab 22 owner Tani Hasa after he bought 30 race places in 2024 and offered them to people working in hospitality who might never…

A Welsh community organisation providing accessible wellbeing services to people from all walks of life is being celebrated as part of a landmark campaign between The National Lottery and Co-op. Swansea Wellbeing Centre has been highlighted as one of five National Lottery funded projects across the UK to feature in a nationwide celebration marking the £3 billion that has been raised for Good Causes through National Lottery sales in Co-op stores since 1994. The campaign will run in selected Co-op stores and communications from the 12th of August to the 1st of September, helping to connect National Lottery players with the local projects that,…

MONMOUTHSHIRE Building Society has this week published its financial results for 2025/26. The Newport-based Building Society has maintained the £3.7million in post-tax profits it achieved in 2025, and its total assets were slightly up on last year at £1.73billion (£1,72billion in 2025). This financial performance was achieved while also making significant strategic investments that will strengthen the Society’s long-term resilience, capability and value for members. Key results include: Total assets increased to £1.73billion Underlying profit before tax for the year is £6.6million Profit after tax for the year remained steady at £3.7million Its mortgage book totalled £1.36billion Year-end total savings…

The former sprawling, grandiose home of a nineteenth century South Wales iron company manager, later converted to a hotel, is for sale at auction. Substantial and historic Grade II listed Rhymney House Hotel has existed as a number of entities in its 225 years since being built. The commanding property, at Rhymney Bridge, Rhymney, Llechryd, near Tredegar, is now listed for sale online with Paul Fosh Auctions at £215,000. Welsh monuments and historic buildings group Cadw records Rhymney House as being built in 1801 as the Rhymney Iron Company manager’s residence on land leased from the Duke of Beaufort. It…

A fourth person has been charged in connection with the death of a teenager in a road traffic collision in Gorseinon in July. 36-year-old Trisha Thomas, from Gorseinon, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Wednesday morning (August 19) and has now been charged with the same offence. 18-year-old Tyler Ford, from Morriston, was charged with the murder of Ceiran Evans, from Gorseinon, and the attempted murder of another victim, following a fatal road traffic collision on July 9. 33-year-old Elliot Truelove, from West Cross, Swansea and 18-year-old Liam Thomas, from Morriston, Swansea were also later charged with…

A man has been sentenced after detectives used CCTV footage to track him down following an upskirting offence in Cardiff city centre. Police were called to St David’s 2 shopping centre on the morning of Monday, July 7, after a woman reported that an unknown man had filmed up her daughter’s skirt. The man then ran away in the direction of Churchill Way. South Wales Police said the suspect was tracked through CCTV footage to his car, which was parked in Fitzalan Road. Further checks identified Alex Allegretto as a named driver of the vehicle. He was arrested at his…