Author: Rhys Gregory

A 38-year-old man has been jailed after £30,000 worth of cocaine was discovered in his car. Lee Hope, of Huyton, appeared for sentencing at Mold Crown Court on 25 September after previously admitting to possession with intent to supply cocaine. On 21 August, officers received information that a vehicle was travelling from Merseyside towards North Wales with the intention of bringing drugs into the area. Officers stopped the car on the A55 at Bangor and arrested Hope, who was driving. A large amount of cocaine was discovered in the boot, which is estimated to be worth a street value of…

Plans to extend passenger rail services from Aberdare to Hirwaun, including the possibility of two new railway stations, have been put forward for public consultation. Transport for Wales (TfW), working in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, has launched a public engagement exercise to gather views on proposals that could improve transport connections across the Upper Cynon Valley. The scheme forms part of the future expansion of the South Wales Metro, as outlined in TfW’s Today, Tomorrow, Together vision for rail across Wales and Borders. If progressed, the project could see passenger trains return to the existing, unused…

The commercial cleaning company founded by Rachael Flanagan 21 years ago follows Bluestone in receiving the customer-experience recognition.

A Cardiff search marketing agency has left its city centre office to share a working space with one of its longest-standing clients. Appear Online, which specialises in SEO, AI search and Google Ads, has moved out of Brunel House and into shared space on Stadium Close in Cardiff alongside Creative Spaces Design, the exhibition stand, interiors and retail design company it has worked with for several years. The move swaps a traditional office block for a working studio, where Creative Spaces designs and builds exhibition stands, event spaces and commercial interiors for brands across the UK. From Client to Neighbour…

South Wales Police seized 10,000 suspected counterfeit cigarettes, more than 100 bags of cannabis and an untaxed, uninsured van in Ashwood Court, Roath, on Wednesday afternoon, 7 October.

Families with children in Years 7 and 8 who receive Universal Credit can now apply for free school meals under an expansion of the offer in Swansea. The scheme, known as Extended Free School Meals, will be available from 12 October and applies to all Year 7 and Year 8 pupils whose parent, carer or guardian receives Universal Credit, regardless of earnings. Eligible pupils will receive a daily meal allowance of £2.40. The move, funded by the Welsh Government, builds on the Universal Primary Free School Meals programme, which already provides free school meals to all primary-aged pupils across Swansea…

Wales is set for a wet and windy spell this week, with the Met Office forecasting heavy rain, strong winds and possible coastal gales following an unusually mild start to the week. Temperatures could reach 20°C on Monday (12 October), although much of the country will experience damp and grey conditions, with spells of drizzle and fog. According to the Met Office, foggy conditions are most likely along exposed coasts and hills, while brighter breaks could develop during the afternoon, particularly in eastern areas. Despite the unsettled conditions, temperatures will remain very mild throughout Monday, reaching a maximum of 20°C.…

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price, is in Boston this week to build new trade and investment links in artificial intelligence, technology, and digital sectors. The visit, from 12 to 16 October, includes meetings with technology companies, investors and business leaders with connections to Wales. The technology companies include Sublime Systems, a Boston-based cement company, supporting low carbon construction, and Microchip Technology, a semiconductor manufacturer, which has a base in Caldicot. The Minister will also meet with companies in life sciences and energy to discuss investment and trade opportunities with Wales. He will attend the Ministerial Summit…

Wales’s historic environment supports nearly 18,000 jobs and contributes more than £738million to the nation’s economy every year, according to research published on Friday 9 October. The study, carried out independently by AMION for Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, examined the economic, social and wider value generated by historic sites, museums, parks, landscapes and heritage organisations across Wales. It estimated that more than 13 million visits are made annually to historic sites and accredited museums. Beyond the economic impacts, the sector generates more than £107million of social value each year through volunteering, visits, education and community engagement. Across…

Finalists for the Caerphilly Sports Awards 2026 have been announced, recognising people and clubs involved in sport and physical activity across the county borough. The awards evening, hosted by Sport Caerphilly, will be held on Friday 20 November at Bryn Meadows Hotel, Golf & Spa. Tickets are available from Newbridge Leisure Centre. The awards recognise contributions that create opportunities, encourage participation and strengthen communities, and support Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019-2029. Young Volunteer of the Year Celebrating young people who give their time and energy to support local sport. Eva Cecil – Caerphilly LTC Gwenllian…