Author: Rhys Gregory

Seven Barclays high street branches across Wales have been shut down by Greenpeace activists this morning as part of a UK shutdown of 100 branches in protest against the bank’s continued multi-billion dollar support for fossil fuels.  Barclays Cardiff Working Street, St Davids Centre branch is currently blocked for access by a Greenpeace pop up exhibition. The exhibitions displayed photographs of some of the worst climate emergency disasters in the four years since the Paris Climate agreement was signed. Greenpeace are demanding that Barclays, the biggest funder of fossil fuels among European banks, stop propping up oil, gas and coal…

A LEADING pet retailer and a children’s charity are aiming to scale new heights this summer. PetPlace is the headline sponsor for Ty Gobaith and Hope House Children’s Hospices Snowdon Sunrise Trek, which takes place on Saturday July 4. The company, which has stores in Llangefni, Ruthin, Mold, Chirk and Abergele, is a long-time patron of the organisation and has raised up to £40,000 with a series of events in past years. Managing Director Sion Pritchard said the business – which is celebrating its 50th year – will continue to do all it can to support the hospice centres in Conwy…

A poet who found herself homeless as a teenager has helped launch pioneering workshops for school children, in a bid to stem a shocking rise in homelessness in Gwynedd. Charity GISDA has launched the workshops in partnership with youth workers and teachers, with the first school to take part being Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen in Bethesda. Gisda Team Leader for Projects, Lee, experienced homelessness herself as a teenager said the project team also wants to quash preconceptions and prejudices, including the idea that every homelessness person begs on the streets. In the first session of its kind to be held in…

A unique partnership between Welsh language broadcaster S4C and Guinness World Records has celebrated Wales’ national day, St. David’s Day March 1 by breaking a magnificent 7 Guinness World Records titles of human achievement across Wales. Record-breaking feats have been taking place today and at the end of last week across the length and breadth of Wales under the scrutiny of Guinness World Records Adjudicators, and the records are being heralded by Guinness World Records (GWR) on their significant social media channels – taking Wales and the Welsh language around the world on St. David’s Day. Successful records will also…

Business confidence in Wales fell 15 points during February to -2%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Across the UK, overall confidence was unchanged on last month at 23%, with Wales recording the lowest levels of confidence. Companies across the nation reported low confidence in their business prospects at -3%, marking a significant drop from January’s figures (13%). The figures represent the first negative confidence recording since August. While businesses’ hiring intentions remained steady at 3% (down one point from January), the Barometer raises concerns about growth ambitions across the Welsh economy. Amanda Dorel, regional…

Tributes have been paid to a “formidable” ex-teacher who has died away at the age of 104. Great great grandmother Rhiannon Grey Davies was reunited with one of her former pupils, 86-year-old Joyce Jones, when she went to live at Pendine Park’s Gwern Alyn Home in Wrexham. Rhiannon, a retired domestic science teacher, passed away on Tuesday, February 11. She leaves two children, Bethan and John, two granddaughters and four great grandchildren. Former pupil Joyce will be among the mourners at the funeral which will be held at Pentrebychan Crematorium at 12pm on Friday, March 6, followed by a service at…

Crimewatch Roadshow Live, with Michelle Ackerley and Rav Wilding, is back on BBC One Daytime from Monday 9 March (9.15am) for three weeks. The programme will be appealing to the public to help tackle everyday crimes as well and crack some of the UK’s biggest unsolved cases. Every weekday morning the programme will feature dramatic reconstructions of cases, designed to generate calls from viewers with crucial information to help police investigations. In the studio, former detective Rav Wilding will reveal the latest crime fighting science, gadgets and techniques. He’ll also be calling on viewers to name more criminals caught on…

Major plans to boost digital connectivity for businesses and residents throughout South West Wales are picking up speed. Gareth Jones, from Carmarthen, has been appointed manager of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure project, which will be rolled out across Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. The £55 million project is made up of three elements: The introduction of world class digital connectivity in key urban areas and economic growth zones Improving digital connectivity in underserved communities The provision of the most advanced network technology and infrastructure along the primary transport corridor of the region Carmarthenshire Council –…

For hundreds of years, the people of Wales have been celebrating its patron saint, David. The Welsh national day takes place annually on the 1st March, which this year is on a Sunday following yesterday’s leap day. St David’s Day has been celebrated ever since his canonisation by Pope Callixtus II in the 12th century. It is said that the day is observed on the 1st March as this is believed to be the date of David’s death. Each year the nation comes together in celebration, wearing traditional Welsh dress and icons such as the daffodil and leek. The day…

To celebrate St David’s Day, five exclusive limited-edition custom mini figures of Welsh legends made from Lego went on sale. They were only available to purchase on the 1st March exclusively at St David’s shopping centre, with all proceeds from the collection will be donated to Welsh charities. Hundreds of shoppers had been queuing before 10am to get their hands on one. The five ‘Mini Welsh Legends’, include Gareth Bale, Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas, Ruth Jones as Nessa, Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey. Fifty of each mini figure has been created were available to purchase on St David’s Day from…