Author: Rhys Gregory

A prolific burglar who befriended an elderly blind woman at church before targeting her home is today starting a five-year jail term. Kevin Kelly attended a film night at the Emmanuel Christchurch in Bridgend at the end of December, where he introduced himself as ‘Dave’ and was welcomed by the congregation. Following the film, Kelly was given a lift home by the pastor alongside a woman in her 80s who was accompanied by her guide dog. The following morning the woman was alone at home awaiting a delivery when she heard a knock at the door. Recognising ‘Dave’s’ distinctive Newcastle…

The performance of sterling has been remarkable of late. After the Brexit shockwaves of 2016, GBP fell precipitously against competing currencies, plunging to multi-year lows of 1.18 to the USD, while racking up massive declines against the EUR, CHF, JPY, and CAD. As fate would have it, the remarkable resilience of the UK economy has put paid to the notion of an inexorable British decline. Step-by-step, the UK economy – ably assisted by the governorship of Mark Carney – has remained sound.  The recently recorded GDP growth rate is 0.4 %, up markedly from the prior reading of -0.2%. The…

The Red Dragon Centre has partnered with Wales’ leading first aid charity, St John Cymru, to host a number of first aid demonstrations for the public during half term as part of the #Defibruary campaign. Each year around 8,000 people in Wales experience a sudden cardiac arrest but if more people knew what to do in this type of emergency, more lives could be saved. Throughout February, Wales’ leading first aid charity, St John Cymru, is urging people to become more aware of defibrillators, when one should be used and where to find one as part of their ‘defib-aware’ campaign.…

Entry applications have just opened and there are early bird entry prices until the end of February. The multi-award winning event – featuring some of the finest scenery in athletics – has once again been nominated as the UK’s Best 10k in The Running Awards. Swansea Council is behind the event which is being sponsored by Admiral for the 15th consecutive year. As well as the 10k, there are 1k and 3k junior fun runs, along with a 10k wheelchair race. Around 5,000 people are expected to take part on Sunday, September 20, which will mark the 40th Swansea Bay 10k. The…

A successful Conwy inn has opened an additional luxury boutique guesthouse in a former chapel, after receiving six-figure funding. The Chapel or ‘Y Capel’ has opened opposite The Erskine Arms on Rose Hill Street after pub owners Stange & Co secured a £550,000 funding package from NatWest. The funding has supported 18 months of renovations to transform the Grade II listed building into an 11-bedroom guesthouse, complete with communal kitchen and lounge area. The Chapel, which has been derelict since the 1970s, will be operated from The Erskine Arms and five new employees have been brought in to run the…

VEEZU has today announced an exciting new finance facility with Santander and Tosca Debt Capital to enable it to further grow its positioning as the UK’s largest multi-region private hire taxi company. The arrangement will fully refinance Veezu’s capital structure to enable it to bolster its market-leading positioning. Veezu, which was founded in 2013, operated with more than 4650 active driver-partners during 2019, delivering more than 13 million private hire journeys per year, equating to an overall transaction value in excess of £120million. This performance places Veezu as the largest PHV taxi company in the UK. On completion of the…

Very strong winds are likely across much of the UK later Saturday and through Sunday. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph are likely across many inland areas, with gusts 70, possibly 80 mph around some exposed coasts and hills, especially in the north and west. A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for wind between 18:00 (UTC) on Sat 8 Feb 2020 and 23:59 (UTC) on Sun 9 Feb 2020. Heavy rain will be an additional hazard, especially over western hills. Winds of this strength across a wide area have the potential to produce disruption to…

A Bettws woman has been banned from keeping all animals for three years after leaving two bearded dragons in a vacated property to suffer – with one ultimately losing his life. Jayde Melanie Ross, 26 – now of Monnow Way – earlier pleaded guilty to two Animal Welfare Act (2006) offences at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, and was sentenced at Newport Magistrates’ Court last Thursday (30 January). RSPCA Cymru was contacted after the bearded dragons – one male, and one female – were found abandoned at the property, in a vivarium setup without working heating. They were signed into the care…

Spring water and soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills says they wouldn’t be where they are today without its army of apprentices. Winner of Made in Wales’ Sustainable/ Ethical Manufacturer of the year award, the business saw a 20% increase in growth last year and has recently invested in a UK £3.5 million investment in a canning line to produce canned spring water. The mineral rich spring water sourced on site, was the reason why the fifth-generation family farm in Powys diversified in 1990. From those roots, 170 vital rural jobs have been created while the farm still keeps sheep and grows…

A partnership project that aims to demonstrate the link between sustainably managed green spaces and increased wellbeing launches during school half term week with free drop-in events at four locations in Newtown. Where the Severn Smiles will highlight opportunities to be happier and healthier in Newtown’s green spaces. The project is being led by Open Newtown, a not-for-profit community enterprise,. James Lander, who coordinates the project, said: “It is great to in partnership with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, Newtown Recreation Association, Oriel Davies Gallery, Cultivate Co-operative, Circular Economy Mid Wales and Pont Hafren.” Oriel Davies Gallery focuses on art, Cultivate Co-operative…