Author: Rhys Gregory

Black Friday, also known as Mad Friday is the last Friday before Christmas and traditionally the most popular night for office parties. As a result, it has gained a reputation as one of the busiest nights of the year for restaurants, pubs and the emergency services.

South Wales Police is appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision in Hirwaun yesterday evening (Friday, December 20). Just before 3pm, emergency services were called to the collision involving a red BMW and a grey Peugeot on Rhigos Road. An 84-year-old woman from Aberdare, who was driving the Peugeot, has died. Her family have been informed and are being supported by a specially-trained family liaison officer. The driver of the red BMW – a 25-year-old man from Hirwaun – has been arrested and is in police custody. Witnesses to the collision or anyone else with information which may…

As the nation eagerly awaits the return of Gavin and Stacey to our TV screens this Christmas, more than 100 men and women took to the road in festive fancy dress for a sponsored motorcycle ride on a scenic route from Llandow to Barry Island in aid of Help for Heroes. Staff and supporters from Vale Moto Training raised over £650 in the annual Charity Ride Out, which raised money for the military charity for the first time this year. Jo Davey runs the business with her husband Steve, and chose to hold the event in aid of Help for…

Staff at manufacturing giant Sony UK Technology Centre (UK TEC) have donated over 100 gifts for three local charities in the lead up to Christmas. As part of its commitment to supporting the local community through charity work, staff at the Pencoed facility have been collecting gifts for Bridgend Foster Care, Calan DVS – a charity in Bridgend that support women and children effected by domestic abuse, and Llamau, who work to eradicate homelessness for young people and vulnerable women in Wales. At the beginning of the festive period, a Christmas tree was erected in the factory and decorated with…

A popular hotel in a Pembrokeshire beauty spot has secured a bright new future after being bought by new owner Robert Jones and hotel manager Matthew Pugsley. The 10-room Lamphey Hall hotel in the village of Lamphey was recently put up for sale. In addition to a £50,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales, Rob and Matthew have invested their own money as well as securing a personal mortgage from NatWest. The micro loan from the Development Bank bridged the gap between their finance and the asking price, allowing them to buy the hotel as a going concern. The…

Eleven people in Swansea are celebrating this weekend after scooping a £1,000 cash prize each thanks to their lucky postcode. The Linden Avenue neighbours netted the windfall when SA3 5LA was announced as a Daily Prize winner with People’s Postcode Lottery on Friday 20th December 2019. People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson sent his congratulations to the winners. He said: “What a way to start the weekend! I hope this win makes Christmas extra special for our winners.” A minimum of 32% of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £500 million…

Business confidence in Wales fell two points during December to 8%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales report lower confidence in their business prospects at 5% and higher economic optimism at 9%, giving an overall confidence reading of 8%. Businesses’ hiring intentions showed that a net balance of 9% of businesses in the region expect to hire more staff during the next year, up one point on last month. Across the UK, overall confidence edged up one point to 10% as firms’ confidence in their own prospects rose six points to 18%,…

Global real estate firm, Savills has forecast strong house price growth of 18% in Wales over the next five years, which would make it one of the fastest growing markets in the UK. While housing supply is almost meeting need, there is still a shortfall in the provision of affordable homes in Wales. The predicted house price rises are expected to put further pressure on the sector. Caroline Jones is an associate director in Savills development team in Cardiff, specialising in residential development. She comments: “The value of residential property in Wales is fast catching up with the rest of…

Eggnog the hamster will have a very happy Christmas after all – despite being abandoned in bitterly cold temperatures on the streets of Swansea. The tiny Russian dwarf hamster was found by a family on the pavement outside their home in the Penllergaer area of the city. RSPCA Cymru say it is “shocking” someone would dump a hamster like this – but are “over the moon” that Eggnog has been saved. The hamster was found near a small pile of sawdust, and was making his way down the family’s driveway when they came to his rescue. Sadly, Eggnog was also…

Important work to help improve Swansea city centre will take place from January 6. It will see work carried out to pedestrianise the upper section of Union Street and an adjoining part of Park Street. Alongside work already undertaken on the neighbouring Kingsway, it will help improve walking and cycling connections through the city centre. Swansea Council have commissioned the work. Throughout the work, motoring access to the car parks in Park Street – including all the accessible parking bays – will be maintained at all times via Portland Street. Pedestrian access will remain at all times and business are…