Author: Rhys Gregory

Graeme Carter, of Carmarthenshire-based Red Valley Farms, broke the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Most pigs-in-blankets made in one minute at Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales’s (HCC) stand at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair on 26th November 2019. Surpassing André Ortolf’s record of making 17 in one minute, set in 2016, Graeme just managed tocomplete 18; meaning each one was made in less than three and a half seconds! Despite rolling a total of 20, Guinness World Records can confirm – to Graeme’s disappointment – that only 18 are of an “acceptable standard”, and can be counted towards…

STARS many of us will be watching and listening to this Christmas could soon be performing in Swansea’s state-of-the-art digital indoor arena. Senior managers at the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), who’ll be running the arena when it’s open, say acts including Snow Patrol, Ronnie Wood and the Pet Shop Boys are among those who feature at their worldwide network of venues. Others include Kelly Jones, the Beastie Boys, Sinéad O’Connor and Emeli Sandé. Main contractor the Buckingham Group has now started work on the 3,500-capacity digital indoor arena on a site adjacent to the LC in Swansea city centre. Swansea…

A CARDIFF man has launched an appeal for help in finding a long-lost sister he has never met after only discovering she existed three years ago. Michael Richards, 64, who grew up in Whitchurch, says he has made it his life’s quest to find his sibling and is appealing for local people to provide clues as to her whereabouts. He believes his sister, who lived in the Velindre Road or Heol Booker areas of Whitchurch and may have been born in Rudry, is possibly deceased but he is hoping to find out more about her life and where she might…

A Bassaleg  woman, who is one of Wales’ longest serving blood donors, is encouraging local residents to “give it a go” after being recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for reaching 100 blood donations, a milestone that has taken her 59 years to achieve. Jeanne Butcher, 71, was one of four local donors that were recognised at a recent awards ceremony for reaching the 100 donation milestone. Commenting at the event, Jeanne, a retired NHS clerical assistant, said: “I was encouraged by a colleague to attend my first blood donation clinic back in 1965 when I was 18 and working…

RAY WELLS will say goodbye to Coleg Cambria this week after helping to lead the institution for more than two decades. Mr Wells, a former manager in the steel industry and quality assessor, stepped down as vice-chair of the Governing Body after almost 24 years with Cambria, and previously Deeside College. He is respected in UK manufacturing and engineering circles for his contribution to the sector, notably as manager of the Corus Colors Total Quality Business Excellence programme. Since retiring from the steel industry, he has worked with Governors Wales, Local Authorities and Welsh Government to improve the effectiveness of…

Towergate Insurance Brokers is advising trustees and those in charge of their local village hall, community hall, leisure or sports hall, to ensure assets are protected appropriately. Adrian Bonas, Charity Champion at Towergate Insurance Brokers Cardiff who specialises in Charity and Third Sector Insurance, is advising trustees to ensure their hall has the correct insurance in place for the variety of activities the festive season brings, as well as being practically prepared to protect their premises from adverse weather conditions. Adrian said “During the festive season community spaces see a lot more activity as people celebrate. This means that your…

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is gearing up for one of its busiest nights of the year as revellers celebrate the start of the Christmas break. The Trust has teamed up with police forces, health boards, St Johns Cymru Wales and local authorities across Wales to ensure ‘Black Friday’ goes off without a hitch. Black 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. Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Director of…

A man has been charged in connection with a serious assault which has left a man critically ill in hospital. Andrew John Davies, 52, of Aberaman, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and is due to appear at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning (Friday, December 20). Officers were called to an incident in Commerce Place, Aberaman, at approximately 8.50pm on Monday, December 16. A 26-year-old man was taken to Prince Charles Hospital with serious injuries, where he remains in a life-threatening condition. Detective Inspector Stuart Wales, from the South Wales Police Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “A 26-year-old…

39% of heart patients in Wales are missing out on vital recovery care that could prevent them dying prematurely, a British Heart Foundation (BHF) report has found. Cardiac rehabilitation is a programme of exercise, education and psychological support which research has shown can reduce the risk of dying from heart and circulatory diseases by a quarter. It is recommended for people after a heart attack, coronary angioplasty and heart surgery, and is also available to some people with angina or heart failure. However latest figures reveal that 68,000 out of 136,000 people eligible for cardiac rehabilitation in England, Wales and…

A top North Wales green energy company has again been named in the UK’s top three renewable heating installers at the UK’s biggest annual green industry awards. Hafod Renewables, based in the Vale of Clwyd, were presented with their award by actor James Nesbitt at the Energy Efficiency Awards, the renewables industry ‘Oscars’ at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The event, which was compered by BBC Breakfast and Football Focus presenter Dan Walker, saw the business, founded in 2010 by former Holywell High School pupil David Jones, 34, short-listed in two categories at the prestigious event. They were named…