Author: Rhys Gregory

These are the powerful words of globally acclaimed Welsh actor, musician and now nature ambassador, Iwan Rheon. In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Sophie Howe, Rheon urges the commissioner to put nature at the heart of Wales’ future. The future generations report due to be released in Spring 2020 will set out what the Commissioner believes should be a priorit­y for the Welsh Government in order to create a better Wales for future generations. It is for this reason that WWF are asking people in Wales to join together this Thursday 19th December and…

SHARP main dealer and Port Talbot-based family firm, Clarity Copiers, Glamorgan are to continue their sponsorship of the Newport Dragons. In addition to match sponsorship, Clarity has also agreed to the sponsorship of ex-British and Irish Lions hooker, Richard Hibbard, Samoa’s Brandon Nansen and also scrum half Dan Babos. Clarity’s Director Warren Dryden and Sales Manager Des Mann are ardent sports fans and have long-since recognised that it is possible to mix business with pleasure.  Supporting the Dragons allows them to invest in good relationship-building with their suppliers, clients and prospective customers whilst enjoying a game of the Welsh national…

A theatre manager has been honoured for two decades of service at a top private hospital.  Diane Hall, who lives in Marford, Wrexham, trained as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) after her dreams of becoming a rookie cop were dashed at the age of 18. Now theatre manager at the private Spire Yale Hospital in Wrexham, the mum-of-three says she could not imagine herself doing anything else after clocking up an impressive 21 years’ with her employers. The 49-year-old, who has three sons’ aged 28, 22 and 15, has now received a special long service award in recognition of her…

Ian is one of almost 700 ordinary people from all over the world taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, a global sailing race that allows anyone over the age of 18 the opportunity to experience Mother Nature in her raw and powerful glory.  What makes Ian’s achievement all the more remarkable is that prior to signing up, he had never stepped foot on a sailing boat but was hooked after seeing an ad for the epic endurance challenge on Facebook. After departing London on Sunday 1 September 2019, Ian and his 20 teammates have raced ten…

A man who neglected three ponies has been banned from keeping animals after a prosecution by the RSPCA. Twenty-seven-year-old Arron Lee Dixon, of Aberfan Fawr, was found guilty of five Animal Welfare Act offences at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (11 December). Each of the offences related to one or more of the three ponies – a grey gelding Welsh, skewbald male native and small skewbald male native. He was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to undertake 20 rehabilitation days. Dixon was also banned for five years from keeping animals. Fortunately, all have undergone…

The Paul Popham Fund, Renal Support Wales, has moved to new offices in Tawe Business Village, Swansea. It has also recruited a new support service co-ordinator. Hayleigh Isaac, a trained counsellor, will oversee the charity’s befriending scheme, which provides support to kidney patients. The Paul Popham Fund works to improve the quality of life of renal patients in Wales, and a key part of its service is to recruit and train kidney patients and carers to support those currently undergoing treatment. As well as running this scheme, Hayleigh will provide counselling where needed, in collaboration with the University Hospital Wales.…

The team behind an award-winning Cardiff pizzeria have opened brand-new restaurant in the city centre. Those familiar with Dusty Knuckle name, know they are renowned for their wood-fired pizzas and family friendly environment. However, DARK is a completely new venture for the husband and wife team. DARK will nod to Dusty Knuckle’s roots by including a few new pizzas on the menu, but the focus will be on bolder choices and experimental flavours, with a ‘nose to tail’ ethos playing a big part. Well, if you’re going to kill the whole animal? Why not… The menu at DARK offers a range…

A Blackwood woman has been banned from keeping animals for life after failing to get treatment for her suffering dog. WARNING: Some readers may find the following images distressing Nicola Mireille Jones, 29, of Brynglas Avenue, was sentenced at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court today (18 December), after pleaded guilty to an Animal Welfare Act offence of causing her Husky crossbreed to suffer. She will not be able to apply for her ban to be removed for a period of five years, while Ms Jones was also handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. RSPCA Cymru had been seeking to…

Budding inventors from across Wales were recognised for their exceptional creations at this year’s WJEC Innovation Awards ceremony at the Pierhead Building. Thomas Jenkins, 18, from Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun in Cynon Valley was crowned the overall winner for his ‘stacking chair aid’, which helps move multiple chairs once they’ve been stacked. Welsh inventors have been instrumental in bringing the world some of its most game-changing inventions including the modern microphone, X-ray and radar technology. The annual Innovation Awards, in partnership with the Welsh Government, aims to encourage future generations to continue this legacy by challenging the design of everyday products…

Cardiff and Vale College has unveiled its biggest ever range of part-time courses, due to start from January 2020 onwards. Following on from the success of the free part-time courses CAVC started offering in the summer, the College has decided to greatly expand its provision. The courses, offered across a range of vocational and academic areas, are designed to cater to people looking to get back into work, develop their skills or try something new. From an introduction to flying drones to automotive engineering, hair and beauty and health and safety at work, the College has something for everyone. As…