Author: Rhys Gregory

An aspiring musician from the South Wales valleys has won a global competition to work with a legendary music icon. Christian Punter, 22, from Ferndale in the Rhondda valleys, has beaten off stiff competition from thousands of other budding musicians around the world to win $6,000 and a recording deal with award-winning artist, producer and ‘Eurythmics’ cofounder, Dave Stewart. The talented singer-songwriter, who performs under the stage name ‘Otto’, won the prize after impressing Dave Stewart with his song writing capabilities and is now set to release a collaboration with the star on Stewart’s very own record label. To enter…

This week marks the 6th anniversary since the launch of the JCP Swansea Half Marathon. The brainchild of local friends and runners Nick Francis and David Martin-Jewell who worked tirelessly to organise the inaugural half marathon for the city of Swansea back in 2014. That first year 2,000 runners took on the 13.1 mile route that takes runners from the city to the sea.  Since then, a further 27,000 runners have crossed the finish line and raised millions of pounds for local and national charities. Soon after the inaugural event, the duo grew to a small team of four, forming the…

Nine of the finest new science voices from across the country, including two from Swansea University, will battle to represent the UK in FameLab – the world’s foremost science communication competition. Rebecca Ellis and Dr Elizabeth Evans from Swansea University will have just three minutes to win over the judges with their clarity, charisma and scientific content when they go head-to-head in the final round of the competition which is being held online next month. The winner will win £2,000 and will go on to compete against 24 other countries in the FameLab International Final, to take place at Cheltenham…

Stephen Evans Optometrists in Swansea has been extending its services to support vulnerable people in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although routine appointments have been suspended due to government restrictions, the practice is still conducting emergency and essential appointments for those who need them. The practice has even enhanced their website to allow customers to purchase emergency specs online and have them delivered to their door. Deliveries of contact lenses, solutions and dry eye treatments can also be made to those who require them. Stephen Evans are also maintaining their commitment to repairing existing spectacles, as any patient who…

South Wales Police are investigating a serious Road Traffic Collision that occurred approximately 1.55 pm, Thursday 28th May, 2020 at the roundabout junction of the A465 Heads of Valleys Road and A4059 Hirwaun Road, Hirwaun. The collision involved a White Vauxhall Combo Van and a Dark VW Amarok. A 74 year old local man suffered serious head injuries as a result of the collision and was taken to Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil for treatment and is described as stable at this time. Police are asking for any witnesses to the collision or the driving of either vehicle prior to…

Is it time to redecorate? Are you bored of your cream walls or your boring bench? Maybe it’s time to think about adding some special touches to the existing furniture in your home, or creating some new statement pieces! As Summer approaches, now is the perfect time to switch up your home. Painting Painting has got to be one of the simplest things you can do to update furniture or rooms in your home. A fresh coat of paint can resurrect an old garden bench, a worn-out coffee table or those seriously faded chairs in the dining room. You’ll also enjoy…

RSPCA Cymru has thanked the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service for their help rescuing a bay horse who became trapped up a very narrow, fence-lined, public right of way in Llandough. The equine escaped through a broken fence in a field on Pen-Y-Turnpike Road – and made the short journey of 150 metres through woodland to the lane. The animal had no room to turn – and is understood to have been stuck there overnight amid thunderstorms. RSPCA Cymru enlisted the support of the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service to help the horse. Firefighters removed a stile at…

Tomorrow, the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, is expected to give an update on the ongoing pandemic and social distancing rules currently in place. At the moment, the rules in Wales are different to those in England, who can travel to exercise. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has also announced plans to start the reopening of non-essential businesses from June 15th. Mark Drakeford has already confirmed that there are no plans to ‘traffic light’ individual areas of Wales, as this would contribute to the confusion. With record temperatures predicted for parts of the country this week and next, more…

Communities across Anglesey are co-ordinating an impressive network of over 850 volunteers, to support the most vulnerable through the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. Medrwn Môn, in partnership with the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Menter Môn have received £59,995 of National Lottery money to help with co-ordinating 36 Area  Support Teams to support their community’s emergency response to COVID-19. The grant provides much needed funding to help meet the increased demand for services and enables community groups, third sector organisations and the Local Authority to work together to deliver a joined…

Swansea University has announced its intention to be open and ready to teach online and in person at the beginning of the new academic year in September 2020. All courses will be delivered in a dual way to give both online and face-to-face teaching. Face-to-face teaching will be delivered in a blended format with no large lectures to begin with. The University is preparing to deliver online enrolment, induction and welcome week in September and January. University accommodation will be available as normal with appropriate social distancing measures in place. For international students, should the UK have quarantine controls in…