Author: Rhys Gregory

Ysgol Y Deri is set to open a vintage store in Penarth town centre in September – serving as a retail training facility for its current and past pupils with additional needs. ‘Hubbub’ aims to provide lifelong employability skills for sixth form pupils at the school, which gained national fame after featuring in BBC documentary ‘A Special School’. Pioneered by the school’s Curriculum Lead for Careers, Stacey Long, Hubbub’s inception came upon discovering that only four per cent of adults with additional learning needs in Wales are paid in employment. It’s hoped that by providing work experience at Hubbub as…

A bakery firm worker is ready to roll as he prepares for an epic 8,000-mile car rally across 15 countries with three pals – in an old banger that cost just £500. Car enthusiast George Loftus, who works the Jones Village Bakery in Wrexham, will be taking part in this year’s Mongol Rally that’s been described as “motoring stupidity on a grand scale”. Along the way they will be driving on the world’s second highest road, the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan which reaches 15,272 feet. At that point the oxygen is so thin it’s hard to breathe and is likely…

A cooperative set up to safeguard music education in North Wales has delivered more than 500,000 lessons and celebrated its 10th anniversary with a sell-out concert. Denbighshire Music Cooperative’s gala event at St Asaph Cathedral featured a dazzling programme of youth ensembles, funk and jazz bands, soloists and guest choirs who brought the house down. The evening was compered by popular tenor and TV presenter Rhys Meirion in one of his first public appearances since undergoing bowel cancer surgery. Cooperative Head of Service Heather Powell told the packed audience she could not be prouder of the “remarkable team” of tutors…

A housing regeneration project has received a substantial funding package to address the high number of empty properties in Wales. Community Impact Initiative has been awarded £477,285 by the Pen Y Cymoedd Community Fund to continue work regenerating empty properties in the upper reaches of the Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon valleys through its Building Resilience in Communities (BRiC) project. There are more than 120,000 unoccupied homes in Wales (about 8.2% of all dwellings) according to the Office for National Statistics. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council says there are currently 2,704 known empty properties in the local authority area.…

Over 40 events have taken place across Wales as vineyards, wine lovers and industry leaders celebrated the growing success of the Welsh wine industry. From vineyard tours to tastings and trade events, Welsh Wine Week 2025 showcased the diversity, quality, and passion behind Welsh wine. Recent years have seen notable increases in the volume of wine being produced in Wales, along with a number of vineyards picking up international awards, as the industry targets significant expansion in the years ahead. A key highlight of the week was a tasting event held in Cardiff, where seven vineyards – Ancre Hill Estates,…

In just under one month, thousands of athletes will descend on Swansea to compete in IRONMAN® 70.3® Swansea, as the IRONMAN® Pro Series™ heads to the UK for the very first time. Professional triathletes from all over the world will be coming to compete in the prestigious IRONMAN Pro Series. The full start list of athletes will be announced in the coming weeks, but we can expect a powerhouse lineup. As usual, the race is expected to attract a strong local crowd, with most of the field being from the UK. This event offers men’s and women’s Age Group Qualifying…

SPECSAVERS has launched a new audiology service in Wales, supporting people across South East and South West Wales, from Fishguard to Caerphilly, who are unable to visit their high street stores. The new team of hearing experts will provide free home hearing checks to those who cannot leave their homes unaccompanied. The service is being led by audiology directors Andrew Williams and Matthew Maguire, who have joined forces with the existing optics Home Visits team to expand services beyond eye care. It offers the full range of hearing services available at Specsavers stores – from hearing checks and wax removal…

Dominic Thew, General Manager of Tredegar-based Atal UK has completed a management buy-out of structural and basement waterproofing business in a deal that has been part-funded by a seven-figure debt and equity investment from the Development Bank of Wales. Atal UK was established in 2012. Based on the Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate, the company now employs 19 people and provides structural and basement waterproofing services along with ground gas protection solutions for architects, contractors and groundworkers throughout the UK. Dominic joined Atal in 2015. He will take over from business founder David Rees. Dominic Thew said: “I’ve worked alongside David over…

RSPCA Cymru has launched an appeal for information after an unwell puppy was found abandoned in Merthyr Tydfil. The puppy – a 12-week-old female black Patterdale Terrier – was found on Wednesday 11 June near Pengarnddu Stables in Dowlais. Deputy Chief Inspector (DCI) Gemma Cooper said: “This puppy was found by a member of the public who kindly took her to a vets. “She is extremely small for her age as she weighs just 900 grams – similar to the weight of a loaf of bread. “She has Ricketts, and has a docked tail and was struggling to walk using…

KNOOPS, the British brand revolutionising chocolate drinks with its unique and completely customisable chocolate % menu, is opening its 27th UK store in St David’s Cardiff, the first in Wales. This store is a big milestone for KNOOPS as it reaches another new territory, with this location completing stores in all countries across the UK. Opening its doors in Cardiff city centre on The Hayes at St David’s,  on Friday 20th June, shoppers will be able to customise their bespoke hot chocolates, iced chocolates, and milkshakes from KNOOPS’ extensive menu of chocolate %s and additions. Founded by Jens Knoop in…