Author: Rhys Gregory

he third annual Vale Food Trail, held from 25th May – 3rd June 2025, brought together an estimated 1000 visitors and locals to explore and celebrate the rich gastronomic heritage and sustainable farming practices of the Vale of Glamorgan. This year’s festival featured more than 20 local businesses, offering a programme of 46 diverse events that showcased the best of local food and sustainability. Key highlights included: Garden tours and growing demos from pioneers like Ali’s Edibles, Coed Organic and Ediculture, sharing low-impact techniques like ‘no dig’ gardening and forest gardening. Live demos & events including a steak cut demo with Farmer’s Pantry at Rosedew Farm, a Children’s ‘Grow Your Own’ demo at Pugh’s…

Indie rock legends Snow Patrol launched a sensational summer of live music at TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle last night (Thursday), setting the bar high for the weeks ahead. The Northern Irish-Scottish band, fronted by Gary Lightbody alongside longtime bandmates Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid, delivered a set packed with fan favourites. Kicking off with Take Back The City, the energy soared with Chocolate and Called Out in the Dark, before Lightbody’s soaring vocals filled the castle grounds with the award-winning anthem Run. Other highlights included Open Your Eyes, You’re All I Have, and of course, a…

South Wales Police are appealing for information following a near miss involving an electric bike rider and a jogger on Cowbridge Road West, Ely. The incident took place on the footpath on Wednesday, 11 June, when the rider of an e-bike narrowly avoided colliding with a jogger. After swerving past, the rider crashed into a bin and came off the bike. They then quickly retrieved the e-bike and rode away from the scene. The incident was captured on CCTV and officers are now seeking help from the public to identify the individual on the electric bike. They are also keen…

Two women have died following an incident in Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd on Wednesday, 11th June. Police were called at 21:31hrs following a report that one female had been pulled from the water, and another was reported to be in the water at the pools on the Watkin Path. The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were dispatched to the area along with North Wales Police, the Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. The second female was pulled from the water, however, despite the best efforts of all involved both were pronounced dead at the scene. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gibson of…

Denbighshire County Council is pleased to announce that the new Queen’s Market in Rhyl will officially open its doors to the public on the 10th of July. The Queen’s Market buildings have been an iconic landmark in the centre of Rhyl since 1902 and have provided a variety of uses for the town throughout the years. The new development includes 16 individual food and retail units, a double-sided bar and a large events space, and will be an integral community space right in the heart of Rhyl. To celebrate the opening of the venue, a series of celebratory opening weekend…

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards Team are advising consumers to be aware of concerns the Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards have regarding the recent popular confectionary product ‘Dubai Chocolate’ and ‘Dubai-style chocolate’. Many of these imported products have not been made for the UK market, and consequently do not comply with UK food information requirements, meaning consumers could be at risk from: Missing, incorrect or misleading labelling Undeclared allergens or un-emphasised allergen information on labels Authenticity of ingredients Unauthorised food additives Consumer Reports of non-compliance relate to unauthorised additives, chemical contamination, undeclared allergens, allergens not listed in accordance…

The Bridge Innovation Centre will throw open its doors to welcome visitors later this month. The open house event will be held at the centre, based in East Llanion, Pembroke Dock, on Thursday, June 26, from 9.30am to 7pm. Attendees are invited to find out more about the centre’s facilities and business community and have an opportunity to tour the building and its nearby growth units. The centre offers a range of facilities for external businesses looking for a professional event space or meeting venue. The building features a stunning atrium with a capacity of up to 150 people, as…

Construction work on phase four of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route is now substantially complete – with this 2.65km section of the shared walking and cycling path through Ferndale now available for the community to enjoy. The overall Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route will create a 10km shared path between Maerdy and Tylorstown, and is being delivered across five phases of work. Phases one, two, four and five represent the path’s primary route, with phase three providing a key link off the main path. A description and progress update on all five phases of work are included at the…

Eligible private households in the Caerphilly borough can now apply for grants to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Caerphilly County Borough Council is encouraging residents whose homes have solid fuel (coal) fires, back boilers or single glazed windows to apply for help to make their home warmer. To be eligible for an energy crisis grant: Applicants must be an owner occupier or private sector contract holder (tenant), living in the property for at least 12 months. Has a household combined gross income of £31,000 or less, or A person in the property is vulnerable to the effects of living…

On Tuesday 10th June, Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) Trading Standards, in collaboration with Regional Trading Standards officers under Operation Cece, Gwent Police, and the Home Office, carried out a targeted operation in Risca. The enforcement team searched several commercial properties suspected of selling illegal tobacco and vape products. During the operation, officers seized a significant quantity of non-compliant vapes as well as cigarettes and tobacco products believed to be counterfeit. Cllr Philippa Leonard, Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection said: “Illegal tobacco and vaping products pose serious health risks to consumers and undermine legitimate businesses. This operation demonstrates…