Author: Rhys Gregory

An internationally acclaimed young piano virtuoso from Wrexham will raise the curtain at a top music festival. [aoa id=”1″] Luke Jones, 23, will star alongside the Only Boys Aloud choir at the opening concert of the North Wales International Music Festival on Saturday, September 14. The festival at St Asaph Cathedral runs until Saturday, September 28, and is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Tŷ Cerdd and Colwinston Charitable Trust. [/aoa] According to Luke, from Gwersyllt, he’s “thrilled and honoured” to have been asked to perform works by Schumann and Ravel at the concert. Luke, whose appearance at the…

Two women from Cardiff have been named in Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling. Victoria Pritchard and Dani Rowe were both included for their work encouraging women to cycle. [aoa id=”1″] They join Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, TV presenter Angellica Bell and triple Olympic medallist, Victoria Pendleton in the cycling charity’s list recognition significant achievements in promoting women’s cycling. The women have all been recognised in celebration of the amazing work they have done to inspire other women to cycle as part of Cycling Women’s Festival of Cycling which runs through July. [/aoa] Other well-known names who have made the…

A cyclist involved in a horror smash with a pick-up truck has praised the team that put her face back together. Rosemary Collins’ sunglasses were “mashed” into her face during the collision leaving her looking “like a horror show”. She feared she would never look the same again. But thanks to experts at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital the university researcher has made a remarkable recovery. She and her wife Sara McAleese are so grateful they posted before and after pictures on social media along with a message thanking the hospital team. “I just thought ‘Oh, what a horror show’,” said Rosemary,…

A specialist Wrexham-based therapy organisation for children who have experienced a history of trauma and victimisation is set to expand its residential offering thanks to a £2.3m funding package from HSBC UK. [aoa id=”1″] Woodlands Ltd, established by Darryl Williams in 1999, offers a highly specialised therapeutic environment for the care, supervision, education and treatment of young people – aged up to 18. The seven-figure funding from HSBC UK will enable Woodlands to purchase another property in Wrexham and adapt it to provide space for three additional children. The new home will complement Woodland’s school and four other Woodlands residencies…

South Wales Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 17:45 on Thursday 25 July 2019 on Cathedral Road, Cardiff. A grey Jaguar XKR vehicle which had been travelling along Cathedral Road is believed to have collided with a number of other vehicles. The male driver of this vehicle was declared deceased at scene. A police family liaison officer has been appointed and is supporting the next of kin of the deceased. South Wales Police would like to speak to any person who witnessed the collision, who stopped to provide assistance, or anyone who…

Bingo is one of the most popular forms of gambling in Britain, but how popular is it in Wales? Very popular, judging by the evidence. According to the UK Gambling Commission, there are 650 licenced bingo premises throughout the United Kingdom. In Wales, there are 36. That might not sound like much. However, Wales accounts for just 4.7% of the UK population but 5.5% of all licenced bingo premises. That too might not sound like much, but what it really means is Wales punches about 17% above its relative weight. Anecdotal evidence also suggests bingo is huge in Wales. Consider…

Staff at the Development Bank of Wales have raised £30,400 for their charity of the year, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Employees are asked to nominate charities with which they have a personal connection every year, with fundraising starting in July.  Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,500 people in the UK. The gene affected by cystic fibrosis controls the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. People with cystic fibrosis experience a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the…

DC Mark Hopkins was charged with perverting the course of justice following an investigation by the South Wales Police Anti-Corruption Unit under the supervision of the Independent Office of Police Conduct. He was found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday and was today (Thursday, July 25) sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. Assistant Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said: “Hopkins’ conduct represents an appalling example of police corruption which is not tolerated within the service. “South Wales Police employs almost 5,000 police officers and members of staff who work tirelessly to serve their communities with honesty and integrity demonstrating the very highest…

New life has been breathed into South Wales’ oldest pub following an extensive three-year renovation supported by Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. [aoa id=”1″] Dating back to the 12th century, the former Old House Inn in Llangynwyd has re-opened as a 120-seat wedding venue under the ownership of property developer and publican Steffan Jones. The newly refurbished pub, now known as The Old House 1147, will also continue to serve in its traditional function as a bar and restaurant. After acquiring the site in October 2016, Steffan and his father Jeff spent three years restoring the pub to its former glory.…

This Autumn 2019, the acclaimed band The Goldhawks will head out on a major UK theatre tour performing TOMMY – The Album – LIVE.  Celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Who’s classic ground-breaking rock opera album from TOMMY, the show will play the Grand Theatre Swansea on Wednesday 23 October. [aoa id=”1″]The Who’s iconic masterpiece is brought to life and recreated for the stage by the fabulous, international eight-piece band, The Goldhawks. With all the emotions, tension and raw power that the music demands, the show features a masterful replication of The Who’s iconic sound, backed with exciting, extra-large screen…