Author: Rhys Gregory

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s 2025 feature county, Caernarfon, is set to showcase the very best of hill farming with a special event at the iconic Hafod y Llan Farm, Beddgelert, at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), on Thursday, June 12. This unique event, supported by Hafod y Llan farm team, promises a day packed with engaging activities and displays for farmers, families and visitors alike. More than 100 trade stands are already booked in, offering everything from local produce and crafts to farming equipment and rural services. Event highlights include: Machinery displays and demonstrations showcasing the latest agricultural…

St David’s Cardiff has announced the signing of a brand-new sporting superstore along with the comeback for a much-loved watch brand. Sports and fashion retailer JD will open a new 31,936 square foot store at the city shopping destination in spring 2026. Relocating from its current spot on Cardiff’s Queen Street, the new JD store at St David’s is set to be bigger and better at its new prime position on the lower level of the Grand Arcade; close to Size and LEGO. St David’s has also confirmed that iconic Swiss watchmaker Swatch will return to the city this summer.…

Gareth Neale, aged 47, of Cathays was sentenced to 30 months on May 29 at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary dwelling and theft. This followed an incident on January 17, 2025, at 3.50am, when the victim called 999 from her bedroom reporting she could hear someone downstairs in her house. Officers attended the address in Llandaff within minutes and entered through the back door. They observed the lights were on inside and found a black rucksack on the floor outside an open window. Officers searched the house and Neale was located swiftly in the front porch area.…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has approved the use of the eastern lake at Cosmeston Country Park to pilot an outdoor water park for the remaining summer months. The new attraction – in partnership with the Aqua Park Group – will feature an inflatable obstacle course, including climbing walls, trampolines and giant slides. It is expected that the Aqua Park will be open in time for the school summer holidays on Saturday 5th July 2025, and will remain open until mid-September. Cllr Bronwen Brooks, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Places, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Aqua…

Owners of electric vehicles in Swansea who do not have access to off-street parking are being invited to take part in a trial which would enable them to charge their vehicles in their street. Swansea Council, with support from Transport for Wales and Welsh Government, is offering up to ten properties the chance to take part in a trial to test a new on-street charging system. Currently, electric vehicle owners who live in Swansea but do not have off-street parking, have to make use of charging facilities in public car parks or local supermarket car parks. The latest trial will…

Newport City Council has welcomed the opening of a new $138m research and development and manufacturing centre in the city by KLA Corporation. KLA is a global leader in semiconductor process control and process enabling technology. SPTS, KLA’s Wales-based product division, has been leading semiconductor equipment innovation in Wales since 1984, winning multiple Queen’s Awards for excellence in R&D and export, and attracting strong technical talent to the region. The new facility will bring a further 750 high-skilled jobs to Newport, which is home to the UK’s compound semiconductor cluster, further cementing the city’s place at the heart of the southeast Wales investment…

Another exciting new business has chosen Merthyr Tydfil High Street as its home, with Coco’s Coffee & Candles being the latest shop to open in the town centre. Located at 143b High Street and Developed by Highfield Property Group, the building – formerly the location of Pizza Time – was a long-term vacant property on the lower part of the High Street. Grant funding of £730,000 from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme has enabled the re-development of the property into a commercial unit. Works have included the demolition of previous structures, with the full integration of new structures, including steel supports,…

Welsh public services will get extra money to help meet higher National Insurance costs this year. The increase in employer National Insurance contributions means: A £257m extra cost to the Welsh public sector each year. The UK Government have provided £185m, leaving a shortfall of £72m. The Welsh Government is providing an extra £36m to help fund the gap. The total funding package is £220m, covering about 85% of increased costs for Welsh public services. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “We’re protecting our vital public services by using £36m from our reserves to help address the National Insurance shortfall left…

Rural families in Conwy can soon access more free support in one place when the upgraded Llanrwst Family Centre reopens this month. The centre, which has supported hundreds of local families over the past 22 years, has undergone a £480,000 transformation funded by the Welsh Government. More services can be delivered at the same time in the upgraded space, saving rural families repeated long journeys to the centre. The centre offers a range of support, including weekly baby clubs co-delivered with health visitors, young carers groups, and domestic abuse support for people of all ages. Minister for Children and Social…

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies has visited an award-winning Anglesey farm to see how sustainable farming practices are creating a blueprint for climate-friendly food production in Wales. The Deputy First Minister, toured Castellior farm recently to learn how farmer Dylan Jones is successfully combining profitable beef production with environmental stewardship. Castellior farm, spanning 332 hectares and run by Dylan and his father Wyn, has recently received prestigious recognition at the British Grassland Society Awards Evening 2024 and was named Beef Farmer of the Year at the Farmers Weekly Awards 2024. During his…