Author: Rhys Gregory

Ffos Las Racecourse became a ‘House Of Fun’ this weekend as over 8,000 fans descended on the venue to see Madness play live. The ska legends, which played Ffos Las as part of their A Day At The Races and Other Places tour, attracted the biggest crowd Ffos Las has seen in its ten-year history. Fans donned their nattiest outfits – and some sported fezes, bowlers and replica saxes – to join the party at Trimsaran, with Suggs as their ringmaster. With more than 40 years of hit-making and 15 top 10 singles to their name, Madness had a treasure…

South Wales Police confirm collision with pedestrian and vehicle in Bridge Road, Llandaff North, Cardiff. Approximately 16:50hrs on Sunday 26th May, emergency services attended Bridge Road Cardiff following an initial report that a cyclist had been struck by a vehicle and thrown into the River Taff. It has since been established that the male person struck by the vehicle was a pedestrian. One male casualty was taken to UHW hospital with serious injuries, and police can now confirm that the injuries are NOT life threatening and the male is in a stable condition. The driver of a Silver Ford Focus,…

On the eve of the arrival of Madness at Ffos Las Racecourse, plans are all in place to welcome one of the biggest crowds ever to the venue tomorrow – with tickets still up for grabs and shuttle buses laid on to help visitors get there, hassle-free. Ska fans are going nutty for Madness tickets, with Suggs and the lads heading to the venue tomorrow (Saturday 25 May) as part of their A Day At The Races and Other Places tour. People who are heading to the event are being reminded that a handy shuttlebus is place, operating from Llanelli…

A special effects make-up artist who has Type 1 diabetes has created a series of images portraying the emotional impact of life with the condition. Lee Morgan, 41, from Tonypandy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was eight years old. Over the years the demands of life with the condition have had a profound impact on his mental and emotional wellbeing. A former karate instructor, Lee set up his make-up studio, Morgan’s House of FX, last year. He wanted to use his skills to create an exhibition that would reflect emotions he and others with diabetes have experienced,…

In light of the minister for health and social services Vaughan Gething’s recent statement, local accountant Bevan Buckland LLP agrees with Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW) to press for a further increase. [aoa id=”1″]The response comes just weeks after the minister’s announcement to add just 1% more funding. The increase by the Welsh government may see an additional £1.4 million channelled into the sector, but it will still leave the already fraught industry struggling to improve health and wellbeing within Welsh communities.[/aoa] “With greater expectations on services and the added pressures of Category M Clawbacks, community pharmacies in Wales would have…

Wales’ most isolated areas could benefit from improved transport provision with the support of the Community Transport Association (CTA) which is helping local community transport providers access funding for better transport. [aoa id=”1″]One local scheme that has recently benefitted from the CTA’s innovative Connecting Communities in Wales project is Cerrig Friends – a new volunteer driver scheme which will support residents in the rural village of Cerrigydrudion. The small Conwy village, which has a population of 700 residents, has a primary school, GP surgery, shop and a network of social activities.[/aoa] One major barrier for local residents is the lack…

Two year 12 pupils at Rhyl Sixth Form College have successfully reached the final of ‘The Legal Apprentice’ competition. [aoa id=”1″]Launched last September by law firm Kingsley Napley LLP in partnership with The Times, the competition saw 902 teams from 308 schools across the UK compete against each other through a series of heats testing pupils’ drafting, negotiation and interpersonal skills.[/aoa] The final, which is being held at News UK (headquarters of The Times) on 19 June, will see Rhyl Sixth Form College pupils battle it out against eight other finalists from Parkstone Grammar School in Dorset, Tunbridge Wells Girls…

Two creative writing learners from the South Wales Valleys are set to learn from some of the UK’s best creative industry professionals, including award-winning novelists, journalists and broadcasters, after securing a place on an exclusive writing course at this year’s internationally renowned Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival. [aoa id=”1″]Lilianna Williams, 17, and Josie Lee, 17, who both study at Coleg y Cymoedd, have beaten off stiff competition from across the country to bag themselves a place on this year’s Hay Festival Beacons Project – a prestigious, workshop residency held during Hay Festival Wales for 16-18-year-olds interested in writing.[/aoa] Aimed at encouraging creativity among young…

Hundreds of people came to the Montgomery Canal on Saturday 18 May for the annual Montgomery Canal Triathlon organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal. This annual event supports the restoration of the canal and involves: a 17-mile cycling section from Newtown to Pool Quay, including five road crossings where the canal was blocked after it was closed 11 miles on foot to Morton, south of Oswestry, with two more road crossings at blockages on the A483 and three more at minor roads and a final 7 mile section by canoe to finish near the junction with the Llangollen…

A TRUCK driver who wanted to repay the NHS for helping save his partner’s life after she was twice diagnosed with breast cancer has put his motoring skills to good use by becoming a ‘blood biker’. [aoa id=”1″] Phil Sharrock, 53, who works for Wrexham-based McCarthy Distribution, is a volunteer rider for the charity Blood Bikes Wales, which transports life-saving blood supplies, plasma, breast milk and documents between hospitals free of charge. His partner Ruth Gallop, 56, who is also a keen motorcyclist and looks after merchandising for the charity, has twice battled breast cancer and unfortunately doctors have warned…