Author: Rhys Gregory

We’re very lucky here in Wales. While many places have allowed their industrial heritage to fade into history, we’ve lovingly preserved it – and nowhere is that more evident than in the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. These narrow-gauge lines are more than just transport – they’re moving museums, offering unforgettable journeys through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK. Of all the routes they run, the Woodland Wanderer stands out as the perfect experience for young families or anyone looking for a gentle taste of steam-powered adventure. Setting Off from Porthmadog The journey starts in Porthmadog, at…

Craig Bellamy has announced a 27-player squad for the key 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein at the Cardiff City Stadium (Friday 6 June) and Belgium in Brussels (Monday 9 June). Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson return to the squad after missing out on the opening games of the campaign in March due to injury. Craig Bellamy has also called up full-back Ronan Kpakio for the first time after featuring in last week’s training camp in Cardiff and Spain. Several players come into the international window after a successful end of season at club level, including Europa League winners…

Pitch perfect primary pupils are to perform at a gala concert in St Asaph Cathedral after impressing judges with their singing skills. The youngsters at Ysgol Melyd in Meliden near Prestatyn won a county-wide singing competition organised by the Denbighshire Music Cooperative. Children were encouraged to learn and perform a brand new song titled Sound of Denbighshire, with schools asked to submit their entries on video. Judges chose Ysgol Melyd as the winner, with the school picking up a package of prizes. They include new musical instruments for the school, a visit to the school by the cooperative’s in-house band, Make Some…

Following over 160,000 votes being cast, Deliveroo reveals winners of its 2025 Restaurant Awards, which celebrate the best and most loved restaurants across the UK and Ireland. In Cardiff, one restaurant has risen above fierce competition spanning across five regions, as passionate food enthusiasts cast their votes to support their favourite neighbourhood eateries. The full list of winners of the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards 2025 in Cardiff,  South England & Wales, includes:  Albany Fish Bar – Cardiff – Best Fish & Chips – South England & Wales This independent, award-winning fish and chip shop in Cardiff has been an institution since…

An actor and impresario who made history with British TV’s first gay kiss revealed he grows flowers to unwind from the hectic world of showbiz. Stifyn Parri, who hails from Rhos, near Wrexham, and now lives in St Fagan’s near Cardiff, loves nothing better than pottering in his garden to switch off and relax. He shared his passion for gardening with television presenter Meinir Gwilym when he was filmed for an item on S4C’s flagship gardening series, Garddio a Mwy. The episode featuring Stifyn is being shown at 8.25pm on Monday, June 2, and will then be available on demand…

Business confidence in Wales rose fell 21 points during May to 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 28 points at 52%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 14 points to 21%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 36% (vs 15% in April). A net balance of 23% of businesses in the country also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 28 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top…

Too many businesses in Wales run the risk of financial ruin because they are not improving efficiency and removing process waste from their business to counteract increasing input and wage costs. Profit erosion caused by inflation – branded the invisible tax – has repeatedly been identified by the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm Azets as a red-flag issue. There is also concern that the budget increase in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) to 15% and the minimum wage rise of 6.7% will erode profitability even further. According to the UK Parliament, the rise in NICs alone will impact around 940,000 employers and…

A man from Maesteg, Bridgend has been jailed for 3 years after a multi-agency investigation into his manufacture and supply of DNP diet pills. DNP, which stands for 2,4-Dinitrophenol, is an industrial chemical that has been illegally sold as a diet pill for weight loss. DNP is poisonous to humans and has been banned for human consumption in the United Kingdom. It can cause death, as well as other serious physical side effects. Kyle Enos, 33, was arrested by officers from Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) for southern Wales, in July 2024 after information was received from the…

THE fifth annual Bersham Wheels event roars into Wrexham this summer. A celebration of motoring and music, the free festival looks set to be bigger and better than ever. Taking place on Saturday June 21, there will be live bands, entertainment and games, trade stands, food and drink stalls and guided tours of the Bersham Road site for families and prospective students. There will also be sports and classic cars – including a Ferrari Modena and Porsches – a pack of pristine motorcycles, epic vehicles and even military machines. Karl Jackson, Site Lead and Assistant Principal for the £10m Institute…

The 2025 Cowbridge Music Festival will present an eclectic and vibrant line-up across ten days this September, blending chamber music tradition with innovation, Welsh cultural heritage, and global musical influences. This year’s programme showcases a wealth of Welsh talent, from Sinfonia Cymru’sSeascapes and a new festival commission by John Metcalf to appearances by Dafydd Jones, Kat Rees, and folk trio Vrï. An emphasis on diverse musical voices includes works by underrepresented composers such as Fanny Hensel, Rebecca Clarke, Dora Pejačevič and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Chamber music remains at the heart of the festival, with performances from the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, Carducci…