Author: Rhys Gregory

A “secret” steam railway locomotive hidden from view for almost 60 years has now been put on public display in Aberystwyth. Sotillos No.7 is a remarkable survival story and, incredibly, its condition today is essentially the same as the day it hauled its last train and its fire was dropped. Sotillos, a powerful 0-6-2 tank engine, was built by Borsig of Berlin in 1906 for use on the demanding narrow gauge mining railways of Spain. For decades, it hauled hundreds of tonnes each day but, in 1967, the line that it was working on – the Sabero Railway – closed. Industry had changed so Sotillos and another seven engines based at the line were destined for the scrap heap. By unlikely chance, in a scenario…

Greenmeadow Community Farm has appealed to parents and guardians after a number of young people were caught gaining unauthorised access to the site, warning that the behaviour poses a serious risk to both people and animals. The working farm says it has recently experienced several incidents involving trespassers and has passed social media evidence relating to the incidents to Gwent Police. In a statement shared on social media, the farm said it was concerned about the dangers associated with entering the site without permission. “As a working farm, Greenmeadow has a number of inherent risks,” the statement said. “Livestock, agricultural…

A new exhibition exploring childhood play in Cardiff from the 1930s to the 1950s opens at the Museum of Cardiff this summer – complemented by a fun-packed programme of hands-on family-friendly activities. Ely Memory Lane (11 July – 31 October) combines oral histories, photographs, toys and a specially created video game to tell the story of how generations of children have played and grown up in Cardiff. The exhibition is the result of a unique co-production project bringing together older residents from Ely, local school pupils and Cardiff University researchers, blending lived experience with creative interpretation. One highlight of the…

A well-respected Newport community champion will head a board that will decide how millions of pounds are spent in parts of the city over the next decade. Rusna Begum, chief executive of the award-winning KidCare4U, has been selected to be chair of the Pride in Place board from a strong field of candidates. The UK government is making £20 million of regeneration funding available for Newport’s Pride in Place neighbourhood which is focussed on the city centre core and parts of Maindee and Pill. It has emphasised that communities themselves have to be at the heart of the process and…

Air quality in Usk has improved to such an extent that Monmouthshire County Council has revoked the Usk Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), bringing to an end a designation that had been in place for 20 years. The decision was formally approved on 5 June 2026. The AQMA largely focused on Bridge Street and parts of Castle Parade, Usk and has now been revoked in accordance with Welsh Government statutory guidance. The AQMA had been declared in November 2005 following the council’s monitoring programme identifying that nitrogen dioxide was in exceedance of the UK annual mean Objective Level of 40ug/m3.…

The people of Powys are being invited to have their say on the future of the Council Tax Premium for long-term empty properties. Powys County Council has launched a six-week public consultation today to gather views that will help shape future decisions on how the scheme operates. Currently, a 100% Council Tax premium is charged on properties that have been empty and unfurnished for more than one year. Welsh Government regulations allow local authorities to charge a maximum Council Tax premium on long-term empty properties of up to 300%, and the council is seeking views on whether to introduce a stepped approach that…

Plans to improve access to social care, provide same day mental health support and strengthen the Women’s Health Plan were outlined by the Deputy Minister. The Deputy Minister committed to advancing a National Care Service for Wales, underpinned by the ambition of delivering social care that is free at the point of need and by strengthening safeguarding arrangements to better protect children and adults at risk. The Deputy Minister committed to improve mental health, neurodivergence  and learning disability support, with a focus on strengthened community services.  Mental health services will shift to same day access through a significant service transformation.…

New national indicators for literacy and numeracy will provide a clearer picture of progress and support raising educational standards. The indicators will be set out in The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy plan, published in September, and will include publishing a range of personalised assessments data and qualifications data positioned alongside wider information about the education system to track our educational progress as a nation. The plan will take a 0-16 approach, including focus on early child development, speech and language and working with parents and carers. The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy plan will bring together actions taken over this Senedd…

A 59-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was seriously injured on 6 July. Emergency services attended an address in Bretton at around 7.45pm on Monday evening following reports that a woman had sustained stab wounds. She was then taken to hospital where she remains. Andrew Smith, of Bretton Lane, Bretton, was subsequently located and arrested in connection with the incident. He appeared at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Wednesday 8 July, charged with attempt murder, threatening a person with a knife in a public place, possessing a knife in a public place and assault by beating.…

A 44-year-old man who thought he was speaking to young girls online has been jailed. Tibor Tompos, of Shotton, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing on 7 July. He previously admitted to attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity, attempting to cause a child to look at images of sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and making indecent pseudo-photographs of a child. In May 2024, Tompos began sexualised communication with who he believed to be a 13-year-old child online. He was not aware that this was a fake profile set up…