Author: Rhys Gregory

A brand new festival is to offer Wales’s dancing hopefuls a unique route into one of the world’s greatest cultural events – and the chance to compete for a share of £3,500. In a ground-breaking partnership the inaugural Festival of Discovery on Anglesey in May will give 12 troupes of folk dancers the chance to perform on stage at this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. It’s the first time the Eisteddfod, founded in 1947, has allowed another event to act as a qualifier for its prestigious competitions which have helped launch the careers of world stars like Sir Bryn Terfel,…

ommercial property consultancy Knight Frank in Cardiff has appointed Joanna Crofts as Head of its Property Asset Management for the South West and South Wales and Jocelyn Hickling as Associate. Joanna joined Knight Frank in 2004 as a graduate in the Bristol Office Agency team, and in 2014 joined the PAM team, which manages key industrial, office and retail buildings across South Wales as well as across the South West on behalf of landlords. Jocelyn Hickling has joined from Bristol property management firm Workman LLP. She was previously with Ashtenne in Cardiff. Jocelyn said: “Knight Frank is an internationally-respected agency…

Cardiff based theatre company Hijinx, who use learning disabled and/or autistic actors in all of their productions, have won the 2019 International award from The Stage. The award, presented to Hijinx at the Bridge Theatre in London on Friday 25thJanuary, recognised their fast-growing global presence in the arts industry. 2018 saw Hijinx visit 67 cities in 16 countries, with the ongoing tour of hit show Meet Fred, and a ground-breaking collaboration Africa.  In February 2018 four Hijinx actors with Down’s Syndrome went to Lesotho to create an inclusive theatre production with local drama students.  Its impact was phenomenal as vast swathes…

Jamie McGowan, Campus Director at the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise (ICE) has been named the UK Entrepreneurs’ Champion of the year at the Natwest Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Now in its sixth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrates the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs from across the UK. The awards ceremony held on Thursday (24 January) in Coutts, London, brought together a range of businesses and professionals, all already winners of their respected regions across the UK. The award aims to recognise the tireless work of the individuals who nurture and support entrepreneurs, often behind…

South Wales Police PC Simon Shaughnessy has helped to reunite a family with their lost dog on Thursday 24th January 2019 after it was reported missing. The four-month old Labrador puppy Reggie had disappeared when out for a walk with his owner in Penllergaer Woods last Friday 18th January. He was reportedly seen to be injured and with a passer-by who had found him. The owner reported this to the police, and PC Simon Shaughnessy based at Gorseinon Police Station went out of his way to help find the puppy and return him to his family. By tracking the registration…

A Welsh engineering business that supplied parts that helped keep the RAF’s Spitfires flying during World War 2 has achieved record-breaking export sales after expanding into new international markets. Llanelli-based Teddington Engineered Solutions has seen its turnover grow by 18% in the last two years, largely thanks to export sales which made up 66% of the firm’s total sales in the last financial year. Established in the 1920s, Teddington designs and manufactures expansion joints for a range of industries including aerospace, marine, nuclear power and defence. The joints compensate movement in pipe work caused by temperature change, pressure or vibration.…

South Wales Police are investigating a death following the discovery of a body in Sully on Saturday. Officers were called to the scene on Beach Road, Vale of Glamorgan just after 1pm on Saturday 26th January. The body has not been formally identified and enquires are ongoing. This page will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.

South Wales Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 16-year-old Demi Leigh Burn, who has been reported missing. Demi was last seen on Friday 25th January at her home in Cymmer at approximately 5:30pm. She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a red and white sports jacket. She has links to Neath Port Talbot and could be in the area. If you see Demi, or have any information which may help find her, please contact South Wales Police on 101, quoting reference 1900030623.

First Year Architecture Students at UWTSD are designing and building sustainable shelters through a studio project which aims to investigate the architect’s role in homelessness, devising solutions for a rapidly growing crisis. The group, who are reusing low-cost materials including cardboard and plastic to create and build their designs, say they were moved to help after witnessing the problem locally. Ella Curr said: “As students, we have so many skills to offer that can make a big difference. We know there is no quick fix to homelessness – it requires input from so many different specialist areas. The key question…

Following two critically acclaimed West End runs and a sell-out UK Tour, Green Day’s explosive rock musical American Idiot returns to mark the show’s 10th anniversary and the 15th anniversary of the Grammy Award winning original album. Now, you can lose yourself in American Idiot as the hit performance rocks into Cardiff’s New Theatre from 29th January – 2nd February 2019. Winner of two Tony Awards® and the 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Show Album, American Idiot is the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9/11 world. The show features the music of…