Author: Rhys Gregory

Local businesses have helped to raise funds to provide clothing and blankets to the Merthyr Tydfil Night Shelter during a 12-hour cyclothon. Sarah Draper (pictured), who owns Inspire Fitness at Incline Top, organised the fundraiser, cycling the full 12-hours. The event was supported by gym members as well as the Aberdare-based groundworks and civil engineering supplier, Scott Parnell. Covering a distance of 170 miles – equivalent to cycling from Merthyr Tydfil to London – the group burnt over 4,000 calories in total and raised £1,075, more than double its original target of £500. The money will be used to provide…

Ladywell House in Newtown is set to be transformed into a modern, flexible workspace for new and expanding businesses thanks to investment from the Welsh Government and Powys County Council. Hannah Blythyn, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister said: “The project will modernise the building in the centre of Newtown, creating 2,500 square metres of flexible office space for smaller businesses to establish and grow in the centre of the town. “We know there is a need for more good quality office space for businesses, and this investment aims to attract growing businesses and high value jobs to Newtown. “The…

Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal has been voted down by MPs in the House of Commons. MPs rejected the deal which sets out the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU on the 29th March, voting it down 432 votes to 202. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has since tabled a vote of no confidence in the government, which has the potential to trigger a general election depending on the vote. MPs will now vote tomorrow on whether or not they have the confidence in Theresa May’s government. If the Prime Minister remains, a statement will be made on Monday…

Two of the UK’s most exciting music acts have been confirmed to play the DEPOT IN THE CASTLE festival at Cardiff Castle on Saturday 13th July 2019. Tom Odell, the Ivor Novello-winning song writing sensation with multiple awards and 1.8 million sales under his belt, will support headliners Clean Bandit, whose 4bn global streams and string of top 10 hits make them one of the UK’s most successful bands. This will be the first time that either has played within the iconic setting of Cardiff’s castle. The DEPOT IN THE CASTLE festival (founded by the same team behind the DEPOT events venue…

The Bluestone Brewing Company have been recognised for their sustainability efforts as their visitor centre becomes the first in the world to achieve the Green Key award. The family run micro-brewery at Tyriet Farm, just outside of Newport in Pembrokeshire, was built in renovated farm buildings that are over 300 years old. Green Key is the fastest-growing eco-label awarded to more than 2,900 hospitality providers in 57 countries worldwide. In Wales, Green Key is operated by Keep Wales Tidy, who also manage the iconic Blue Flag programme. Bluestone Brewing company said: ‘Being green has always been a huge part of…

A family run business from Corwen, Denbighshire, is on track to reach record sales approaching £3 million thanks to its export order book. Ruth Lee Ltd is a world-leading provider of realistic manikins and training aids to rescue training experts across the world. Designed and manufactured in Corwen, the manikins are primarily used by fire and rescue services, but the company has a multitude of other customers including the Ministry of Defence, police services, paramedics, RNLI, care homes and a host of global businesses including Glaxo Smith Kline and BMW. [aoa id=”1″] Outside of the UK, Ruth Lee Ltd is…

Dawn raids were carried out at sixteen addresses this morning, as part of an ongoing investigation in to spates of high-value burglaries in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot. Officers descended on addresses in the Morriston, Clase, Brynhyfryd, Fforestfach, city centre, and Bonymaen areas of Swansea as part of Operation Timmia. Among the properties searched during the large-scale operation was an industrial unit in Fforestfach and nine caravans on the Millstream Way traveller site. Six people have been arrested on suspicion of offences including conspiracy to commit burglary, and are currently in police custody. Enquiries are ongoing to locate further suspects.…

They flocked to more than 50 performances of Cinderella starring Ian H Watkins, Kevin Johns and Ceri Dupree. The show at the Swansea Council venue ran for a month until closing night on Sunday Jan 13. Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “The Grand pantos are a great festive favourite and this year’s show exceeded all expectations and ticket sales were a good match for previous years. The hilarious Ugly Sisters were brilliant as were all other characters. “I thank the whole cast, production crew and other theatre staff for their professionalism and dedication. “It…

A former art student who discovered a talent for chainsaw sculpture has created a magnificent menagerie of woodland creatures The collection of giant squirrels, owls and hawks carved by Paul Morris now adorn the grounds of the Pendine Park Care Organisation in the leafy suburbs of Wrexham. Paul, 55, who is a skilled member of Pendine’s gardening and maintenance team, wanted to add colour to the rolling 11-acres at their site in Summerhill Road and give the residents something extra to enjoy. He is currently working on one of his most ambitious projects yet as he carves out a grizzly…

In 2019, GLL – the UK’s largest charitable leisure social enterprise that manages Better Cardiff Leisure Centres – is set to support local athletes through its athlete support programme, the GLL Sport Foundation. [aoa id=”1″]Eligible athletes can benefit from award packages that include financial grants of up to £1,250, free training memberships to use Cardiff leisure centres’ facilities and across 300 GLL and partner operated sporting venues. They can also benefit from access to sports science, medical support and employment opportunities all focussed towards supporting their athlete journey. Applications for the programme are open until February 20th 2019 and athletes…