Author: Rhys Gregory

Principality Building Society’s branch at the heart of Pwllheli town centre is celebrating its 50th anniversary since it first opened its doors to customers. [aoa id=”1″] The branch officially opened its branch on High Street in December 1968 and has been serving the local community as part of Wales’ largest building society. To celebrate the special occasion, staff greeted Members who came into the branch with birthday cake and a glass of fizz, giving them the opportunity to win a signed Welsh rugby shirt in a raffle draw. Mike Jones, Chief Risk Officer at Principality Building Society, said: “For 50…

AN AFRICAN student travelled 8000 miles from Zimbabwe to study farming at Coleg Cambria. Dominic Edwards made the 13-hour journey to begin a Level 3 Technical Certificate in Agriculture at Coleg Llysfasi. [aoa id=”1″] Having grown up in Tanzania and Malawi, Dominic later spent years working on the farms of his friends and their families in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. The 18 year-old looks forward to pursuing a career in the sector, either in the UK or back home in Africa. He is loving life in Ruthin and with the support of Cambria’s international team was made to feel welcome…

A new £2 million social housing development in Penclawdd promises to help North Gower families find affordable homes in their area. [aoa id=”1″] Contracts have been signed and planning consent approved for a 12-home scheme at Swn-y-Mor, a former commercial site and now a derelict eyesore. Andrew Bennett executive director at Swansea-based Family Housing, who commissioned the development stated: “We are delighted to be partnering with Hygrove Homes on this project. The scheme will produce 12 high-standard homes to help meet local demand for affordable housing and benefit the local community. [/aoa] Ben Francis of Hygrove Homes added: “Being a…

The body, discovered near Pentwyn Leisure Centre, has today been taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, while searches of the area continue. Mr Megherbi, 24, has not been seen since Tuesday, October 9 in Roath. Kane Burns, 26, from Llanedeyrn, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, November 24 charged with his murder and is remanded in custody. Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Morgan, of the South Wales Police Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “On Friday afternoon police search teams located a human body concealed within the woodland. “The body has not been formally identified but tests are being…

Scarlets are delighted to confirm that Brad Mooar has been signed as the region’s new head coach for the 2019-20 season and beyond. 44-year-old Mooar will join the West Wales region from the successful Super Rugby side Crusaders. Mooar will bring with him a wealth of coaching experience having been assistant coach at the Crusaders for the last three seasons, Head Coach at Mitre10 Cup side Southland Stags as well as attack and backs coach with South African sides Eastern Province Kings and Southern Kings in the Super 15. Eastern Province Kings were unbeaten Currie Cup Division 1 Champions during…

Cardiff’s New Theatre will open Wales’ biggest pantomime in just over a week’s time. Beauty and the Beastwhich stars Lisa Riley, Gareth Thomas, Mike Doyle, Ben Richards, Danny Bayne and Stephanie Webber, opens on Saturday 8 December. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Beauty and the Beast is a gorgeous traditional pantomime, packed full of laugh-out-loud comedy, audience participation, music, dance and special effects that will enthral people of all ages. One of best loved of fairy tales, it follows the story of Belle. Can she save the selfish Beast before the final petal of the enchanted rose falls or will his selfishness cost…

Eighty per cent of youngsters aged between 11 and 16 spend two or more hours a day sitting still playing on phones, watching TV or travelling in cars. [aoa id=”1″] The shocking statistic is revealed as part of a special report card which gives our youngsters a resounding F when it comes to their sedentary behaviours. The figure rises to 87 per cent at the weekends. The research has been carried out by Active Healthy Kids Wales (AHK-Wales) which aims to monitor the lifestyles and behaviours of children, and has prepared its third annual report card. [/aoa] AHK-Wales project lead…

Bjorn the Polar Bear stunned viewers today (2nd December) in an epic appearance at The Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Now that the magical world of J.K Rowling has hit cinemas once again, The Red Dragon Centre is casting a spell upon Cardiff Bay, unleashing its own magical creatures ahead of the festive period. For three Sundays in a row, families in South Wales are invited to visit The Red Dragon Centre and admire an array of miraculous creatures, which will stop by the entertainment centre throughout December, starting on Sunday 2 December. From Bjorn the Polar Bear…

A girl from Fishguard is on a mission to sell as many knitted goodies as possible to raise money for Diabetes UK Cymru. Freya Rands, 10, is knitting colourful hats, scarves, headbands and mittens in memory of her cousin Liam Jones. Liam was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 20 months old, and sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 21 after falling ill with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical attention. Signs of DKA can include high blood glucose levels, thirst, frequently going to the toilet, feeling tired or lethargic, blurry vision,…

Soprano Rachel Marsh will be starring in two one-act operas at St Giles’ Church on Saturday, December 22, in a spectacular showcase for pupils of the North Wales Opera Studio. [aoa id=”1″] She will be taking the lead role in Puccini’s Sour Angelica during an evening sponsored by the Pendine Park care organisation via their Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT). It’s particularly appropriate because earlier this year Rachel was in the top three in the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which was also supported by PACT. The second opera being performed…