Author: Rhys Gregory

The Castell Mynach Inn, part of the Vintage Inns collection, recently reopened its doors following a major refurbishment, bringing a beautiful new look to this Pontyclun local. The pub, located on Llantrisant Rd, oozes rural charm and rustic character with the picturesque surroundings providing the perfect backdrop for savouring its new menu, which it hopes will excite guests and encourage them to while away many hours in their cosy surroundings. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Visitors to The Castell Mynach Inn can enjoy the pub throughout the year, whether they’re relaxing in front of their roaring fires in winter or making the most…

UK online shoppers spend on average almost £300 (£292) purchasing goods online at Christmas, according to research commissioned by Royal Mail. [aoa id=”1″] Almost a third of online shoppers (30 per cent) start making their Christmas purchases during or before October. However, the majority of online shopping for Christmas takes place between 15th November and 13th December. The research also revealed that men spend on average £304 online shopping at Christmas, compared to women who spend £271 each. Two in five online shoppers spent more in 2017 than 2016. [/aoa] Online shoppers’ most popular purchases are clothes (54 per cent),…

THE secret world of the British male has been laid bare as men across the country admit hiding beauty products, debt and text messages from their other halves. [aoa id=”1″] Men have owned up to keeping a secret stash of face masks and tanning products – and have even hidden nose and ear trimmers from their partners. And blokes are just as tight-lipped when it comes to hiding emails or text messages, sneaking a crafty cigarette and being honest about their monthly outgoings. More than double the number of men (31%) as women (13%) in Wales claim to have…

Business confidence in Wales fell sharply in October as businesses across the nation become more pessimistic about the wider economy, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. [aoa id=”1″] The latest report found that a net balance of eight per cent of companies across Wales are pessimistic about the economy, down 26 compared to a month ago, when a net balance of 18 per cent said they were optimistic. Firms also report lower confidence in their own business prospects, down nine points to a net balance of 21 per cent. Together this gives an overall confidence…

An eerie photograph has emerged of a ghostly figure hovering over a river in Mid Wales at Hafod Estate — thought by locals to resemble one of the water spirits from an old Welsh legend, the ‘Three Sisters of Plynlimon’. [aoa id=”1″] The chilling shot, which appears to reveal a dark-haired woman in a white dress, has caused quite a stir in the area. Captured on the River Ystwyth, some believe that the figure resembles a water spirit from the local myth, in which three sisters journeyed from a Mid Wales mountain to the sea, creating the River Ystwyth, Wye…

Do you think you have what it takes to escape being burned at the stake, crushed by rocks or pulled apart by horses? Now you can prove it with Can You Survive the Witch Trials?, a new online quiz that puts you on trial, with potentially deadly consequences… Created by Stay In Devon, the quiz was inspired by witch trials across the world including the Bideford Witch Trials in north Devon, which resulted in the last ever hangings for witchcraft in England. Using information from extensive historical research, the quiz assesses your physical and personality traits and assigns a punishment…

A family ice skating experience is coming to Caerphilly Castle this winter, allowing visitors to skate within the walls of Wales’s largest castle — for the first time ever. [aoa id=”1″] For two weeks only (Nov 23 — Dec 09), Caerphilly Castle will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland, where guests can enjoy outdoor skating on a real ice rink, indulge in treats from a pop-up pancake house and visit Father Christmas in an enchanting medieval grotto (08 and 09 Dec only). Skate sessions should be pre-booked online at ticketsource.co.uk/caerphilly-castle-ice-rink, with tickets priced at £7 for adults, £5 for children…

A growing distribution firm is building a new £3 million headquarters and warehouse which will more than double its capacity and create 12 new jobs. [aoa id=”1″] Mike McCarthy, Managing Director of McCarthy Distribution, based on Wrexham Industrial Estate, has launched the ambitious expansion plan to cater for the increasing demand for warehouse space from firms moving their products around the UK and importing goods from overseas. The large building, set on a four-and-a-half-acre plot just across the road from their existing offices, is 21 metres high and will house 10,000 pallet spaces to cater for dozens of daily shipments…

Ways to give food-loving visitors the best possible experience will be on the menu at a forthcoming event for tourism and hospitality businesses in Mid Wales. [aoa id=”1″] Open to tourism enterprises and hospitality providers across the region, the free event will give them the opportunity to meet local food and drink producers as part of a drive to increase the amount of Welsh produce offered to visitors. To be held at Corris Craft Centre near Machynlleth on November 13, the Meet The Producer Event has been organised by Cywain and MWT (Mid Wales Tourism) Cymru. [/aoa] Running from 10am…

The champagne corks were popping at a Newtown restaurant this week to celebrate its inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2019 edition. The Granary has also been awarded a Michelin Plate, a symbol for quality food in a restaurant. The restaurant has changed direction with a brand-new team, serving modern cuisine with fine dining and a la carte options. Its focus has been on using good quality, local suppliers where possible and providing more vegan and vegetarian options. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Anna Cooperwhite, restaurant owner, is thrilled that the restaurant has been recognised in the MICHELIN Guide. She…