Author: Rhys Gregory

In response to a growing number of incidents involving lithium-ion battery fires, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) is issuing a warning about the potential dangers, urging proper usage and storage of devices and vehicles to help prevent fires and injuries. Electric bicycles, scooters, vapes, mobile phones and other devices utilising this type of battery are more popular than ever. However, these batteries can pose serious fire risks if damaged, improperly charged, or exposed to heat. Fortunately, these fires are largely preventable with simple safety steps. When lithium-ion batteries are damaged, they can overheat, catch fire, and even lead…

This August Bank Holiday, the rhythms of the Caribbean will take over Cardiff’s premiere music venue Tramshed, as the Rum & Reggae Fest arrives for its first-ever Cardiff edition. Following the huge success of previous events across the UK, this vibrant day-party packing in rum cocktails, live acts, street food and carnival performers, is now ready to bring the sunshine vibes to South Wales on Sunday 24th August 2025. “We’ve been bringing the Rum & Reggae Fest to cities all over the UK, and Cardiff has been calling for it. Tramshed is the perfect venue for our first-ever takeover here,…

Neatcrown Corwen Ltd, a family-owned manufacturer of chemical products for agriculture and horticulture, is planning international expansion following a multi-million-pound funding package from Lloyds. Based in the picturesque town of Corwen in North Wales, the contract manufacturer has been working alongside numerous multinational home and garden and agricultural brands to manufacture and package quality products. For nearly 25 years, the Neatcrown site has provided bespoke solutions for clients, producing nutrition and protection solutions for plants and crops. It offers services ranging from raw material sourcing to global dispatch – serving 35 countries from the USA to Australasia. Neatcrown proudly supports…

An actor and award-winning director is heading up a new drama hub at a TV production company in North Wales. The appointment of Martin Thomas to run the newly-created department at Cwmni Da is part of an expansion plan to safeguard and create jobs at the employee-owned company. He said: “There is huge potential to develop something really exciting. If giants like Netflix, Amazon and HBO are coming to North Wales to film surely we can also use these locations to make high quality drama for S4C and other broadcasters.” The move heralds a reset at the Caernarfon-based company following…

An Ebbw Vale care home has been taken on by a new owner, supported by a £2.97 million loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Bankhouse Care Home, in Beaufort, provides residential, nursing and dementia care for 54 residents. After a period on the market, the care home has been bought by Abergavenny-based Oxford Care Group supported by £2.97 million from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund. Oxford Care Group is owned by BP Khanal and Rama Khanal Guragain. This is the third time that the company has been supported by the Development Bank, having previously had funding to purchase Sketty…

The average price of a home sold in Wales increased to £238,413 in the first quarter of 2025, up 2.2% on the previous quarter and 4.0% higher than the same period last year. The figures have been released by Principality Building Society in its Wales House Price Index for Q1 2025 (January – March), which demonstrates the rise and fall in house prices in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales. While affordability challenges remain, the steady rise in both prices and the number of transactions – which reached 10,000 in Q1 (up 20% on last year) – suggests…

A man from Swansea has been jailed after pleading guilty to stalking. 42-year-old Raymond John pursued a course of harassment against his victim at her place of work between January and May this year. On one occasion, he attended her place of work six times, standing in the entranceway and staring at the victim. On another day, he attended when the victim was off work, and asked staff where she was. This pattern of behaviour continued for weeks. The victim was unable to work by herself for her safety. John also made sexual gestures towards the victim at her workplace,…

A 34-year-old man has been convicted of the murder of 69-year-old Catherine Flynn. Dean Mears, of Bodelwyddan Avenue, Kinmel Bay, was this week (15 May) found guilty by a jury following a three-week trial at Caernarfon Crown Court. Mears will be sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday, 20 June. Speaking after the jury delivered its verdict, Senior Investigating Officer Superintendent Lee Boycott said: “On 24th October 2024, Dean Mears broke into Cathy Flynn’s home whilst she was sleeping and ferociously and repeatedly stamped on her in a brutal and violent unprovoked attack. “The injuries Cathy sustained were not survivable…

A captivating new exhibition has opened at the Art Central Gallery in Barry. Puppets and Curious Narratives is a vibrant and imaginative display that is available to visit until 31 May 2025. The exhibition features the work of three Wales-based artists — Peter Raymond, Barbara Leith, and Frankie Locke — who all met at the scenery, props and construction workshops at the Welsh National Opera Company in Cardiff. The carefully crafted puppets by Peter Raymond were inspired by myths and contemporary tales, and the puppet costumes were then handmade by Barbara Leith and hand-painted by Peter. Barbara Leith also showcases…

A powerful new exhibition exploring the historic and cultural links between the Indian sub-continent and Wales is taking centre stage at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery over the coming months. Opening on May 23, Tigers & Dragons features over 100 stunning artworks from around 70 artists based in Wales, England, India, and Pakistan. These include paintings, photographs, textiles, sculpture, performance art and digital installations – many of them on loan from major collections across the UK. The exhibition traces the social and political complexities of the India-Wales relationship, highlighting Imperial connections through war, trade, and language. At the heart of the exhibition is…