Author: Rhys Gregory

An innovative safeguarding platform designed to protect young children and support lone childminders in emergencies has received support from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. Mother of three Karean Carr has been childminding for 13 years, and it was while completing a routine risk assessment at her kitchen table in Barry that the business concept behind Little Link ID was born. Little Link ID provides a secure digital system that allows childminders to carry a professional badge linked to parent-verified emergency contact details. Using secure QR code and tap technology, authorised responders can access critical safeguarding information quickly…

Feast On Cardiff has this week revealed the first list of confirmed traders for its debut festival at Bute Park, running from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st May 2026, with a first wave led by some of Wales’ most talked-about food names. Leading the line-up are Pasture, known for its fire-based cooking and regenerative, pasture-raised beef; Bodega, the much-loved mediterranean restaurant & wine bar, and sister venue to The Priory Hotel & Restaurant in Caerleon; Pasta a Mano, the cult Pembrokeshire-born pasta concept with a loyal following across Wales and beyond; HILLS Brecon, bringing its award-winning burgers from the Bannau Brycheiniog…

A Cardiff-based property technology business founded by two experienced Welsh entrepreneurs has secured £700,000 in equity investment, in a deal led by the Development Bank of Wales, to scale its platform, grow its team and support the rollout of its service across the UK property sector. openmoove has received a £350,000 equity investment from the Wales Technology Fund, managed by the Development Bank of Wales, matched by a £335,000 investment from HAATCH, the early-stage venture firm, and a group of Welsh angel investors. The deal marks the second time HAATCH and the Development Bank have invested together. Founded in 2024…

The Department for Education has announced that the British Council is set to take on the role of the National Agency for Erasmus+.  In December the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would join the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.  Ruth Cocks, Director, British Council Wales, said: “We are thrilled to be selected as the National Agency for Erasmus+. This is a hugely exciting moment, opening up a wealth of opportunities for Wales. The British Council looks forward to working closely with the Department for Education, Welsh Government and the European Commission…

Cowbridge-based U Test Diagnostics has secured a £225,000 loan from FW Capital, via the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Wales, to accelerate the rollout of its clinically approved at‑home health tests. Founded in 2024 by brothers Harry and Jamie Griffiths, the business is scaling up to meet rising demand for quick, accurate and accessible diagnostics. U Test offers a comprehensive range of health tests covering internal organ health, reproductive health, infections and deficiencies. Their kits deliver accurate and reliable results within 5–10 minutes. The business also provides a full-circle service through a partnership with Evaro, giving customers immediate access…

A grey seal pup who was found dehydrated and underweight at St Brides Bay in Pembrokeshire – following a long 120km journey in the wild from Cornwall in four days – has been released back into the wild. Affectionately named Muse, the seal pup has been cared for by staff at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset, for the past few months. After his rehabilitation he now weighs 41.5kg – nearly tripling in size since he was rescued back in December in Pembrokeshire, after concerns were raised about his health four days earlier when he was spotted in Cornwall.…

Police were called to Park Road, Barry, near Porthkerry Park, at around 10.30pm Monday, April 13. There were reports that a person had been assaulted and of ‘loud bangs’ like gun shots. However, no victim has come forward nor been identified. Checks have been made with local hospitals and further enquiries are on-going. Two people were arrested on the night in the Roath area of Cardiff. Domonic Bily, 18, from Llanrumney, Cardiff, has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday, April 15) Bily was remanded…

A 30-year-old man who worked at a Wrexham school has been jailed for grooming and sexually abusing a pupil. Toby Haslam, 30, of Old Newcastle Road, Willaston, appeared for sentencing at Mold Crown Court today, 15 April. He previously admitted nine offences including seven counts of sexual activity with a child – two of which were penetrative, a count of engaging in sexual communication with a child and possessing an indecent photograph of a child. He was jailed for six years and handed a ten-year restraining order to protect the victim. He also received a ten-year sexual harm prevention order…

A new photography exhibition is set to open in Barry later this month, marking a homecoming for an internationally recognised artist. “Otrovert”, the first UK solo exhibition by Lloyd Pursall, will launch at Art Central Gallery on 20 April 2026. The exhibition takes its name from the term “otrovert”, derived from the Spanish word “otro” meaning “other” and the Latin “vert”, meaning “to turn”. It describes people who sit somewhere between introvert and extrovert, a space the photographer says he feels most comfortable exploring through his work. Originally from Barry, Lloyd began his photography journey at Cardiff and Vale College…

Voters across Wales are being urged to make sure they are registered ahead of the Senedd Cymru Election 2026, which will take place on Thursday 7 May. The upcoming election marks a significant moment in Welsh political history, with major changes to how Members of the Senedd are elected set to come into force for the first time. Since devolution was introduced in the late 1990s, Wales’ system of government has evolved considerably. What began as the National Assembly has developed into today’s Senedd, a fully-fledged Welsh Parliament with responsibility for key areas of everyday life. Despite these changes, elections…