Author: Rhys Gregory

A banned driver from Rhondda Cynon Taf has been jailed for motoring offences including failing to stop his van for police. On Sunday, April 6, roads policing officers were driving along Oxford Street in Nantgarw when they noticed a white Peugeot van drive past them at high speed. Officers immediately did a U-turn to follow the van, and Dean John, 51, from Church Village, looked to be bringing his van to a stop when indicated. Instead, he sped off. John then continued to drive erratically, driving through red lights, swerving over the road and driving at over twice the legal…

Rhyl school pupils have helped create a new haven for nature on their school grounds. Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity team recently linked up with Christ the Word pupils to develop a new wildflower meadow at the school site. The work follows recent development of hedgerow and woodland areas at the school with the support of pupils. 260 metres of hedgerow and 14 standard trees were planted to help increase biodiversity and the tree canopy at the school to support nature’s recovery and provide an educational wellbeing outdoor area for youngsters. To create the new wildflower meadow pupils helped the Biodiversity…

Swansea Beach is gearing up to welcome thousands of music enthusiasts as the highly anticipated ‘Tunes on the Bay’ festival kicks off today, Friday 2 May, and runs through Sunday 4 May. This three-day event promises a vibrant mix of live performances, featuring both renowned artists and local talent. Star-Studded Line-Up The festival boasts an impressive roster of performers: Friday, 2 May: Headliners McFly will take the stage, joined by Scouting for Girls, The Cuban Brothers, Symphonic Ibiza Beach Orchestra, Ellie Sax, Who’s Molly?, and a tribute performance by Dean Jones as Tom Jones. Saturday, 3 May: Supergrass leads the…

Dog owners are reminded that some of our County’s beaches have seasonal restrictions in place regarding our four-legged friends. While many Pembrokeshire beaches welcome dogs all year around, there are some restrictions in place between 1st May and September 30th on the most popular beaches. Between these dates total dog bans are in place at Tenby North beach and Whitesands. Partial dog bans cover Lydstep, Newgale beach and pebble bank, Coppet Hall (voluntary), Saundersfoot beach and promenade, Tenby Castle and South Beach, Amroth beach and promenade, Poppit Sands, Broad Haven North and Dale. This means there are some areas of the…

The Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k, scheduled for Sunday May 11th 2025, promises to be an exhilarating event showcasing the spirit of the community. With the safety and enjoyment of participants and spectators in mind, the event organisers have announced road closures to facilitate the smooth running of the race. The 10km race, starting and finishing on Crescent Road, will wind its way through the heart of Caerphilly, passing iconic landmarks such as the town centre and the majestic Caerphilly Castle. Alongside the main event, a 2k race is also slated with an estimated 800 enthusiastic runners expected to participate. To…

An innovative new scheme will provide farmers working in National Parks and National Landscapes (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – AONBs) in Wales with practical assistance and dedicated funding for projects that support nature to recover and thrive. The £1.8m Ffermio Bro: (Farming in Designated Landscapes) scheme will encourage nature-friendly farming practices in collaboration between farmers and local bodies responsible for areas of land officially recognised and protected for their unique natural, cultural, and scenic qualities. It was formally launched this week by the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, during a visit to Upper…

Following its initial success, a second round of funding has opened to support Welsh language feature films with international and big screen potential. Sinema Cymru, a collaboration between S4C, Ffilm Cymru Wales and the Welsh Government via Creative Wales, has announced a second round of funding aimed at developing multiple Welsh-language feature films a year, with a view to progressing at least one into production funding annually. This year’s fund will also support earlier stage, high-potential filmmaking talent to ensure an exciting future for Welsh-language feature filmmaking in Wales. Following the success of the inaugural funding round last year -…

New funding will transform educational facilities for students with additional learning needs (ALN) in FE Colleges across Wales. All 13 FE Colleges in Wales will benefit from the £5m to create more accessible and inclusive learning environments. On a visit to Gower College Swansea the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, toured the dedicated ALN department at the College and met with students benefiting from specialist support. She met learner Juno, who spoke about the importance of having support. Juno said: “These facilities are essential to my time here at college, for example the quiet room I use…

The Welsh Government has announced over £2m of additional funding to provide victims of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence with support and advice. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice made the announcement while formally opening Rothbury House in Newport. The New Pathways support centre, which provides counselling services for survivors of sexual violence, was established with Welsh Government support to redevelop a former nursing home into a support centre, with additional funding in March providing new security measures to ensure clients feel safe and secure. The funding represents a substantial uplift, including £1.28m of additional funding to…

As Aintree prepares to host the 2025 Grand National, the fabled Merseyside turf once again beckons the finest steeplechasers to participate in racing’s most democratic spectacle. For nearly two centuries, these hallowed grounds have witnessed the full spectrum of equine fortunes—from the improbable triumphs of 100/1 outsiders to the crushing disappointments of heavily-backed favourites. The race’s notorious unpredictability forms the very fabric of its enduring appeal, a capricious examination where reputation, form, and market confidence often dissolve amid the rigours of four miles and thirty formidable fences. The approaching renewal arrives steeped in anticipation, with connections of I Am Maximus…