Author: Rhys Gregory

The doors are swinging wide open at Llangefni’s Market Inn as the restaurant and pub gets set to open its upstairs accommodation. The Market Inn, which has undergone a £1m refurbishment over the past 12 months, is now accepting bookings for its eight spacious, modern ensuite bedrooms, offering tourists the perfect place to rest after a busy day exploring the Welsh landscape. Bought by experienced publican, Derek McKeon in 2023, the Market Inn has been open for food and drinks since December last year, but with funding stretched following the extensive modernisation of the downstairs space, and Derek keen to open…

This Sunday, Caerphilly will play host to a huge South Wales elimination match for control of the company, as ‘WE WILL RISE’, presented by Brilliance Pro Wrestling (a No Mercy Wrestling Event Production), hits Caerphilly Leisure Centre on November 30th. The afternoon of family-friendly entertainment will see top UK and international wrestling talent compete in front of a local audience, with the future of the company at stake. The the elimination match, each member of a team must be eliminated before victory is won. Two teams of four will battle it out as Team Brilliance, featuring Heavyweight Champion MJ Grayson…

The former Wilko superstore on Holton Road in Barry has been given a festive makeover to kickstart a series of transformation works following the recent purchase of the site by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Six local artists have been commissioned to produce a number of artworks to turn the empty shop windows into delightful winter-themed displays. The artists worked at pace to have the window displays completed in time for the Barry Christmas Lights Switch-On. Work is also underway to replace the signage on the front and sides of the building, signaling the beginning of a new era to…

New designs have been unveiled for two further wheeled sports projects that will bring major improvements to facilities in Gowerton and Ynystawe. A new BMX-focused facility at the Elba sports complex in Gowerton and an upgraded skatepark at Ynystawe are the latest schemes to progress as part of Swansea Council’s £3m investment in wheeled sports across the city. The designs – developed by specialist firm Curve Studio following extensive consultation – were shared at a recent update meeting with local residents and wheeled sports users. Planning and procurement for both projects are scheduled for early 2026 with construction anticipated to…

Autumn Internationals are returning to the Principality Stadium and the city is getting ready for another busy matchday. If you are heading into Cardiff for Wales vs South Africa on Saturday November 29th, with kick off at 3.10pm, there are a number of things you will want to plan ahead for. Road closures will run between 11am and 7.15pm, so it is worth thinking about how you are getting into the city and where you want to park. The M4 is expected to be very busy, so keep an eye on the latest updates through Traffic Wales or @TrafficWalesS on…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has appointed the main construction contractors for two of its future school investment projects, at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda in Cymer and Ysgol Llanhari. The two significant developments are currently in design, to expand and improve the Welsh Medium education offer, and deliver first-class new facilities for pupils and staff at both schools. Earlier this year, Cabinet Members approved the next tranche of major school investments by the Council, in a £414 million funding commitment to be delivered in partnership with Welsh Government – to complete at least nine new projects over the next few years.…

Wales’s innovative public health approach received international recognition at a major World Health Organisation meeting this week. The Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy spoke at the WHO Regions for Health Network Annual Meeting in St Pölten, in Austria yesterday. She showcased how Wales is addressing health inequalities through the new, ambitious 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which puts early intervention and prevention at the heart of transforming mental healthcare services. The Minister said: “Sharing Wales’s experience on the global stage demonstrates how smaller nations can lead innovation in public health. By learning from other European countries,…

Powys County Council is addressing significant financial challenges for the upcoming financial year, despite an increase in support from the Welsh Government. This week, the Welsh Government announced a 2.3% uplift in the Revenue Support Grant. However, the council anticipates a £19 million shortfall in its budget for 2026-27. Cllr Jake Berriman, Leader of Powys County Council, and Cllr David Thomas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation, commented: “Although our provisional local government settlement from the Welsh Government has increased, it does not fully meet our rising expenditure. “Growing demand for services, inflationary pressures, and pay increases for teachers,…

A lighting designer from Caerphilly, whose shows have captivated audiences from Las Vegas to Dubai, is bringing his talents home to Wales. Paul Johnson , who has lit up stages across the world for artists including global superstar Rihanna and Wales’ own Super Furry Animals, will perform for the First Minister and business leaders from around the world, with narration from Welsh actor Michael Sheen. Paul has spent 25 years creating cutting-edge lighting displays and will showcase his work to more than 300 delegates from over 27 countries at the Wales Investment Summit on December 1st. The event will bring…

Welsh primary school attendance has improved, with new data showing a drop in the number of pupils missing school. New data shows that persistent absences – missing more than 10% of required school sessions – by primary school-aged pupils has fallen The figures also show improvements in the number of primary pupils eligible for free school meals attending school. Half-day sessions missed by this cohort decreased to 11.8% in 2024/2025 compared to 12.1% the previous school year. Persistent absences for primary pupils eligible for free school meals also decreased to 44.7% compared to 46.9% in 2023/2024. The Cabinet Secretary for…