Author: Rhys Gregory

The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre is thrilled to announce the return of beloved panto favourite Gareth Tempest for this year’s festive production of Rapunzel, marking 20 magical years of pantomime at the heart of Newport’s Christmas celebrations. Running from 27 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, Rapunzel promises to be a hair-raising adventure full of mischief, magic, and mayhem! Audiences can expect the full panto experience – from jaw-dropping costumes and glittering sets to toe-tapping tunes and plenty of laughs. This milestone year is made even more special with Gareth Tempest stepping back into his much-loved Dame heels. Having…

On the back of posting yet another set of record-breaking results, Swansea Building Society held its annual general meeting (AGM) at the Swansea.com Stadium last week (Thursday, April 24). The Society also presented a substantial cheque to its new official partner charity, Prostate Cymru, donating more than a pound for every vote received. At the well-attended event, the board of the Society presented and explained its best-ever financial performance to members. These results reflected the Society’s continued focus on supporting local communities through its growing network of branches across South Wales, alongside the benefits of an ongoing investment programme that…

A new study has warned that the UK’s heavy reliance on imported wood could undermine its net zero strategy and increase global carbon emissions. In the paper, which has been published in Nature Communications, Bangor University researchers highlight the urgent need for domestic forestry expansion and improved management to meet growing wood demand sustainably. Wood is a key low-carbon alternative to steel, concrete, and plastics, but the UK is the world’s second-largest wood importer and has amongst the lowest forest cover (13%) of any country in Europe. With only 20% of demand met by homegrown timber, the country faces risks…

Helpu Cymru, the men’s mental health hub for Wales, marked National Bath Bomb Day on Sunday by calling for men to take more baths! The national suicide prevention organisation teamed up with ethical cosmetics brand LUSH to encourage men to take a moment, drop a bath bomb, and embrace some quiet time by having a sudsy soak. Helpu Cymru supports men grappling with their mental wellbeing and suggested that anything allowing for mindfulness could pave the way for better mental health. Founded by a group of volunteers who had personally encountered mental health challenges, Helpu provided a safe space for…

Tributes have been paid to one of the most respected lawyers in North Wales after a touching remembrance service. David Hooson, formerly of Segrwyd Hall, near Denbigh, who has died aged 88, joined the long-established law firm of Swayne Johnson in 1968 and became a partner and then a consultant for the firm until 2011. He was also the Diocesan Registrar and Legal Secretary to the Bishop of St Asaph for 38 years from 1973 until his retirement. David was a cousin to the eminent lawyer and Liberal MP for Montgomeryshire Lord Emlyn Hooson and a member of the well-known…

A young mum has spoken movingly about how a mother and toddler group that’s facing closure helped her survive overwhelming times with her new-born son. Sarah Jones-Wallace, from Denbigh, shared that Rhyl-based Blossom and Bloom helped her out of a dark place and how her employer, Lock Stock Self-Storage, has donated seven dozen Easter eggs for the charity’s sponsored walk – their final celebration before closing. Grant funding to support for the charity was turned down this year meaning the organisation which helped almost 500 young mums from as far afield as Llandudno will close its doors. The charity was set…

A rising star at Wales’s fastest growing food supplier has been appointed as the company’s new head of distribution. Laura Holland, who joined Harlech Foodservice five years ago on the tele-sales desk, takes charge of organising deliveries to customers across Wales, the North West of England and the West Midlands. As Distribution Manager she will be responsible for the routes taken and the cargoes carried by over 80 drivers behind the wheels of 65 delivery lorries and vans transporting 5,000 lines of products from the company’s five depots to thousands of customers. Laura, from Mynytho, near Abersoch, is originally from…

A man has been charged with the murder of a 48-year-old woman in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend, earlier this month. Officers were called just after 9.15pm on Friday, April 18, with a report of concern for the welfare of two people in a property on Bryn Terrace. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of Tracey Davies (formerly Young). 56-year-old Michael Davies, from Cefn Cribwr, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of Tracey’s murder. He has today been charged with this offence, and will appear at Cardiff Magistrates Court tomorrow at 10am. Next of kin has been informed. Detective Inspector Claire…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council could soon be asking residents for their views on three potential sites for housing in Barry. This week the Authority’s Cabinet will consider a report that recommends holding a consultation exercise to gauge local opinion on the proposals. If the report’s contents are approved, people will be able to have their say on plans to increase the number of homes in Barry, linked to the Council’s Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP). The plans include building 54 homes on Hayes Lane in the Bendricks, 40 at Neptune Way on Barry Waterfront and 376 near Weycock Cross…

An upgraded neighbourhood skate park is now open and ready to use at Coed Bach Park in Pontarddulais in a boost for local skateboarders, BMXers and fans of other wheel sports. The new facility is part of a Swansea Council commitment to invest £2.8m in neighbourhood skate parks across the city by working in close partnership with local communities and a specialist design company called Curve Studio. Coloured predominantly in red and green, the new concrete facility at Coed Bach Park replaces an old metal ramp that had been in place there beforehand. It includes two back-to-back mini ramps, a…