Author: Rhys Gregory

Netflix and Creative Wales today reveal that Netflix productions in Wales have contributed over £200 million for the UK economy since 2020. This includes the upcoming film HAVOC, the biggest feature film ever shot entirely in Wales. HAVOC, filmed entirely in locations in Wales and directed by Welsh director Gareth Evans, follows a deal gone wrong and a bruised detective having to fight his way through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son. Wales has become one of Netflix’s key production hubs, and has been the filming location for iconic shows such as Sex Education, The Crown and…

A florist from North Wales has swapped mayhem and murder on hit TV shows like EastEnders and Death in Paradise for meditation in the garden Sioned Edwards, who lives near Ruthin and used to run a flower shop in Bangor, created the floral display for the Walford wedding of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Sharon (Letitia Dean) in 2014. She also spent three months on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe aka the fictional island of Saint Marie where the comedy murder mystery drama is set. Both programmes are a world away from the popular S4C gardening series, Garddio a Mwy…

A Caerphilly engineering firm is taking exciting steps to secure its future for the long-term by becoming employee owned. MII Engineering announced this week that the business has completed on an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), making it one of the largest businesses in South Wales to do so. Based in Bedwas, MII Engineering is a UK-wide, multi-disciplined engineering service provider delivering tailored solutions across mechanical, electrical and instrumentation, structural, pipework, fabrication, manufacturing and scaffolding. Serving over 118 clients in industries including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, steel, food, water and manufacturing, MII’s customer-focused approach ensures practical, efficient delivery of complex engineering…

Motocross-mad husband and wife team Ross and Emily Pottenger have added a new retail arm to their business, Kiddiecross, which provides balance and e-bike tuition to young cyclists. When they struggled to find group classes for their young son outside the usual football, rugby and swimming classes; Ross and Emily decided to launch their own offering with a focus on balance bikes and more modern electric bikes. They spent nearly two years researching and developing their business plan, before launching in Newport last August. The success of classes naturally led to them launching a retail arm, with the assistance of…

RCT Council has secured more than £8.5 million funding for key transportation schemes within several Welsh Government grant programmes in 2025/26. This includes important funding for active travel, resilient roads, road safety, improving pedestrian facilities near schools, and unadopted roads. Key specific allocations include the delivery of Phase Five of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, developing new walking and cycling provisions between Talbot Green and Llanharan as well as Treorchy and Treherbert, and development of a new Safe Routes in Communities scheme for Cwmparc. Various funding programmes are available for councils in Wales to bid to each year, with…

Clean beauty has moved from niche to mainstream, and it’s not slowing down. At its core, it’s about using products that are free from potentially harmful ingredients—like parabens, sulphates, and synthetic fragrances—while being transparent about what is included. Consumers are becoming savvier, researching labels, and favouring brands that prioritise safety, sustainability, and ethics. What started with skincare has now expanded to makeup, haircare, and even brow products. The focus? Streamlined routines, fewer steps, and formulas that are as good for your skin as they are for the planet. Clean Beauty: A Shift Towards Natural, Minimalist Products At its heart, clean…

Have you ever wondered why people act the way they do? Do you want to help others or learn more about how the mind works? If so, studying psychology might be the right path for you. A psychology degree can help you see the world in a new way. It gives you tools to better understand thoughts, feelings, and actions. Keep reading to learn how this degree can open new doors and help you grow in many ways. What Is Psychology? Psychology is the study of the mind and how people behave. It helps us understand what people think and…

Ceredigion Museum will be closing its doors for a period of essential repair and maintenance works from 19 May 2025. To ensure the safety of visitors and staff and to allow the building contractors to complete the work on the Grade 2 listed building efficiently, the Museum will be closed to the public during this period. The museum is expected to re-open in Spring 2026. The repair works include a new roof, repair to the beautiful suspended ceiling and replastering damaged walls. The café and the Museum’s popular Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and shop will remain open during the repair…

Twelve men have been jailed following an investigation into an organised crime group (OCG) based in Swansea. Operation Shelduck, conducted by the Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot Organised Crime Team to investigate the supply of Class A and B drugs, was commenced following the arrest of Abdul Mozid for an unrelated drugs offence in November 2023. A mobile phone in Mozid’s possession at the time of his arrest contained evidence to show he was the principal member of a large-scale conspiracy to supply controlled drugs including cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and ketamine. Mozid was directing the large-scale supply of Class A…

Resilience on the A55 and opportunities for active travel have improved since the £30m Aber Tai’r Meibion scheme was officially opened, almost two years ago. The scheme, which included £20m of European funding, targeted a section of the A55 which was almost 50 years old and was not up to current design standards.  It was prone to flooding and had very little safe provision for walkers and cyclists nearby. As well as undertaking drainage work and improving the carriageway, the scheme also aimed to improve safety by removing gaps in the central reservation which had been left for agricultural vehicles…