Author: Rhys Gregory

A large-scale fire in Treharris prompted a major emergency response on Sunday afternoon, with residents urged to keep their windows and doors closed while crews tackled the blaze. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) was called to Victoria Street, Treharris, at 3.21pm on Sunday, 31 May, following reports of a fire in the garden area of a property. Multiple fire crews attended the incident, including firefighters from Aberbargoed, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly and Maindee. Three water bowsers were also deployed to support operations at the scene. As firefighters worked to contain the blaze, residents living in Victoria Street and…

Staff and service users from a mental health service in Mold took on the challenge of climbing Moel Famau to raise money for a local family affected by motor neurone disease (MND). The group from Cygnet Delfryn Lodge braved the hot weather to complete the sponsored walk up Moel Famau, the highest hill in the Clwydian Range, with everyone successfully reaching the summit and making it safely back down. The fundraising effort was organised to support local resident Dean Gittins, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease earlier this year following months of unexplained symptoms and medical investigations. Funds raised…

Wales’s largest independent accident repair business is on the road to major expansion following a £600,000 investment. The Business Plan for Cardiff-based 1St Choice Accident Repair Centre  predicts turnover growing from the present £5 million to £8 million, and the workforce increasing by a third to more than 50. The investment, a mix of equity and debt, is from Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE, and has enabled a  transformation of the company’s management and ownership structures as it consolidates its strong market position in Wales working for insurers, OEMs and private clients. 1St Choice Director Matt Willecome says growth will come from new clients…

Residents, businesses and visitors are being encouraged to share their views on the future of Caldicot town centre as work begins on a new placemaking plan aimed at guiding future investment and improvements. Monmouthshire County Council and Caldicot Town Council are working in partnership and have appointed LDA Design to help develop the Caldicot Placemaking Plan, which will set out a long-term vision for the town centre and identify priority projects for future public and private sector investment. The plan will focus on what is working well in the town, where improvements could be made and what matters most to…

Heavy rain, thunderstorms and blustery showers are set to bring an unsettled spell of weather across Wales this week, according to the latest forecast from the Met Office. After a period of drier and warmer conditions, the weather is taking a turn, with heavy rain expected to spread across the country and continue for much of Monday. The Met Office says rain will become widespread through the morning and remain persistent throughout the day, with some particularly heavy bursts possible. There is also a risk of thundery downpours developing during the afternoon, while coastal areas can expect breezy conditions. Temperatures…

Tourism businesses, makers and producers from across Mid Wales and alongside the Heart of Wales Line are being invited to take part in a new summer event designed to showcase the very best of the region to new audiences. The Heart of Wales Community Rail Partnership has announced its first ever Make and Trade Heart of Wales Summer Fair, taking place at St Mary’s Church in the centre of Shrewsbury on Saturday, August 8 from 10am to 4pm. The event aims to encourage more visitors to explore Mid Wales by rail, while giving businesses the opportunity to promote their products,…

Ambition North Wales is seeking private sector leaders to help shape the region’s future as part of its new Business Advisory Board. The new board members will represent businesses and employers across North Wales, by bringing insight, independent advice and constructive challenge as Ambition North Wales delivers a transformational programme of work to drive economic growth. Operating as a local government entity, Ambition North Wales holds statutory responsibilities, including delivering a Regional Strategic Transport Plan, a Strategic Development Plan, and promoting and enhancing regional economic well-being. Within this work, delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal is accelerating, and the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone is underway — together representing £400 million of government investment. These programmes aim to unlock up to £2 billion in total investment and…

Following successful events in Cardiff and Wrexham, Wales’ flagship graduate careers event is coming to Swansea for the first time, with a new two-day format at the Albert Hall. The event will bring students and recent graduates face-to-face with with employers from across South Wales for two days of real conversations, networking, and career-defining moments. Hosted by Darogan and headline sponsored by South West Wales Regional Learning and Skills Partnership (RLSP) and with Companies House as headline exhibitor, GradCon South Wales is the third event in the GradCon series. The inaugural event in Cardiff in 2025 attracted over 500 graduates…

Newport residents are being encouraged to show their support as the city marks D-Day with an annual parade and remembrance service in the city centre this weekend. The event will take place on Saturday, 6 June, commemorating the anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy during the Second World War. Organised in the city centre, the parade will begin at 11.45am from the top of Cambrian Road and will be led by the Newport Stedfast Band. Participants will march along Bridge Street before continuing up High Street to the D-Day Memorial, where a short service of remembrance will be held.…

A man from Beddau has been jailed after a jury found him guilty of rape. Kyle Plummer, 32, raped his victim at a property in Beddau in 2023. Plummer pleaded not guilty to one count of rape but was found guilty after a three-day trial at Cardiff Crown Court in April. He has been handed an extended sentence of six years and six months in prison and given a 10-year restraining order. Detective Constable Davies said: “I would like to thank the victim in this case for coming forward and for being courageous throughout the process of this investigation. Because…