Author: Rhys Gregory

On Friday, 21 March, The Rainbow Trust building in Chepstow was officially reopened following refurbishment. Funded by Monmouthshire County Council, Chepstow Town Council, the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Placemaking Grant Programme and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The building, which was in a poor state, has been transformed into a vital resource for the community. The refurbishment not only enhances the building’s aesthetic appeal but also ensures that the valuable services provided by both charities can continue uninterrupted. The Food Co-operative and the Chepstow Community Fridge are crucial lifelines for many residents, offering access to affordable…

Tee2Sugars, a local South Wales street artist, has transformed an area of Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, turning a small disused alleyway in to a vibrant and colourful piece of art. The SPF funded community project saw Tee2Sugars work alongside young people from the area to come up with the theme ‘notable people from Merthyr Tydfil, both past and present’, and members of the community were also invited along to help with the artwork. Inspired by local legends, the artwork includes pictures of boxers Johnny Owen, Howard Winstone and Eddie Thomas, as well as fashion designers Laura Ashley and Julien Macdonald.…

A major refurbishment of Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon – backed by £1.8 million in UK Government funding – has been completed. SWG Group, based in Welshpool, Brecon-based Bbi (Beacons Business Interiors) and inhouse engineers carried out the work for Powys County Council, which secured 90% of the cost from the government. It has included: New front of house public toilets and back of house dressing room toilets. Upgrade to all internal and external light fittings, helping to make the building more energy efficient. New external windows and doors throughout. New public lift. New cargo lift. Upgrade to the air handling…

Successful services carry record number of passengers last summer Bus services operating in the Eryri National Park carried a record number of passengers last summer, and are gearing up for another successful period as the Easter break approaches. Transport for Wales working in partnership with Gwynedd Council and the Eryri National Park Authority have transformed the popular Eryri Sherpa bus network, which offers an integrated network of frequent and accessible bus services linking centres such as Bangor, Caernarfon and Porthmadog to key visitor attractions across the heart of the Eryri National Park benefiting local residents and visitors alike. New and…

A programme helping organisations across Wales deliver productivity improvements and reduce waste in conjunction with Toyota has seen a number of major companies report savings of £1m each. The Toyota Lean Clusters Programme offers world class assistance to businesses in Wales that want to make sustainable improvements in competitiveness. It works to embed the principles of Toyota’s production philosophy, regarded as a benchmark for manufacturing efficiency best practice world-wide, to optimise business operations. As a direct result of participation in the programme, Tata, Airflo and others have all recently reported savings of £1m each, while Blackwood business Seda increased its…

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates has confirmed that the A470 between Talerddig and Dolfach will reopen as planned on 11 April with traffic management in place. The works involving complex and extensive repairs to the retaining wall above the adjacent Afon Laen involved the full closure of the road between 20 January and 11 April. 2-way traffic lights will now be reinstalled at the site whilst a safety barrier is installed. All traffic management will be removed from the site by 30th April 2025. Every effort will be made to reduce this timeframe if possible.…

Sport Caerphilly has announced that applications are now open for the 2025-26 Facility Grant. The scheme offers up to £2,500 per club to help local sports clubs improve their facilities and long-term sustainability, supporting the ambitions of our Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2019–2029. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, this grant supports capital improvements to help create more inclusive, sustainable spaces for their communities. Clubs must be based in Caerphilly County Borough, have a formal constitution and either own their facility or hold a lease with at least five years remaining. Applications must relate to capital works or…

A former pub landlord and amateur poet whose verse is inspired by real life events has penned a moving tribute to the owners of a residential home where she now works. Michelle Williams, a care practitioner at  Hillbury House in Wrexham wrote the poem to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Pendine Park care organisation run by Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill. The Krefts first launched Pendine Park four decades ago when they converted a Victorian villa, Gwern Alyn, in Wrexham, into a residential care home. They went on to open Hillbury House, next door to Gwern Alyn,…

Have you ever wanted to master the game of Texas Hold’em but didn’t know where to start? This article will guide you through the basics, strategies, and common mistakes in texas hold’em, making it easy for beginners to understand and improve their game. By the end, you’ll have a solid foundation in Texas Hold’em and be ready to take on your next poker game with confidence. The Objective: Winning the Pot In this poker variant, your aim is to create the best five-card hand you can using any combination of your two hole cards (private cards dealt face-down to each…

Online slot games continue to evolve, bringing fresh experiences that keep players engaged. One of the biggest innovations in recent years is the Megaways mechanic, which has completely changed how reels spin and payouts work. Whether you are new to slots or a seasoned player, Megaways titles offer a unique and exciting way to enjoy FIRST best online slot games with dynamic gameplay and massive win potential. What Are Megaways Slots? Megaways slots use a random reel modifier that changes the number of symbols appearing on each reel with every spin. Unlike traditional slot games that have fixed paylines, this…