Author: Rhys Gregory

It was a record breaking 2025 ABP Newport Marathon Festival this weekend as thousands of runners took over the city’s streets. It was the biggest event yet with 10,000 people signed up to take part in the weekend festivities which included a marathon, half marathon, 10K and junior races, and new course records were set across all three women’s races and the men’s half marathon. Spectators lined the streets in the sunshine to cheer their friends and family around the route, which included a new city centre loop to take in the historic Newport Market and Newport Castle. Members of…

Tiger Yard is officially back for 2025, and I have to say—it’s never looked better. If you loved it before, you’re in for a treat this season. Not only have they brought back all the crowd favourites, but they’ve also made some clever improvements that elevate the entire experience. Let’s start with the biggest change: the new retractable roof. Last year’s storm damage may have been a bit of a nightmare, but it’s turned out to be a blessing in disguise. They’ve taken the opportunity to upgrade the middle section, which now matches the front of the venue with a…

A high-profile Swansea city centre development has brought work for hundreds of people – including some who’d previously been unemployed or had faced barriers to employment. The Kier Group workforce and sub-contractors attached to Swansea Council’s Y Storfa project number up to around 45 every day. Among them – helped into work by council community benefits initiative Beyond Bricks and Mortar – are a number of workers hired by the firm in the early days of the scheme. Once complete, Y Stofa will be a key part of the council’s £1bn regeneration of Swansea; it’ll be a gathering place and…

An intriguing two bedroom cottage for sale at auction is located in the heart of an area steeped in history. The charming two-bedroom end terraced house which has a garden both at the front and to the rear is listed for sale at auction with a guide price of £85,000-plus.. Alternatively, number 77, Cwmynyscoy Road, Pontypool, which has had a solid history of being rented over many years could make a good buy to let or holiday home investment. Sean Roper, who is selling the property on behalf of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “This fascinating cottage has been let…

Work to protect and renovate Flat Holm island’s historic foghorn station and Victorian cholera hospital is underway. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside investment from the island’s owners Cardiff Council, with in-kind support from partner organisations including the Flat Holm Society and RSPB Cymru, the work has required all materials and machinery to be shipped out to the isolated island, which sits in the Bristol Channel approximately five miles from Cardiff’s coastline. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Flat Holm island is steeped in history and we want to make sure these important…

Cyclists with a passion for adventure can thread their way around 27 kilometres of off-road cycle track around some of Wales’ most picturesque landscapes. Swansea Council has developed an online map, setting out the off-road cycle routes in parts of Gower, including Rhossili and Llanmadoc. The new map can be downloaded to a smartphone and can be used to guide two-wheeled lovers around a network of ancient bridleways that have been in place for centuries. The routes treat cyclists to spectacular views from Rhossili Down and Llanmadoc Hill across Carmarthen Bay to Tenby and the Bristol Channel to north Devon,…

A series of presentations will take place on 30th April 2025 at The Towers Hotel & Spa for the much-anticipated Options Appraisal Report on the Neath and Tennant Canals. Neath Port Talbot Council has secured £113,850 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Places initiative for the development phase of the Canal Connections/ Cysylltiadau Camlesi project. This project aims to regenerate the canal system into an accessible community asset for active recreation and travel. Another of the project’s goals is to establish the canal system as a must-visit heritage destination which connects local communities. While the council does not own…

Important external funding of £4.52 million has been secured for flood alleviation in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2025/26. This Welsh Government support will complement the Council’s own investment in this priority area over the year ahead – enabling 27 further schemes to be developed and/or delivered. This funding cannot be used by the Council to install main river flood defences as this can only be done by Natural Resources Wales. The funding will focus on improving culverts and drainage systems in areas identified as susceptible to flooding from ordinary watercourses, surface water and groundwater. Each year, the Council benefits from Welsh…

Newport City Council has confirmed that Splash ‘Port at Tredegar Park will officially reopen for the 2025 season on Friday 18 April. Extensive preparations have been taking place in recent weeks to ensure the popular water play area is ready for a fun-filled summer. With work now complete, the iconic tipping water bucket will once again spring into action over the Easter weekend, alongside the much-loved sprinklers. Splash ‘Port will be open daily from 10am to 5pm. From Monday to Friday, the first hour between 10am and 11am will be dedicated to relaxed sessions, followed by general entry from 11am…

The Marches Forward Partnership is set to reach a significant milestone in its development with the establishment of the Marches Forward Partnership Board. The Marches Forward Partnership brings together Herefordshire Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Powys County Council and Shropshire Council to reshape the economic landscape of the Marches region by fostering collaboration and innovation. The new Board will comprise Leaders and Chief Executives from the four local authorities, along with key strategic partners, to drive a shared commitment to a high productivity rural and town-based economy, a green economy trailblazer region, and the creation of healthy and connected places. Once…