Author: Rhys Gregory

Hundreds of attendees at Swansea’s flagship annual conference, It’s Your Swansea Conference & Exhibition, were given an exclusive first look at exciting plans for the city on Thursday 6th March. The event brought together Swansea-based businesses, organisations and individuals for a day of insightful panel discussions with key Swansea figures, networking with fellow exhibitors and attendees, and a busy programme of workshops in sectors such as: local food partnerships, sustainability, creative industries and leadership strategies. Cllr. Rob Stewart, the leader of Swansea Council, opened the day with a keynote session providing an insight into local investment, upcoming developments and other…

A former supermarket building in the centre of a bustling Gwent town could now become flats and shops after being snapped up at auction. The former Somerfield supermarket building in Blackwood, Caerphilly borough, which closed as a supermarket in 2007, was sold at Paul Fosh Auctions. Listed with a guide price of £100,000 Unit 23B and C, at The Market Place Shopping Centre in Blackwood, sold for £125,000 after strong bidding. Starting at the guide price bids from a total of four eager bidders flooded in with a total of 22 bids with eventually two of them battling it out…

A major South Wales developer will be opening a new outlet at its site in northwest Cardiff. Charles Church will launch its Glan y Coed site in Capel Llanilltern next to The Parish – under construction by its sister company, Persimmon Homes – on Saturday 29th March. Offering a range of four and five-bedroom homes, Glan y Coed is perfect for families, professionals, and home-movers alike. The properties from the five-star developer will be energy-efficient and designed to complement a range of contemporary lifestyles. Surrounded by small villages, a new home in this well-connected and idyllic location gives you spacious…

Consultation on the draft Regional Transport Plan (RTP) is open until 19th May, aimed at unlocking opportunities, connecting people and businesses and supporting the creation of jobs in the Region. Cardiff Capital Region (CCR), the regional body made up of the ten Local Authorities in South East Wales, is consulting with the public and wider stakeholders on its draft Regional Transport Plan (RTP). From Monmouthshire to Bridgend, the Valleys to the coast, residents and visitors across CCR are invited to review the Plan, and its vision, objectives and policies. CCR’s goal is to build a Competitive, Connected, and Resilient Region:…

Cardiff men have been jailed for drug and modern slavery offences. Drug dealers Cameron Farrah, 25, and Tyrese Jones, 23, from Ely, exploited vulnerable teenage boys to sell drugs on their behalf to maximise profits. The victims would spend most of their days and night in secluded wooded areas, under makeshift tents selling crack cocaine and heroin. Farrah and Jones were arrested as part of a proactive police operation into the “CC” drugs line, which was operating across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Three other people – Chakeel Lovell, 23, from Penylan, Joshua Dunbar, 28, from Pentyrch, and Taylor…

A man who burgled a couple’s home whilst they were on holiday has been jailed. Mark Anthony Goodier, 36, of Llanddaniel, Gaerwen, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday March 18th after admitting to two burglary offences and handling stolen goods. During the evening of Thursday December 19th 2024, Goodier broke into a home on Station Road, Llanberis, whilst the family who lived there were away on holiday. He ransacked the house, stealing several valuable items and the family’s car. Later on, during the early hours of Friday December 20th, Goodier then attempted to gain entry into a business premises…

The person behind the first translation into Welsh of one of the great classic adventure stories is sharing the secrets of how he did it at Morriston Library on Saturday, March 22. Adam Pearce will be talking about how he translated JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit into Welsh for the first time at two events – one in Welsh, the other in English at 1pm and 2pm, respectively. Translated as Yr Hobyd, The Hobbit tells of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Middle Earth, dragons, treasure and a ring of gold and Adam Pearce brings it all to life through the medium…

A Pembrokeshire father and daughter have admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals. Richard Scarfe of Park Street Pembroke Dock and his daughter Brogan Scarfe of Woodbine Terrace, Pembroke, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on March 4th charged under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of causing unnecessary suffering to pigs, sheep, poultry and dogs, between 25th January 2022 and 18th April 2023. Richard Scarfe was further charged with breaching a Court Order, made on January 26th 2022 following a conviction for animal welfare offences, banning him from owning, keeping or participating in the keeping of goats, donkeys, cattle, sheep and pigs,…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is issuing a stark warning to anyone who abuses the use of blue badges following the successful prosecution of a local woman. Miss Laura Morris, from Aberdare parked her vehicle in a disabled bay at Dean Street, Aberdare and displayed a ‘Blue Badge’ on the dashboard. When the Council’s Enforcement Officers inspected the badge on display, it was discovered that the owner of the badge could not be parked in that space or be accompanying the driver as they had sadly passed away. Miss Morris was then invited to attend an interview under caution by officers…

Transport for Wales is excited to announce that the Rhymney valley railway line will undergo major enhancements as part of the next phase of the South Wales Metro. Starting at the end of March 2025, TfW will deliver an intensive 8-month programme of engineering work that will transform and electrify over 15km of railway line. Brand-new trains (Class 231s) were introduced to the Rhymney valley line in 2023 as part of TfW’s £800 million investment into brand-new trains across Wales. These further infrastructure improvements will enable electrified trains (Class 756s) to be introduced to the line, delivering faster, greener and…