Author: Rhys Gregory

Horse racing fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland will be in their element next month as the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is staged from March 11-14. The meeting inevitably sparks a ton of interest in Wales, which has a long-standing affinity with the National Hunt code of the sport. Welsh punters are already clamouring to find the latest Cheltenham betting odds ahead of what promises to be a thrilling four-day showcase of jumps racing. One of the best aspects of the meeting is watching horses who have the potential to become future superstars over jumps. With that in mind, read…

Much like several other cities dotted across the UK, Cardiff was once teeming with bingo clubs. The wonderfully British game of numbered balls and cheeky calls was a staple of Friday and Saturday nights out, particularly from the 1960s onwards. There were many elements behind the appeal of bingo, with the most prominent being that it’s easy to play, not costly to enjoy, and that big prizes were on the line. A change in the state of play from 1961 allowed big cash prizes to be offered, encouraging even successful dancehall chains to pivot into becoming bingo halls as well.…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has been instructed to market Oriel House Hotel & Spa, a former four-star hotel within a converted boarding school building. Located on the rural outskirts of St Asaph, Oriel House dates back to the 18th century and comprises 38 letting bedrooms, a bar and lounge, indoor and outdoor restaurant spaces, function facilities, gym, spa and swimming pool. The 2.3 acre site also includes lawned gardens, patios, and a Japanese garden which is a popular choice for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Originally a boarding school, the building was tastefully converted into a hotel in the…

The average price of a home sold in Wales increased slightly to £233,200 in the final quarter of 2024, remaining approximately at the same level as the start of the year. The figures have been released from Principality Building Society’s Wales House Price Index for Q4 2024 (October – December), which demonstrates the rise and fall in house prices in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales. The uplift in sales saw the number of transactions at the highest level for three years, following quarter-on-quarter growth which signals a strong consumer appetite, and a housing market in Wales that…

Applications for the 2025 Green Man Trust Community Grants are now open, with a total of £10,000 to be distributed to Powys projects. Due to the tremendous interest and number of applications for grants last year, Green Man Trust has opened applications earlier to give more time for Powys organisations to apply. Green Man Trust established Community Grants two years ago to help schemes that encourage inclusiveness and wellness in local communities in Powys. Green Man is particularly interested in funding projects that combat the negative impact of the widening wealth and age gap in Powys, which is affecting vulnerable…

Brains Brewery has launched a revolutionary new brew called Boudicca, which set to captivate beer lovers with its unique blend of taste, passion, and history. The 5% porter, created by 25-year-old female brewer Rochelle Pinto, is hitting the pumps at over 450  Wetherspoons pubs nationwide as part of their Spring Beer Festival on March 5th, marking the first step in what is expected to be an exciting journey for the ale. Inspired by the fierce warrior queen Boudicca, known for her strength and resilience, this dark brown/black beer delivers a taste of roasted malts, dark chocolate, sweet caramel, with a…

SF PARKS plans to build luxurious multi-million pound ‘treehouse’ accommodation at one of its most popular holiday resorts. The proposals for WhiteHouse Leisure Park in Towyn would complement a recently constructed climbing wall, ‘The Jump’ and a high-ropes course at the award-winning site, in addition to a planned upgrade to the existing Jakes family restaurant and pub, an amusement arcade, a cinema room, and soft play, along with the creation of a spa and gym. This latest development comes after directors Jonathan and Oliver Seldon were given the green light last week for a six-lane bowling alley, rooftop bar, extended…

A technology business which provides adaptable app solutions to major car insurance companies has completed a six-figure round, supported by the Development Bank of Wales, Angels Invest Wales and high-profile Welsh investors. Driverly started life as a technology platform making it easier for young drivers to access car insurance, using data gathered on individual drivers to help bring down their insurance contributions. The business has since switched to a B2B model, providing its customisable platform to a number of insurers, who can use Driverly as a basis for their own apps to gather and provide data on drivers. Driverly’s system…

A man from Swansea has been jailed for his role in the supply of Class A drugs. 22-year-old Keiran Pugh, from the city centre, was arrested following a traffic stop in the Neath area, with officers noting a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle. Two clear bags of cocaine were found in his wallet. A further four bags were later found in his underwear when searched by officers at a police station. Further substances were found at his address, as well as a significant quantity of cash. He has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, plus an…

A Flintshire man has been jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting three girls. Adam Griffiths, of no fixed abode, carried out the offences over a seven-year period. Appearing at Mold Crown Court today, Monday, February 17th, he was jailed after being found guilty by a jury at Mold Crown Court in January. He was handed three consecutive sentences totalling 16 years in prison, as well as a year of additional licence. He will be registered as a sex offender indefinitely and was issued restraining orders to protect the victims and their families for the next 10 years. He was…