Author: Rhys Gregory

Talented pianists from across the world will compete for cash prizes of up to £3,000 at an internationally-renowned festival in North Wales. The Wales International Piano Festival is being held at Galeri in Caernarfon from October 16-20 and will also feature concerts, masterclasses and lectures. The event, being organised once again by Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (William Mathias Music Centre), has established itself as a highlight of the global cultural calendar. Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, the festival’s Artistic Director, said: “Planning the festival has been both challenging and exciting. “It’s taking place over five days for the first time and each of…

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after a black and white cat was found as a stowaway in the back of a van. The friendly male cat – who is clearly owned – but has not been microchipped was found on Friday 8 August by the driver of the van after they had visited the Bristol area and Cardiff that day. He was taken to RSPCA Newport Animal Centre – and enquiries have been made by the charity – but unfortunately the owner of the cat has not been found. RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Sian Burton said: “This is…

Two of north Wales’ best-known producers have teamed up to launch a new sea-salted Pilsner. Halen Môn, the Anglesey Sea Salt company, and Polly’s Brew Co, based in Mold, have collaborated to create Tide/Llanw, a 4.7% Salted Pilsner which will be canned and sold online through the two producers’ web stores. Tide/Llanw is a classic Pilsner brewed with extra pale malt and Mittelfruh and Saaz, in honour of its Czech and German roots. The Pilsner has been named after the outdoor cafe and events space at the Halen Môn saltcote, and the can design features a striking blue marbled label…

A Gwent Police officer has been charged with computer misuse offences and making indecent of images of children following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) directed investigation. 30-year-old PC Patrick Higgins is due before Cardiff Crown Court on Monday 18 August to face three counts of unauthorised access to a program or data, without a valid policing purpose and three charges of making indecent photos and videos of children. The computer misuse charges relate to alleged offending between June 2023 and August 2024. The investigation has been carried out by Gwent Police’s Counter Corruption Unit under the direction of…

Cardiff is set to welcome its most exciting new destination for live entertainment, as LUDO Sports and Live Lounge prepares to open its flagship venue on St Mary’s Street this September, with room for over 700 guests. LUDO’s most ambitious site yet promises a winning line‑up of live music, premium live sport screenings, freshly prepared food, craft drinks and local beers, as well as competitive socialising in the form of interactive darts and basketball: all designed to deliver unforgettable nights out, whatever the occasion. At the heart of the new venue is a state‑of‑the‑art beer garden featuring Cardiff’s largest outdoor…

A new centre providing timely assessment, diagnosis, and tailored support plans for neurodivergent children, adults, and families is opening in Swansea, with services available across South Wales. The Neuropathways Centre, launched by health and wellbeing organisation Health is One, is designed to provide earlier identification, faster access to assessments and more joined-up support. It comes amid growing concerns about long NHS waiting times and fragmented care for people seeking assessments and the lack of post-diagnosis support. The centre provides comprehensive support for neurodevelopmental needs, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and sensory processing challenges. Services include diagnosis, counselling, and post-diagnostic care,…

The City of Newport will be hosting he start for the upcoming Lloyds Tour of Britain Mens Stage 6 race taking place between Newport and Cardiff on Sunday 7 September 2024. The team presentation, before the final stage of the race will be held inside the Geraint Thomas Velodrome, so spectators will be able to secure limited free tickets to enjoy the live team presentations from inside the Geraint Thomas Velodrome. The event will start at 10am, with the presentation beginning at 10.30am followed by the race start at 11.45am. Newport Live, Newport City Council and Beicio Cymru with the…

An aspiring filmmaker from Mountain Ash who tragically lost her mum just before starting college is celebrating a deeply personal success – achieving her A levels and earning a spot to study Film at university, after navigating one of the toughest years of her life. Keira Swain, 18, has shown remarkable resilience and determination over the past two years while studying her Film, History and Drama A levels at Coleg y Cymoedd. Now, she’s preparing to follow her dream of working in the film industry after achieving her desired grades and securing a place to study Film at Aberystwyth University.…

Two learners from Coleg y Cymoedd’s Netball squad are celebrating A-level results day side-by-side, marking the successful culmination of two years of friendship, competition and achievement on and off the court. Ruby Shorney, 18, from Caerphilly, and Tia Higgins, 19, from Treorchy, first met when they both joined the college’s Netball Academy, neither knowing anyone else on the team at the time. What began as training sessions and matches quickly grew into a close friendship that has shaped their college experience and inspired their future plans. Ruby, who achieved three As in her PE, Psychology, and Criminology A levels -…

A woman from Swansea has been jailed after attacking a stranger in the city centre while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 36-year-old Katie Kelshaw, from Swansea city centre, approached a member of the public, who was a stranger to her, in Swansea city centre during the afternoon of Saturday July 27 before punching him in the face. While being arrested a short time later, Kelshaw further assaulted three police officers, including spitting at one. Kelshaw changed her plea to the offences from not guilty to guilty on August 11. She has been sentenced to four months in prison…