Author: Rhys Gregory

THE elite of Welsh baking will rise to the occasion at an inaugural college conference. Coleg Cambria Yale in Wrexham will host the Wales Bakery Conference 2025 on Wednesday (February 26) from 10am-3pm. The Hafod building is to welcome the very best of the industry for the one-day expo, which will feature trade stands, networking opportunities and guest speakers. Among them will be Simon Penson from ADM Milling, discussing Regenerative Farming and its Benefits; Matt Loughrey from The Burnt Chef Project on Mental Health Support in the Food Industry, and awarding body FDQ CEO Terry Fennel on Bakery Apprenticeships in Wales…

Over a dozen shopping trolleys, a bicycle and a car tyre are among the items recently removed from Swansea’s River Tawe to help support sailings there. The items were removed from a section of the river close to the Bascule Bridge as they were causing an obstruction to the Copper Jack vessel when it turns around on its trips from Swansea Marina. Thousands of residents enjoy River Tawe cruises on the Copper Jack every year. These include school trips, free and subsidised trips for registered charities, live music trips, scout groups, sailings for the public, private charters and the cuppa…

A mystery winner from Gwynedd has won the top prize on Thunderball, scooping a fantastic £500,000 in the draw on Saturday 1 February. They plan to use the money to pay off their mortgage. The Gwynedd local, who played a Lucky Dip via the National Lottery app, has become one of over nine million players that win each week on The National Lottery’s range of games. Interactive winners have the opportunity to release their name, remain anonymous or like this winner, release some details through partial publicity. Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said,…

Media Cymru has welcomed its third and final cohort of businesses and SMEs as successful recipients of Seed Fund for early-stage research, development and innovation (R,D&I). Almost £140,000 of seed funding has been invested in 14 companies and freelancers to develop innovative research and development (R&D) projects in the media sector. The funding was awarded to projects covering interactive storytelling through virtual production (VP) and augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), placemaking and tourism, bilingual broadcasting and gaming. The funding follows two previous funding rounds in 2023 and 2024, where a combined total of over £350,000 was awarded to 36 projects. Successful seed…

Get ready for Tonguing, a genre-traversing, exciting new show exploring connection and communication as Carys Eleri brings her insightful brand of comedy to life through science and songs for an unmissable one-woman show this spring at Wales Millennium Centre. Tonguing explores how human connection shapes everything from our brains to our bodies and how a growing dependence on the digital sphere can lead to a deprivation of real human connection. It’s a call to move beyond the online platforms which have alienated us from each other and to promote the art of conversation, in the flesh, eye-to eye – ‘IRL.’…

Swansea University is playing a key role in a new collaborative network dedicated to tackling the global challenges posted by microbial biofilms. The Biofilm Alliance, an initiative funded by Innovate UK, will bring together experts from academia, industry, metrology, regulatory bodies, and standardisation organisations, to bridge the gap between research and effective regulation. Microbial biofilms – communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and form protective layers – pose substantial challenges across numerous sectors, with global economic impacts estimated at $5 trillion annually. Swansea is one of four partners along with National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University and Industrial…

Three high-achieving students from Buckley have shared ambitious career goals after being recognised for their top grades in science. From unravelling the mysteries of space and finding cures for the world’s deadliest diseases, to working for the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), Elfed High School pupils Oliver Lloyd, Neve Gilham, and Tomas Davies wish to be a driving force for change. The year 11 pupils have had their exceptional performances in physics, chemistry, and biology celebrated through Mold-based chemical manufacturer Synthite’s annual science prize. Victorious Oliver, whose favourite subjects are biology and physics, said: “Winning the award was a total…

Ryanair has confirmed its largest ever summer flight programme for Cardiff Airport in 2025, which is up 18% year-on-year, allowing more choice to fly low-cost from Wales. Additional flights have been added to Dublin and Malaga, two of the most popular destinations for Cardiff Airport customers. The airline has been operating at Cardiff for more than a decade and this year’s summer schedule is as follows: Alicante: Flights every Tuesday, Friday & Sunday Dublin: Flights every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday Faro: Flights every Monday & Thursday Malaga: Flights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday Tenerife: Flights every…

THE author of a book written in memory of her baby boy is planning a series of new stories and will appear in a TV documentary on child loss. The positive response to Theo Bear – A Midnight Wish was of “great comfort” to Ellie Harley-Jones, whose son Theo sadly died at birth almost four years ago. Ellie – co-owner of Catch 22 Brasserie in Valley, Anglesey – says writing and illustrating the book initially provided a focus and helped her to cope with the tragedy, before she later realised it could also help to raise awareness and funds for…

THE first apartments have been released for sale at a development rejuvenating the former RAF Sealand site in Deeside. Anwyl Homes has launched a new collection of one-bedroom properties at Summers Bridge, alongside a selection of two-bedroom semi-detached homes. Graeme Gibb, sales director for Anwyl Homes Cheshire and North Wales, said: “Our latest launch represents a new offering for homebuyers at Summers Bridge, as it’s the first time we’ve had apartments for sale. It opens up the development to those looking for their first home or a smaller, easier to manage property. “Perfect for couples, downsizers and professionals, inside the…