Author: Rhys Gregory

Since 2017, Aldi has invested almost £600 million to upgrade its stores across the UK, including 29 in Wales. Its store enhancement programme has seen the UK’s fourth largest supermarket focus on expanding its fresh, chilled and food-to-go offerings, while also creating simpler layouts and energy efficient LED lighting. The stores that have undergone the changes include Newport, Cardiff (Dartington Drive and City Link Retail Park), Wrexham and Porthmadog. Aldi is now preparing for the next stage of development, which will see nearly £67 million invested in existing stores throughout 2025. The new phase will bring further improvements, including additional…

South Wales Police was called just after 10pm on Monday February 10 with a report that a 28-year-old man had attended a hospital in Merthyr with multiple stab wounds. 23-year-old George Miles-Williams from Hereford has been charged with attempt murder and has been remanded into custody. Two women from Hereford, aged 54 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and have been bailed for further enquiries. Detective Chief Inspector James Morris said: “I understand incidents such as this are concerning for the public, but I’d like to reassure the local community that this appears to be…

Swansea University has launched a new initiative to help enhance language students’ future career prospects. The Modern Languages, Translation, and Interpreting (MLTI) department now boasts its own industry panel designed to forge stronger relationships between students, academic staff and future employers. The initiative has been developed by Dr Giovanna Donzelli. who will lead the panel, along with her colleague Tanya May. It will meet twice every academic year and its key functions include ensuring the department’s programme of studies meets industry needs as well as giving students the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships and work placements. Dr Donzelli…

A BRECON opticians has raised £750 for its local foodbank, supporting vulnerable individuals and families in the community. The team at Specsavers Brecon organised a series of creative fundraisers throughout last year to collect donations for Brecon Foodbank. These included a ‘Guess how many contact lenses in a jar?’ challenge, a fancy-dress walk-up Pen-y-Fan, a Halloween bake sale and a Christmas hamper raffle. Thanks to the generosity of customers and determined efforts by staff members, the store successfully raised £750 to help the foodbank continue its vital work. Rachel Stephens, optician director at Specsavers Brecon, says: ‘We want to give…

Virtual reality and video gaming techniques could give a new lease of life to radio and theatre plays. Researchers at Aberystwyth University have transformed a radio play written more than 20 years ago into an interactive virtual reality (VR) experience. Audiences are being given the chance to experience the play Mapping the Soul in a unique and immersive way by wearing VR headsets. They move through a series of computer-generated locations, following the main character Adam and interacting with him as he goes on a philosophical journey through his subconscious in search of his soul. First broadcast on BBC Radio…

Wales’ fostering community is highlighting the benefits of local authority care as The Welsh Government’s landmark Health and Social Care Bill begins the process of removing profit from the children’s care system. Wales is the first country in the UK to legislate to remove profit from both residential and foster care for children. Foster Wales’ Staying local campaign, led by care experienced people and local authority foster carers, aims to show how the policy will support young people in care to stay connected to their local area, community, friends, and school. Last year, 85 per cent of young people with local…

As February half term approaches, many families are seeking fun-filled activities to keep the children entertained ¾ all without breaking the bank. Here in Neath Port Talbot, the region known as the Dramatic Heart of Wales, there are plenty of low- and no-cost fun, family days out to experience. From welly walks to wildlife craft days, beach adventures to country park playdates, families visiting the area can discover why this region is known as the ‘hidden gem’ of South Wales. Family Fun Days at Margam Country Park Margam Country Park welcomes families of all ages to explore its rolling 850…

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Development Control Committee has been minded to approve Marubeni Europower`s Planning Application with conditions. The application is subject to the Welsh Government`s Holding Direction. The decision reached on the 20th February 2025 during a special meeting which was convened to determine the planning application for the hydrogen and solar energy development. Earlier in the day, council members visited the two proposed sites, located in Bryncethin and Brynmenyn, before reconvening at the civic offices for the special meeting. At the same meeting, the Committee also considered HyBont`s Hazardous Substances Consent application. Prior to this the Health and…

The victim of a sustained and vicious sexual attack has today revealed that they believed they would “die that night in the toilets of a hospital.” At a Court hearing in early January, Lee James Mullen, 38 of Church Street in Flint admitted sexual assault by penetration and inflicting grievous bodily harm, having followed them into a toilet at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, on 10 December 2024. Following a sustained attack, Mullen of Church Street Flint, held his hand over the victim’s mouth and told her he would kill her if she reported him. He was previously sentenced to…

Bedford Park Nature Reserve, enveloping 18 hectares of green space and ruins of the 18th century Cefn Cribwr Ironworks, is set to benefit from improved access arrangements, with works already underway. Led by the council’s Green Space Enhancement team in collaboration with the Conservation and Design team, and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the project features extensive access improvements throughout the park, including within the area of the ancient monument, Bedford Ironworks. Additionally, the transformative project will also create designated zones, including a wellbeing space and picnic area. The Bedford Ironworks, a site of exceptional heritage value in…