Author: Rhys Gregory

AN AWARD-WINNING organic farm estate continues to raise the bar for sustainable practices in retail and agriculture. Rhug Estate, near Corwen in Denbighshire, unveiled a series of innovative schemes and initiatives in the last 12 months, as it targets net-zero emissions. Having introduced green energy projects ranging from 4KW to 5MW – including wind, solar, hydro and heat pumps – the 12,500-acre site invested in new technology to further lower its carbon footprint, notably an electric forklift. Recent developments included the transition from standard cardboard and polystyrene mail order packaging to FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified cardboard boxes, and wool thermal…

SCIENCE-LOVING students proved to be a real force in a national physics tournament. Learners from Coleg Cambria achieved staggering results at The British Physics Olympiad (BPhO), a series of competitions overseen by renowned lectures from Oxford and Cambridge universities. A seven-strong team representing Yale Sixth in Wrexham received two commendations, three bronze medals, one silver and one gold, which was secured by Lois Jones, from Gwersyllt. The students sat two challenging exam papers to test their knowledge of the subject and were up against more than 3,700 learners from 550 schools across the UK. Lecturer Rob Jones said he was…

 Event organisers Run 4 Wales are once again gifting 100 free spaces in the ABP Newport Marathon Festival for 2025 – with half marathon and 10K spaces up for grabs. The 100 Club initiative aims to support people in the local community who may be able to use the event to improve their health and wellbeing, with groups including the Gwent Drug & Alcohol Service, Slimming World, Newport Live and If You Go I Go involved this year. The race returns to the city on Sunday 13th April with record numbers of runners signed up to run the marathon, half…

The community-owned pub has made it to the finals of pub of the year category for Wales, in what are popularly known as the ‘Rural Oscars’. The awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food & farming, enterprise, heritage and business. Now in their eighteenth year, they are set apart from other awards because they are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to elevate their favourite businesses to national acclaim. The historic pub rose to prominence a few years ago when a community-led initiative, backed by Hollywood superstar Matthew Rhys, managed to raise over £250,000 to…

Just before 7pm on Friday night, January 31, a man attended Talbot Green Police Station and started damaging police vehicles. Officers challenged the man and during a violent struggle three officers were injured. Two officers were taken to hospital and received treatment for their injuries. Both officers have since been discharged. 27-year-old Alexander Stephen Dighton from Llantrisant has been charged with seven offences. He will appear at Merthyr Magistrates Court tomorrow morning, Monday February 03 at 10am. Offences are: • Attempt murder • Assault of emergency worker • Assault • Arson • Criminal damage • Possession of offensive weapon •…

A 34-year-old Wrexham woman has been jailed for assault and harassment. Naomi Maybury, of Wheatsheaf Lane, Gwersyllt, admitted three charges including of stalking without fear and assaulting a witness and a police officer. She began harassing the victim in June last year after an altercation between the pair. She reported Maybury to the police the following month after she threatened to assault her and had shouted several unpleasant remarks at the victim’s child. But Maybury continued harassing the victim having followed and approached her at numerous locations. In August, Maybury passed the victim at a shop, where she once again…

A new wetland area is taking shape on heights of the Clwydian Range to help support local nature World Wetlands Day which took place on Sunday (February 2) continues supporting the regeneration of these important areas to help encourage more wildlife to return and prosper. An additional wetland creation is now under way at the Moel y Plas nature reserve site, near Llanarmon yn Iâl. The Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape team, in conjunction with Denbighshire County Council, are developing an area at the hillside for both the benefit of local nature and communities. Nearly 18,000 native broadleaved…

Popular city centre bar Porter’s is to open a brand new 60 seat pub theatre in the basement of its premises on Barrack Lane. The venue aims to be a home to fringe theatre makers in the Welsh capital, prioritising developing artists and their work, as well as providing a platform for touring creatives. Cardiff Council recently supported the popular venue’s move to a new building on Barrack Lane and now with further support from Cardiff Council, and support from Stage Sound Services, Porter’s is able to open a basement theatre, alongside its already thriving live music offer. Cardiff Council…

People are being offered the chance to spend time at some of Swansea’s most scenic locations on spring and summer afternoons – and get paid for it. Swansea Council is recruiting 13 seasonal Cleansing Operatives whose job it will be to help keep some of our most popular tourist spots spic and span in the spring and summer months. The six-month stint runs from April to September, the busiest time of year for visits to places like Langland, Swansea Bay Caswell Bay and Port Eynon. Applicants need to get their bids in by February 24. The recruitment drive is part…

Major emergency works for the culvert on Troed-yr-Rhiw Road, Mountain Ash, will begin on 3rd February and take place over 8 weeks. The work will be completed over two phases, taking approximately 4 weeks each. The culvert at Troed-yr-Rhiw Road was significantly damaged as a result of Storm Bert. While urgent repairs were undertaken at the time so the culvert could continue to operate after Strom Bert and the road reopen, further emergency works can now begin to not just repair the culvert, but to increase its capacity and improve its resilience during severe weather events. The first phase of the work will…