Author: Rhys Gregory

Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, has received a grant from the Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, administered by Wales Council for Voluntary Action, to help rare plants thrive on the Montgomery Canal near Welshpool. The £50,000 grant will support the charity’s work to control invasive species, carry out bank protection and dredging, plant and improve hedgerows, and install ‘leaky dams’: a type of natural flood management to help manage water flow and reduce erosion. Designated a site of special scientific interest, the canal is also internationally recognised as a special area of conservation, particularly…

A daughter will dedicate a daffodil tribute to her dad this summer as she supports City Hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign. Forever Flowers is an annual campaign, now in its fifth year, which invites supporters to remember cherished family members, friends, colleagues and other loved ones with a unique and lasting tribute. The limited edition daffodils will feature in a striking display within the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 August, with a special Celebration of Life event taking place on Thursday 7 August. The charity’s Forever Flower this year is the daffodil, Wales’ national flower, which…

Swansea University has presented an honorary degree to former Wales Women’s rugby captain Siwan Lillicrap, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Welsh rugby. The 37-year-old was awarded an honorary Master of Science (MSc) on Friday 25 July during the university’s summer graduation ceremony at Swansea Building Society Arena. Siwan’s journey to international rugby began at Waunarlwydd Rugby Club, where she grew up watching her father coach and her brother play. With no junior girls’ team available at the time, she had to wait until she was 17 to join the ladies’ side for training — and just two weeks…

A man who sexually abused two boys whilst working in a school and as an air cadet leader has been jailed. Jonathon Charles Evans, 32, of Malltraeth, Bodorgan, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court today, Friday 23rd July, after being found guilty of two counts of the adult abuse of a position of trust to commit sexual activity, four counts of inciting a child into sexual activity and three counts of sexual assault. Evans targeted two boys between 2017-2020 whilst he worked as a technician at an Anglesey school and held a role as a volunteer Air Cadet leader. He added…

 Two food wholesalers have been sentenced for selling non-halal chicken, as halal to food businesses across South Wales. Yesterday at Merthyr Crown Court, Helim Miah was sent to prison for 4 years and 8 months for fraudulent trading and breaching insolvency law, while Noaf Rahman was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. The sentencing followed an investigation by Cardiff and the Vale Shared Regulatory Services into Universal Foods (Wholesale) Ltd, based at Bessemer Close, Cardiff. The pair sold halal-labelled chicken to Indian takeaways and restaurants across South Wales.…

Much needed business units will be built in Carmarthenshire to Net Zero standards, in a joint project between Carmarthenshire County Council and Welsh Government. Five energy efficient industrial units will be delivered at Beechwood Industrial Estate, in Llandeilo, for businesses based locally and regionally, supporting economic development in the area. More than £3 million is being invested by Welsh Government in the 7,150 sq ft site. It includes infrastructure, landscaping, and other associated works. It follows earlier engagement with the community which identified the need for more employment space. The development – which is designed to achieve ‘Net Zero carbon…

The next Chief Executive of the NHS in Wales will be Jacqueline Totterdell, currently the Group Chief Executive Officer, St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group. Jacqueline will succeed the current Chief Executive, Judith Paget, who is taking up a new role as Director General for Strategy within Welsh Government to strengthen strategic planning and delivery as the organisation enters a period of significant change. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “I would like to thank Judith for her four years as Chief Executive of NHS Wales and for the leadership she has provided to NHS Wales…

There are just 500 spaces left to take part in the 2025 Brecon Carreg CDF 10K. Runners who want to take part in this year’s race but are yet to register are encouraged to do so quickly – as these last remaining spaces are not expected to stick around for long. More than 7,000 participants have already signed up to the event taking place in the heart of the Welsh capital on Sunday 7 September. The race is not only a great way to explore the city and its beautiful parkland but it also acts as a fantastic stepping stone…

A single mum of three from Swansea has overcome redundancy and rebranded herself as a successful entrepreneur, as expert guidance from Business Wales enables her to start-up and grow an in-demand events and marketing consultancy. Having been made redundant in 2024 from an event management role, Obaidah Sbeitan decided to take full control of her career path and the future of her family by becoming her own boss. After, returning to university to gain a master’s in marketing, she enlisted Business Wales for expert guidance to create Beseen Events and Marketing. Business Adviser, Hadi Brooks, worked with Obaidah to ensure…

A retired teacher with arthritis and heart problems has been given a new lease of life by an agency that’s helped clients secure £1 million in unclaimed benefits. Grandmother Judith Williams, 80, is one of more than 5,500 people who was supported over the past year by Conwy and Denbighshire Care & Repair which serves a vast area, stretching from Llanfairfechan to Llangollen. The not-for-profit organisation, a subsidiary of the Grŵp Cynefin housing association, assists people aged 60 or over in privately owned or rented properties. The aim is to help them continue to live safely, warmly and independently in…