Author: Rhys Gregory

House prices in Wales fell flat over the past three months according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey, however buyer enquiries and sales remain in positive territory and expectations for market activity have improved. A net balance of 1% of respondents in Wales said that prices increased over the past three months, down from 4% that was seen in October. This is consistent with a broadly flat picture. Welsh surveyors report though that demand rose through November. A net balance of 25% of respondents note a rise in new buyer enquiries, up from 18%…

CHRISTMAS is in full swing at the award-winning Rhug Estate. Despite the stormy weather, hundreds of people attended the organic farm estate’s festive craft fair at the weekend and enjoyed yuletide treats, artisan market stalls and a bustling Santa’s Grotto. The event was a major success, and the 12,500-acre site, based in Corwen, Denbighshire, has even more for visitors to enjoy in the coming weeks. Having almost sold out of their world-renowned free range organic turkeys, the farm shop’s popular festive meats and hampers – including garnish packs, beef roasting joints and the ‘ultimate weekend meat box’ complete with wine,…

A dog-welcoming coffee shop business with premises across south Wales and south-west England is set to grow following a £1.7 million investment from the Development Bank of Wales in a deal advised on by Grant Thornton Corporate Finance. Coffi Lab has five coffee shops in Cardiff and the surrounding areas, two in Monmouthshire and two in England, with a third opening in Bristol in January. Established in 2021, owner James Shapland started the business after spending 10 years as founder and CEO of Coffee#1, before selling the chain to SA Brains in 2011. After exiting Coffee#1, James was keen to…

The work on Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme continues steadily and every effort is being made to minimise the disruption to residents, businesses, and visitors to Aberaeron. The recent work being undertaken by Bam include; Construction of the North Breakwater Walkway Reconstruction of the South Beach rock revetment and installation of the new timber groynes Construction of the new Pwll Cam inner harbour gate abutments Excavation and building of the new South Pier foundation Stone cladding and bi-fold gate installation to new Quay Parade reinforced concrete wall Installation of the main line drainage along Quay Parade However, the project has been…

Fifty cats found living in an unsuitable environment – many of which were kept confined in cages – have been rescued by the RSPCA. Thirty-five cats were rescued in October 2023 and a further 15 were removed from the same Mountain Ash property in February 2024 – whose occupants had been previously banned from keeping cats by the courts. Many of them were kept and crammed in metal cages which were full of cat faeces and urine. Pauline Perry of Mountain Ash appeared at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 31 October for trial. She faced four offences under the Animal…

First Minister breaks ground on Swansea electricity grid stability scheme – the first of its kind in Wales Construction work is now underway at an innovative green energy project north of Swansea, following a groundbreaking ceremony which was attended by the First Minister of Wales, the Rt. Hon. Eluned Morgan MS. Swansea Greener Grid Park is the first electricity grid stability scheme in Wales from Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, and equates to around £70m of investment in the Welsh energy transition. The event, which took place with the Ambassador of Norway to the United Kingdom, HE Tore…

This festive season, National Trust Cymru invites visitors to Penrhyn Castle and Garden to experience the magic of Christmas that brings communities and loved ones together. From 14 December, discover beautiful decorations, twinkling trees, including one standing an impressive 25ft tall, and a range of Christmas craft activities the whole family can enjoy. Start your day by following the festive wooden stars from the Visitor Centre, each individually decorated by local community groups that line the way to the neo-Norman castle. As you wander, enjoy views of the Great Orme and Puffin Island in one direction, and the majestic backdrop…

A 49-year-old man has been jailed for more than two decades for serious sexual violence against a child. Guy Lawrence Miles, of Palmerston Road, Bournemouth, who was convicted of three counts of rape and indecent assault, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, December 12th) where he was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Police launched an investigation into Miles in February 2021 following a report he had historically raped a child in the late nineties in Bangor. Having groomed the victim, he went on to violently assault and abuse her over two years, leaving her too scared to defend…

North Wales Police confirm the body of a man was sadly discovered in the Llangwndal area of Pwllheli on Saturday, December 7th. The man has since been formally identified as 53-year-old Imrich Magyar from the Warrington area, who was recently circulated as missing. There are thought to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Following searches launched into his disappearance in the area of the Llyn Peninsula, a family member said: “Thank you to the police, coastguard and RNLI and all others who were helping to find Imrich. “The family are very grateful for all the efforts made and for…

A mobile food truck operator has been convicted of serious breaches of food hygiene legislation following a successful prosecution by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Shared Regulatory Services, which enforces food hygiene standards and carries out a range of other work on behalf of Local Authorities in the Cardiff, Bridgend and the Vale brought a case against Jamie O’Leary. He ran JOL’S Food Truck from Ogmore-by-Sea beach car park, which was given a food hygiene rating of zero, meaning urgent improvement is necessary, after what inspectors described as a ‘blatant disregard for food safety.’ Mr O’Leary failed to display this…