Author: Rhys Gregory

COLEG CAMBRIA hopes a new sports and recreation facility that would “benefit people of all ages across north east Wales” will be given the green light. The college is appealing a decision by Flintshire County Council’s planning committee to refuse an application to construct an all-weather pitch at its Deeside site in Connah’s Quay. Supported by the Johan Cruyff Foundation – which promotes and delivers impactful sports and play projects around the world, inspired by the late Netherlands, Ajax and Barcelona superstar – the Kelsterton Road scheme would include associated fencing, access, and lighting. The new sports facility is also being backed…

With a few days to go until the 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships, anticipation is building as riders gear up to compete in the high intensity Circuit Championships race in the picturesque town of Aberystwyth. Riders will compete in front of the Welsh crowd for glory and the national crown in the second of the three-event championship. The stage Friday 27 June will see the 2025 Lloyds National Circuit Championship get underway as some of the strongest names in the British road scene battle in a high intensity route through the town of Aberystwyth. Riders will start and finish on…

Pop-rock icons Texas are set to launch an unforgettable season of live music in North Wales this week. The chart-topping Scottish band is the first of 13 headline acts set to perform at the iconic venue this summer, as part of TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion and the internationally renowned Llangollen International Eisteddfod. Fronted by the inimitable Sharleen Spiteri, Texas will open the series on Thursday June 26, supported by rising Scottish singer-songwriter Rianne Downey. Thursday’s opening show will be followed by headlining sets from Rag’n’Bone Man, UB40 Ft Ali Campbell, James, The Script, Olly Murs and The…

Character.com, one of the UK’s leading licensed character clothing retailers, is set to expand its in-store presence with backing from HSBC UK. Supported by a seven figure funding package and HSBC UK’s recently launched TradePay solution, the Swansea-based retailer will open four new experiential stores across the South West, Midlands, North, and Wales. With HSBC UK’s backing, the expansion will create 30 new jobs and drive a 16 per cent increase in revenue, with turnover expected to grow from £55 million to over £64 million by 2027. Known for its partnerships with global brands, Character.com has built a strong reputation…

The RSPCA has revealed that hedgehogs are the wildlife most likely to need help this summer in Wales – as the animal welfare charity launches a new ‘Local Animal Hero’ guide to mobilise local residents to help sick and injured animals. New findings from the RSPCA’s new 2025 Animal Kindness Index, the charity’s annual survey into the UK’s attitude towards animals, shows that 53% of people in Wales don’t feel confident about what to do if they find sick or injured wildlife. In response, the animal welfare charity is calling on people across the country to be a Local Animal…

TRADERS in a seaside town can benefit from crucial intel that will help shape decision-making and identify customer trends. Driven by the Welsh Government-funded Smart Towns Wales project with the backing of Rhyl Neighbourhood Board, Menter Môn conducted a study of consumer statistics in the coastal resort, using BT Active Intelligence Data to track footfall and demographic information. Delivered by High Street Data Advisor Medi Parry-Williams – founder of Making Places Work (MPW) – they focused on four sections of Rhyl: Vale Road, the town centre, the seafront and areas around the new Queen’s Market on West Parade. Medi hopes…

A colourful farmhouse offering accommodation to visitors to Gower will create six new themed barns on-site thanks to a £200,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales, via the Wales Tourism Investment Fund. Pitton Cross Farm is set on 12 acres with sea views, sits just two miles from Rhossili Beach, and within walking distance to Mewslade Bay and the Wales Coastal Path. Owners Sam Birdsell, Jason Manley and Rhydian Manley bought the farm from its former owners in the October of 2021, and have since renovated the on-site farmhouse with modern décor and facilities, providing an attractive dog-friendly place…

Operatic icon Bryn Terfel will join talented young singers in a concert to celebrate 150 years of the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University next month. The world-renowned singer will be joined by Wales’s Archdruid, Professor Mererid Hopwood, and pianist Zoe Smith on 28 July at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. The concert will include songs by some of Wales’s most prominent composers and with lyrics by some of the country’s best-known poets. Over the years, Aberystwyth University Fellow Bryn Terfel and Mererid Hopwood have collaborated on various concerts. In November last year, together with the Welsh College of…

From breaking down barriers to employment to upgrading key facilities, the numbers highlighting the success of a government-funded programme across North Wales have been revealed. The region was allocated more than £123 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), with 169 projects delivering tailored schemes across three priorities: communities and place; supporting local businesses; and people and skills. With the six North Wales local authorities empowered to make funding decisions, more than 15,000 people, 4,135 businesses, and more than 1,830 local groups were supported from 2022 to 2025. Key takeaways from the programme’s achievements include more than 500 community…

RenewableUK Cymru has welcomed the publication of the Welsh Government’s Offshore Wind task and finish group action plan, calling it an “ambitious blueprint” for turning Wales’ renewable energy potential into a national economic success story. Following last week’s announcement of two successful bidders to develop 3GW of floating wind in the Celtic Sea — and a firm commitment from the Crown Estate to lease a third site, delivering the full 4.5GW — the action plan sets out clear steps to capture the wider value of over 15GW of offshore wind potential in and around Welsh waters. It outlines the investments,…