Author: Rhys Gregory

Adult learners and mentors from St Giles Cymru have travelled to Norway to benefit from a learning exchange journey funded through the Taith programme. St Giles Cymru offers help and support for people facing challenges such as poverty, exploitation, abuse, and mental health problems by using real, lived experiences and peer mentorships The group visited a Norwegian recovery centre and vocational college where they learnt about the different approaches used to support people in their recovery including art therapy, and how they can use their own life experiences in a positive way. Taith is a Welsh Government funded international learning exchange…

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton isn’t just a musical—it’s a revolution in the world of theatre. From the moment the lights dim and the opening number begins, it’s clear that this production is rewriting the rules of Broadway and musical storytelling. Running at the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) in Cardiff until 25th January 2025, this is not just a show but the WMC’s big Christmas theatre production for 2024/25—and it is a must-see. Recommended for audiences aged 10 and over, Hamilton brings to life more than 100 years of American history with an electrifying blend of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional show tunes.…

A POPULAR restaurant preparing for a new year expansion was named among the 100 best food venues in the country. Catch 22 Brasserie in Valley, near Holyhead, Anglesey, is one of the most respected eateries in north west Wales, combining high-quality local produce with culinary expertise to create contemporary, classic British dishes. Those ingredients combined to secure a place in the Good Food Guide’s prestigious 100 Best Local Restaurants list for 2024, with particular praise heaped on their famous Snickers Trifle, labelled “the best pudding in the world” by loyal local patrons. Named in reference to Joseph Heller’s multi-million selling…

Chocolate fans are in for a cocoa powered treat as Hotel Chocolat, the luxury cacao grower and chocolatier, announces the opening of its latest concept store located in Trostre Retail Park, Llanelli. Opening on 16th December 2024, this new location will be home to the beloved Velvetiser Café, serving the iconic Velvetised™ drinking chocolate alongside other hot drinks. Guests can explore a wide range of customizable combinations, choosing from 18 different Velvetised flavours served hot, over ice, or as a Choc Shake. The drinks can be tailored with dairy milk or plant-based alternatives, along with an array of delicious toppings…

FANS of a table-topping football novel creating a buzz in Hollywood are about to receive an early Christmas present. It’s Always Sunny in Wrexham – The Sequel will be released online and in print this Sunday (December 1). Written by lawyer-turned-author Andrew Foley Jones, the first book sold thousands of copies and ranked number one on Amazon in the football charts, number two in Sports, and four in Humour. Such was its success there have been talks with screenwriters and production companies interested in taking the tale of one fanatical Red Dragons supporter and his weird and wonderful journey to the big…

Daniel Niinmae, 41, from Risca near Newport, appeared at Winchester Crown Court this week (Wednesday, November 27, 2024) where he was handed a two-year six-month sentence following a thorough investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing Wales. Niinmae previously appeared at court in September where he was convicted of possession of a document containing information of a kind likely to be of use to a person preparing or committing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Williams, Head of Investigations at Counter Terrorism Policing Wales stated: “We welcome the sentence handed…

One of the UK’s leading providers of bespoke stonework is reducing costs and carbon with the help of a £30,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Pwllheli-based Cerrig Granite and Slate has installed solar panels totalling 70kW that are expected to cut energy costs by £10,000 each year and save 218 tonnes of CO2 over the 25-year lifetime of the system. The installation has been part-funded by the loan from the Development Bank following an introduction by Business Wales. Cerrig Granite and Slate has 22 employees specialising in state -of-the-art stonework techniques, fabricating stonework for hotels, restaurants, cruise ships,…

A brand-new Aldi store in Pwllheli opened its doors to customers this week, with Team GB rugby hero Sam Cross cutting the all-important red ribbon alongside pupils from Ysgol Abererch. The Caernarvon Road store is the first Aldi to open in Pwllheli and will be run by Store Manager Kel Hughes, along with a team of 23 colleagues from the local community. Team GB silver medallist Sam Cross gave away complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s famous Super 6 range to the first 30 customers in the queue, before delivering an inspirational assembly for pupils at Ysgol…

The family of missing Cardiff woman Charlene Hobbs are appealing for information as detectives continue to investigate her disappearance. Charlene, 35, from Riverside, was last seen here on CCTV on Tuesday, July 23, at the Morrisons Local shop in Moira Place, Adamsdown. In a statement, Charlene’s family said: “Charlene, we are desperate to have you home. We have been out looking for you and will continue to do all we can to try to find you, and to understand what may have happened. “We would ask that any friends of Charlene’s or anyone who may know her, who may have…

A 60-year-old man from Neston has been jailed after he admitted causing a crash that killed a 20-year-old man in Gwynedd in 2022. Roger Peter Brenninkmeyer appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday 27 November, where he was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. During the hearing, the court was told that on the afternoon of Saturday 4 June 2022, Brenninkmeyer reached speeds of up to 109mph on an unclassified road with blind bends at Pentreuchaf near Pwllheli. Brenninkmeyer lost control of his BMW which left the road and…