Author: Rhys Gregory

Without urgent reform, current systems cannot deliver on Government ambitions to tackle high street crime. That is the message coming from High Streets UK after their second Safer High Streets Forum this week. Earlier this year, Business representatives from the nation’s flagship high streets came together to launch High Streets UK – a new partnership which aims to tackle the most pressing issues facing high streets, and unlock fresh opportunities for growth. The group’s core objective is to develop programmes and policy recommendations which will enable flagship UK high streets to drive local and national growth, aligning with the Government’s focus on…

Wales’ largest light trail will return in November with a reimagined route, brand new illuminations, the return of an old favourite and a new partnership with the iconic voco St David’s Cardiff. Tickets for Wales’ flagship light trail Christmas at Bute Park are now on sale. Now in its fifth year, award-winning Christmas at Bute Park will return to the Welsh capital with exciting new light installations created by world-class creatives, a redesigned route and the promise of a fantastic treat to get you in the festive spirit. With more than 104,000 tickets sold in 2024, Christmas at Bute Park…

Horses possess a far more expressive and nuanced facial “language” than previously understood, new research has revealed. The study suggests that horses’ rich array of facial movements and behaviour may hold the key to better understanding their emotions, social lives, and wellbeing. The research team, which includes an animal behaviour expert from Aberystwyth University, has created the first comprehensive ethogram – a catalogue of facial behaviours – based on real-life social interactions among domestic horses. The study systematically documented over 800 combinations of facial movements, offering an unprecedented look at how horses use their faces to communicate in different social…

A final call out has gone out to talented young musicians in Wales to bid for a prestigious title and cash prizes of £4,000. Royal composer Paul Mealor says the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition at the North Wales International Music Festival could provide a big boost to their fledgling careers. The competition is now in its second year following a successful launch last year. Entries are being sought from instrumentalists and singers to take part in the 2025 competition during the festival at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11 to 20. Anybody wanting to compete needs to upload…

A POPULAR childcare expo looks set to get bigger every year after taking its first steps. The inaugural Childcare Show was held at Coleg Cambria’s £14m Nant building at Yale in Wrexham and welcomed guests from across the sector, and region. Organised by Childcare Assessor Lauren Lawrence, a former nursery manager with more than 10 years’ experience, the event was a first for the college and brought together some of the industry’s top names. It also acted as a showcase for the college’s facilities and coursers, with more than 30 organisations and businesses – as well as up to 100…

ROB Edwards, the entrepreneur behind the reinvention of Welsh Premier League football team Haverfordwest County AFC, has taken over the iconic brand that gave the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton, Dave Batista, and Brock Lesnar their starts in professional wrestling, aiming to relaunch the promotion and grow it globally. Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) – immortalised by Netflix’s hit documentary ‘Wrestlers’ – has relaunched under Edwards’ leadership, with the Londoner’s sports management group, MSM, taking a controlling stake in a company that has produced more wrestling world champions than most small countries. From having wine to Haverfordwest It all began…

Following two consecutive months of decline, the latest Cymru Growth Tracker data from NatWest signalled a fresh and solid rise in Welsh private sector activity. The headline Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – rose to 51.5 in May from 48.1 in April, signalling the joint-strongest uptick in a year. Meanwhile, demand conditions remained subdued as new orders declined for the sixth month running. Lower new business dampened output expectations for the year ahead which were at their lowest for two-and-a-half…

Two men have been arrested following a planned operation in Menai Bridge last week. Officers attended the Ffordd Tysilio area of Menai Bridge at around 9am this morning following reports concerning sightings of weapons. A 30-year-old and 21-year-old local men have been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of weapons and burglary. A number of weapons have been recovered during our searches which are ongoing. Superintendent Arwel Hughes said: “Two men remain in police custody whilst our enquiries are ongoing. “I am grateful to residents for their support and patience this morning during the operation. “We will not tolerate…

Passenger train drivers are once again based in Barry for the first time since the 1990s after work was completed on the depot there. The move sees the number of people working at the depot rise to 58, signifying a huge boost to the local economy. Transport for Wales took over the rail depot there in 2022 and have been proceeding to develop it alongside our partners in Network Rail. And from the May timetable change on 18 May, 39 drivers will now be based there alongside depot colleagues, cleaners and train crew managers. Most of the Class 756 and…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Kier as the preferred contractor for the highly anticipated new Ysgol Gymraeg Iolo Morganwg development. This milestone marks the next phase in delivering a transformative new building for Ysgol Iolo Morganwg in Cowbridge – which will double the current pupil capacity from 210 to 420 places and offer nursery provision for up to 96 full-time equivalent (FTE) children. The development will significantly expand Welsh-medium educational provision in the area, responding to increasing demand for Welsh-medium education in the Vale. Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Cabinet Member for Education, Arts and…