Author: Rhys Gregory

For most people in Wales, an Energy Performance Certificate has been something you only think about when buying, selling or letting a home. It arrives with the paperwork, gets glanced at, and is forgotten. That is changing, and 2026 is the year the detail finally landed. Anyone who owns a home in Wales, and Welsh landlords in particular, now has good reason to understand what an EPC says and where the rules are heading. The rules are tightening The headline is straightforward. Under the UK government’s Warm Homes Plan, published in January 2026, privately rented homes in England and Wales…

One of the UK’s best known comedians, Joe Lycett, is bringing his brand new stand up tour to Swansea Building Society Arena with two shows in December 2027. Lycett will perform at the arena on Thursday, 9 December and Friday, 10 December as part of his latest tour, Do You Really Lycett? Is It, Is It Wicked? We’re Lovin’ It, Lovin’ It, Lovin’ It, We’re Lovin’ It Lycett. Audiences can expect a new show featuring jokes, a sprinkling of social justice, material about becoming a father and stories from his appearance on Celebrity Traitors. The tour promises Joe “unleashed”, with…

From work to entertainment, getting things done can be extremely satisfying. Completing a workout, finishing a project or even completing a level in your favourite game. These sessions all have a few key things in common. They reward focus while creating a sense of accomplishment and achievement. But what specifically turns a block of time into a truly satisfying session? In this article, we’ll explore the psychology behind satisfaction and look at how you can structure your work, fitness, gaming and other blocks for maximum effectiveness. By following a few key principles, it’s easy to transform your routine into one…

For decades, the Welsh job market has been a story of resilience. From the transformation of Cardiff’s tech scene to the burgeoning creative sectors in Swansea and Newport, talented professionals are being nurtured on home soil more than ever. Yet, there is an undeniable gravitational pull coming from across the border—and across the Irish Sea—that continues to draw our best and brightest away. In an era of hybrid work and digital nomadism, you’d think geography would matter less. And yet, the “pull factor” of other UK cities remains strong. But which cities are actually winning the war for Welsh talent,…

Club football has its own rhythm. One match ends, another one appears. Then come line-up debates, transfer rumours, injury updates and the usual arguments about referees. That rhythm is part of the fun. It keeps fans busy all season. But it also makes club football feel familiar, almost routine. International football in Wales does not work like that. It appears in short bursts, and that changes the whole mood. There is no endless run of fixtures to soften the result. One night can sit in the memory for years. When Wales play, the shirt is not tied to one club,…

The UK has provisionally recorded its hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching 36.1°C in Hampshire as an intense heatwave continues to grip large parts of the country. According to the Met Office, a temperature of 36.1°C was recorded at Gosport, Hampshire, on 24 June, surpassing the previous June record of 35.6°C, which was set on 28 June 1976 and matched on 29 June 1957. If confirmed following a formal verification process, the new figure will become the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK during June. The record-breaking conditions come just weeks after May also saw daily UK…

The Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced temporary changes to its services this week following forecasts of extreme temperatures across North Wales. Following discussions between the railway’s operations, engineering and safety teams, the decision has been taken to cancel Heritage Railcar services scheduled for Thursday and Friday. The railway has stressed that the decision has been made with the safety and wellbeing of passengers, volunteers and staff the overriding priority. David Hennigan, Trust Manager at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, said, “Nobody likes cancelling trains, and we know many visitors will be disappointed by this decision. However, the safety of…

Dozens of schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf have either closed completely or shortened the school day this week as Wales faces an unprecedented spell of extreme heat under a rare Met Office Red Warning. The Met Office has warned that parts of Wales could see temperatures exceed 37C, with some areas potentially reaching between 38C and 40C. The heatwave is also expected to bring high humidity and unusually warm overnight temperatures, increasing health risks and making it harder for people to recover from the heat. Officials have warned that significant disruption to daily life is likely, urging people to take…

The majority of schools across Caerphilly County Borough will close this week as Wales braces for exceptionally high temperatures under a Met Office red warning for extreme heat. The Met Office has warned that parts of Wales and England are increasingly likely to experience a two to three day period where temperatures in the shade exceed 37°C, with some areas potentially reaching between 38°C and 40°C. High humidity is also expected, creating uncomfortable conditions during both the day and night. The warning states that significant disruption to daily life is likely, with people urged to take precautions and adapt their…

A number of schools across Swansea will close fully or operate reduced hours this week as Wales prepares for exceptionally high temperatures under a Met Office red warning for extreme heat. The warning comes as a heatwave is expected to affect large parts of England and Wales, with temperatures in the affected areas increasingly likely to exceed 37°C in the shade for two to three days. Some locations could see temperatures rise to between 38°C and 40°C. According to the Met Office, the heat will be accompanied by high humidity, increasing the potential for discomfort and health impacts. Very warm…