Author: Rhys Gregory

Police were called to Park Road, Barry, near Porthkerry Park, at around 10.30pm Monday, April 13. There were reports that a person had been assaulted and of ‘loud bangs’ like gun shots. However, no victim has come forward nor been identified. Checks have been made with local hospitals and further enquiries are on-going. Two people were arrested on the night in the Roath area of Cardiff. Domonic Bily, 18, from Llanrumney, Cardiff, has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday, April 15) Bily was remanded…

A 30-year-old man who worked at a Wrexham school has been jailed for grooming and sexually abusing a pupil. Toby Haslam, 30, of Old Newcastle Road, Willaston, appeared for sentencing at Mold Crown Court today, 15 April. He previously admitted nine offences including seven counts of sexual activity with a child – two of which were penetrative, a count of engaging in sexual communication with a child and possessing an indecent photograph of a child. He was jailed for six years and handed a ten-year restraining order to protect the victim. He also received a ten-year sexual harm prevention order…

A new photography exhibition is set to open in Barry later this month, marking a homecoming for an internationally recognised artist. “Otrovert”, the first UK solo exhibition by Lloyd Pursall, will launch at Art Central Gallery on 20 April 2026. The exhibition takes its name from the term “otrovert”, derived from the Spanish word “otro” meaning “other” and the Latin “vert”, meaning “to turn”. It describes people who sit somewhere between introvert and extrovert, a space the photographer says he feels most comfortable exploring through his work. Originally from Barry, Lloyd began his photography journey at Cardiff and Vale College…

Voters across Wales are being urged to make sure they are registered ahead of the Senedd Cymru Election 2026, which will take place on Thursday 7 May. The upcoming election marks a significant moment in Welsh political history, with major changes to how Members of the Senedd are elected set to come into force for the first time. Since devolution was introduced in the late 1990s, Wales’ system of government has evolved considerably. What began as the National Assembly has developed into today’s Senedd, a fully-fledged Welsh Parliament with responsibility for key areas of everyday life. Despite these changes, elections…

Three community facilities across Caerphilly County Borough are set to be transferred to local organisations as part of plans to support long-term community use and sustainable management. Caerphilly Council’s Cabinet has approved three Community Asset Transfer proposals, which will see Bargoed Park playing fields and facilities handed to Bargoed Rugby Football Club, Lewis Street Allotments in Blackwood transferred to a newly formed charitable organisation, and the Morgan Jones Bowling Green and clubhouse passed to the Morgan Jones Bowling Association CIO. Community Asset Transfer enables local groups to take on the management of public assets, helping to protect services while opening…

Road closures have been confirmed for the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K, which will take place on Sunday 10th May 2026. The event will see runners take on a new and improved route through Caerphilly town centre and surrounding areas, starting and finishing on Crescent Road. Alongside the 10K race, the popular 2K event will also return, welcoming hundreds of young runners and families. To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, a number of temporary road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place throughout the morning: Crescent Road, closed from 6:00am to 1:00pm Piccadilly Square (including Eastview and Southern…

GCSE exams represent a major milestone for students across the country. It is a time filled with big emotions and long hours of study. Parents often feel the weight of this period just as much as their children. Finding ways to offer support without adding extra pressure is a delicate task. You want to help them succeed without causing more friction at home. This guide focuses on helpful strategies to navigate this challenging period together. Your calm presence makes a massive difference as the final test dates get closer. The Growing Scale of Exam Stress Exam season is becoming a…

Over the years crypto has been evolving and becoming extremely popular. Many years ago, not many people would have heard of crypto, but just like AI, more people know what it is now. And with this in mind, more people are turning to it from a business point of view and as consumers.  When done right, crypto is extremely positive and something you can make a lot of money from using. It can give you access to new customers, it can help you future proof and it’s faster & cheaper than other options. Once you get your head around it,…

Scale buildup in pipes is one of the most common effects of hard water in both homes and commercial buildings. It develops gradually, often without immediate warning, but over time it can affect plumbing performance, reduce flow, and increase maintenance needs. That is why hard water treatment, including the use of water softeners, is often not only a comfort upgrade, but also a practical form of pipe protection from scale. What causes scale buildup in household and commercial pipes Scale forms when hard water contains elevated levels of calcium and magnesium. As water is heated or repeatedly passes through plumbing…

Hay Festival has announced the participants of Writers at Work 2026, a creative development programme for Welsh writers at Hay Festival this spring (21–31 May) with the support of Literature Wales and Folding Rock, funded by Arts Council of Wales. Offering a fullyprogrammed ten days of creative development opportunities, Hay Festival Writers at Work allows the selected writers to engage in Festival events, attend workshops with publishers, agents and, crucially, with established international artists. Open to writers working in English and Welsh across genres – fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry – this year’s 10 successful applicants are: Sophie Calon Ben…