Author: Rhys Gregory

You can’t stop the beat of Hairspray in Cardiff’s Millenium Centre! The iconic musical has arrived in the Welsh capital this week, and it’s not to be missed. American teen Tracey Turnblad, played by Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby in her professional debut, kicked off the performance by belting out ‘Good Morning Baltimore’, welcoming us to 1960s Baltimore amidst the civil rights movement and rampant fatphobia, unfortunately for plus sized Tracey. We follow the cheery teen’s dance ambitions to an audition for the Corny Collins Show with best friend nerdy Penny (Freya McMahon), we’re met with an overwhelming display of sparkle, colour and…

Construction workloads in Wales rose through Q2 of 2024 according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Construction Monitor, with public housing rising fastest out of all subsectors. A net balance of 15% of surveyors report that workloads rose through the second quarter of the year, up from 2% that was seen in Q1. Looking at the subsectors, Welsh surveyors report that all saw increases, bar private housing activity which was noted to have fallen flat. A net balance of 29% saw a rise in public housing activity, 6% in other public works, 14% in private industrial, 18%…

Businesses and third sector organisations across South Wales have the opportunity to boost innovation, build resilience and make valuable connections with help from University circular economy experts. The Clean Growth programme, run by Circular Economy Innovation Communities (CEIC) – a joint project between Swansea University and Cardiff Metropolitan University – will give participants the tools they need to develop their circular economy understanding so they can use resources in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way possible. The fully funded six-month programme aims to show participants how to work towards net zero goals, enhance service levels, reduce operational costs and meet…

RSPCA animal centres – including Newport Animal Centre in South East Wales – are braced for one of their busiest periods caring for, rehabilitating and rehoming animals – as new figures show that Thursday (August 1) is the charity’s busiest summer day. Last year, the charity’s frontline rescue teams dealt with more animal welfare incidents on August 1 than any other day over the summer months. In total, RSPCA officers dealt with 1,171 incidents on that day alone, last year – the most of any day in July, August or September. These incidents include giving advice to owners, transferring animals…

Three DJs who set the soundtrack to Cardiff students’ nights out in the 1990s have been tracked down for a massive reunion party. Rich Sibbick, Ade Andrews and Peter Nuttall form a trio of vintage disc jockeys who combined their Cardiff University studies, in the nineties, with regular nights on the decks at the Park Place Students’ Union much-loved Terminal 396 venue. All three will reunite for a special Cardiff alumni 1990s reunion, to be held at the union, on Saturday 24 August – a limited number of final tickets are on sale now. DJ double act, Rich Sibbick and…

A farm-based tree management and planting scheme in Denbighshire is demonstrating how landlords and tenants with shared environmental aspirations can work together for mutual gain. Tudor and Julia Hughes farm sheep on two holdings at Llangwyfan, near Denbigh, buying in 1,200 ewe lambs annually to rear and sell as yearlings, and also growing 75 acres of maize for a local dairy farmer. The land base includes 127ha (316 acres) at Llangwyfan Farm which Tudor’s father, H. Clwyd Hughes, initially took on as a tenant in 1957 and later purchased in the early 90s. Tudor and Julia, who both attended the…

Bangor University will hold a concert featuring Sir Bryn Terfel and special guests to mark the university’s 140th anniversary this autumn. The concert will take place on Friday, 1 November at 7pm at Pontio, the university’s arts and innovation centre, in the theatre named after the world-renowned bass-baritone, Theatr Bryn Terfel. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday 4 September from the Pontio box office and online. Bangor alumna Nia Roberts will host the evening which will feature pieces from Sir Bryn’s collaboration with Robat Arwyn, Atgof o’r Sêr and other favourites. The concert will showcase talent from Bangor University and…

Transport for Wales (TfW) is set to welcome thousands of passengers to the largest cultural festival in Europe. The Eisteddfod, a celebration of the Welsh language and culture will take place between 3rd – 10th August at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd. As a key transport partner, TfW has been working closely with the Eisteddfod and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to encourage green travel options to get to the Maes. Rail services will run regularly throughout the day and late into the night during the Eisteddfod and rail passengers are encouraged to plan ahead. Customers can get to Pontypridd by…

A service offering new parents in Cardiff the opportunity to register the birth of their child in community Hubs is expanding, with extra days introduced at Llandaff North Hub and Cardiff Central Library. Operating by appointment only, the service will expand to operate on: Monday          9am – 4pm     Llandaff North Hub Tuesday         9am – 4pm     Central Library Wednesday    9am – 4pm     Ely Hub 9am – 4pm     Llandaff North Hub (from Wednesday 4thSeptember) 9am – 4pm    Central Library (first Wednesday of every month from 7thAugust) Thursday        9am – 4pm …

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNCIL has appointed Frances O’Brien as its new Chief Executive Officer to replace outgoing CEO Karen Jones who announced her decision to retire earlier this year. The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Frances as our new Chief Executive  following a rigorous recruitment process. “We look forward to working with Frances in meeting the many challenges and capitalising on the many opportunities that lie ahead for us here in Neath Port Talbot.” Frances is currently Monmouthshire County Council’s Chief Officer for Communities and Place having been in the role…