Author: Rhys Gregory

Drivers are being warned of delays on the A44 between Aberystwyth and the Lovesgrove Roundabout following an oil spill on the road. Dyfed Powys Police said the spill has caused disruption close to the Lovesgrove roundabout, with motorists advised to take extra care when travelling through the area. The incident is currently affecting traffic along the busy route linking Aberystwyth with the A487 and surrounding areas, with drivers experiencing delays while the situation is dealt with. Police have urged motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. Alternative routes are also being recommended where possible while the…

A Swansea-based giftware company that has achieved 35% European sales growth is launching an ambitious expansion programme that could see its EU sales hit £6 million within two years. Something Different Wholesale, which turned over £3 million in Europe last year, is rolling out four new language-specific websites, exhibiting at Europe’s largest giftware trade show and establishing a full Dutch trading operation to serve continental customers. The company expects to double European sales over the next two years. The £11 million business, which employs 75 people in Llansamlet, has been supported by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) and…

Europe’s longest running television variety show is clocking up another first – being hosted by an orangutan. The much-loved Welsh-language programme Noson Lawen made by Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da returns to S4C on Saturday, March 14, with Gareth the Orangutan taking the reins. The long-running series  is also a global outlier for its longevity, second worldwide only to Brazil’s legendary variety show Programa Silvio Santos, which has been broadcast continuously since 1963. The mischievous but lovable presenter – whose full name is Gareth Ulysses Llew Pongo – is already a familiar face to viewers thanks to his chat show appearances on…

A Newport man has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for supporting the proscribed organisation ISIS. 21-year-old Shazad Ali from the Newport area of Gwent was convicted on 5 September after he pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism offences. Ali was convicted of the following: Support for the Proscribed organisation ISIS, Contrary to Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 Two counts of encouragement of terrorism, Contrary to Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006 Possession of documents likely to be useful to a terrorist, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The 21-year-old was arrested in January 2025…

A team of ocean rowers has this weekend (Saturday 7 March) set off on the next leg of an endurance mission to raise £57m over four years for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and treatment. The ROW4MND team, consisting of four highly experienced athletes, are embarking on the gruelling second leg of a challenge. Taking place over an expected ten-day period, the route requires them to row for 24 hours a day in cold, dark and harsh conditions across the Irish Sea, towards Scotland. Building on the success of last year’s challenge, which raised more than £140,000 over the summer, the March…

Paul Chuckle MBE was in Penarth on Saturday as he embarked on a ‘Thank you’ tour of the UK to celebrate 40 years of the charity’s Great Daffodil Appeal. He visited the charity’s shop on Windsor Road, joined a charity collection with fundraising volunteers and met special guests on his Daff bike – a Marie Curie-branded Chuckle bike. Paul met some staff who work at the charity’s Cardiff and the Vale Hospice on Bridgeman Road in the town – Emma Grant, Kathryn Guerico and Debbie Morgan – as well as Neil Andrews, whose mum and mother-in-law both received support from the charity in their final days. He also met members of the public and…

An historic semi-detached Powys house with a signature flagstone floor rear basement is on the market for the price of a second-hand hatchback car. The one-bedroom property in Trecastle, near Brecon, is in need of serious refurbishment but is being offered with an auction guide price of £5,000. Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The end terrace house offers a wealth of opportunities for the new owner with vision. It’s in a great part of marvellous scenic mid Wales in the picturesque village of Trecastle which is not far from the vibrant market town of Brecon with all its…

The North East Wales Football Association (NEWFA) has announced the launch of a recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as the organisation looks to strengthen its leadership and deliver its next phase of strategic development. The role will be a part-time, service-based contract, with the successful candidate responsible for supporting the implementation of NEWFA’s new operating model and helping deliver the association’s strategic objectives across the region. Working closely with the NEWFA Board of Directors, the CEO will provide leadership and coordination across the association’s activities, ensuring that strategy is translated into clear delivery plans and measurable…

Simplifying the tax system is the greatest boost the government could give entrepreneurs. In response to a HM Treasury consultation Tax support for entrepreneurs, leading global accountancy body ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) says entrepreneurs and investors are put off investing in their businesses by tax complexity, administrative costs and the compliance burden. ACCA welcomes the government focus on supporting entrepreneurs and recognises that many of the existing tax breaks does help the start-up sector. Gemma Gathercole, strategic engagement lead, ACCA UK, said: “Existing tax support can have a significant impact on available and accessible start-up and scale-up capital.…

The first phase of the Cardiff Crossrail – a tram‑train route from Cardiff Central railway station to Cardiff Bay via Callaghan Square – is set to move into the construction phase, with GRAHAM identified as the principal contractor. This milestone marks a major step forward for the vision of Cardiff Crossrail, which, when complete, will deliver a modern tram system connecting Plasdwr in the north west of the city with the proposed new Parkway railway station in the east. Subject to Cabinet approval at its meeting on March 19th, delegated authority will be given to proceed with GRAHAM as the…