Author: Rhys Gregory

Principality Building Society, in partnership with the Building Societies Association (BSA), celebrated the 250th anniversary of the UK’s first building society at a reception in Welsh Parliament (Senedd), recognising the sector’s contributions to communities across the UK. Hosted in the Senedd, the reception brought together Members of the Senedd, industry leaders, policymakers, and BSA (building societies) members to reflect on the positive impact of building societies throughout history. Speakers Robin Fieth, Chief Executive of the BSA; BSA Chair and Chief Executive Officer for Principality Building Society, Julie-Ann Haines, and Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief…

Dyfed Powys, Gwent, North Wales and South Wales police forces are partnering with UK-wide charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation on a campaign to stop online child sexual abuse: Stop It Now. The campaign follows news that 275,000 people in the UK received support from Stop It Now helpline or online self-help last year. In Wales there has been a 34% increase in people seeking help from Stop It Now in 2024 compared to 2023. Working together, the police aim to raise awareness of the scale and nature of online child sexual abuse in the local area, and how to stop…

A new study has revealed that artificial intelligence can now generate images of real people that are virtually impossible to tell apart from genuine photographs. Using AI models ChatGPT and DALL·E, a team of researchers from Swansea University, the University of Lincoln and Ariel University in Israel, created highly realistic images of both fictional and famous faces, including celebrities. They found that participants were unable to reliably distinguish them from authentic photos—even when they were familiar with the person’s appearance. Across four separate experiments the researchers noted that adding comparison photos or the participants’ prior familiarity with the faces provided…

Families are invited to climb aboard a magical festive journey this December as Llangollen Railway once again runs its popular Sion Corn – Tren Arbennig (Santa Special) services. Running on a beautifully restored heritage railcar, the trains will travel from Corwen to Llangollen on the 5th, 12th & 19th December, with departures at 10.00am & 12.20pm. Tickets are £12 per person, with each child ticket including a special gift from Sion Corn, who meets each child personally during the journey and spreads festive cheer in the heated comfort of our cosy carriages. Sion Corn is a cherished part of Welsh…

Heavy horses, miniature ponies, hounds and farriery demonstrations form an exciting new attraction at the upcoming Royal Welsh Winter Fair at Llanelwedd on November 24 and 25. Visitors to this year’s Winter Fair at the Royal Welsh Showground can look forward to a brand-new feature area celebrating some of the countryside’s most iconic animals. A dedicated area in the Farriery Pavilion will showcase magnificent heavy horses alongside the Hound Show, which will be held in a marquee nearby. Building on the hugely popular Heavy Horse Village introduced by Caernarfon’s ambassador Rhys Griffith at this summer’s Royal Welsh Show, this exciting,…

 Macmillan Cancer Support and Life Sciences Hub Wales have joined forces to accelerate the pace of innovation in cancer care and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer across Wales.  Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Wales, with outcomes still lagging behind other UK nations and many European countries. Despite targeted interventions, significant unwarranted variation persists in prevention, access to care, and treatment -particularly for lung, colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers.   People’s chances of early diagnosis, treatment, and survival can differ depending on where they live or their background, rather than their medical needs alone. This…

South Wales Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road collision that took place in Barry on Saturday afternoon, November 8. At around 1.45pm, officers were called to reports of a single-vehicle collision involving an orange KTM 390 Duke motorbike on Atlantic Way. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the 44-year-old male rider was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Police are now appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to get in touch. Information can be provided to South Wales Police online at https://bit.ly/SWPProvideInfo or by…

A 30-year-old man has been convicted of the manslaughter of Craig Richardson. Thomas Iveson of Llyndir Lane in Burton, Rossett, denied murdering the 37-year-old at his home in the Plas Madoc area of Acrefair on February 23 this year. On Friday, 7 November, a jury unanimously found Iveson guilty of manslaughter following a nine-day trial at Mold Crown Court. In the early hours of February 23, Iveson went with Craig to his flat. Later that morning, Craig was sadly found dead by friends having sustained multiple catastrophic and fatal injuries. Iveson was arrested that day on suspicion of murder. He…

William Adesanya from Penarth, has been jailed for multiple rapes. The 25-year-old was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Monday, November 3 to 16 years in prison, with an extended licence period of six years. He was jailed after being found guilty of three counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of intentional strangulation. Adesanya was also made subject to a restraining order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibiting him from having contact with sex workers, both to run indefinitely. Adesanya has attended the victim’s home address in Cardiff for the purposes of using her services…

The 3 Counties Connected Community Rail Partnership is inviting the public to discover local heritage in a new and sustainable way through “Tours by Rail – Step into the Story”, a series of free, expert-led tours taking place this autumn and winter across Chester and Wrexham. Funded by the Community Rail Network, Community Rail Development Fund and Transport for Wales, the tours celebrate the stories, people and places that connect communities along the rail network. Each tour is guided by accredited Green Badge Tour Guides, with participants travelling by train between destinations and enjoying a locally sourced lunch along the…