Author: Rhys Gregory

Tourism businesses from across Wales will be given their chance to shine at a prestigious awards ceremony. The Welsh Government is staging The National Tourism Awards for Wales to showcase the best of the best in the industry that employs nearly 12 per cent of the Welsh workforce and pumps £3.8 billion into the nation’s economy every year. The ceremony, sponsored by foodservice company Castell Howell, will take place at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, March 27. A total of 48 finalists have been shortlisted in 12 categories ranging from Best Hotel to Best Event and including awards for…

Cardiff Metropolitan University has been shortlisted alongside sporting giants such as Team GB, Adidas, the FA and the Premier League in the prestigious Fevo Sports Industry Awards 2025. Cardiff Met has made a select shortlist of six in the Educational Institute of the Year category, recognising its commitment to developing elite athletes, working with disadvantaged communities to tackle inactivity and producing graduates with the skills and mindset to #changethegame. Students, alumni and staff from Cardiff Met compete on and behind the scenes on the biggest stages across the world, from the Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024 to the Guinness Men’s…

Aldi has launched a fund to support new parents in Wales as close to two thirds admit that the financial impact of having a child was bigger than they’d expected. The ‘Mamia New Parent Fund’ will see the supermarket give away £100 Aldi vouchers to parents every week for a whole year to support with the cost of everyday items after welcoming a new baby. It comes as research among new parents found that while welcoming a child is a joyful time, half (50%) also describe it as overwhelming, with nearly the same number (45%) admitting that their stress levels…

Three Swansea cannabis growers who were arrested as part of a police offensive to tackle organised criminal networks have pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and will be sentenced later this month. Dorjan Dautaj and Ergys Dautaj, both 24, were inside a house on Swansea Road, Trebanos, when tactical search teams forced entry on February 13. They smashed their way up through the roof of the house and risked their lives to get away from officers by jumping onto a neighbouring roof. But there was no escape and they surrendered themselves to the officers who were waiting below. Cannabis plants in…

A striking new baton designed to symbolise inclusivity and innovation has been unveiled as part of Relay Your Way – Cerebra’s national relay set to unite communities across the UK. At Cardiff’s Pedal Power on Saturday, March 8, families gathered to witness the big reveal and mark the opening of registrations for what is being hailed as Britain’s most inclusive relay.   Cerebra, the national UK charity dedicated to supporting children who have a neurological condition, created Relay Your Way to promote inclusivity in sports and ensure that no child is left on the sidelines. Over 33 days, from Glasgow to…

Following the budget meeting on 26 February, the council has made the reluctant decision to stop the supply of blue refuse bags to all households as part of its measures to make essential budget reductions, saving £220K annually. From April 2025, householders will need to provide their own black refuse bags, ensuring that the bags are no larger than 60 litres. Residents can continue to use the remainder of their blue refuse bags for refuse collections until these have run out. Most residents will have already received their final delivery of blue refuse bags, with remaining households due to receive…

Denbighshire County Council is calling for expressions of interest for a suitably qualified cinema operator to run a venture on Rhyl Promenade. Following the recent decision by Vue to exit their lease for the cinema in Rhyl, the Council (as the landlord of the building) is now looking for a new suitable operator as a long-term tenant partner to secure the success of the facility for the people of Rhyl and visitors alike. Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said, “The cinema building has the potential to play a…

Swansea Council has commissioned two renowned Welsh artists to create a permanent memorial to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The council has jointly appointed Catrin Jones and Angharad Pearce Jones and made its announcement just before March 9’s UK-wide Covid Day of Reflection. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “The impact of Covid continues to live with us every day. “We promised all those in Swansea affected by the pandemic that we’d honour and remember them. “The memorial will be a permanent focal point of recognition for those that were affected for remembrance and reflection, for the unity that was…

Maerdy Primary School are making local history come alive by re-enacting the famous Maerdy March. On Thursday, March 6, pupils from Maerdy Community Primary School commemorated the miners’ strike by conducting a memorial march from the school to the Maerdy Wheel Pit. The school are ensuring that the children are aware of the importance of the local mining community and the history that the area carries. To mark the 40th anniversary of the historic miners of Maerdy marching back to work after being on strike for a year, Pupils from years 1-6 have been learning about the miners’ strike and…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced that a new Chartist mural in Blackwood town centre has now been completed. This is an excellent example of collaborative working, enhancing the town centre and creating a point of interest as visitors approach the town. The side of the Flourmill pub facing the High Street is located at the entrance to the town centre and was identified as a suitable location for painting. CCBC engaged with the manager and owner of the Flourmill building and commissioned Andy O’Rourke of Malarky Arts to create the mural. The mural reflects the Chartist movement and the…