Author: Rhys Gregory

This festive season, National Trust Cymru invites visitors to Penrhyn Castle and Garden to experience the magic of Christmas that brings communities and loved ones together. From 14 December, discover beautiful decorations, twinkling trees, including one standing an impressive 25ft tall, and a range of Christmas craft activities the whole family can enjoy. Start your day by following the festive wooden stars from the Visitor Centre, each individually decorated by local community groups that line the way to the neo-Norman castle. As you wander, enjoy views of the Great Orme and Puffin Island in one direction, and the majestic backdrop…

A 49-year-old man has been jailed for more than two decades for serious sexual violence against a child. Guy Lawrence Miles, of Palmerston Road, Bournemouth, who was convicted of three counts of rape and indecent assault, appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, December 12th) where he was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Police launched an investigation into Miles in February 2021 following a report he had historically raped a child in the late nineties in Bangor. Having groomed the victim, he went on to violently assault and abuse her over two years, leaving her too scared to defend…

North Wales Police confirm the body of a man was sadly discovered in the Llangwndal area of Pwllheli on Saturday, December 7th. The man has since been formally identified as 53-year-old Imrich Magyar from the Warrington area, who was recently circulated as missing. There are thought to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Following searches launched into his disappearance in the area of the Llyn Peninsula, a family member said: “Thank you to the police, coastguard and RNLI and all others who were helping to find Imrich. “The family are very grateful for all the efforts made and for…

A mobile food truck operator has been convicted of serious breaches of food hygiene legislation following a successful prosecution by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Shared Regulatory Services, which enforces food hygiene standards and carries out a range of other work on behalf of Local Authorities in the Cardiff, Bridgend and the Vale brought a case against Jamie O’Leary. He ran JOL’S Food Truck from Ogmore-by-Sea beach car park, which was given a food hygiene rating of zero, meaning urgent improvement is necessary, after what inspectors described as a ‘blatant disregard for food safety.’ Mr O’Leary failed to display this…

Pembrokeshire County Council is pleased to confirm the award of a Pre-Construction Service Agreement for the Brynhir housing development in Tenby. Morgan Construction of Carmarthen has been appointed following the evaluation of a two-stage tender. Morgan Construction is currently due to begin work on the site in summer 2025. This will be subject to discharging planning conditions, consideration to ecology periods and minimising disruption during the height of the tourist season. Eight phases are currently planned, allowing for homes to be available sooner. It is expected that the development will be completed in 2029. In total, 125 homes will be constructed…

Following a huge effort from workers at Lido Ponty, we are pleased to confirm Lido Ponty will be ready for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day swims 2024 and tickets go on sale 9am, Tuesday, December 17. It’s been a challenging few weeks at the beloved attraction, which was damaged in Storm Bert. Repair and restoration work was further affected by Storm Darragh. However, thanks to the dedication of Lido Ponty staff, it’s business as usual. Join us on December 26 – Santa hats are a must – for a heated swim (28 degrees) and a festive hot chocolate…

A new Sport Wales Storm Damage Fund has been launched to support local sports clubs and not-for-profit community organisations affected by recent storm damage. Following discussions with the Welsh Government, Sport Wales has secured additional funding to help clubs recover, with grants available for amounts ranging from £300 up to £5,000. Applications will opened at 9am on Tuesday 10th December and will close promptly at 4pm on Tuesday 17th December, providing a short but vital window for clubs to apply for much-needed support. The fund can be used to cover essential recovery costs, including repairs to facilities, clubhouses, and infrastructure,…

The much-anticipated Jacob’s Fish and Chips Shop officially opened its doors in March 2024, bringing a delightful dining and takeway experience to the community of Cefn Fforest. Supported by a £30,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and facilitated by Caerphilly County Borough Council, the restaurant is dedicated to the memory of owner Ross Turner’s late son, Jacob. The location was previously an unused building in a state of disrepair, but with grant support, it has been transformed into a welcoming restaurant equipped with state-of-the-art fryers, including five separate fryers for fish, gluten-free options,…

A serial fly-tipper has been handed a suspended prison sentence following action taken by three Gwent councils. Stewart Evans, of Newport, had pleaded guilty to twelve counts of fly-tipping between January 2023 and May 2024. Evans was previously convicted of fly-tipping offences in 2022, after which he lost his waste carriers licence. Newport City Council led a joint operation along with Torfaen County Borough Council and Monmouthshire County Council into Mr Evans’s offences, which included: Dumping household waste and fridge freezers in Wentwood forest Dumping large amounts of household waste at locations in New Inn, Abersychan, Pwll Ddu Mountain, and Ringland…

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (MTCBC) is thrilled to announce the successful installation of a 200kWp solar array at Afon Taf High School, marking a significant step towards the Council’s ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral. The installation, consisting of 500 solar panels spread across three flat roofs, demonstrates the school and the Council’s commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and creating a sustainable future. This project represents collaboration between MTCBC, Afon Taf High School, and H Factor, a not-for-profit enterprise established in 2016. Funding for the initiative was provided by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), whose mission is…