Author: Rhys Gregory

Savers in Wales are missing out on higher interest payments as new data reveals almost £15bn is held in savings and current accounts earning 1% or less. The figures come from Principality’s recent analysis of CACI data, which shows £14.5bn is sitting in accounts earning 1% or less. Across Wales there is around £38bn in savings and current accounts, meaning almost 40% of this money is missing out on better interest rates. Currently, the average amount held in savings accounts in Wales sits at £7,337, which means the return difference between a 1% and a 5% interest account could be…

Christie & Co  has announced the sale of the Imperial Hotel in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. Enjoying a prominent position on Tenby’s Victorian seafront, the Imperial Hotel was originally constructed in c.1835 as a row of terraced houses. The hotel offers guests stunning panoramic sea views over the South Beach, Tenby Harbour Beach and on to Caldey Island. The 19th-century Victorian hotel features 45 bedrooms, many of which have clear sea views, as well as a welcoming bar and lounge area. The new owner, Crest Hotels acquired the freehold of the Hotel. Directors, Gurjinder and Parminder Singh comment, “We are extremely proud…

It felt like Spring had certainly arrived in Mid Wales this weekend as thousands gathered to enjoy a sunny fun-filled couple of days at the Royal Welsh Smallholding and Countryside Festival. The two-day event celebrates the many aspects of rural life, showcasing the real diversity of the Welsh countryside, and proved to be a great day out for young families, dog-lovers, smallholders, and gardeners. A centrepiece of the event, the Smallholders Centre, provided opportunities for visitors to benefit from a wide variety of information. Smallholding farmers were able to learn about all sorts of interesting activities, including talks on getting…

Thousands of runners braved the heat to race around the Welsh capital’s iconic waterside landmarks this weekend as part of the popular Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K. 5,000 people registered to run in the 10K event, with hundreds more taking part in a series of Junior races including a family-focused 2K Fun Run, an adorable Toddler Dash and competitive Future Challengers Mile. In the Elite Race it was a close contest between teammates Kadar Omar and three-time race winner, Omar Ahmed, who crossed the finish line less than a second apart, but it was Ahmed who took this year’s title…

If you’ve ever had the urge to explore a beautiful island, get back to nature and discover your inner Robinson Crusoe you now have the chance – and it’s just five miles off the coast of Cardiff. Flat Holm, the little emerald jewel in the Bristol Channel, can seem close enough to touch on a clear sunny day and its appeal has been drawing settlers to its shore for more than 2,000 years. Since the Bronze Age it has attracted a colourful array of farmers, pioneers, soldiers and scientists, all drawn to its unique qualities. Now, Cardiff Council – which…

A Swansea season by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales is set to close with the help of a globally renowned musician. The season is being facilitated by the council and has included six BBC NOW concerts at the Brangwyn Hall, with the season closing concert there on June 7. BBC NOW’s Sassy Hicks said: “Our Swansea season is nearly over and we plan to close out the season in spectacular style with Alisa and our principal conductor Ryan Bancroft. “Still to come is a fun-filled CBeebies show on June 1 at Swansea Arena.” Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “It’s…

Neath Port Talbot Council has adopted a Heritage Strategy to ensure the conservation, protection and sustainability of our rich historic and natural environment for future generations. The strategy entitled Restore, Regenerate, Repurpose covers the period 2024-2039. The Council secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2020 to deliver the Heritage NPT Project which included the development of a Heritage Strategy and support for community groups playing a crucial role championing and conserving our heritage and historic environment. Neath Port Talbot’s heritage assets play an important part in increasing the appeal of the area as a place to live,…

A series of animal health offences, including causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, has cost a north Powys man £13,000 after they were prosecuted by the county council. Robert Evans of Tafolwern Farm, Llanbrynmair was prosecuted by Powys County Council’s Animal Health Team for failing to maintain animal medicine records, failing to dispose of fallen livestock correctly; causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to provide an animal with adequate care. The defendant, who had previously pleaded guilty to the animal medicine and fallen stock offences at an earlier hearing, appeared before a District Judge at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates…

A fast-growing North Wales storage giant has taken over two sites in the border counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire. Denbigh-based Lock Stock Self Storage has just signed the contract to acquire Craven Arms Self Storage and Ludlow Self Storage at Brimfield in Herefordshire, between Ludlow and Leominster. The deals will take Lock Stock, the UK’s largest containerised storage company, up to 30 sites with over 4,600 units providing almost six million cubic feet of space – an increase of over 300,000 cubic feet or five per cent on last year.” Operations Manager Mike Trow said: “We have had a presence…

There’s been something magical happening behind closed doors in the Mid Wales market town of Rhayader! For more than two years, a team of dedicated and highly skilled people has been burning the midnight oil, ready for the official opening of a brand-new visitor attraction on May 23 – TimeScape Rhayader / Amserwedd Rhaeadr Gwy. Following the private launch on May 23, ‘Timescape Rhayader’ opens to the public on May 30. This new heritage and arts attraction has been created by CARAD (Community Arts Rhayader and District). It’s the first all-weather attraction in the town, offering tourists a dry base…