Author: Rhys Gregory

Welsh Mountain Zoo has confirmed that one of its chimpanzees, Mellony, has experienced the loss of a stillborn infant. In a statement on Facebook, the zoo said Mellony is currently holding onto her baby, which is a natural and instinctive behaviour commonly observed in chimpanzees following such a loss. Staff have placed warning signs at the entrances to the chimpanzee viewing areas to alert visitors that the situation may be upsetting, and keepers are available to answer any questions from the public. Zoo officials said their priority is the wellbeing of the entire chimpanzee troop and that Mellony and her…

AN INCLUSIVE member support specialist has secured a flagship national contract to provide services for a groundbreaking arts access scheme for disabled people. The win marks the launch of The People Connective, a specialist member support business appointed by Arts Council England to deliver the accessible helpdesk for its flagship All In programme. Based in Sandycroft, Deeside, the firm is part of The Card Network, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is entering a major growth phase following new ownership. Marketing Director Suzi Peake said: “This is a hugely proud moment for our whole team. Accessibility has always…

Bathgate Business Finance, the West Kirby-based business finance specialist, has expanded its operations with the launch of a base at M-SParc in Garwen, Wales. Officially opened in 2018 and part of the University of Bangor network, M-SParc is a hub for knowledge-based businesses, innovation, and digital growth in North Wales. As part of its partnership, Bathgate will provide dedicated support with business finance for tenants, as well as businesses operating across North Wales. The initiative is led by Bathgate Director and business development manager (BDM), Ian Adams, who lives in North Wales, and BDM, Gary Beggs, who will offer free…

This summer at TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion just got even hotter – with more special guests announced.   Joining this year’s sizzling line up are 80s inspired contemporary pop band Deco, and Welsh rising DJ star Katie Owen, adding even more excitement to a blockbuster run of shows in the heart of North Wales.  Kicking off the summer in style – and opening the very first show of the season ahead of beloved pop icon Rick Astley’s debut headline performance at the pavilion on Wednesday June 24 – will be retro-loving party starters Deco.   Then Wales’ very own…

Ceredigion is set to welcome the Lloyds National Road Championships once again in 2026, with the event taking place from 25–28 June 2026. The return forms part of British Cycling’s agreement with the Welsh Government to host the Championships in Wales until 2027. Across three days of elite racing, the Time Trial, Circuit Race and Road Race Championships will take place in locations across the county. The Time Trial Championships will be held in Lampeter, with the Circuit Race and Road Race Championships starting once again in Aberystwyth. Full routes will be announced in due course. Ceredigion successfully hosted the…

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) and the National Sheep Association (NSA) are collaborating to launch a new Welsh Sheep Village at this year’s Royal Welsh Show. Located on the site of the former NSA Pavilion, the village will celebrate the Welsh sheep industry’s importance. Including trade stands and educational activities, it’s designed to showcase innovation and good practice to farmers, whilst helping the wider public understanding of sheep farming and the vital role it plays in shaping our landscape and heritage. Called Cynefin – Welsh for “habitat” or “place of belonging” – the village will reflect the deep connection…

A Swansea University scientist has been awarded almost £1m to lead a new research team investigating antimatter gravity. Dr Christopher Baker, from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, was selected by the Leverhulme Trust to receive a prestigious Research Leadership Award which is given to talented early career scholars who need to build a team to help them tackle a distinctive research problem. The scheme aims to create an opportunity for them to demonstrate leadership by supporting the career development and the project management of their group, enabling research that may significantly change the established landscape in a particular…

Hay Festival has announced the return of The Platform, an open call for creatives aged 21–28 to showcase their work at the flagship event in Wales, 21–31 May 2026. Launched in 2024, The Platform is an initiative to promote, support and develop young creative talent, funded by D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and The Garrick Charitable Trust. Open to a range of art forms – performance (theatre, dance, street), poetry, digital art, film, audio, visual art and literature – it aims to offer new routes into the arts. Successful artists will have the chance to share their work with Festival audiences…

Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme has announced the successful completion of the Dark Fibre East project, marking a major step forward in improving digital connectivity for public services across the region. The project has delivered a new secure fibre network linking 36 public sector sites through 46 connections. This will help key organisations work more closely together  and help improve public services for the benefit of local communities. The Dark Fibre East network allows public organisations to share information securely and at high speed. It supports modern digital services, cloud systems, and new ways of working. The network…

Two new sculptures inspired by Welsh mythology have been installed at Cwmcarn Forest, giving visitors a new way to connect with the legendary story of Brân. The striking artworks, titled Brân’s Foot and the Cauldron of Rebirth, have been placed around the lakeside and were created by South Wales based artist collective NoNaffArt CIC. Since being installed, the sculptures have already been attracting attention from visitors exploring the popular forest destination. Inspired by the ancient tale of Brân from the Mabinogion, the installations aim to bring the story to life while encouraging people to explore the surrounding landscape. The project…