Author: Rhys Gregory

A 71-year-old Wrexham man has been jailed for the sexual abuse of a child. David Rowland, of no fixed abode, admitted sexually assaulting a child over a period of time between August 2022 and June last year. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Mold Crown Court last week. Rowland was reported to police in June last year when a child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, disclosed to her mother she had been sexually assaulted by him on multiple occasions. He was arrested and devices including his phone and laptop were seized. Examinations of the devices…

The team at Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm has launched two exciting new products in partnership with Feast, the kitchen behind the amazing food at Tap and Tân, a collaborative venue that brings the very best in independent craft beer and live fire cookery right in the heart of Tenby. The two sauces to be created are Feast Hot Chipotle sauce and Feast House BBQ sauce, with each of the new flavours is crafted to cater to a wide range of culinary preferences and dishes, promising to bring a new dimension of taste to kitchens across the UK. The Feast Hot Chipotle sauce…

Helping safeguard and boost local employment, a new luxury kitchen showroom will soon be opening in Mumbles. Run by locally-based Green’s Kitchens and Furniture, the showroom on Newton Road will enable the business to showcase its luxury and bespoke joinery works. Thanks to business growth grant funding from Swansea Council through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Green’s have also been able to develop a strong relationship with Sub Zero and Wolf – a luxury kitchen appliance company based in London. This means Green’s will become the largest showroom of their appliances outside Knightsbridge. Green’s is one of many…

Bodnant Garden’s prized collection of rhododendrons and azaleas are currently putting on a dazzling display, as recent photos show. Cared for by National Trust Cymru, the garden is a must-see for its array of blossom and spring colour that fills almost every corner. Each year, the conservation charity’s #BlossomWatch campaign encourages people to get outside and experience the simple joy of blossom. With five National Collections at Bodnant including Rhododendron forrestii and Bodnant Rhododendron Hybrids, flowering alongside tulips, viburnum, the Himalayan Blue Poppy and the Firebush of the Andes, there is no shortage of vibrant blooms at Bodnant. This year,…

Visitors to Pontypridd will soon notice work activity to improve the condition and appearance of a block of Council-owned buildings at Taff Street. The scheme will likely cause minimal disruption, with all premises remaining open. RCT Council will undertake a range of improvements to 103-110 Taff Street from Tuesday, May 7. The block is owned by the Local Authority and has been identified as needing refurbishment for its continued use by businesses. The scheme will improve the buildings’ appearance and functionality – with the work including roof and canopy repairs, the renewal of cladding, rendering enhancements, and shop front improvements…

Housing associations across Wales are supporting the launch of an innovative net zero hub aiming to cut carbon emissions from new and existing social homes. As innovators in home decarbonisation, registered social landlords are coming together with developers, residential social landlords, and owners to share their knowledge and expertise as part of the new Welsh Zero Carbon Hwb. The Hwb, which will be phased over three years, is aiming to become a central point for net zero design, construction and housing performance information in Wales. It will also coordinate and support learning from existing innovative projects and initiatives across the…

HEINEKEN UK is investing £39m in upgrading and reopening pubs in its Star Pubs’ estate in 2024 – demonstrating its confidence in the resilience of the great British local in the face of global uncertainty. The move will create an estimated 1,075 new jobs. A quarter (612) of HEINEKEN UK’s 2,400 pubs are in line for improvement, with 94 of these set for makeovers costing on average £200,000. The investment will also cover works to reopen 62 long-term closed locals in 2024. By the end of the year, HEINEKEN UK will have reopened 156 such pubs since the start of…

Spanish galleons once crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the American coastline, sailed the Caribbean Sea and explored the Pacific Ocean, discovering and establishing trade routes on behalf of the Spanish Crown – and now a galleon is coming to Cardiff Bay for the public to explore. Floating museumGaleón Andaluciais a unique replica of the armed merchant vessels that were used for these maritime expeditions from the 16thto 18thcenturies and will dock in ABP’s Britannia Quay before opening to the public from Friday May 10th- Sunday May 12th, from 10am-8pm. A visit includes a self-guided walking tour with the opportunity to…

Welsh rock and roll memorabilia will be going under the hammer to raise money for charity. 60 Ft Dolls drummer, Carl Bevan, has collected a variety of unique items connected to icons of the Welsh rock music scene, leading artists and creatives. The 60 Ft Dolls were a key part of the Welsh music scene during the Cool Cymru era – a time when the band’s hometown, Newport, was dubbed “the new Seattle” by the New York Times in the 1990s. Carl, now a renowned landscape artist, with exhibitions selling out within minutes of opening, has organised – The Great…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has successfully completed the sale of The Royal Goat Hotel in Beddgelert, North Wales. Located within the Snowdonia National Park, The Royal Goat Hotel is highly popular amongst tourists and couples looking to tie the knot. The Grade II listed property, which was originally built in 1802, features 32 bedrooms, a dining room, restaurant, bar and function room. The business has been owned and operated by David and Valerie Cattrall for the last five years. They comment on the sale, “The Royal Goat is a beautiful building, and we wish the new owner all the best…