Author: Rhys Gregory

You step out of the shower, reach for a towel, and notice the bath mat is wet again. There is a thin line of water by the shower door. A few drops are clinging to the bottom of the glass. Maybe it is just splashback. Maybe the door is leaking. Or maybe one small part has simply stopped doing its job. In many bathrooms, water escaping around a shower screen does not always mean there is a serious plumbing problem. It can be something as simple as a worn, loose, or poorly matched seal. The difficult part is choosing the…

Queen legend Roger Taylor has announced a brand-new UK tour and solo album, with Swansea set to host the final date of his only UK shows this year. The acclaimed songwriter, drummer and singer will bring his VIOLENCE INSANE IN A BEAUTIFUL WORLD tour to Swansea Building Society Arena on Tuesday 29 September 2026, as part of a six-date run across the UK. The tour coincides with the release of Roger’s seventh solo album, VIOLENCE INSANE IN A BEAUTIFUL WORLD, which arrives on 18 September via Columbia Records. The album marks his first solo release since 2021’s critically acclaimed OUTSIDER,…

BBC Cymru Wales is launching The Format Fund, a new development initiative focused on bold, original factual entertainment pilots designed specifically for YouTube-first audiences reaching 16-24-year-olds. The fund will support five independent production companies, each receiving £7,000 to create and develop an original pilot for digital platforms. This initiative is designed to encourage creative risk-taking, to explore what the next generation of factual entertainment formats can look like in a digital-first landscape. Rather than traditional television production models, BBC Cymru Wales is seeking ideas that embrace YouTube-native storytelling with clear, engaging concepts, strong pacing, repeatable format mechanics, and visuals that immediately capture attention. Nick Andrews, Head of…

A Year 5 class from Caedraw Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil has been nominated for Best Animation (5 to 11 years) at this year’s Into Film Awards, for their stop-motion film The Letter, which is a short story about loneliness, courage and taking the first step. They are one of five nominations for Wales across multiple categories; all nominees will now attend the star-studded, red-carpet event at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London on Tuesday 16 June 2026. The nomination marks the second consecutive year that a Year 5 class from Caedraw has been recognised at the awards. Last…

Rhondda Arts Festival (RAFT) returns this summer with three days of theatre, music, cinema, dance, visual art, film, photography and family activities celebrating the creativity, heritage and cultural spirit of the Rhondda. Supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, the Rhondda’s flagship arts festival is taking place at the iconic Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy, from 10–12 July 2026. It will bring together local artists and creatives alongside some of Wales’ most exciting artistic talent for a packed programme of performances, exhibitions, workshops and events. This year’s festival highlights include performances by Taking Flight Theatre Company, a Silent Disco…

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has announced that The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will no longer be performing at this year’s Royal Welsh Show following the tragic death of one of its soldiers. In a statement, the Society confirmed it had released The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from its commitment to perform the popular Musical Drive display at the 2026 event. The decision follows the passing of Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan. The Society said: “The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society regrets to announce that The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will not be performing at this year’s Royal Welsh…

Children and families in Barry can now enjoy a modern and accessible new play space following the completion of refurbishment works on a play area in Palmerston. The project, funded through the Welsh Government’s All Wales Play Opportunities Programme, has transformed the previous facility into a vibrant, multi-functional play area designed for children aged one to 12 years old. The new facilities feature a range of inclusive equipment, including a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, sensory play panels, climbing frames and a five-seat swing. The equipment is complemented by colourful and engaging playground artwork, creating an inviting space where children of all abilities…

Residents and community representatives from the Upper Afan Valley can now apply to join the Pride in Place (PiPP) Neighbourhood Board, helping to shape the future of their communities. Neath Port Talbot Council’s call for Board members follows the recent appointment of Karen Jones as Independent Chair, marking a key milestone in establishing the local leadership needed to deliver the programme. The Pride in Place programme is a major UK Government initiative, bringing up to £20 million of investment to the Upper Afan Valley over the next decade. It aims to support regeneration, strengthen communities, and empower local people to…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is issuing a stark warning to anyone who abuses the use of Blue Disabled Badges following the successful prosecution of three offenders last month. Three people were caught wrongfully using Blue Badges across the County Borough, TWO of which were parked in the Council owned car park in Gas Road, Pontypridd and the other was parked in High Street Car Park, Aberdare – a vehicle displaying a valid Blue Badge can park free of charge in Council car parks, if parked in a designated disabled bay. All of those caught had displayed Blue Badges on their…

A new statue celebrating the life and legacy of pioneering Welsh campaigner Elizabeth Andrews will be unveiled at Rhondda Heritage Park later this month. The special ceremony will take place at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum in Trehafod on Thursday, June 25, at 12pm, with members of the public invited to attend. The unveiling marks the fifth and final statue in the Monumental Welsh Women project, a national initiative dedicated to recognising the achievements of influential Welsh women by creating permanent public monuments in their honour. Elizabeth Andrews was a pioneering Welsh socialist, suffragist and community campaigner whose work helped improve…