Author: Rhys Gregory

The UK’s hospitality elite gathered at JW Marriott Grosvenor House last night for the highly anticipated AA Hospitality Awards 2024, an event that has become the benchmark for excellence in the industry. Hosted by AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, the star-studded evening was presented by BAFTA-nominated television and radio broadcaster Angellica Bell, widely recognised for her winning victory on Celebrity MasterChef. The night celebrated the most outstanding hotels, spas, restaurants, overall Inns and B&Bs, alongside with the people who drive them forward. Attended by 900 guests, the event highlighted the very best in British hospitality, honouring achievements across 16 award…

Miller & Carter is pleased to announce the arrival of the new restaurant in Bridgend, which opened its doors to guests on 20th September. Revealing its warm, modern new look, the new Miller & Carter Sarn has created 35 jobs for the local area. At Miller & Carter Sarn, guests can enjoy delicious steak in stunning surroundings, with sophisticated dining areas and bold colours. The restaurant seats 208 people, with an additional external terraced seating area. Awarded with the ‘The Masters of Steak’ award from the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs, the beef is truly a labour of love. Visitors…

The first Craft Festival Wales, held at Cardigan Castle over the weekend of Friday 06 to Sunday 08 September, has “exceeded all expectations” of the organisers, as over 3,500 people of all ages attended the event. Craft Festival Wales showcased an exceptional handpicked selection of 80 craft professionals from across the UK, with many from mid and west Wales. These included jewellery makers, potters, furniture makers, textile artists, glassmakers, and many more, selling their finely made unique products directly to the public. The Festival is a not-for-profit enterprise led by Sarah James MBE, who was born and bred in Cardigan,…

“Active Best About” “New 1 raw best about deals”​ This is a drug dealer’s sales patter. These messages were recovered from Jack Thomas’ ‘Fatz’ drugs line. Jack Thomas – who has the letters ‘Fatz’ tattooed on the fingers of his left hand – was jailed at Cardiff Crown court on Thursday (19 September). Messages like this would be sent out to hundreds of people at a time. They imply the ‘purity’ and ‘availability’ of the crack cocaine he was selling. Jack Thomas, 27, of Hilda Street, Barry, is the latest person to be jailed following a coordinated month-long operation in…

Applications for secondary school places to start in September 2025 open today (Monday 23, September 2024), and families are reminded that applying on time and providing five school preferences can increase their chances of getting a place at one of their preferred schools. Cardiff Council’s Admissions Team have provided simple step-by-step advice and guidance in the form of 7 tips, to help families who are applying for a school place in Cardiff. The information is available online and through an animation aimed at children and families, helping to explain how the admissions process works and the importance of using all…

Denbighshire County Council have begun works to introduce an active travel route between Corwen and Cynwyd. The project is part of investment by the UK Government that was secured through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council for the former Clwyd South Constituency, in which £3.8 million was allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas. Further funding was secured from the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund, which is in place to reduce the number of short everyday journeys that are undertaken in motor vehicles and to increase…

Cardiff is grieving the loss of its respected Lord Mayor, Cllr Jane Henshaw, who passed away peacefully this weekend, surrounded by her family. Cllr Henshaw will be remembered for her tireless dedication to the community and her enduring commitment to public service, leaving behind a profound legacy of compassion and leadership. Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “The passing of Cllr Jane Henshaw is a profound loss for Cardiff. She was a tireless advocate for our city and its residents, always striving to make Cardiff a better place for everyone. Her dedication to public service will…

Sport Pembrokeshire’s recent Young Ambassador Conference brought passionate and motivated learners together from 22 Primary schools. The young ambassadors are dedicated to promoting sport and physical activity in their schools and communities. Nearly 70 Bronze Young Ambassadors took part in a number of workshops delivered by the Sport Pembrokeshire team including understanding leadership, action planning and inclusive games inspired by the Paralympics. The Year Five and Six pupils also took part in a first aid workshop and heard from two former Young Ambassadors – Carys Ribbon and Rhys Llewellyn – about their journeys with the Sport Pembrokeshire team. Special Olympics…

The Council has shared the latest progress on the replacement of the Feeder Pipe Footbridge near Abercynon. The project is moving ahead on schedule, causing minimal disruption to the local area. Construction began in mid-May 2024 following planning approval in April. The new footbridge, which spans the River Taff between Abercynon and Quakers Yard, on the border of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, connects Alexandra Place and Tram Road Side. The original bridge suffered significant damage during Storm Dennis, leading to the removal of the bridge deck and parapets for safety reasons. The replacement structure is designed to be…

Victoria Garden Centre, a family-run independent business located at Crown Business Park in Tredegar, has embraced sustainability with impressive results. In 2023, the centre installed solar panels, slashing their reliance on the national grid by 95%. With support from the Business Development Grant, the centre also invested in eco-friendly equipment, including an electric forklift, an electric pallet truck, and a bailing machine. These upgrades have not only cut their waste by 90% but also reduced their overall energy consumption. The bailing machine encourages customers to return plant pots, trays, and other materials for recycling, attracting more visitors and potentially boosting…