Author: Rhys Gregory

Two industrious residents at Penrhos Polish Village, Gwynedd, are using knitting as a force for good! Pauline Marchant and her son Stephen, moved into Penrhos Polish Village, near Pwllheli almost three years ago. A natural organiser, Pauline has a love of keeping herself busy and a passion for craft. Stephen, who is recovering from a life-threatening stroke, was keen to find an interest which would capture his attention and be possible to complete using only his right side. After exploring a variety of hobbies, Pauline hit upon the idea of a simple, hand cranked circular knitting machine. With a bit…

An entrepreneur from Gwynedd is redefining the way properties are bought and sold in the region, thanks to a £15,000 Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank. Catra, established in October 2024, is an estate agency offering a personal, community-focused service that celebrates Gwynedd’s unique local areas and identity. The agency not only highlights the distinctive qualities of each property but also fosters deeper connections between buyers, sellers, and the vibrant communities they join. Freelance photographer and founder Kristina Banholzer was inspired to create Catra after noticing a growing trend during the pandemic: local homes being sold online to…

A PEMBROKE DOCK opticians has collected food, toiletries and seasonal supplies to help individuals and families in Pembrokeshire experiencing financial hardship. The collection, organised by trainee dispensing optician Courtney Hearn, was donated to PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship), a local charity dedicated to providing essential items, including food parcels, clothing and household necessities to those in need. PATCH also holds an annual Christmas Toy Appeal, which ensures children in need receive gifts, art materials, chocolates and wrapping supplies, bringing joy to families facing challenging circumstances during the festive season. The Specsavers team contributed food and toiletries, while retail director…

An elderly couple whose car broke down on Christmas eve have thanked emergency services who rescued them. Mr and Mrs Wharfe, both in their 80s, were travelling on the A470 from Llandudno towards the A55 at 4pm when their car started smoking, leaving them unable to see the road in front of them. A passerby saw the smoke and called 999. In less than five minutes, the great-grandparents were relieved to see police arrive. The couple has since been in touch to express their gratitude to those who helped them, Mr Wharfe said: “A lot of smoke was coming out…

St Cadoc’s Primary School in Llanrumney has been praised for its welcoming and inclusive environment following a successful inspection by Estyn the Education Inspectorate for Wales. In its report, Estyn highlights the school’s strong leadership, positive learning culture, and effective teaching practices. Inspectors commended the school for fostering a happy and safe environment where pupils thrive, behave exceptionally well and form strong relationships Key Strengths Highlighted in the Report: Positive relationships between pupils, staff, and the wider school community are identified as a particular strength. Older pupils regularly support younger peers with activities such as reading and play. Effective Teaching:…

The Welsh Government has kicked off 2025 by awarding up to £10m of grant funding to 32 community green energy projects across Wales. The successful projects were selected after a highly competitive application process and will be delivered over the coming months. The projects include the deployment of everything from solar panels and heat pumps to battery storage and electric vehicle charging points. They will help to smarten up the use of energy across a wide range of organisations including: schools, leisure centres, care homes, business parks, community centres, and activity centres. This funding forms part of the vision of…

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, has made £10m in Financial Transaction Capital available to fund regeneration projects across the country.  The Transforming Towns Loans programme supports local authorities with town and city centre regeneration projects and has allocated more than £62m since its launch in 2014. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the number of vacant and underutilised sites and buildings to diversify our town centre offers and increase footfall. The funding also encourages more sustainable uses for empty premises, such as leisure, key services and conversion to town centre residential, and help to prevent…

With secondary school teachers in the key subjects of Welsh, science and maths being particularly in demand, there are more ways than ever to begin a journey into teaching. This includes a salaried route, which enables trainee teachers to work at a school and qualify at the same time. With a teacher’s salary currently starting at £32,400 and reaching up to £140,600 for a headteacher it’s a great time to be a teacher in Wales. Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses are available at providers across Wales. Four ways to get into teaching: Salaried Route This route is a two-year PGCE…

Holidays, Hotels, and Flights 2025: It’s time to start planning next year. With the increasing travel opportunities and the variety of deals already available, let’s explore everything you need to know to organize your next adventures perfectly. The start of a new year is always the perfect time to begin thinking about future vacations. Whether it’s a relaxing weekend getaway, a long-term trip, or a simple romantic escape, 2025 promises to be a year full of opportunities for travelers. The available deals range from budget-friendly flights and luxury hotel discounts at affordable prices to vacation packages tailored to every kind of…

Horse racing is embracing new technology, changing the sport in many ways. For years, the focus has been on the track, the horses, and the riders. Now, technology is creating new ways for fans to connect with the action and for the industry to grow. With the horse racing betting industry driving it all, it was only natural that the tech revolution would also make its way there. In that sense, tipsters are now also embracing technology to enhance their services and reach a wider audience. Many now use advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to provide more accurate predictions,…