Author: Rhys Gregory

A leading civil engineering firm’s commitment to nurturing the future of the industry has taken another giant step forward thanks to eye-catching improvements to its higher apprenticeship scheme. For the first time, the Ruthin-headquartered contractor is running a full degree apprenticeship which includes a BEng (Hons) in civil engineering or a BSc (Hons) in quantity surveying. Nine new faces joined Jones Bros on 1 October for three weeks of work experience before starting their studies at Coleg Cambria, which has partnered with Wrexham University. Seven of the intake are part of the civil engineering programme, with those apprentices attending a…

Royston Gill has been jailed for sexual assaulting two young girls in Cardiff. The 81-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching in August 2023 and July 2024. Gill, of Llandaff North, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, November 27 to a nine-year extended sentence comprising five years in custody and a licence period of four years. The court heard that Gill poses a high risk to children despite his frail appearance. Officer in the case, Detective Constable Rhiannon Phillips, from South Wales Police, said: “I would like to commend the bravery…

It’s that magical time of year again: Christmas lights aglow, cosily dark nights, and restaurants enticing us with seasonal delights. This year, Alice and I were invited to The Botanist Cardiff to sample their much-anticipated Christmas menu. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint. First Impressions From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that The Botanist has fully embraced the holiday spirit. The space has been transformed into a festive wonderland, adorned with larger-than-life Christmas trees, velvet red bows, and photo-worthy wreaths. Perfect for an Instagram-worthy backdrop, the décor sets the scene for a magical escape from the bustling streets…

Runners looking to take part in the fastest growing 10K in Wales need to set their alarms for Thursday 28 November when entries go on sale. Next year’s Brecon Carreg CDF 10K will take place on Sunday 7 September and will take in all the stunning sites of the Welsh capital. Runners are being encouraged to pre-register for the ticket launch to be first to know when registrations are live and be in with the chance of nabbing one of the 500 early bird entries available. Alternatively, they can enter now ensuring their spot in the race is secured by…

Seventeen chefs from across Wales and the borders have been selected to cook off in the finals of three prestigious competitions at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) 2025 in January. The Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), which organises and holds the three-day Welsh talent and food and drink showcase at ICC Wales, Newport from January 20-22, has announced the finalists of the National, Junior and Vegan Chef of Wales 2025 contests. The National Chef of Wales final will be contested by 10 chefs. Sam Everton from  Llangeler, Llandysul, who is a catering lecturer at Coleg Ceredigion, Cardigan, is bidding…

Kings of Leon will return to Cardiff for the first time in 18 years to headline brand-new music series Blackweir Live. Hot on the heels of the launch of the new series of outdoor live music events for summer 2025 it is revealed today that the GRAMMY award-winning, multi-platinum alternative rock band will headline on Sunday June 29 – their first show in South Wales since 2014 and their first in Cardiff since 2007. Three more headliners for the iconic green space at Blackweir Fields alongside the River Taff will be announced soon. Since their debut in 2003, Kings of…

Hay Festival Winter Weekend closed Sunday 1 December after festivalgoers enjoyed events in and around the booktown of Hay-on-Wye with more than 11,000 tickets sold, up 10% on the previous year. Over four days, more than 70 acclaimed artists took part in over 60 events, launching the best new fiction and non-fiction, exploring creative solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, and spreading festive joy in conversations, reflecting on 2024 and looking forward to 2025, candle-lit storytelling, comedy, music, and workshops. Bestselling books were: 1. Cerys Matthews’ Under Milk Wood by Cerys Matthews 2. Comfort Eating by…

Two inspirational Welsh educators have been announced as Gold Winners at the 2024 Pearson National Teaching Awards, considered the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession. Jo Wyatt, a Higher Level Teaching Assistant at Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, has been announced as the Gold Winner for Teaching Assistant of the Year. Jo’s transformative approach helps her students develop a sense of identity and self-love using unique techniques, such as using mirrors to reflect their potential and introducing them to her therapy dog Bella. Her commitment extends to sharing her knowledge with peers, educating them on trauma-informed practices, and helping to create a nurturing classroom…

This December, Cardiff’s beloved events venue DEPOT is raising the bar for festive celebrations with the Bingo Lingo ‘Christmas Craic-ker’ – a seasonal spin on the wildly popular Bingo Lingo phenomenon, featuring a custom-built Irish pub, live entertainment, and unparalleled Christmas cheer! Bingo Lingo events were born and bred in Cardiff in 2016 and have become a sensation across the UK and beyond, captivating audiences in over 50 cities with its raucous reinvention of traditional bingo. Weekly sell-out events at DEPOT attract up to 1,400 guests, and now, the Christmas Craic-ker series promises to be the crowning glory of the…

Cardiff Metropolitan University’s School of Art and Design has launched a range of new evening and weekend short courses which will start in January 2025. Open to all abilities, the short courses are an opportunity to hone skills at the university’s professionally equipped studios and workspaces. The courses are suitable for complete beginners as well as artists and designers of all abilities. There is a total of ten courses to choose from, including pottery and painting, drawing, photography and sewing courses, all set to take place during the Spring term. The following courses can now be booked onto: Introduction to…