Author: Rhys Gregory

At an Extraordinary Meeting of Cardiff Council last week, Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones was inaugurated as the new Lord Mayor of Cardiff, and Councillor Michael Michael was appointed as the new Deputy Lord Mayor. The meeting to appoint the new Lord Mayor and Deputy was called following the passing in September of the late Lord Mayor, Councillor Jane Henshaw. Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones was serving as the Deputy Lord Mayor for the municipal year 2024/25. Yesterday she told Cardiff Council: “I pray we never experience again the loss of our Lord Mayor while in office and our thoughts are very…

Laserzone in Swansea has reopened at a different city centre venue. Formerly based at the old Castle Cinema, Laserzone opened at the former Iceland unit on St David’s Place on Saturday November 30. Swansea Council has granted the business a temporary lease for the unit, pending the regeneration of the overall former St David’s Shopping Centre site in the longer-term. The former Castle Cinema building is also being redeveloped. Cardiff-based developer Easy Living has secured planning consent to transform the building into a facility including flats, office space and a restaurant. Laserzone is a high-tech, live and interactive laser game…

The fourth Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards celebrating children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference was held recently. The Awards – a collaboration between Pembrokeshire Youth, The Children and Young People’s Rights Office and Children’s Services – took place on 22nd November at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College and celebrated the achievements of Pembrokeshire’s young people. A huge well done to the young people from Pembrokeshire Youth Bank, who were involved in the whole process, from conception, to planning, to being involved on the night of the awards. This was truly an event ‘For Young People,…

Newport City Council is celebrating after being recognised for its work promoting the Welsh language with its staff. The council was awarded employer of the year at this year’s Welsh for Adults Gwent awards. The council received the award for our Cymraeg Gwaith scheme, a partnership between the council, Welsh for Adults Gwent at Coleg Gwent, and the National Centre for Learning Welsh. The aim of Cymraeg Gwaith is to strengthen Welsh language skills in workplaces across Wales, offering diverse, flexible, fully funded training to employers. In the previous academic year, more than fifty members of staff from the council joined…

Rhymney Library Hub is thrilled to announce a week of celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary, taking place from Monday 2nd to Friday 6th December 2024. This milestone event promises a packed schedule of activities for all ages, showcasing the library’s rich history and its importance to the local community. What’s On at Rhymney Library Hub – 50th Anniversary Week Monday 2nd December: 9:30–11:30am: Rhymney – Dirty Faces to Green Spaces – A talk on how our energy use has changed. 10–11am: Baby & Toddler Time – Ideal for ages 4 and under. 12–1pm: Rhymney Millennium Chorale Choir – Enjoy…

Adult learners and mentors from St Giles Cymru have travelled to Norway to benefit from a learning exchange journey funded through the Taith programme. St Giles Cymru offers help and support for people facing challenges such as poverty, exploitation, abuse, and mental health problems by using real, lived experiences and peer mentorships The group visited a Norwegian recovery centre and vocational college where they learnt about the different approaches used to support people in their recovery including art therapy, and how they can use their own life experiences in a positive way. Taith is a Welsh Government funded international learning exchange…

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton isn’t just a musical—it’s a revolution in the world of theatre. From the moment the lights dim and the opening number begins, it’s clear that this production is rewriting the rules of Broadway and musical storytelling. Running at the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) in Cardiff until 25th January 2025, this is not just a show but the WMC’s big Christmas theatre production for 2024/25—and it is a must-see. Recommended for audiences aged 10 and over, Hamilton brings to life more than 100 years of American history with an electrifying blend of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional show tunes.…

A POPULAR restaurant preparing for a new year expansion was named among the 100 best food venues in the country. Catch 22 Brasserie in Valley, near Holyhead, Anglesey, is one of the most respected eateries in north west Wales, combining high-quality local produce with culinary expertise to create contemporary, classic British dishes. Those ingredients combined to secure a place in the Good Food Guide’s prestigious 100 Best Local Restaurants list for 2024, with particular praise heaped on their famous Snickers Trifle, labelled “the best pudding in the world” by loyal local patrons. Named in reference to Joseph Heller’s multi-million selling…

Chocolate fans are in for a cocoa powered treat as Hotel Chocolat, the luxury cacao grower and chocolatier, announces the opening of its latest concept store located in Trostre Retail Park, Llanelli. Opening on 16th December 2024, this new location will be home to the beloved Velvetiser Café, serving the iconic Velvetised™ drinking chocolate alongside other hot drinks. Guests can explore a wide range of customizable combinations, choosing from 18 different Velvetised flavours served hot, over ice, or as a Choc Shake. The drinks can be tailored with dairy milk or plant-based alternatives, along with an array of delicious toppings…

FANS of a table-topping football novel creating a buzz in Hollywood are about to receive an early Christmas present. It’s Always Sunny in Wrexham – The Sequel will be released online and in print this Sunday (December 1). Written by lawyer-turned-author Andrew Foley Jones, the first book sold thousands of copies and ranked number one on Amazon in the football charts, number two in Sports, and four in Humour. Such was its success there have been talks with screenwriters and production companies interested in taking the tale of one fanatical Red Dragons supporter and his weird and wonderful journey to the big…