Author: Rhys Gregory

This story is also available in Welsh – click here to read it. Further details of the Welsh Government’s £27bn Draft Budget showing increases in funding for all key departments were set out today. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said the departmental spending plans show the government’s commitment to protecting vital public services, while maintaining stability ahead of the Senedd election. Stage 2 of the Draft Budget 2026 – 27 sets out more than £800m of additional funding compared to last year’s budget, with protected funding for health, education and other essential services. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “These spending plans show how…

The Celtic Manor is one of those places you’ve either heard of or driven past along the M4 in Newport. It’s hard to miss. In recent years, it’s gone from being known as a hotel to a full-blown destination in its own right, offering a bit of everything – luxury, dining, leisure, and plenty to do for all ages. Many will know it for hosting big events or visiting the ICC Wales next door, but what about those of us who live nearby? Is it worth booking a stay when it’s practically on your doorstep? Absolutely. For us, it’s always…

A band from North Wales have marshalled a huge community effort to get behind a fundraising single in aid of a specialist Liverpool neurosciences hospital which saved the life of one of their friends. The band, Idle Lies, were inspired to create the single after The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust cared for their friend Daniel Parsonage of Connah’s Quay, who developed a life-threatening brain haemorrhage last summer. His recovery is still ongoing, but to show their thanks, friends in the band have recorded a Christmas single, with all proceeds going to support The Walton Centre Charity. Songwriter and guitarist…

A remarkable piece of broadcasting history has resurfaced as the BBC in Bangor celebrates its 90th anniversary. The speech by none other than the former Prime Minister, David Lloyd George was broadcast prior to the 1935 general election. The so-called Welsh Wizard took to the airwaves from Bangor to criticise the government of the day. Professor Jamie Medhurst from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University has listened to the broadcast: “It’s a very interesting speech that criticised the Government and its Ministers in which he talked about the shortcomings of the Government’s foreign policies. It’s…

A new book mixing travel with culture, natural history with human history, myth and legend – a true exploration of Wales through its rail network, will be written over the coming months. Transport for Wales has partnered with former BBC arts and media correspondent Jon Gower to deliver the exciting new project, which will involve him using the Wales and Borders rail network and Wales’ bus network to travel the country and tell its story. Jon, who has over 40 books to his name will work as an ‘author in residence’ for Transport for Wales and bring the public transport…

Police are investigating after a nine-month-old baby died following a dog attack at a home in Rogiet. Gwent Police received a report of a dog attack at an address in Crossway around 6pm on Sunday, 2 November. Officers attended the scene along with paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service. Tragically, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog involved has been seized and removed from the property. Chief Superintendent John Davies said: “We understand that there will be concerns around this incident, but officers are on scene and will be making further enquiries as the investigation progresses.“If you…

Fawaz Alsamaou, 33, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman in Cathays, Cardiff. The woman was walking from the city centre during the early hours of Sunday, May 12, 2024 when she became aware of a man walking behind her. She was then sexually assaulted under the railway bridge close to Senghenydd Hall. Extensive enquiries were conducted and Alsamaou was identified as a suspect following a CCTV appeal for information on BBC Crimewatch. In a Victim Personal Statement to the court, the woman, now aged 24, described the impact of the crime. “The attack that…

Mae’r stori hon hefyd ar gael yn Saesneg – cliciwch yma i’w darllen. Bydd Caerdydd yn cynnal Gwasanaeth Cofio Cenedlaethol Cymru ddydd Sul, 9 Tachwedd, mewn seremoni sy’n cael ei threfnu ar y cyd gan Gyngor Caerdydd a Llywodraeth Cymru, mewn partneriaeth â’r Lleng Brydeinig Frenhinol. Yn rhan o’r digwyddiad coffa, bydd carfannau o’r Llynges Frenhinol, y Fyddin, y Llu Awyr Brenhinol, y Llynges Fasnachol a’r Lluoedd Cadetiaid yn gorymdeithio heibio Neuadd y Ddinas ac ar hyd Rhodfa’r Brenin Edward VII, gan ymgynnull wrth Gofeb Ryfel Genedlaethol Cymru yng Ngerddi Alexandra, Parc Cathays erbyn 10.40am. Yn ymuno â nhw fydd colofnau o…

This story is also available in Welsh – click here to read it. Cardiff is set to host the National Service of Remembrance for Wales on Sunday, November 9, in a ceremony jointly organised by Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government, in partnership with The Royal British Legion. The commemorative event will see detachments from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, and Cadet Forces march past City Hall and along King Edward VII Avenue, assembling at the Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, Cathays Park by 10:40am. They will be joined by columns of ex-Service personnel, coordinated by…

The owner of a Port Talbot Vape Shop has narrowly avoided jail and has been ordered to pay more than £4,600 in court costs following an investigation by Neath Port Talbot Council Trading Standards officers. Mohammed Hassan Abdulla, 40, of Brooklands Terrace, Swansea, trading as Market Vapes in Station Road, Port Talbot, came under investigation over the sale of illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes. The premises was raided by the Trading Standards team accompanied by South Wales Police officers in October 2023, following two test purchases of counterfeit cigarettes made from the premises. During the raid, officers seized almost 3,000…