Author: Rhys Gregory

A Carmarthenshire man who swapped his deskbound office job for a career as a carpenter has picked up an award for promoting the Welsh language. Geraint Edwards, from Llandeilo, fell in love with woodwork helping his grandfather in his shed in Dolgellau as a boy but went down the academic route of taking a degree in Welsh and Welsh Literature at Aberystwyth University. He then worked for Literature Wales in an office job in Cardiff when the highlight of his year would be the National Eisteddfod when he would load a hire van with his carpentry tools and head for…

The New Saints Women are delighted to announce the signing of former Sheffield FC, Leeds United and Halifax Town player Molly Havard.  The forward joins The New Saints on semi-professional terms as the squad continues to take shape ahead of the new season, and scored the opening goal in yesterday’s 2-0 friendly victory against Stoke City U21s. Her move to Park Hall sees her become Shauna Duffy’s ninth signing of the transfer window so far, with The Saints continuing to prepare for what looks set to be an exciting season ahead. Speaking on the signing, Shauna Duffy, Head Coach at…

Three men from Tonypandy have been charged with publishing threatening material on a Facebook account intending to stir up religious hatred, contrary to the Public Order Act 1986. 43-year-old Geraint Boyce, 45-year-old Jamie Michael, and 40-year-old Daffron Williams all appeared at Merthyr Crown Court on Monday, August 12, where Geraint Boyce and Daffron Williams pleaded guilty. They are due to be sentenced on Friday, August 16. Jamie Michael pleaded not guilty. His next court hearing is Friday, August 23, at Merthyr Crown Court. All three have been remanded in custody awaiting their next appearances. Three others have also been arrested…

A stalker who shared an intimate photo of his victim online has been jailed. Ian Paul Atkinson, of Clwyd Terrace, New Brighton, Wallasey, appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates Court on August 12th. He pleaded guilty to stalking, sharing intimate photos without their consent and threatening to share intimate photos. The 52-year-old had been in a short-term relationship with the victim, before unwanted contact began. He would call and text her regularly. Having agreed to meet him in a pub in Holyhead on July 19th, he threatened to share intimate photos of a woman online if she didn’t continue to buy him…

Developments will soon be underway on Rhyl promenade to improve links between the town centre and the beachfront. One of the main aims of the Rhyl Town Centre Vision is to improve the visibility of the seafront and to better link the town centre with the beach. As part of this, Denbighshire County Council will be undertaking work to demolish the old SeaQuarium building to improve the public realm and declutter the promenade. The 30-year-old building has stood empty since the closure of SeaQuarium at the end of November 2023 and is no longer fit for purpose as a modern…

The line-up for the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff fanzone has been revealed as a packed programme of entertainment comes to the Welsh capital’s City Hall Lawn on Saturday, August 17. Britain’s biggest indoor motorsport event returns to the iconic Principality Stadium with 23 heats of high-speed, no-brakes action getting underway at 5pm UK time. And fans can make a day of it in Cardiff with the Speedway GP fanzone getting started at 10am – around a 15-minute walk from Principality Stadium. This year’s fanzone features a host of opportunities to meet your favourite SGP riders, plus…

Residents and visitors to Swansea are being urged to take their seats this weekend for a three-day free celebration of all things music, set to take place at the recently updated Swansea Amphitheatre, located between the Marina and LC2. This exciting event is part of Swansea Council’s ongoing efforts to enhance outdoor performance spaces, following the successful acquisition of £180,000 in funding from the Welsh Government. Taking place from 16th – 18th August, there will be a fantastic lineup of music-themed entertainment, featuring beloved film viewings and live performances from some of the area’s most talented artists. Best of all, this incredible…

Archaeologists working on a coastal protection scheme have explained some of their finds to local history archivists. The guests – from the Story of Mumbles website – enjoyed a tour of the Mumbles sea defences project which is making the community safer against the threat of storms and rising tides. The project, due to be completed next year and largely funded by Welsh Government, is being driven by your council. Main contractors Knights Brown are working closely through the scheme with experts from independent specialist firm Archaeology Wales. Council cabinet member Andrew Stevens said: “We appreciate the careful, meticulous and expert…

More than 2,500 children, young people and families enjoyed a day of fun, creativity and community spirit at Playday Pembrokeshire at Llys y Frân earlier this month. The national day celebrating the importance of playing to children’s’ development was coordinated by Pembrokeshire County Council and supported by community organisations and groups from all over the county. Children enjoying archery, circus skills, crazy bug racing, fun football, house building, climbing, craft, art and much more. “We are thrilled with the success of Playday Pembrokeshire 2024. It was uplifting to see so many families enjoying themselves and embracing the spirit of play.…

RCT Council and Linc Cymru (Linc) have provided an update on the positive progress being made to construct a new extra care housing scheme for Porth. Project contractor Intelle Construction resumed site activity in February 2024, to build a state-of-the-art development containing 60 extra care apartments. The four-storey building will include a dining area, a hair salon, an activity room, a day care centre and offices, plus an external car park. The exciting scheme will bring the former Dan y Mynydd Care Home site back into use. Initial work in the earlier weeks on site focused on key infrastructure –…