Author: Rhys Gregory

The time students spend in part-time work has increased on average by 154%, with the average student working 46.39 hours per month, up from 18.3 hours per month in 2023 as revealed by the NatWest Student Living Index. Students in Salford, Ormskirk and Derby spend the most hours in part-time work, each averaging more than 60 hours a month. The NatWest Student Living Index surveyed, 6,186 students to determine the most affordable place to study. The survey considers a range of factors, including how much students spend going out and the income they earn from part-time work. Belfast is the…

A Welsh mead, brewed in support of the charity, Bees for Development, has been awarded two Great Taste stars by the Guild of Fine Food. Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co’s Zambian Forest Honey Mead was described by Great Taste judges as “a wonderful mead that is beautifully executed and delicate”. The mead is brewed with honey sourced from Zambian beekeepers whose businesses have been helped by Bees for Development, and Hive Mind also donates ten percent of the profits from its sales to the charity to support its work. Great Taste is the world’s largest food and drink accreditation…

An opticians in Colwyn Bay has raised more than £1,100 to send five-year-old Henry Castle on the trip of a lifetime following the end of his cancer treatment. Henry has been bravely battling leukaemia since the age of one and has contracted life-threatening sepsis on multiple occasions. After four years of treatment, Henry has finished his chemotherapy and is set to visit Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida with his family later this month, thanks to generous donations from charities and local businesses. Specsavers Colwyn Bay is one of the many businesses that has helped raise funds for the Castle…

THE Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay’s leading entertainment venue, has announced the latest addition to its host of tenants. The Fitness Quarter is a new gym business launching for the first time at The Red Dragon Centre. Set to open on September 2, it will be taking over from Simply Gym which closed in April earlier this year. The Fitness Quarter will be reopening the gym facility with a full repertoire of equipment including fixed resistance, cardio and free weight machines, tailored classes and sauna facilities. There will also be a dedicated ‘ladies only’ section of the gym. In celebration…

The historic Ruthin Gaol is inviting visitors this summer to come and join in on a number of fun activities, all included in the admission price. The new escape themed trail has now opened, which uses stories of real escapes from the Gaol to inform hidden clues and items around the Gaol, and depending on which trail is chosen, visitors may get caught or escape. For younger visitors, there are a number of teddies hidden away around the Gaol, ready to be discovered by eagle-eyed visitors. Visitors this summer will also be tasked with creating a link in a ‘Chain’,…

NEATH PORT TALBOT Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt, has given his full backing to the UK Government’s immediate release of £13.5m to support supply chain businesses and workers affected by Tata Steel’s decision to transition to greener steelmaking. Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens made the announcement at her second meeting as chair of the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board. The funding is the first release from the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board fund, which will support local businesses that are heavily reliant on Tata Steel as their primary customer, allowing them to turn towards new markets and…

A man who used a dog lead to punch his victim in the head has been jailed. Benjamin Crofts, of Tan Y Bryn Road, Maesgeirchen, Bangor, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on August 14th after admitting to inflicting grievous bodily harm. During the early hours of May 1st, Crofts became involved in a verbal altercation with another man on Holyhead Road in Bangor. The 27-year-old then removed his dog’s lead from its collar, wrapped it around his hand and punched the man to the head. The victim fell backwards and hit his head on the curb, becoming unconscious. Crofts fled…

A stunning ground up refurbished South Wales valleys end of terrace house for sale at auction is sure to catch the eye of a discerning buyer or investor. The eye-boggling six-bedroom, three bathroom ‘Tardis’ of a designer renovated house in the village of Blaenrhondda even has an extensive garage workshop at the rear. Angie Davey, of South Wales based Paul Fosh Auctions who are selling the head turner of a property, said: “The moment you see the outside of the house you know that there is something special going on inside.” Angie says. “The South Wales valleys are experiencing a…

With Speedway taking placeat Principality Stadium, there will be a partial city centre road closure around the stadium on August 17thbetween 2.30pm until 9.30pm.  Castle Street,Cowbridge Road West, Duke Street and Kingsway will remain open to traffic.  The M4 motorway is expected to bebusy due to this event – so please plan ahead – and if you are going to Speedway, please avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at the former Toy’s R Us site car park in the Sports Village – CF11 0JS. For up to date traffic information on the motorway and trunk…

New mobile ‘mini-masts’ have been installed by EE on street furniture like lamp-posts and phone boxes in Cardiff to help boost mobile coverage in the busiest areas of the city. The Welsh capital is one of a number of cities in the UK to introduce the new masts which help improve mobile coverage in very busy areas and during major events. The mini antennas, known as small cells, offer performance boosts in high-demand areas thanks to their size, which makes them easy to install on everyday street infrastructure including BT’s iconic red phone kiosks and digital street hubs, as well…