Author: Rhys Gregory

Following a successful 50th anniversary year – critically and at the box office – Sherman Theatre in Cardiff is starting 2024 in style, with a major, UK-wide award nomination and several critical accolades for its past work, its leadership and its upcoming programme.  The Sherman is shortlisted for the Theatre of the Year Award in The Stage Awards 2024, along with fellow nominees the Almeida Theatre, London; Birmingham Rep; Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, London; National Theatre, London and Watermill Theatre, Newbury.  Announcing the shortlist, The Stage described the Sherman as “a theatre making work that is both firmly rooted in its…

With the winter holiday season coming to a close, hitting the road to explore new places can help ease the notorious ‘January blues’. Travelling can have a positive impact on your mood and overall wellbeing, helping you change your mindset and alleviate the stress and grind of everyday life. In fact, simply planning your next trip can work wonders on your mental health, with 97% of travel lovers saying that organising future getaways can boost their energy and spirits. So, if you want to keep those back-to-work woes at bay, why not map out a road trip aboard your used…

Is your name Franco or Franca? If so, then Franco Manca, the Neapolitan sourdough pizza pioneer, wants to give you a FREE PIZZA this January, to celebrate the opening of its new Brixton restaurant. Franco Manca translates from Italian to Franco is missing, a name which tells the story of the brand’s roots in Brixton Market. Back in 2008, a guy called Franco asked his good friend Giuseppe Mascoli if he wanted to take over the pizzeria he founded in 1986. Alongside artisan baker Bridget Hugo, Giuseppe took over the business and called it Franco Manca in homage to the…

Atebol, a Welsh publishing house specialising in children’s books and educational resources, has been shortlisted in two categories at the Bett UK 2024 Awards – a celebration of the most innovative solutions and technologies transforming the lives of students and educators worldwide. The Bett Awards are a highlight of Bett UK, the world’s biggest EdTech event. Taking place at London’s ExCeL Centre from 24-26 January 2024, the show will bring together more than 30,000 educators, innovators, and changemakers from around the world. Produced in association with the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), the Bett Awards recognise excellence across all realms of…

An 18-year-old cook from Pembroke Dock is encouraging more young people to find their passion through Jobs Growth Wales+ after it helped give her the skills, qualifications and confidence to pursue her dream job. Annmarie Coates, 18, signed up for the Welsh Government programme after her family encouraged her to seek support from her local training provider to improve her communication skills and explore potential employment opportunities. Annmarie is currently awaiting a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The Jobs Growth Wales+ programme helped Annmarie reignite her love for cooking, gain new qualifications, and develop her confidence in talking to others.…

Potentially impactful snow is possible for some next week, as an arctic airmass exerts its influence on the UK’s weather. A northerly airflow will bring cold arctic air to the UK from Sunday and into early next week, with snow showers focused across northern areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Through the middle of next week, with cold air firmly in place over the UK, there’s a chance of disruptive snow for some areas as milder Atlantic air pushes in from the southwest. However, with around a week to go until that transition occurs, there’s still plenty of detail to…

A Caerphilly woman pleaded guilty to six animal welfare offences after 26 birds were found in an unsuitable environment with their needs not being met – with many found in a suffering state. The 26 wild birds – under the care of Caerphilly Bird Rescue – included pigeons, blackbirds, crows, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon and a common buzzard. These birds were found with numerous ailments and injuries which had not been treated adequately, including fractured wings, damaged eyes and legs, and bumble foot condition. The environment and bird cages were found to be unhygienic and hazardous and an RSPCA inspector…

South Wales Police officers spotted a suspicious vehicle on Five Mile Lane, Barry. With the help of the Police Helicopter (NPAS), officers were able to track down and arrest two men for possession with intent to supply class C. Sgt Rollnick from Barry NPT said: “These two suspects had been on our radar for a few weeks. Eventually their luck ran out. Drug dealers in Barry have to be lucky every day, we only have to be lucky once. We relentlessly pursue drug dealers in this town, and one by one they can expect prison.” If you have any information…

The St Athan Foodshare scheme is an extension of the wider Llantwit Food Project, led by the Food Vale Partnership overseen by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Public Health team and delivered in collaboration with local partners, including the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Glamorgan Voluntary Services. The partnership aims to build a thriving, healthy and sustainable food system in the Vale. Following a successful first year in Llantwit Major, the project secured space at the Gathering Place, Flemingston Road, St Athan CF62 4JH to hold a fortnightly food pantry. Led by Food Vale with funding from the…

A total of 40 projects have been successful in their bids for funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund. This follows an ‘open call’ for grant funding that was published in the summer of 2023 when over 100 applications were received. Out of the 40 successful bids, seven of these organisations received confirmation of their funding last month, with work underway with the other organisations, so that the grant agreements can be finalised and agreed in the New Year. The seven organisations that have received funding will deliver a variety of projects across Cardiff to support jobs growth and training, improve…