Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea University has bestowed honorary awards upon two cricketing legends, brothers Alan and Eifion Jones. During the graduation ceremony, Swansea University’s Pro-Chancellor, Sir Roderick Evans, highlighted the extraordinary careers and unparalleled contributions the Jones brothers have made to the world of cricket, not only for the city of Swansea but also for Glamorgan and Wales. Born into a family of 11 in Felindre on the northern outskirts of Swansea, Alan and Eifion’s cricketing journey began in the fields near their home. With makeshift bats crafted by their father from pieces of wood, they honed their skills on a bumpy and…

Academi Sgrin Cymru | Wales Screen Academy – an exciting new partnership between the University of South Wales (USW), Screen Alliance Wales and Bangor University to find and support the next generation of screen talent across Wales – was launched in Cardiff last night (Thursday 14 December). Part-funded by Creative Wales and HEFCW, the educational, not for profit collaboration works with major TV and Film Studios as well as Further, Secondary and Primary Education to create a pipeline of talent for the Welsh Screen Industry, building capacity, capability, skills and knowledge for all of Wales. It offers learners direct access…

I am so pleased to be writing this as I confirm panto season has arrived at the Swansea Grand Theatre for 2023/24. You are in for a real treat as Imagine Theatre bring their pantomime of Cinderella to the Grand. In fact, I’m really excited to be sharing this preview with you for lots of reasons. Cinderella is the classic fairytale story of a young girl who is exploited by her stepmother and stepsisters (depending on the version). When they are all invited to the Prince’s ball in order for him to find his queen, the stepsisters scheme to prevent…

A LOVE of animals and passion for photography developed into a new business for talented Jessica Humphreys. The former Coleg Cambria student has set up her own company – Emerald Pawtraits – and is already securing customers from across North Wales and beyond via her studio on Mold’s Bromfield Industrial Estate. A graduate of the Level 3 and HND Animal Management courses at Cambria’s Northop site, she has big plans for 2024 and thanked programme leader Sadie Thackaberry and colleagues for supporting her academic achievements and helping to ignite the entrepreneurial spark inside her. “I really enjoyed my time at…

Award-winning sustainable period brand, TOTM, is launching into Co-op stores in the UK, making eco-friendly, 100% organic cotton products more accessible than ever. Co-op will be stocking four of TOTM’s most popular products – regular applicator tampons, super applicator tampons, medium flow pads and super flow pads – in more than 90 locations nationwide as of November 2023. As one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, and with a well-established commitment to sustainability and community-led programmes, Co-op is a perfect fit for TOTM. With TOTM products already stocked in more than 1600 stores nationwide, this latest collaboration is also further…

Young patients in Morriston Hospital were given some early Christmas cheer with a special visit from their Swansea City heroes. Players from the Swans’ men and women teams made their first festive visit to children in Oakwood, Ward M and the Paediatric Assessment Unit following the Covid pandemic. Former Wales international Joe Allen, Harry Darling and Jeremy Yates were joined by Jess Williams, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks and Stacey John-Davis – along with club ambassador Lee Trundle – for the visit. The Swans spent time chatting with paediatric patients and having their photos taken, while they also brought festive toys as an…

A leading civil engineering firm has become the first company to successfully relocate an entire shore-sized habitat of honeycomb reef worm as part of its work on a crucial coastal defence scheme. In what is thought to be a world first, Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK saved a large section of Sabellaria alveolata habitat after laying down around 1,000 tonnes of beach material to form the foundations at the now completed Penrhyn Bay project. The Ruthin-based company’s multi-million-pound contract included procuring and importing around 60,000 tonnes of rock armour. A T-shape rock groyne was then constructed to reduce erosion and minimise…

The RSPCA Cymru Branches understand that it is a worrying time for the owners of American Bully XL type dogs especially those on low incomes. In order to prevent healthy dogs being put down or abandoned  they have come together to offer some financial help to owners to comply with the Law and keep their dogs. From 31 December 2023 breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an American Bully XL dog to stray will be illegal. From this date, these dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public From 1 February 2024 it will be a…

Funding has been given to a project to fund two police officers and state-of the-art technology to help tackle illegal off-roading. The initiative between Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly councils and Gwent Police has been operating since the start of November resulting in the seizure of 10 illegal off-road vehicles to date. The local authorities have invested £122,220 Shared Prosperity Funding to fund the officers’ posts, as well as a drone, Land drover and quad bike to catch people who ride scramblers, quad bikes and motorbikes illegally on the mountainsides. The project is being led by Torfaen Council and will…

Council has provided a progress report on the major ongoing scheme to redevelop the Muni Arts Centre (Y Muni) in Pontypridd. Work to the building, in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust, started in September – to reopen Y Muni next year as a multi-purpose and fully-accessible events hub. The redevelopment will repair and conserve the 1890s building, with the project designed to expose elements of its stunning gothic architecture. The internal strip of the building, which includes some demolition work, continues to progress well – across the lobby area, ground floor, first floor and staircases. Scaffolding has recently been installed…