Author: Rhys Gregory

For the first time ever, McDonald’s has removed the iconic smile from millions of its Happy Meal® boxes in restaurants across the country. The move aims to communicate to children it is okay not to be happy all the time, helping spark family conversations about emotions during Mental Health Awareness Week (May 13th to 19th).   This follows new research commissioned by McDonald’s which reveals that almost half (48%) of UK children feel like they must be happy all the time, even if they do not want to be. The limited-edition Happy Meal® boxes have been designed to encourage parents to…

A Wrexham man who subjected his former partner to a vicious and prolonged attack has been jailed. Daniel Keith Evans, of Ffordd Offa, Rhos, headbutted, kicked, bit and burnt the victim with a cigarette in the incident at his home in April last year. The 46-year-old who appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court last week (Thursday, May 9th) was jailed for two years for the attack. He was also handed a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years. Police were contacted on the morning of Saturday, April 29th last year by a witness reporting Evans…

Cardiff Council has published a report providing an update on the maintenance work being carried out on City Hall. Preparation work is underway on phase one of the essential maintenance, replacing the obsolete and inefficient heating and ventilation system, and upgrading the associated mechanical and electrical systems in the building. The Council hopes that it will be in a position to reopen the south-wing of the building in phases – commencing in the autumn of 2025 – as phase one work on those parts of City Hall is completed with additional spaces within that wing reopening in the early part…

The Welsh Government has launched a new leaseholder legal advisory scheme to help support leaseholders in medium and high-rise buildings affected by fire safety issues in Wales. From Friday, May 10 the scheme will offer free and bespoke legal advice to leaseholders to help resolve potential disputes. Ensuring the safety of homes in Wales is a priority for the Welsh Government and Julie James, Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning recently announced a route to address fire safety issues for every all residential building over 11 metres. Leaseholders, or responsible persons on behalf of leaseholders, can access the…

Eden Grove Developments Limited, the freeholder of The Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff Bay, has appointed KEW Planning to help with the redevelopment of the iconic site. KEW Planning, which is based in the city, completes an all-Cardiff team which are working on submitting options for the future use of the site. Speaking of the appointment, Kathryn Williams, Managing Director of KEW Planning, said; “To say I am delighted to be working on this project is an understatement. Being Cardiff born and bred, I have a vested interest in making sure this iconic landmark is restored to its former glory.…

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is delighted to announce that His Majesty The King has agreed to become its new Patron. His Majesty’s acceptance of the Patronage of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society follows what has become something of a Royal tradition. King Charles III, as Prince of Wales, has consistently shown support to the Society having visited the Royal Welsh Show on seven occasions from 1969 to 2019 and he also opened the Winter Fair in 2001. “To have the monarch as our Patron is very special,” said Aled Rhys Jones, Chief Executive. “We are immensely grateful to His…

A specially commissioned one-act play Dear Mr Thomas: A New Play For Voices by Welsh writer / director Christopher Monger will be premiered at 92nd Street Y and features the Emmy Award winning actor, along with his partner and The Americans co-star Keri Russell, plus Richard Burton’s actor daughter Kate Burton. With Taylor Swift name dropping Dylan Thomas in her new album The Tortured Poets Department, there is a whole new generation curious about the iconic poet and son of Wales. Next week, an acclaimed cast will gather at 92NY to perform a specially commissioned dramatic reading of new play…

Gear up, gamers! Retro arcade game & classic console venue NQ64, is levelling up this summer with a brand new cocktail menu and delicious drinks deals, that will have you pressing “start” round after round. The neon splattered drinking den is shaking things up with a new and refreshed concoction of classic cocktails, twisted reboots, and game-themed creations, all created by its in-house drinks experts. Highlighted among the lineup are brand new arcade cocktails including the Lemmingade, a zesty, summery delight (Limoncello, Absolut Citron, lemon, Pink Hooch, prosecco, rosemary); the Golden-Iced Latte, inspired by a vanilla iced latte and including…

A man from Neath Port Talbot has been jailed for multiple child sex offences. Robert Johnson, 45, from Sandfields, was found guilty of sexual activity by penetration with a child; two counts of causing/inciting a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity; possessing an extreme pornographic image; sexual activity (non-penetration) with a child and inciting sexual activity with a child. He has today been sentenced to 10 years in prison at Swansea Crown Court. He will be on the sex offenders register for life. Detective Inspector Sharon Gill-Lewis said: “I would like to commend the incredible bravery of…

Work to provide residents of Kenfig Hill with all-new primary school premises and modern community allotment facilities has made fresh progress. Bridgend County Borough Council is working closely alongside the teachers, staff and pupils of Mynydd Cynnfig Primary School as well as members of the Pwllygath Allotments Association to ensure the local community can benefit from new investments worth millions of pounds. The project aims to deliver new premises for Mynydd Cynffig Primary School which will replace ageing buildings and infrastructure with modern educational facilities. Capable of supporting up to 420 local children while offering an additional 75-place nursery, the…