Author: Rhys Gregory

A group of Welsh holiday cottage owners has joined a campaign calling for reform of what they describe as a “punitive” rule that is forcing responsible tourism businesses to close whilst doing little to address the housing crisis it was designed to solve. Let’s Review 182, led by Gwynedd farmer and tourism entrepreneur Gwion Llwyd, calls for urgent reform of the 182-night minimum occupancy rule for self-catering businesses in Wales to qualify for business rates. The campaign argues that while the Welsh Government may have intended to address housing availability, the main outcome of the 182-night threshold has been to…

Cardiff Airport is celebrating a strong summer season, with more people choosing to fly local and airlines continuing to invest in new routes from Wales. In the 12 months to the end of September 2025, 928,000 passengers travelled through the airport, representing a 5.3% increase on the previous year. Flights were also busier, with more seats filled across services. The growth reflects growing confidence from key airline partners including TUI and Ryanair, both of which have expanded operations in Wales to meet increasing demand. Ryanair marked 10 years of flying from Cardiff Airport with its biggest-ever summer schedule, offering a…

Cardiff’s iconic arcades are being transformed into a walk through time as the City of Arcades campaign enters the second week of its popular History Fortnight. Running from 26 to 31 October, each arcade will represent a different decade of Cardiff’s history, with themed décor, live performers and even a Time Traveller mascot guiding visitors along the trail. The week’s highlight will be a one-day live event on Wednesday 29 October, bringing extra performances and interactive activities to the city centre. The free event forms part of City of Arcades 2025, a 70-day celebration marking 70 years since Cardiff became…

An opera marking the 90th anniversary of Gresford Colliery disaster has been shortlisted for one of the most prestigious prizes in British music – an Ivor Novello award. The moving one-act work, Gresford – Up from Underground, tells the story of the 1934 mining tragedy that claimed 266 lives and left an indelible mark on the Wrexham community. Created by Wrexham-born composer, Jonathan Guy, and Grahame Davies, a librettist raised in nearby Coedpoeth, the pair say they are thrilled after learning their opera has been recognised among the best compositions in the UK. Jon, who wrote the score, and Grahame,…

On 16 October, professionals working on addressing Modern Slavery from across Wales and beyond met at Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno Junction and online for Anti-Slavery Wales 2025. This annual event, which was being held in North Wales for the first time, brings together organisations and experts to share learning and insights about tackling this crime. The conference was hosted in partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales and the Welsh Government. This year’s event also marked the 10th anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. For the past three years, the Office…

The Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant MS, has officially opened Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2025, Wales’ flagship food and drink trade event, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales, Celtic Manor, Newport. The two-day showcase brings together over 150 Welsh food and drink producers and around 300 invited buyers from across the world, offering a platform for the industry to continue with its impressive growth since the first biennial event was held in 2017. Speaking at the opening, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant MS said: “Blas Cymru / Taste…

This story is also available in Welsh – click here to read it. Work is nearing completion on a development of 24 new eco-friendly homes in Carmarthenshire following a £3.27 million loan from the Development Bank of Wales. New Generation Developments Ltd has already agreed sales off-plan at the second phase of Park View Drive, in Kidwelly. Work on the site, which comprises 24 three-bedroom bungalows, began in 2021, with New Generation Developments Ltd financing the development of the second phase of the project with the seven-figure loan from the Development Bank, along with support from the Development Bank’s Green…

A man from Swansea has been jailed after exchanging sexual messages online with an account he believed to belong to a girl under 16 years old. 55-year-old Christopher Jones, from Swansea Docks, had in fact been messaging a decoy account operated by an independent online child protection team. Jones pleaded guilty to the offences of attempting to incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He has been sentenced to 28 months in prison. Detective Constable Tim Davies said: “Christopher Jones’s message to the decoy account were abhorrent…

Anthony Nash has been sentenced to life imprisonment for multiple rapes of two children and an adult in Cardiff. His offences were reported to South Wales Police when the victims bravely came forward. Two days later Nash was arrested at his home address in Birmingham. The 47-year-old denied the allegations when interviewed but was charged and later pleaded guilty to all 13 rape offences. He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, October 15 to life imprisonment and was told he must serve a minimum of 15 years before being considered for release. The court heard that Nash had…

A woman from Swansea has been jailed after setting a fire inside the city centre’s McDonald’s restaurant. 39-year-old Leah Hocking, of no fixed abode, entered the fast-food restaurant at Castle Square on March 4, before proceeding to light a fire on a table. She also stole a mobile phone from another diner at the eatery during the same visit. During her arrest, Hocking then aimed multiple kicks at a police officer. On July 28 she pleaded guilty to arson, theft and assault by beating of an emergency worker. She also pleaded guilty to criminal damage under £5,000 after admitting to…