Author: Rhys Gregory

Businesses will focus on customer and client experience and see new markets as an opportunity to recover in 2026, according to Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q4 2025. In the final quarter of last year, businesses in Wales reported significant shifts in trade in both domestic and overseas markets. Half of respondents (50%) stated that UK sales had decreased in the past three months, while orders and advance bookings had also fallen. Likewise in overseas markets, 48% shared that export sales had decreased, with orders and advance bookings also decreasing. The trade landscape led to an increase in businesses in Wales citing new markets and new international markets…

Cardiff’s City Hospice is calling on people in the local community to become a true Hospice Hero this new year by taking part in a challenge that helps support vital hospice care. The charity is kicking off 2026 with a Firewalk and Walkathon, encouraging supporters to start their ‘new year, new me’ journeys with one of these exciting events. Funds raised will help City Hospice continue providing specialist home-based palliative care, counselling and bereavement support to patients with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families across the capital. Returning this March, the Firewalk offers the ultimate display of bravery and…

University of South Wales students are gaining invaluable experience of sports media by helping to produce a new podcast with former Wales international footballer Nathan Blake and ex BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips. Nathan and Rob are the stars of Rob and Blakey’s Commentary Box – a podcast covering the biggest talking points in Welsh football – with the help of Sports Journalism, Media Culture and Journalism, and Media Production students. Recorded weekly, the podcast covers all aspects of the beautiful game in Wales, featuring regular guest interviews from current players, managers, coaches and pundits. Available on YouTube and…

With the UK in the midst of a bitter cold snap, many of us are reaching for hot water bottles to help keep warm during the day and through the night. While an effective and affordable way to keep warm, in 2024 nearly 1,000 people were admitted to burn units in England and Wales due to hot water bottle accidents. Here, the team at Health and Safety training experts High Speed Training share some top tips on how to use hot water bottles safely. Dr. Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training said: “Hot water bottles…

Detectives investigating a serious assault in Cathays last month have made a further arrest, South Wales Police have confirmed. Officers were called to Pentyrch Street on the evening of Monday December 22 following reports of an assault. The victim, Colm Marcus Boston, aged 37 from Heath, was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he sadly died four days later. Police have now arrested a 29 year old man from Splott on suspicion of assault and possession of an offensive weapon. He was arrested on Wednesday January 7 and remains in police custody. Mr Boston’s family has…

More than 230 cannabis plants have been discovered at a property in Cathays, Cardiff, following a police investigation. South Wales Police officers attended an address on Cathays Terrace after receiving information that the property was being used as a cannabis factory. During a search of the house, officers found a large cannabis grow and arrested a man who was located in the attic. The plants were seized and destroyed, and the property was made safe. Fatjon Cota, 32, of no fixed abode, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Monday January 5, where he pleaded guilty to producing a controlled drug.…

Callum Blackley, 27, from Aberdare, has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison following his conviction for drug-related offences. The sentencing took place on Tuesday January 6 at Cardiff Crown Court where Blackley pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, being in possession of cocaine, being in possession of cannabis and acquire/ use of criminal property. The case stems from officers being on patrol on Market Street, Aberdare when they witnessed Blackley engage in a street deal with two other men. When officers stopped and searched Blackley,…

A Wrexham man who indecently assaulted two teenage girls has been jailed. David Peers, 71, of Llay New Road, Llay, admitted nine offences of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child. The historic sex offences happened in the 1980s. The victims, who cannot be named as a result of lifelong anonymity were teenagers when they met Peers. He would engage in sexual activities with the girls in their school uniforms and take intimate images of them. At Mold Crown Court yesterday, Thursday, 8 January, Peers was jailed for a total of eight years and four months.…

Rail passengers are advised to check before travelling on Friday 9 January as Storm Goretti brings severe weather warnings across the Wales and Borders network. Service alterations are already in place and will continue into Friday 9 January. Network Rail and Transport for Wales will continue to introduce service alterations and will close parts of the railway network as weather conditions deteriorate, in order to keep passengers and staff safe. A yellow weather warning for snow is in place from 15:00 on Thursday until 12:00 on Friday, with up to 20cm of snow possible in some areas. Strong winds of…

Two Christmas appeals co-ordinated by Caerphilly County Borough Council together raised over £40,000 to help local people. In the run up to Christmas donations flooded in for Caerphilly’s 2025 Operation Santa and Festive Foodbank Appeals.  Businesses, residents and Council staff supported the appeals with donations of cash, gifts and vouchers. Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Leader of Caerphilly Council, said “I would like to thank everyone who has supported our recent Christmas appeals. The generosity shown has been truly heart-warming and has made a real difference to individuals and families across the borough over the festive period. At a time when many…