Angharad Thomas

Charlie, a 13-year-old tabby cat from Abercarn, has returned home after disappearing for 10 years. Her owners, sisters Hannah and Lucy Robertson, had searched for her since she vanished shortly after they moved from Newbridge in 2016. Charlie was found living in bushes by a local resident, taken to a veterinary practice, and identified through her microchip. She was reported to be in good health, recognised her owners immediately, and is gradually adjusting to life with the family's other pets.

Welsh wool farmer Zina faced about 100 hostile online comments after posting a photograph of a £7 coffee and croissant while seeking £10,000 through GoFundMe to feed her 100 Icelandic sheep. She said the purchase followed news that she needs throat surgery and was also intended to support a local café. Extended hot, dry weather and wildfires have severely reduced grazing across Wales, forcing farmers to use winter feed early and increasing costs. Zina spends around £1,500 a month on hay and plans to sell half her flock, while farmer James Bourne warns that shortages, wildfire damage and reduced common grazing could create major costs for farms for years.

The Welsh government has created a task force to develop ways to regenerate struggling high streets across Wales, including Bangor's lengthy town centre. It is making £1m available, with £654,000 allocated to Bangor for projects such as new street furniture and an amphitheatre, while £350,000 will support regeneration at Bridgend's Rhiw Shopping Centre. Ministers are considering reforms to business rates and planning rules, creative and medical uses for empty premises, and housing above shops. Residents and business owners welcome the initiative but say Bangor faces inadequate retail options, high business rates, poor cleanliness, parking problems and insufficient investment, with local regeneration leaders describing the funding as far below what is needed.

Police have increased patrols along Cardiff’s Taff Trail and in Bute Park after youths, some wearing balaclavas, reportedly attacked children, cyclists and pedestrians. Incidents include attempted robbery, assaults and bike-related attacks in areas including Hailey Park, Gabalfa and Llandaff. Two boys aged 13 and 11 were arrested and released on bail pending further inquiries. Parents and cyclists describe fear and intimidation, while South Wales Police and Cardiff Council say they are expanding high-visibility, plain-clothes and park-ranger patrols. Cardiff Council also reports that 831 illegal bikes have been removed and crushed since August 2024.

South Wales Police have increased high-visibility and plain-clothes patrols on Cardiff’s Taff Trail after reports of youths, some wearing balaclavas, attacking children, cyclists and pedestrians. Incidents include alleged assaults, attempted robbery and attempts to take or damage bicycles in areas including Hailey Park, Llandaff and Gabalfa. Two boys, aged 13 and 11, were arrested after a reported attempted robbery near Sophia Gardens and released on bail. Parents and cyclists describe intimidation and physical attacks, while Cardiff Council says it supports the police response and plans to increase park-ranger patrols; it also reports removing and crushing 831 illegal bikes since August 2025.

Scot James, a 34-year-old father from Maesteg, Wales, died at Royal Glamorgan Hospital after an alleged assault in Turkey earlier in July. He had been returned to Wales by air ambulance, while Turkish authorities investigate with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. His family described him as a devoted, kind and deeply loved man, and his former club, Maesteg Celtic RFC, paid tribute to him as an outstanding player and friend.

Two-Michelin-star chef Gareth Ward and his Ynyshir restaurant team are partnering with Aberystwyth Town Football Club to provide pop-up fine dining, hospitality packages and corporate events at Park Avenue throughout the season. The first event is scheduled for 8 August. The club says the collaboration will strengthen its role as a community destination and promote Aberystwyth. The partnership follows scrutiny of Ynyshir's one-star food hygiene rating after a 2025 inspection, but the restaurant was subsequently re-inspected and awarded five stars by the Food Standards Agency.

Two-Michelin-star chef Gareth Ward and Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms are partnering with Aberystwyth Town Football Club to offer pop-up fine dining, hospitality packages and corporate events at Park Avenue stadium. The first event is scheduled for the club's home fixture on 8 August. The collaboration aims to strengthen the club's role as a community and visitor destination. Ynyshir, located near Machynlleth, was previously given a one-star food hygiene rating after inspectors identified significant hazards involving raw lobster, but it was later re-inspected and awarded five stars by the Food Standards Agency.

The body of Connor Parfitt, one of two men last seen near Hafan Y Mor in Pwllheli on 21 July while believed to be heading to the beach with inflatable kayaks, was found on a beach in Aberystwyth on 26 July. North Wales Police informed Parfitt’s family and the coroner, while continuing to search for Simon Wilson and appealing for information. Police also thanked partner agencies, volunteers and members of the public who assisted with the six-day search.

Prolonged heatwaves and unusually dry conditions across Wales have revealed previously hidden archaeological remains through cropmarks and parchmarks. Aerial surveys by archaeologist Dr Toby Driver and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales identified Roman buildings, Iron Age and Romano-British settlements, a Neolithic long barrow, and First World War practice trenches in locations including Conwy, Ceredigion and Powys. The features may disappear when weather conditions change, prompting researchers to document them quickly.

Prolonged heatwaves and drought across Wales have exposed previously hidden archaeological remains in grasslands and crops, including prehistoric long barrows and forts, Roman buildings, Iron Age or Romano-British farmsteads, and First World War practice trenches. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has documented the discoveries through aerial surveys, while archaeologist Toby Driver warned that the cropmarks can disappear when weather conditions change.

Iain and Paula Davies’ 1960s timber house on stilts in Ferryside, Carmarthenshire, has won the fourth series of BBC’s Wales’ Home of the Year. The couple and their son Max spent nearly three decades transforming the property into a mid-century modern home surrounded by a wildlife garden. Judges praised its preservation of the house’s original character and its calm atmosphere. The family hopes the win will attract more visitors to their garden, which raises money for nursing and health charities through the National Garden Scheme; they have raised more than £7,000 in recent years.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the 1991 death of Bentley Mathias, whose death from a brain haemorrhage at Morriston Hospital was not initially considered suspicious. A 67-year-old man from the Llanddewi Velfrey area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed while inquiries continue; police say they are not seeking anyone else.

A BBC investigation uncovers online communities dedicated to sharing non‑consensual recordings of women captured through hidden cameras. Journalist Jess Davies, herself a victim of intimate image abuse, infiltrates a voyeurism forum with colleague Liam Connell and finds users exchanging tips on secret filming and distributing videos. Advocacy groups Refuge and Welsh Women's Aid report rising technology‑enabled abuse and call for stronger regulation and policing. UK law already criminalizes sharing intimate images without consent, and the government plans further measures to address hidden‑camera crimes. The reporting highlights the accessibility of covert devices, widespread non‑consensual filming, and the long‑term harm inflicted on victims.

A trial date has been scheduled for Tyler Ford, an 18‑year‑old world champion kickboxer charged with the murder of 18‑year‑old Ceiran Evans and the attempted murder of another person. Ford appeared at Swansea Crown Court for a brief hearing during which a plea and case management session was set for late September and a two‑week trial for January 2027. Evans died after a crash involving a car and an off‑road bike in Gorseinon, prompting police to appeal for witnesses and video evidence. Evans’ family paid tribute to him, describing his kind and humorous nature.

An investigation for the documentary Hunting the Spycammers reveals extensive use of hidden cameras to film women without consent, including in private spaces and by intimate partners. Presenter Jess Davies and journalist Liam Connell infiltrate a voyeur website where users exchange covert recording tips and share non‑consensual material. Charities Refuge and Welsh Women's Aid report sharp rises in technology‑facilitated abuse and warn that victims often remain unaware of being recorded. They call for stronger regulation of surveillance devices, better police training, and faster action from tech companies to remove illicit footage. UK authorities have been asked to respond.

A BBC documentary investigation led by Jess Davies exposes networks where men secretly film women, often their partners, and share the footage online. The investigation uncovers accessible spycam devices disguised as household objects and forums where users exchange methods for covert filming. Charities report a sharp rise in technology‑facilitated abuse and call for stronger regulation, better police training and faster action by tech companies to remove illicit content. The report highlights the lasting psychological harm to victims and the difficulty of detecting hidden surveillance, with the UK government asked to respond.

An 18-year-old man, Ceiran Evans, died in a collision involving a car and an off-road bike in Gorseinon, prompting a family tribute highlighting his kind nature and the joy he brought to others. Tyler Ford, a world kickboxing champion, has been charged with murder and attempted murder as part of the investigation, while four other men have been arrested and placed on bail. Police are appealing for witnesses and video footage, and background details about Ford’s sporting and acting achievements were noted.

Lianne Morgan, originally selected for the early lineup of the group that became the Spice Girls, recounts being replaced at age 23 for appearing too old compared to the other members. She describes first hearing Wannabe on Top of the Pops after returning from a cruise ship job and feeling pleased for the group despite initial hesitation to contact them. Morgan reflects on her early experiences with the other future members, her later career in music and the arts, and the impact of a voice‑paralysing condition that prompted her transition into visual art. The milestone anniversary of Wannabe is marked by celebratory messages from the Spice Girls on social media.

A large trove of 16th‑century coins and artefacts uncovered over two decades by metal detectorist Peter Hughes on Margam Beach has gone on public display at Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum. The items, linked to the 1583 wreck of the Ann Francis, include hundreds of gold and silver coins, a boatswain’s whistle and a chest lock. Amgueddfa Cymru has protected the site and highlighted the historical records connected to the wreck, while officials urge detectorists to report discoveries under the Treasure Act.

A side business launched by Olivia Prince from her grandmother’s house has grown into Murci, a womenswear brand generating £10m in turnover and employing 35 staff. Her early experience at Boohoo, viral product exposure on Love Island, and collaborations with influencers accelerated the company’s growth, while her brother expanded operations into the US. Experts cite economic pressures and social‑media influence as driving the UK’s growing side‑hustle culture, though replicating major success remains challenging. Prince credits passion and supportive people as key to her progress.

An inquest has opened into the death of 35‑year‑old Zoe Dixon, who died from a traumatic blunt head injury a week after an assault in Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil. Police treated the case as a homicide and confirmed that a 39‑year‑old man was found dead the following day at Pontsticill Reservoir. The assistant coroner cited evidence indicating the death was traumatic and unnatural, with a full inquest date yet to be set.

A 35-year-old woman, Zoe Dixon, died in hospital a week after suffering a traumatic head injury in an assault in Merthyr Tydfil. Police treated the case as a homicide, and a 39-year-old man was found dead the following day at Pontsticill Reservoir. An inquest was opened after a post-mortem suggested blunt head injury as the provisional cause of death. A date for the full inquest has not yet been set.

A Welsh Labour politician proposed requiring short training courses before people can own rabbits, citing widespread neglect and a need for better animal welfare. The RSPCA and a rabbit welfare charity supported the idea, saying rabbits are often misunderstood and poorly cared for. Conservative politicians criticised the proposal as impractical and unnecessary, while the Welsh government said only that it aims to set high standards for animal treatment. Public reactions on social media were mixed but included significant support for improving knowledge about rabbit care. The debate comes amid broader discussions on updating Wales' animal welfare policies.

The National Trust is recruiting a facilities coordinator to live in a two-bedroom flat within Penrhyn Castle and help maintain both the castle and Plas Newydd House and Garden. The role supports the upkeep of the historic properties, including managing contractors, ensuring compliance and handling unexpected maintenance challenges. The properties’ architectural and historical backgrounds are highlighted, and applications close on 5 July.