Steffan Rhys

Whitbread is closing all of its remaining branded restaurants as it shifts its focus to Premier Inn. The Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table, Cookhouse + Pub and Bar + Block sites are scheduled to close between September 3 and September 10, including numerous locations in Wales. The restructuring is expected to eliminate around 3,800 roles, although Whitbread says it will seek to redeploy affected staff. A conditional agreement could transfer 53 sites to Queensway Hospitality Group, potentially preserving about 900 jobs.

The MHRA advises people to protect medicines from extreme heat as UK temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C in some areas. Heat can damage medicines including inhalers, insulin and EpiPens, sometimes without visible changes, while medicines such as insulin, metformin, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers can alter dehydration, temperature regulation or absorption risks. Asthma and diabetes charities recommend carrying inhalers away from direct sunlight, monitoring symptoms and blood sugar more closely, staying hydrated, and consulting a pharmacist or doctor if medicines appear changed or become less effective.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has advised people taking medicines such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and diuretics to take extra precautions during hot weather. Heat can degrade medicines, particularly those requiring refrigeration, while some drugs may impair temperature regulation, suppress thirst, increase dehydration or heighten sunburn risk. People are advised to store medicines in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, avoid leaving them in hot cars or bags, stay hydrated, watch for heat-related illness and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms do not improve.

Steffan Rhys recommends Tenby as Wales's finest seaside town, highlighting its four walkable beaches, colourful seafront, medieval walls, independent shops, restaurants, pubs and proximity to Pembrokeshire attractions. Tenby was rated among the UK's best seaside towns in a Which? survey of more than 5,000 people. The article provides a suggested 24-hour itinerary, accommodation advice and nearby destinations including Caldey Island, Folly Farm, Barafundle Bay, St Govan's Chapel and Carew Castle.

Steffan Rhys shares a six-ingredient recipe for homemade oaty chocolate biscuits that takes about 20 minutes and costs roughly 9p per biscuit. He presents them as a cheaper, potentially healthier alternative to McVitie's Chocolate Hobnobs, which cost around 16p per biscuit and contain more ingredients. The recipe yields 10–12 biscuits and involves mixing flour, sugar, oats, baking powder, butter, chocolate and optional honey or syrup before baking and topping with melted chocolate.

Eight motorcyclists from Devon received two £60 penalty notices each after stopping at Llyn Tegid to buy ice creams, creating a combined bill of £960 under newly introduced ANPR parking enforcement. The scheme, introduced by Eryri National Park Authority to address overnight camping, litter, congestion and non-payment, charges motorcycles £1 and cars up to £8 per day. Bala residents say the rules restrict community access to a lake they consider theirs, while the limited free off-peak hour is impractical. A petition opposing the arrangements attracted 534 signatures. The pilot will run until the October half-term, after which the authority will review enforcement data and local feedback while retaining the ANPR system.

UK consumers generally have no automatic right to a refund for unwanted goods bought in a shop, including items purchased in the wrong size or colour. Refunds, repairs, replacements or compensation may be required when goods are faulty or misdescribed, while online shoppers usually have 14 days to cancel after receiving an order and a further 14 days to return it. The same rights apply to sale items, although exceptions include personalised goods, perishables, opened hygiene products and items damaged by the buyer. Retailers must not mislead customers about their legal rights.

Processed meat and alcohol are identified as the only foods conclusively established to increase cancer risk, both classified by the World Health Organization as Group 1 carcinogens. The classification reflects the strength of evidence rather than equal levels of danger. Processed meat is linked particularly to colorectal cancer, while alcohol is associated with at least seven cancer types, including bowel and female breast cancer, with risk increasing as consumption rises. Dietitian Nichole Andrews says sugar does not directly cause cancer, although excessive calorie intake can promote weight gain and fat tissue associated with higher risk. Processed meats include foods such as ham, sausages, hot dogs, corned beef and jerky, with nitrates, nitrites and other compounds implicated in bowel-cell damage.

Unauthorised parking on a private driveway is generally trespass and a civil matter rather than a criminal offence, so police and councils usually have limited powers to intervene. Drivers should calmly identify the owner, leave a note, photograph the incident and seek legal advice if the problem persists. They should not clamp, damage, tow, push or block in the vehicle without lawful authority. Councils may act when a vehicle is abandoned or when it is obstructing a public road, while gates, bollards, cones and clear signage can help prevent repeat incidents.

Steffan Rhys reviews Penrhyn Farm, a family-run campsite on a working sheep farm near New Quay in Ceredigion. He highlights its clifftop views over Cardigan Bay, access to the Wales Coast Path and the well-equipped Stargazer Dome, which includes a bathroom, kitchen, beds, hot tub, fire pit and outdoor dining area from £160 per night. The article recommends nearby attractions including New Quay, coastal walks, beaches, dolphin-spotting boat trips and the towns of Cardigan and Aberystwyth, while also naming Llangrannog, Aberaeron, Mwnt and Llanerchaeron as further destinations.

A UCLA-led study found that one dose of rapamycin rapidly improved brain activity, seizure susceptibility, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behavior and functional connectivity abnormalities in adult mice whose mothers had experienced inflammation during pregnancy. The changes appeared within about two hours, suggesting that some autism-associated functional alterations may remain modifiable in adulthood. However, the findings have not been demonstrated in humans, the effects were temporary and repeated doses lost effectiveness, making rapamycin unlikely to be a broadly used autism treatment. The National Autistic Society also emphasizes autism’s complex genetic basis and cautions against describing it as a condition requiring a cure.

Legal and motoring experts explain that a vehicle parked on a private driveway constitutes civil trespass rather than a criminal offence, meaning police and councils have limited authority to intervene unless there are aggravating factors or the vehicle is abandoned. Recommended actions include locating the owner, leaving a polite note, documenting the situation, and seeking legal advice for recurring issues. Clamping, blocking, damaging or moving the vehicle is unlawful. Experts also suggest signage, marked access points and physical deterrents such as gates or bollards to prevent future incidents.

Persistent dog barking may constitute a noise nuisance when it is excessive and substantially affects nearby residents, but ordinary community noise must generally be tolerated. Police advise speaking calmly with the neighbour first because barking complaints are usually matters for local councils rather than the police. If the issue continues, residents can contact their local authority, keep detailed noise records and complete required log sheets. Councils may investigate persistent barking and seek informal resolutions, while enforcement or court proceedings are uncommon and require substantial evidence. Complaints involving suspected animal mistreatment should be referred to the RSPCA, and anti-social behaviour concerns may also be reported to a landlord or housing association.

Chester is highlighted as an overlooked but highly scenic city near Wales, praised for its historic black‑and‑white architecture, cobbled streets, independent shops and The Rows, its unique two‑tiered medieval shopping galleries. It has been ranked among the UK’s best high streets and even named the world’s prettiest city based on the golden ratio. Visitors can explore historic sites including the cathedral, Roman amphitheatre, city walls and Eastgate Clock, as well as enjoy guided tours, a vibrant food scene and notable restaurants. Chester’s long history spans Roman origins, Viking attacks, medieval trade and Civil War siege, leaving a rich backdrop for modern tourism.

Replacing mayonnaise with one to two tablespoons of olive oil in a tuna sandwich can produce a lighter, fresher flavour and make added ingredients more distinct. The tuna should be thoroughly drained and gently folded with enough oil to coat it without becoming greasy. Albacore tuna is recommended because its firm, subtly flavoured flesh allows the olive oil to stand out.

Natural sugars in whole fruit are chemically the same as added sugars but are processed differently because fruit contains fibre, water and other beneficial nutrients. Added sugars in soft drinks, sweets, cereals, juices and processed foods provide little nutritional benefit and are associated with weight gain, tooth decay and increased risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. The NHS recommends limiting free sugars to no more than 5% of daily energy intake, or about 30 grams for adults. Sugar itself does not directly cause cancer; excess calories and resulting fat gain are the more significant concern.

Barry Island’s Butlins holiday camp opened at Nell’s Point in 1966 and became one of the UK’s largest holiday resorts, with hundreds of chalets, extensive entertainment venues, swimming facilities, shops and transport links. Butlins withdrew in 1986, after which the site reopened as Majestic Barry Island and later the Barry Island Resort under Rick Wright. Despite continued popularity, deteriorating buildings, storm damage and licensing pressure led to permanent closure in 1996. The Vale of Glamorgan Council bought the site, most of the camp was demolished, and Bovis Homes later built a housing estate there. Today, almost no trace remains, while former visitors remember the resort with affection and sadness.

A long-forgotten Victorian underground reservoir called Y Fach lies beneath Llandudno’s Great Orme, featuring grand brick arches and towering columns that have drawn comparisons to Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern. A proposal known as Llandudno Vaults aims to convert the site into an immersive cultural attraction blending Welsh mythology, storytelling, and Victorian engineering. The project has received a £20,000 grant and will require further funding, with planning and consultations underway. Local officials and project leaders emphasize the potential to enhance tourism, preserve heritage, and expand the town’s cultural offerings.

Studies involving more than 1,000 participants and research on oral bacteria are cited as linking frequent use of over-the-counter and antibacterial mouthwash with higher blood pressure. The proposed mechanism is that mouthwash disrupts nitrate-reducing bacteria that help produce nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels and supports cardiovascular regulation. Dentists Mark Burhenne and Kami Hoss, along with cardiovascular surgeon Jeremy London, warn against indiscriminate use of antibacterial mouthwash, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the oral microbiome.

Used cooking oil should not be poured down sinks, placed in food-waste bins or put loose into general waste. For a normal household quantity, a waste-collection expert advises sealing the oil in a non-recyclable container with a tight lid before placing it in general waste. Commercial quantities should instead be handled through the local council or a specialist collector. The article also highlights possible reuse options, including treating garden wood and making bird food from cooking fat.

Diet Coke and Coke Zero differ mainly in taste and formulation, with Coke Zero designed to resemble original Coca-Cola more closely and Diet Coke offering a lighter flavour. Both are sugar-free and calorie-free, yet health experts note ongoing uncertainty about the impact of artificially sweetened beverages on weight loss and overall health, with studies showing mixed results. Concerns persist about ultra-processed ingredients and potential links to metabolic and cardiovascular issues, though evidence remains inconclusive. The two drinks also vary slightly in their ingredient lists, and consumer opinions differ widely on their taste.

A photo-led retrospective compares Wales’s 2026 heatwaves with the severe summer of 1976, which remains notable for prolonged high temperatures and extreme drought. The earlier crisis left reservoirs and riverbeds parched, caused widespread fires, prompted water-use bans and led to nighttime supply cuts affecting 400,000 people; rationing continued in parts of Wales until November. The gallery documents the effects on communities and landscapes, alongside crowded beaches and leisure activities, while noting that the 2026 heatwave has broken several temperature records and prompted severe health alerts and school closures.

Shrewsbury, just 20 minutes from the Welsh border, is presented as having the UK's best high street, centered on the historic and steep Wyle Cop. The street combines 16th- and 17th-century timber-framed buildings, many listed for their architectural importance, with a long stretch of independent shops, cafés and specialist businesses. Shrewsbury's covered market was named the UK's best in 2024, while local representatives attribute the town centre's appeal to more than 500 independent retailers and hospitality venues. The town's heritage, attractions and independent businesses make it a strong destination for visitors seeking traditional high-street character.

Ludlow, near the Welsh border, is highlighted as an ideal staycation destination known for its historic architecture, acclaimed independent high street and 900-year-old market. The town offers unique family-run shops, specialist food producers and attractions such as Ludlow Castle, the River Teme and Mortimer Forest. Local business leaders describe a strong community of more than 100 independent enterprises and a marketplace focused on locally produced goods. Overall, Ludlow is presented as a picturesque and culturally rich location for shopping, dining and exploring.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has advised people taking medicines such as ramipril and bisoprolol to take extra precautions during hot weather. Most medicines should be stored below 25°C and kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, cars and heat. ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diabetes medicines, antipsychotics and diuretics may increase dehydration or overheating risks, while some antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants and skin treatments can heighten sunburn risk. People are advised to stay hydrated, watch for dizziness, headaches, fatigue, confusion and dark urine, move to a cooler place if unwell, and seek medical help if symptoms do not improve.