Suzanne Kendrick

Colin Toseland, a 57-year-old former nurse at Glan Clwyd Hospital, died after being found near Llandudno General Hospital six days after he was reported missing. He had suffered severe hypothermia after spending an extended period outdoors, and doctors were unable to prevent his organs from failing. His daughter Rachel Cooper thanked the search teams, community members and others who helped, while former colleagues and friends remembered him as a kind, knowledgeable and well-loved nurse. Funeral details will be announced by the family.

Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan in Abergele is celebrating strong GCSE and vocational results, with particularly good performances in science, history, English Literature, creative subjects and vocational courses. Jasmine Jones achieved the highest listed results, while several other students earned extensive collections of top grades. Callum Headland was recognized as the strongest student in terms of progress. Headteacher Matt Wildsmith praised the Year 11 students, staff, families and governors, and said the school would continue working to improve standards and opportunities.

A major search-and-rescue operation was launched at Shell Island, also known as Mochras, after reports of a missing person in the early hours of August 19. Criccieth RNLI, North Wales Police, coastguard teams, Barmouth Lifeboat and a Coastguard helicopter searched the area. The person was found safely ashore, and all search assets were stood down at 6am.

Rhossi, a rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle rescued in Anglesey in December 2023, has had his planned release into the Gulf of Mexico delayed after scans at Houston Zoo indicated possible lingering pneumonia. Although he appeared healthy, active and vigorous after an 18-hour journey from Wales to Texas, veterinarians led by Dr Joe Flanagan will continue monitoring him and provide treatment if needed. Rhossi’s release near Padre Island National Seashore will proceed once his medical team determines he is ready, following two years of rehabilitation and coordination among conservation organizations across Wales and the United States.

Photographer Kirsty Carroll spotted dolphins, including a mother and calf, during an AquaTour boat trip off Llandudno’s Great Orme. The spontaneous excursion from the Wirral became a memorable wildlife encounter, and Carroll’s photographs also captured a seal and Llandudno Pier in the background.

A person who dumped several bags of household waste beside a council litter bin on Holywell Road in Rhuallt was identified through evidence found in the waste and issued a £250 Fixed Penalty Notice. Denbighshire County Council said litter bins are intended only for small amounts of litter and warned that fly-tipping and improper waste disposal would not be tolerated.

Family-run Pario Holiday Parks has acquired Crugan Holiday Park in Llanbedrog near Pwllheli, expanding its North Wales portfolio to five sites. The park, which has about 100 privately owned holiday homes and is exclusively for holiday-home owners, will retain its peaceful character while Pario invests in its future. Company directors Rio Williams and Samantha Williams said the group intends to preserve Crugan’s community atmosphere and reputation while welcoming existing and new owners.

The Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay will relocate its trio of California sea lions to Colchester Zoo in early autumn because their existing enclosure is no longer considered suitable for their long-term welfare without major redevelopment. Daily care and summer demonstrations will continue until the move, after which the enclosure will be redeveloped and no replacement sea lions are planned. The relocation is part of a wider investment programme to improve habitats across the zoo, though staff expect visitors to be saddened by the departure of animals that have been a feature of the site since 1967.

Rhyl railway station will receive modernized ticket gates, tablet-based Station Control Units and interactive video help points between September 7 and 11. Transport for Wales says the upgrades will improve accessibility, remote gate-line support, station operations and the passenger experience. Overnight construction will be used where possible, and similar works are planned at six other stations.

The Welsh Mountain Zoo has announced the birth of twin red panda cubs to resident pandas Hop and JinJin. The cubs are developing well and may be visible to visitors later in the summer. Their birth contributes to a European conservation breeding programme for the endangered species, with fewer than 10,000 red pandas remaining in the wild due to habitat loss and poaching. The zoo also supports the Red Panda Network.

Plans to lease 13 of 15 homes at the former Gronant Institute near Prestatyn to Clear Springs Ready Homes for more than 50 asylum seekers have prompted strong opposition from residents and local politicians. Critics including Darren Millar, Tom Montgomery and Louise Emery argue that Gronant lacks adequate public transport, shops and services, and condemn the alleged lack of consultation by Flintshire County Council and the Home Office. Local councillor Glyn Banks said the scale of the proposal was disproportionate, while Clear Springs Ready Homes and developer EMW Developments had not commented.

Moelfre café Ann’s Pantry is celebrating its centenary after opening in 1926. Owned and run by Laura Pritchard Griffiths since 2003, the café has retained its historic character while updating its premises and menu, which features locally sourced and homemade food. It remains a hub for residents, Welsh-language groups and community events, with Griffiths describing her role as both a privilege and a responsibility to preserve the business for future generations.

The Sandwich Shack has opened at Rhyl's Queen's Market, serving made-to-order sandwiches, paninis, toasties and homemade soup using fresh ingredients and Henllan bread. Queen's Market operations manager Dylan Evans welcomed the new vendor and highlighted its early popularity. The market, which recently celebrated its first anniversary and opened an outdoor bar, continues to expand its mix of independent food traders and entertainment offerings.

A fundraiser organized by Robert Charles of Drone Guy Wales has raised more than £2,000 for Rhys, a 16-year-old from St Helens, and his family after he went missing from Talacre Beach Resort during their first family holiday. Rhys, who has autism and ADHD, was found safe and well near Birmingham after a multi-agency search involving emergency services, local businesses and community members. The money is intended to help the family enjoy the holiday they were unable to have.

Social media photos posted by an urban explorer who entered the recently closed Ruthin School through an open window prompted strong criticism from community members who said the closure remains sensitive for students and staff. Administrators from FRP Advisory are overseeing the school’s wind‑down following financial pressures, while North Wales Police confirmed they are aware of the reported trespass and warned that unauthorized entry may be treated as a criminal offence.

A new six-part S4C cookery series, Cegin Clwyd, will be fronted by chef Bryn Williams and will highlight seasonal produce and food producers across North Wales. Filmed mainly at his home outdoor kitchen near Denbigh, the show will feature local suppliers, dishes prepared with regional ingredients, and contributions from Williams’ family. The series will air on S4C, S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer and will be previewed at the Royal Welsh Show.

A search is underway for a 16-year-old named Rhys who was last seen at Talacre Beach Resort near Prestatyn. North Wales Police are assisting with the search, using a drone, and have released a description of what he was wearing. His family, who are on holiday in the area, urge anyone with information to contact police using reference MPFN/233/26.

A reminder post by the Bull Inn in Pentraeth about its long‑standing no‑dogs‑indoors policy drew an unexpectedly large online response. The pub emphasized hygiene concerns around its open carvery and noted that the rule has been in place for over 19 years. Staff reported strong public support, including supportive phone calls and new customers visiting after seeing the post. Reactions on social media ranged from agreement with the hygiene rationale to respectful disagreement, with commenters generally recognizing the pub’s right to set its own rules.

Madfabulous, a Welsh-made film shot across Anglesey and North Wales, will be released on Blu-ray, DVD and major digital platforms on July 20 after becoming the top‑grossing film of 2026 at Pontio Arts Centre in Bangor. Its strong local box-office performance has been celebrated as evidence of growing support for Welsh storytelling. Director Celyn Jones expressed gratitude for the film’s reception and confirmed he will return to Anglesey to direct another project.

Five former Ruthin School teachers have been hired by Myddelton College as the Denbigh independent school prepares to receive many displaced pupils following Ruthin School’s sudden closure caused by financial pressures. Administrators are overseeing winding‑down operations, managing redundancies and supporting affected staff and families through claims to the Redundancy Payments Service.

A multi‑vehicle collision at Mostyn Champneys Retail Park in Llandudno injured five people, including four pedestrians and a driver, prompting a major response involving multiple ambulances, rapid response units, and two Wales Air Ambulance helicopters. All injured individuals were taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd for assessment. North Wales Police issued an appeal for witnesses and requested any dashcam or phone footage showing the vehicle prior to the crash.

Fire crews continued overnight efforts to control wildfires across North Wales, with teams monitoring flare‑ups at Pentrefelin and working alongside Natural Resources Wales at Rhinogydd mountains near Cwm Bychan Lake. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors due to smoke, while Scottish Power repaired fire‑damaged electric poles. Smoke reported in Flintshire was attributed to an unrelated incident near Manchester. Emergency services urged the public to avoid affected areas to ensure safe access for operational vehicles.

A crewman on a merchant vessel off Anglesey suffered a severe lower leg injury during lifeboat derrick operations, prompting a coordinated emergency response. Moelfre RNLI volunteers boarded the ship via a 10‑metre pilot ladder to provide initial medical care before a paramedic from Rescue Helicopter 336 arrived to administer further treatment. The man was stabilised, immobilised and airlifted to Liverpool for specialist surgery. Rescue teams praised the rapid multi‑agency effort that ensured the injured crewman received urgent care.

Kids Planet Nurseries apologised after mistakenly sending parents an app message claiming a 20 percent increase in charges for additional childcare sessions from September 2026. The announcement, which caused significant concern among families, was deleted after drawing a strong reaction. The company attributed the message to an error and clarified that no such fee increase had been approved. The nursery group has recently expanded through several acquisitions across North Wales.

A mother removed her autistic son from Ysgol John Bright in Llandudno after months of distress, bullying incidents and insufficient support. She claims staff questioned his accommodations, failed to manage repeated incidents appropriately and lacked understanding of autistic needs, resulting in severe emotional decline. The school responded that it takes concerns seriously and has acted where appropriate. The family is seeking a place at another school with stronger inclusion support but faces capacity issues, leaving the boy temporarily without a school placement.

A third wildfire has broken out on Halkyn Mountain as emergency services manage multiple incidents across North Wales during a severe heatwave. A major incident was declared after a large wildfire spread on Conwy Mountain, leading to evacuations and road closures. Fire crews remain deployed overnight with support from partner agencies, urging residents to keep windows closed and stay clear of affected areas. Community groups, local businesses and town officials are providing shelter and assistance to evacuees while authorities continue efforts to contain the fires and protect surrounding communities.

North Wales Police reported 15 arrests across Conwy and Denbighshire during a busy week that included charging Shaun Phelan with multiple offences and remanding him in custody. The week also involved emergency responses to a fatal incident at Llyn Geirionydd, a serious motorcycle collision, and a fire at a metal recycling centre, with officers assisting affected community members. Police monitored public safety concerns such as river jumping in the heat and continued ongoing enforcement, community engagement, and support efforts.

A consumer survey by Which? ranked seaside towns across the UK, naming Bangor and Colwyn Bay among the lowest-rated in North Wales, while Llandudno and Conwy performed moderately. Portmeirion scored highly despite high hotel prices, and Bamburgh in Northumberland topped the national list. The survey assessed beaches, scenery, food, drink, attractions and value for money based on feedback from more than 5,000 participants, with hotel-price data sourced from Kayak.

Parking charges in Denbighshire have increased for the first time since 2024 under a new demand‑based system that assigns car parks to pricing bands according to usage. Several locations revert to charging hours of 8am to 5pm, while high‑demand sites see higher tariffs, including fees of up to £10. Band C car parks retain existing rates, and seasonal concessions such as free Christmas parking remain in place. Council officials cite financial pressures and rising service demands as drivers for the updated policy.

Rare lenticular clouds resembling UFOs were photographed above Llanfairfechan, prompting curiosity due to their flying‑saucer appearance. The Met Office explained that the formations occur when moist air flows over mountains, creating standing waves that condense into distinctive disc-shaped clouds. They are uncommon in the UK but are often linked to UFO sightings because of their unusual shape.

A serious crash forced the closure of the A5 between Llyn Ogwen and Capel Curig, with authorities warning drivers to avoid the area as emergency services responded. An air ambulance attended the scene, and the road was expected to remain shut for an extended period according to police and Traffic Wales updates.

Mango, a seven‑month‑old capybara recently introduced to the Welsh Mountain Zoo, died unexpectedly on July 5, prompting shock and sadness from zoo staff and supporters. The zoo stated that veterinary investigations are underway and temporarily closed the Cabana Capybara habitat. Mango had been named through a fundraising campaign that garnered over 400 submissions and raised £1,852.

Emergency services, including police, ambulance crews, fire engines and the Wales Air Ambulance, responded to a medical incident at the Westminster Hotel in Rhyl on Sunday afternoon. Crews attended between mid-afternoon and early evening, with no further details released about the nature of the incident.