Lisa Wallace first took to Tik Tok in November 2024 after months of scrolling on the app herself.

Her first few posts on the app displayed her Christmas lights, candles and anything else that she found interesting – until she realised that people wanted to watch “ordinary people” on their own social media feed.

Since then, she has posted hundreds of videos as Lisa Doing Stuff, showcasing life in Barry and what she gets up to in neighbouring towns.

There is not a lot that is off limits — “much to the embarrassment of [her] family.”

Her page caught the attention of the masses over the May bank holiday when she took to Whitmore Bay to show the litter that was left over by visitors to Barry Island — not to be negative, but simply to display it.

This post is what started her Facebook fame.

Lisa Wallace first took to Tik Tok in November 2024 (Image: Supplied)

Since then, she has taken to park runs, countless special events, and too many car boots to count.

She told the Barry and District News: “I have such a laugh doing it!

“People say I’m so positive and I’m just like, ‘what are you on about? Isn’t everyone like that?’”

Her videos have shown the people of Barry just how much is on offer each week, bringing a bit of positivity to the lives of those who watch her videos.

She showcases a range of organisations and businesses in her posts, shining a light on some of the individuals across the town whose work is often taken for granted.

Using her weekends alongside her full-time job, she has managed to build a dedicated following that is only ever growing and has put a smile on the faces of countless residents.

Lisa showcases a range of organisations and businesses in her posts (Image: Supplied)

“It’s about more than followers,” she said.

“I’ve met people that I’d never have met. I’ve been invited to things I’d never have gone to.

“People in Barry are so lush – before I was sat in the house with the dog and now, I’m out and about with people.

“It’s a hobby and I’m delighted that it’s doing more than I intended.”

Though she doesn’t know where this social media presence will end up, one thing that many residents can be agreed upon is that Lisa Doing Stuff is helping to bring a sprinkle of positivity to the Facebook feeds of many.

A new political poll has found that four months on from May’s Senedd election, people are still backing Plaid Cymru. Meanwhile it shows there has also been a ‘Burnham bounce’

Plaid Cymru would be the biggest party in the Senedd and Westminster, a new political poll for Wales has shown. While their support is marginally down in both, compared to the last equivalent polling, this latest survey shows they have most voter support in both parliaments.

Reform UK is second in both followed by Labour. The poll, released at 6pm on Tuesday, comes on the day it was announced that Reform UK’s Wales leader Dan Thomas is standing down after being arrested by police. Live reaction here.

The poll, by ITV Cymru Wales/Barn Cymru was between September 7 and 13. The results for the Senedd are from 845 adults who were asked questions and the Westminster polling was of 1,102 adults.

It shows there has been a bounce for Labour since Andy Burnham took over at a Westminster level, with 10% more people saying they would vote for the party if there were a Westminster election tomorrow putting them at 18% vote share.

But at a Senedd Labour level there has only been a climb of 1%.

It means the vote share looks like this in the Senedd:

• Plaid Cymru: 32 (-1)
• Reform UK: 27 (-2)
• Welsh Labour: 13 (+1)
• Welsh Conservatives: 11 (+2)
• Wales Green Party: 7 (-1)
• Welsh Liberal Democrats: 5 (-1)
• Others 5 (+2)

And at Westminster:

• Plaid Cymru: 27 (-3)
• Reform UK: 19 (-7)
• Welsh Labour: 18 (+10)
• Welsh Conservatives: 16 (+4)
• Wales Green Party: 8 (-5)
• Welsh Liberal Democrats: 5 (-1)
• Other 7 (+2)

In terms of how people would vote in an independence referendum, 20% of those quizzed in this poll said they would vote yes in a referendum, which is two percentage-lower than previous and the lowest result in an ITV Cymru Wales/Barn Cymru poll since May 2023.

That comes on the day politicians from across the Senedd chamber forced the First Minister to defend a meeting he held with the leaders of Scotland and Northern Ireland on Monday (September 15).

Each nation’s hopes in terms of independence were spelt out by Mr ap Iorwerth, John Swinney and Sinn Fein’s president Mary Lou McDonald and vice president Michelle O’Neill at a press conference held in Cardiff and organised by Plaid Cymru.

Mr ap Iorwerth made it clear in the meeting each nation was on their own timetable towards independence but by hosting such a high-profile event, he has been criticised for not focusing on issues like health and education.

When asked how the party leaders in Wales were performing, Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth saw a drop in the number of people who thought he was doing a good job in the poll compared to before he was First Minister, down from 44% to 36%,

Dan Thomas, who today resigned as Reform UK leader, had seen his approval fall from 26% to 20%.

Labour leader, Ken Skates, had a 15% rating.

The Green’s Welsh leader Anthony Slaughter’s approval dropped slightly from 19% to 14%, while the Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar held at 18%.

At a Westminster level, approval ratings for both Reform’s Nigel Farage, down from 36% to 26%, and the Green’s Zack Polanski fell from 31% to 21%.

Dr Jac Larner, from Cardiff University’s Welsh Governance Centre said: “Four months out from May’s Senedd election, little has shifted in party vote intention.

Plaid Cymru retains its lead over Reform, suggesting no penalty for time in power. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth remains popular, with a net positive approval rating — a rarity for a Welsh First Minister in recent times.

“Perceptions of both the Welsh and UK Governments, however, remain poor. The more striking movement is in Westminster voting intention. Reform UK has lost over a quarter of its support at Westminster level, while Labour’s has more than doubled — though this isn’t a direct swap between the two.

Reform is losing ground to the Conservatives and Restore, while Labour is gaining from Green and Plaid supporters.

“Labour will take heart from generally positive views of Andy Burnham, likely fuelling their Westminster gains, but the party’s Senedd group may be less pleased: that boost shows little sign of transferring to devolved-level support during what should be a honeymoon period for the new Prime Minister.

“The result is an uneven pattern of multilevel voting, with 14% of progressive-bloc voters now splitting their preferences between Westminster and Senedd, compared with just 5% among conservative-bloc voters.”

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property is located on Romilly Park Road in Barry, just a short walk from the nearby beaches, shops, and schools.

The estate agent said the property provides a “delightful blend of comfort and stunning natural beauty.”

The kitchen/breakfast area includes a wood-burning stove (Image: Zoopla)

The front of the home features a raised terrace area, providing views across Romilly Park and the channel.

Upon entering the house, there is an entrance hallway leading to the living room, dining room, and kitchen/breakfast area.

The living room features French doors that open out to the terrace, while the dining room and living room both have views of the park.

The kitchen/breakfast area includes a wood-burning stove and connects to a utility area.

There are multiple living spaces inside (Image: Zoopla)

A W.C cloakroom is also situated on the ground floor.

The first floor accommodates three bedrooms.

Two of these bedrooms offer views of Romilly Park and the Bristol Channel, with one featuring a balcony accessed through French doors.

A tiered garden offers plenty of outdoor space (Image: Zoopla)

The second-floor bedroom also provides views of the park and coastline.

The estate agent said that the bedrooms on the first floor are well-sized, “with the front two offering breath-taking vistas of Romilly Park and the Bristol Channel, ensuring that you wake up to inspiring scenery every day”

The home boasts an enclosed tiered garden, featuring a lawn and established shrubbery.

There are four bedrooms (Image: Zoopla)

A garage is located at the rear of the property, accessible via Park Road.

The estate agent said: “This home is ideally situated just a short stroll from the nearby beaches, shops, and schools, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate both tranquillity and convenience.

“With its stunning views and spacious living areas, this property is a rare find in a sought-after location.”

Penarth Pier Pavilion Cinema has been nominated for Cinema of the Year by the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

The nomination comes after a period of growth and success for the Vale of Glamorgan Council-owned cinema, which earlier this year announced that it would be moving to a full-time operation, offering more than 15 screenings across five days each week.

Since the council took control of Penarth Pier Pavilion in early 2021, the cinema has become a popular cultural destination.

Max Martin, cinematic events assistant at Penarth Pier Cinema, said: “Penarth Pier Pavilion Cinema is not just a cinema, it’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else.

“As the Vale of Glamorgan’s only full-time cinema, we bring together the very best of independent, arthouse, and blockbuster films from Wales and around the world, all in one of the UK’s most unique cinematic settings.

“We’re passionate about putting great films at the heart of our community and creating memorable experiences for everyone who walks through our doors.

“A Cinema of the Year nomination is a huge celebration of what we’ve built together and we’d love your vote to help put Penarth, our community, and our extraordinary seaside cinema firmly on the map.”

Penarth Pier Pavilion Cinema has been nominated for Cinema of the Year by the British Independent Film Awards (Image: Supplied)

Councillor Rhiannon Birch, cabinet member for education, the arts and the Welsh language, said: “Having our own independent cinema here in the Vale of Glamorgan is a real privilege, and it is important that we continue to support and celebrate it.

“The cinema has become an important part of the cultural offering at Penarth Pier Pavilion, providing a fantastic space for people of all ages to enjoy film while contributing to the vibrancy of the area.”

The Cinema of the Year award, now in its second year, honours independent cinemas and the teams behind them.

Cinemas across the UK were invited to enter in July, with the public vote closing on September 21.

The winner will be selected by a jury and announced at the BIFA ceremony on December 6 at London’s Roundhouse.

In response to questions from the defence barrister, the witness confirms she read online about Gravell’s trial in May 2025 and the possibility of a retrial in that case, and that she made an online report of the allegations of rape on June 14 before having a text conversation with a friend about what happened some two days later.

The barrister puts it to the witness that she “didn’t have any kind of sexual contact with Daniel Gravell at all” but wanted to “help get justice for someone else”.

Judge Thomas tells the witness she is being asked whether she is making up the allegation to help another woman.

The witness says she “didn’t want to put myself or my family through his” but that when she read about “the other girl” [in the 2025 trial] and “knowing what I knew, I felt like I had to do something”.

She says: “I felt guilty. If I was braver, if I had said ‘yes’ to the taxi driver or said ‘yes’ to the girls, then no one else would have been in that position. But I didn’t. I felt guilty that I didn’t… this woman would not have been in that position… I could have at least done something”.

That concludes the witness’ evidence in chief.

His achievements were prolific and alongside his brother, Alistair, they were probably the best known triathletes in our country. Despite all his achievements and medals one occasion stands out the most.

That was at the 2016 World Triathlon Series Grand Final when although leading the field with only a few hundred metres from the finish he had to stop due to being overheated and exhausted. Alistair caught up with him and lifted him up and carried Jonny towards the finish line where he pushed him across so he could come second. Then Alistair crossed to come third. This was a real act of brotherly love.

It reminded me of Derek Redmond at the 1992 Olympic Games when he tore a hamstring in the 400 metres semi-final. Derek’s father was in the crowd and he pushed past all the officials to get on to the track where he helped his son complete the race. As you would expect they received a standing ovation. Another example of care and help when it was needed.

These are both very heart-warming stories which uplift our spirits. They are also a reminder of our shared humanity and the need we have for one another. The Bible tells a story of a man who was attacked and left for dead. Two people passed by on the other side of the road, but one stopped. He tended the man’s wounds and took him to a place of safety. When he needed to leave he gave money to the owner so the man could continue to get better. He also promised to pay the owner more money when he returned if that was needed. This was a story Jesus told to encourage us to share love with one another.

It was also a picture of God’s love for each of us. That love has no boundaries and is unconditional. It was shown when Jesus came and died for us. It picks us up and carries us when we go through hard times. It’s a love we share when we care for one another.

May we share this love each day.

Love your neighbour as yourself – Mark Ch. 12 verse 31.

The Proud of Penarth campaign will launch at a public event on Thursday, September 17, in St Augustine’s Hall, Albert Road.

It will be introduced by Vernon Cornish, who has led several clean-up efforts in the town, including beach cleans during the Marine Conservation Society’s annual campaign.

A spokesman for Penarth Civic Society said: “Vernon will be launching our Proud of Penarth project, including all local businesses and residents as we try to eradicate the awful problem of litter in the town.

“Community involvement is the only way forward and by engaging with everyone in the town we are confident that we can all make a huge difference to its appearance.”

The event starts at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm.

Mr Cornish will outline plans for a more structured, town-wide approach to reducing litter, including regular clean-up sessions and greater support for individuals who want to help.

He has also worked closely with schools.

Entry is free for members and £3 for non-members.

Last year was the first time in a decade in which closures outnumbered new arrivals

The UK’s translation industry boom could be over thanks to the rise of AI – with businesses increasingly turning to free models to do the work. Analysis by companydata.com found that the translation industry has stopped growing with the number of active UK businesses falling for the first time since 2015.

The country now has 4,088 translation companies, down from a peak of 4,217 at the end of 2024. Last year was the first time in a decade in which closures outnumbered new arrivals, with 601 translation companies struck off the Companies House register against 546 newly incorporated in 2025.

This year the gap is wider still, just 361 companies registered between January and mid-September, while 436 closed. In a 2024 survey by the Chartered Institute of Linguists, more than 70% of freelance translators and interpreters said their workload had fallen and half called the drop significant. In a Society of Authors survey the same year, 36% of translators said they’d already lost work to generative AI and 77% expected it to cut their income.

What’s left pays less, a UK freelance translator working through an agency gets around 7.5 pence a word for general text and that rate is still sliding. This year’s European Language Industry Survey found every part of the industry agreeing that prices fell again in 2025, with no rebound expected.

Increasingly the job is not translating at all but checking what a machine produced first and that pays about a third less. Almost two-thirds of independent translators now work with machine output in some form.

But RWS Holdings, Britain’s largest listed language services company, grew half-year revenue by around 5% to roughly £360million and lifted adjusted pre-tax profit from £18million to £24million. The UK isn’t an outlier, the number of translation companies here has fallen 1.8% since January.

Across Europe the decline is steeper – 39,869 translation companies remain, but this is down 2.5% this year. Uttam Ramdaras, data analyst at companydata.com, said: “The gap has been narrowing for years and it’s now closed. Until 2024, more translation companies opened than shut. Last year that flipped and this year the gap is wider still. You can’t read motive from a register, but the timing is hard to ignore.

“Anyone can get a usable translation out of a free AI model in just seconds and the businesses that used to do that work are coming off the register.”

Josienne and Michael Hoover, from Barry, have launched Pawfectly Clean Cymru – a growing network of self-service dog wash stations designed for convenience after muddy walks.

The idea was born out of a common problem: the mess and hassle of cleaning up dirty dogs at home.

Josienne Hoover said: “We loved the idea and knew we would use it ourselves, so we thought other dog owners would too.

“There’s that moment after a walk when you’ve got a soaking wet, muddy dog and you know what’s waiting for you when you get home.

The company hopes to expand to 10 sites within the next year (Image: Supplied)

“We wanted to make that part of dog ownership easier.”

The couple began with a single station, funding it themselves before securing a Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank.

That support helped them expand to operate at Pontcanna Fields, Caerphilly Mountain and Clydach Vale Lakes.

The stations offer a simple pay-and-go service where owners can wash and dry their dogs on the spot.

(Image: Supplied)

Since launch, they have recorded more than 1,000 washes and are projecting turnover of more than £100,000 this year.

Michael Hoover said: “When we were looking at funding, we came across the British Business Bank and the process was really straightforward.

“The team listened to what we wanted to achieve and took a personal approach to understanding the business.

“The funding meant we could go from having one site to building a network.

“Without it, we simply wouldn’t have been able to grow the business at the pace we have.”

Pawfectly Clean Cymru now as three sites just six months after setting up the business (Image: Supplied)

More stations are planned across Wales, including potential sites in Barry and Newport.

The goal is to reach 10 locations within the next year, focusing on building a brand that serves dog owners across Wales.

Jessica Phillips-Harris, director for Wales at the British Business Bank, said: “Pawfectly Clean Cymru shows how a simple idea, based on solving a problem that many people experience every day, can develop into a growing business with the right support.

“Josienne and Michael have shown real ambition in taking their idea from a single site to three locations in just six months, while building strong relationships with the communities and businesses around them.

Josie and Michael with their dog (Image: Supplied)

“Through the Start Up Loans programme, we’re proud to support entrepreneurs across Wales as they turn their ideas into businesses that can grow, create opportunities and contribute to their local economies.”

The business has also been named as a finalist in the Best Pet Business category at the UK Small Business Awards 2026.

The winner will be announced in October.

Josienne and Michael Hoover, from Barry, have launched Pawfectly Clean Cymru – a growing network of self-service dog wash stations designed for convenience after muddy walks.

The idea was born out of a common problem: the mess and hassle of cleaning up dirty dogs at home.

Josienne Hoover said: “We loved the idea and knew we would use it ourselves, so we thought other dog owners would too.

“There’s that moment after a walk when you’ve got a soaking wet, muddy dog and you know what’s waiting for you when you get home.

The company hopes to expand to 10 sites within the next year (Image: Supplied)

“We wanted to make that part of dog ownership easier.”

The couple began with a single station, funding it themselves before securing a Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank.

That support helped them expand to operate at Pontcanna Fields, Caerphilly Mountain and Clydach Vale Lakes.

The stations offer a simple pay-and-go service where owners can wash and dry their dogs on the spot.

(Image: Supplied)

Since launch, they have recorded more than 1,000 washes and are projecting turnover of more than £100,000 this year.

Michael Hoover said: “When we were looking at funding, we came across the British Business Bank and the process was really straightforward.

“The team listened to what we wanted to achieve and took a personal approach to understanding the business.

“The funding meant we could go from having one site to building a network.

“Without it, we simply wouldn’t have been able to grow the business at the pace we have.”

Pawfectly Clean Cymru now as three sites just six months after setting up the business (Image: Supplied)

More stations are planned across Wales, including potential sites in Barry and Newport.

The goal is to reach 10 locations within the next year, focusing on building a brand that serves dog owners across Wales.

Jessica Phillips-Harris, director for Wales at the British Business Bank, said: “Pawfectly Clean Cymru shows how a simple idea, based on solving a problem that many people experience every day, can develop into a growing business with the right support.

“Josienne and Michael have shown real ambition in taking their idea from a single site to three locations in just six months, while building strong relationships with the communities and businesses around them.

Josie and Michael with their dog (Image: Supplied)

“Through the Start Up Loans programme, we’re proud to support entrepreneurs across Wales as they turn their ideas into businesses that can grow, create opportunities and contribute to their local economies.”

The business has also been named as a finalist in the Best Pet Business category at the UK Small Business Awards 2026.

The winner will be announced in October.