A group of 18 walkers met up with William from Penarth and District Ramblers at Rhoose Railway Station at the start of a circular nine-mile walk in the glorious Vale of Glamorgan.
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The brand, run by Slawon Brewery co-founders Andrew Traynor and Aaron in partnership with Mr Croc’s Street Food Traders, launched its Penarth pop‑up on April 2 and says regulars are already treating it as their new neighbourhood spot.
Early weekends have seen the beer garden packed, with one sunny Saturday described as the venue’s “busiest day by far” as customers spilled out onto the prom.
Traynor said the team always hoped to build a loyal local following, rather than relying solely on visitors. Many Penarth residents have told staff the seafront has long been missing somewhere to enjoy quality craft beer and food later into the evening, and that Kegbelly is filling that gap.
“As far as I can tell, they’re happy we’re here,” he said, adding that customers have been returning week after week since the launch.
Kegbelly began cautiously, trading Thursday to Sunday while the team recruited staff and settled into the new site. But strong demand means the bar is already gearing up to extend hours for summer.
From early May it will add Wednesdays, before moving to seven days a week from May half-term, with opening hours set for 12pm–10pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12pm–11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12pm–8pm on Sundays.
Locals say one of the big draws is the venue’s beach‑side takeaway hatch. As well as ordering food, customers can pick up takeaway pints and cocktails to enjoy on the pier, the beach or along the prom an offer that has quickly become part of Penarth’s weekend routine in good weather.
Alongside a rotating selection of Slawon Brewery beers, the bar has leaned into fun, seaside‑friendly options that have already taken off with regulars, including cocktail slushies and alcoholic ice pops, with ice‑cream tubs also set to join the menu.
Co-founder Andrew Traynor said the team had been eyeing up the location for months before the unit became available and jumped at the chance to take it on as a six‑month pop-up.
“We didn’t want to rush into a second venue,” he explained. “We’re a small team, so the key was finding somewhere with a genuine gap in the market, somewhere people would really appreciate good beer and good food.”
Penarth seafront, he said, had long been missing a place that stayed open into the evening and focused on craft drinks and street food.
From the Vale, with Love, held at The Paget Rooms in Penarth, was organised by Caroline Field alongside volunteers from The Vale for Palestine to raise funds for urgent medical and rehabilitation support in Gaza.
Money raised will go to the Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe, which runs the last remaining maternity clinic in Gaza, as well as Prospero World and Restoring Hope, which provide prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation for amputees.
The event featured a diverse line-up of music and entertainment.
Esther delivered an ethereal set, The Brwmys brought lively, energetic music, and Jonny Forever, the self-proclaimed “grief guy,” delivered an emotional performance that held the audience in silence.
Voya closed with a powerful set that had the whole room dancing.
Disco Inferno DJs kept the energy high during intervals, and guests enjoyed a spread of homemade vegan food including curries, naans, falafel, tabbouleh, pakoras, and cakes.
A merch stand offered handmade Palestinian items such as bags, jewellery boxes, and keffiyehs, giving guests a chance to support the cause further.
The raffle featured prizes donated by local businesses, including five free pizzas at Rwcola, a reiki voucher, and a stay at Charlotte Church’s The Dreaming retreat.
Organisers described the evening as “awe-inspiring” and praised the strong sense of solidarity and love in the room.
One attendee said: “The Vale has felt like a fractured place in recent months so it was uplifting to have an event that gathered community and celebrated wanting to help people.
“Music is such a valuable tool to bring joy, and the acts were incredible at lifting spirits in what globally has been a dark time.”
For future event updates, donations, and more information, follow @thevale4palestine on social media.
The high street giant is expanding its “ReMarksable Value” range with 15 new purse-friendly products as it battles to win over families doing the weekly shop.
Shoppers will now find more than 140 items in the range, all focused on affordable staples.
And it’s not just new additions.
M&S has also cut prices on 19 everyday items, including fresh veg favourites, as reported by creatorzine.com .
Chestnut mushrooms have dropped from £1.40 to £1.30 for 300g, while leeks have been reduced from £2.20 to £1.90 for 600g.
The retailer has also added seven more products to its “Dropped & Locked” scheme – designed to keep prices lower for longer.
The move comes as M&S tries to shake off its reputation for being pricier than rivals.
All items in the ReMarksable Value range are benchmarked against competitors to ensure they stay competitive.
Bosses say the strategy is already working – with more families seeing M&S as better value than before.
Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, said: “Families want to eat well without paying more, and vegetables are at the heart of the weekly shop.
“By lowering prices on everyday veg staples, we’re making it easier for more families to shop M&S as part of their weekly shop.”
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The changes are part of a wider push to grow its food business and take on budget supermarkets.
Price cuts include:
- Sweetheart cabbage – £0.95 → £0.75 (each)
- Brussels sprouts 500g – £1.15 → £0.90
- Red chillies 75g – £1.00 → £0.65
- Red & green mixed chillies 70g – £1.00 → £0.60
- Chestnut mushrooms 300g – £1.40 → £1.30
- Carrot bag 500g – £0.55 → £0.55
- Tenderstem broccoli 200g – £2.00 → £1.75
- Leeks 600g – £2.20 → £1.90
- Garlic net (x3) – £0.90 → £0.70
- Loose ginger – £6.75/kg → £6.20/kg
- White cabbage – £1.00 → £1.00 (each)
- Loose sweet potatoes – £1.40/kg → £1.30/kg
- Red cabbage – £1.00 → £1.00 (each)
- Loose courgettes – £3.20/kg → £2.85/kg
- Courgettes 325g – £1.45 → £1.45
‘Dropped & locked’ additions:
- Tenderstem tips 125g – £1.40 → £1.25
- Organic garlic – £0.80 → £0.70
- Portobello mushrooms – £2.00 → £1.60
- Bird’s eye chilli – £1.15 → £0.75
- Organic leeks – £2.50 → £2.20
- Finger chilli – £1.30 → £0.80
- Santini tomatoes 340g – £2.75 → £1.70
From this month, the State Pension and Pension Credit have risen by 4.8%, putting up to £575 extra a year into retirees’ pockets. But experts say the timing couldn’t be more chaotic.
Behind the scenes, sweeping changes to payments, tax checks and benefits are creating what insiders describe as a “breeding ground” for mistakes – and criminals.
Leighton Roberts, managing director at Grosvenor Mobility, says while the increase is welcome, it comes with serious complications.
“Many older people are dealing with multiple changes at once,” he warns. “That includes tax refunds being delayed by security checks and changes to Winter Fuel Payments – and that’s creating confusion.”
At the centre of the issue are new HMRC security checks on tax refunds, which can now take up to six weeks – or even longer if payments are issued by cheque.
For pensioners relying on that money, the delays are already causing anxiety.
And with more checks being carried out, some are left unsure whether their payment is coming at all.
Scam fears surge among over 65s
At the same time, officials are warning of a spike in scams targeting older people – particularly those waiting for payments.
Fraudsters are increasingly posing as HMRC, sending texts and emails claiming they can “speed up” refunds or process payments.
But experts are clear: HMRC will never ask for your bank details via text or email.
Roberts adds: “This is exactly the kind of environment scammers exploit – when people are unsure and waiting for money.”
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Winter Fuel Payment confusion
Adding to the chaos is the recovery of Winter Fuel Payments for higher earners.
Those with incomes over £35,000 may see payments automatically reclaimed, leaving many confused about what they’re owed – and when.
Experts are urging over-65s to:
- Be patient with delays
- Check everything through official GOV.UK channels
- Ignore unsolicited messages about payments
The message is simple but critical:
If you’re unsure – don’t click, don’t reply, and don’t share your details.
New data from Moneyfacts shows there are now 712 cash ISA products available – the highest level since records began in 2007.
At the same time, major providers including Nationwide Building Society are launching new fixed-rate ISAs with returns of up to 4.50% AER, as expectations grow that rates could stay “higher for longer”.
Record number of cash ISA deals hits 712
The latest figures show cash ISA choice has surged in April, with providers competing aggressively for savers’ deposits.
According to Moneyfacts:
- Total cash ISA products: 712 (record high)
- Average easy access ISA rate: 2.73%, up from 2.61% in March
- Average one-year fixed ISA rate: 4.01%, the highest since May 2025
Experts say the spike is being driven by ISA season competition and savers looking to maximise allowances before future changes.
Cash ISA rates sneak up further…
It’s a new tax year and providers are still fighting for your new ISA custom – you can now get 4.62% easy-access and a 4.52% one-year fix https://t.co/31oHzBl8fC
— MoneySavingExpert (@MoneySavingExp) April 16, 2026
Nationwide launches fixed ISA rates up to 4.50%
In response to rising demand, Nationwide launched a new range of fixed-rate cash ISAs at the end of March:
- 1 Year Fixed ISA: 4.35% AER tax-free
- 2 Year Fixed ISA: 4.40% AER tax-free
- 3 Year Fixed ISA: 4.50% AER tax-free
- 5 Year Fixed ISA: 4.50% AER tax-free
Nationwide says the new rates are designed to give savers “choice” across both short and long-term options.
“Last chance” ISA window warning for savers
Financial experts are urging savers to review their accounts now, with the new tax year seen as a key opportunity to switch deals.
Caitlyn Eastell, personal finance analyst at Moneyfacts, said ISA competition has been boosted by the final year many savers can fully use their £20,000 allowance before rule changes.
She said providers are “enticing new deposits with attractive deals” as competition intensifies.
From April 2027, changes will restrict younger savers’ ability to put the full allowance into cash ISAs, with more potentially directed into stocks and shares.
Why rates are staying higher for longer
Analysts say savings markets have shifted away from earlier expectations of rapid rate cuts.
Instead, a “higher for longer” outlook is emerging, with inflation risks and global tensions keeping pressure on rates.
That could mean:
- More competitive savings deals in the short term
- But continued pressure from rising household bills and inflation
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What it means for savers
Ms Eastell said: “Savers should be taking advantage of this all-time high, and it may be especially timely as the new tax year is the perfect window to review their current deal and switch to ensure they can maximise their returns before thresholds tighten.”
She continued: “Markets have pivoted from the rate cut mindset seen earlier this year to a ‘higher for longer’ stance, or even potential rises, as the ongoing tensions in the Middle East threaten a fresh inflationary shock.
“Savers may enjoy more competitive returns in this environment; however, it can be a tricky balancing act because sharp spikes to household bills and inflation could quickly catch up, meaning savers may be left out of pocket.”
Do you have an ISA? Do you think it’s a good way to save? Tell us in the comments below.
The landmark legislation final draft has been approved by both the Commons and Lords, meaning anyone born after January 1, 2009, will never smoke.
The bill will make it illegal for shops to sell tobacco to those born after 2008 to create a smoke-free generation.
After it gets royal assent, ministers will also get the power to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products.
UK clears smoking bill to create a smoke-free generation
As part of the bill, vaping will be banned in cars where children are present, in playgrounds, outside schools and at hospitals.
However, vaping will still be permitted outside of hospitals to support those trying to quit.
The plan does not affect pub gardens or wider open-air spaces such as beaches and parks.
Smoking and vaping in homes will still be legal.
Once the bill becomes law, the UK will join the Maldives as the second country in the world with a generational smoking ban.
In the UK, there are around 80,000 deaths caused by smoking, which creates an increased risk of health conditions such as strokes, heart disease, asthma and dementia.
Smoking has a large impact on the NHS, costing taxpayers around £3.1 billion a year and more than 75,000 GP appointments each month.
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Discussing the ban, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, called it a historical moment for the nation’s health.
Sharing: “Prevention is better than cure – this reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain.”
Do you agree with the smoking ban? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local
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These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local
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Gwyrddio Penarth Greening, a local charity promoting eco-friendly living, is searching for a central location to establish a community sustainability centre.
The new hub aims to house Benthyg Penarth, the popular library of things, and other similar initiatives in a shared space.
Benthyg Penarth, operational since 2021, allows residents to borrow household items, ranging from tools to costumes, at a low cost.
Adhering to the principles of sustainability and community resilience, the project has successfully reduced landfill waste and supported a circular economy, but now seeks a more permanent and accessible base.
Having relocated more than once, the library currently operates from The Kymin on Beach Road.
However, the charity believes that a town centre or nearby location would be more advantageous for expanding and enhancing their services.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “Imagine a hub where you could drop in to borrow a cordless drill, get your toaster fixed and maybe attend a repair workshop, get advice on reducing your home’s energy use, or simply connect with others who share a passion for living more lightly on the planet.
“Such a space could provide somewhere for people to meet to share skills, knowledge and time to support each other—and to help those hit hardest by the ongoing cost of living crisis.”
The envisioned community resource centre would offer a public-facing community space and storage, accessible for various like-minded groups and activities.
The charity is inviting discussions with landlords, businesses, community organisations, or the council about any suitable places available on a short-term, long-term, or partnership basis.
The project, which is one of the most successful ‘libraries of things’ in Wales, has been running for five years.
GPG strongly believes a permanent home for the library of things will facilitate further growth and enhance community engagement, supporting those most affected by the rising cost of living.
Anyone willing to offer help or with knowledge of a suitable location, is asked to contact GPG on their website.
As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our
articles.
Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local
services.
These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local
community.
It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need
as much support as possible during these challenging times.