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From today, May 5, Lidl is launching Lidl Plus Points, a new rewards system inside the Lidl Plus app that is letting shoppers earn points every time they buy groceries in store.

The biggest draw for many customers is the launch offer. Both new and existing app users are receiving 100 free points, which they can redeem straight away on selected rewards including bananas, cheese twists and chocolate digestives.

100 free points launch offer

The new points system is arriving after customer feedback shows people want more control over how rewards are used.

Instead of fixed discounts, shoppers are now collecting points and swapping them in the app’s marketplace for:

• money-off coupons for future shops
• free or discounted products
• rewards on hundreds of everyday items and middle aisle buys

For regular shoppers, it means every checkout trip is now unlocking extra savings.

Extra savings on fruit

To kick off the launch, Lidl is also doubling the reward rate on fresh produce.

Between 5 May and 22 May, shoppers are earning double points on all fruit purchases, helping points build faster during everyday grocery shops.

To grab attention, Lidl is teaming up with Liberty X for a playful campaign.

The group is releasing “Just a Lidl…”, a remake of their early 2000s hit, with a music video set inside a Lidl store and packed with nods to the supermarket’s famous middle aisle.

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At a time when food prices are continuing to put pressure on household budgets, the new scheme is giving shoppers another way to stretch their money further.

For anyone already using the Lidl Plus app, the launch is effectively meaning free rewards from the moment the scheme goes live.

And for shoppers who have not checked the app recently, there is now a clear reason to take another look.

Whilst the beginning of spring and the warmer weather is an excuse for many to take their furry friends on a trek along one of the many picturesque beaches across the Vale, six beaches have the ban enforced until autumn.

These are:

·       Whitmore Bay (Barry Island)

·       Dunraven Bay (Southerndown)

·       Cwm Colhuw (Llantwit)

·       Penarth beach (between the Pier and the Yacht club only)  

·       Penarth Pier (decking area only)

·       Cold Knap, Barry

However, those who still wish to take to the shores with their dogs can still do so at nine other beaches across the Vale. These include:

Summerhouse Bay – This pebble beach in Boverton is made of mainly flat rock, though the path down to it is uneven and can be slippery at times. Once down there, it offers brilliant views across to Minehead.

Jacksons Bay – Jackson’s Bay is a small, secluded, sandy cove, backed by high cliffs. It is accessed down a steep path from Redbrink Crescent and along ‘Clement Colley Walk’ which runs around the headland to Barry Island.

Jacksons Bay is a secluded spot (Image: Mark Little)

Aberthaw Beach (the Leys) – Once the site of a busy port trading in grain and livestock in the early sixteenth century, this beach is now a quiet and peaceful haven for people and wildlife alike. There is no parking provision at this beach, though it can be reached by walking along Vale Trail Four.

Fontygary Bay – This pebble beach is made mostly of pebbles and backed by cliffs, offering a striking backdrop. Behind these cliffs are mostly fields, as well as a caravan park and other facilities like a café and toilets. Parking can be found a short walk from the beach along Fontygary Road.

St Mary’s Well Bay – Nestled between Sully Island and Lavernock Point, this bay is backed by steep cliffs and dense trees. A mix of sand, pebbles and rocks make up the terrain, with a large expanse of mud and wet sand being exposed with seaweed covered stones and low tide.

Watch Tower Bay and Old Harbour – Regarded as one of the quieter corners of Barry, this pebble beach is flanked by rocks and cliffs. When the tide recedes, vast amounts of sand are exposed. The closes facilities and parking are at the Knap Beach, a short walk away.

Watch Tower Bay is a quieter corner of Barry (Image: NQ)

Porthkerry – This beach lies at the foot of the valley within the Porthkerry Country Park, easily spotted thanks to its impressive Victorian viaduct. The beach itself is made of grey pebbles with views across to the Cold Knap and Barry. Access to the beach from the car park is via a tarmac path.

Penarth Beach (between the Pier and Cardiff Bay barrage) – Accessed via stairs or a slipway, this beach mostly comprises of pebbles. But toward the sea it becomes increasingly sandy with plenty of exposed sand at low tide. The beach is backed by the esplanade with parking spaces and some restaurants and toilets, alongside the iconic pier.

Hardees Bay (to the east of Ogmore-by-Sea) – Located in St Brides Major, this beach is near to the forest of Craig Ddu, offering variation for those who are wishing for a change of scenery, and a quieter spot to enjoy.

Dogs will be allowed back on all beaches from October 1, 2026.

The restrictions begin on May 1 each year and remain in place until the end of September, though guide dogs are exempt.

Dogs will be banned on Penarth beach, between the Pier and the Yacht Club, and on the decking area of Penarth Pier.

However, dogs and their owners will still be able to make the most of the warmer weather and Penarth beach between the Pier and Cardiff Bay barrage until the restrictions are lifted on September, 30.

Visitors are advised to check signage and follow rules to avoid fines and help protect coastal areas during peak season.

Mark White, of Pant Y Celyn Place in St Athan, appeared at Newport Crown Court after admitting an offence of rape which took place in Cardiff.

Prosecutor Nigel Fryer said White and the victim were having consensual sex, however the victim then began to feel discomfort from the outfit she was wearing and asked him to stop.

However, White ignored her and pushed her down – showing “absolutely no regard” for her consent.

The victim described that she “froze” during the incident.

She challenged him after the incident, and he started to cry and said he had become “overexcited” by the outfit and lost control, Mr Fryer said.

The offending came to light as a result of messages White showed to police officers on his phone.

One message from the victim read: ‘I can’t forget you pinned me down and forced yourself on me’. White replied appearing to accept what he had done, to which the victim replied ‘Saying sorry that you lost control doesn’t fix the fact that you raped me’.

Specialist officers located and spoke with the victim.

White was arrested and answered no comment to all questions in his interview.

In a statement she read out in court, the victim described White as “a bully and a dangerous man”.

She added that she now had to live with what the defendant had done to her, and that she was “fearful” he could do it again to somebody else.

White pleaded guilty to rape at a hearing on March 30.

Mark White has been jailed for raping a woman. (Image: South Wales Police)

Andrew Taylor, in mitigation, said the 50-year-old defendant had never troubled the courts before.

Mr Taylor said it was “unusual” for a defendant in cases such as this to plead guilty,

“He has accepted what he did to the complainant,” he said.

“He became very, very excited and lost control.

“That loss of control was very serious with very serious consequences.”

Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant jailed the defendant for three years and three months.

White must register as a sex offender for life and the victim was granted a 15-year restraining order.

The Gwyl Gerdd Dinas Powys Music Festival (GGDPMF) will take place from May 9 to May 17, with most events hosted at Dinas Powys Parish Hall.

Tickets are on sale now.

A spokesman for the GGDPMF committee said: “Following the successful festival last year, marking 25 years of this wonderful festival of musical entertainment, the committee look forward to continuing this contribution to Dinas Powys and further afield for many years to come.”

The 2026 festival will also feature performances at the Methodist Church, the village Twyn, and local schools.

This year’s line up of local talent includes the cabaret act Forte, students from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and the Cardiff Light Music Orchestra.

Saturday morning will feature free performances from a brass trio and the ‘Treble Makers’ on the Twyn.

The choral highlight this year will be a performance by the Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir.

Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Richard & Adam, and the Capital City Jazz Orchestra are also part of the line up.

The popular tribute night will feature a Tom Jones act.

The Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band and the Ecumenical Seven will perform in his memory on Thursday, May 14.

A spokesman for the GGDPMF committee said: “The committee look forward to welcoming people to this year’s programme of musical extravaganza.”

Organisers have also planned events for primary and pre-school children, introducing youngsters to the wonders of music and drama.

This year’s festival will include a special memorial event honouring the festival’s late ambassador, Dr Haydn Jones, who died last year.

The festival is organised entirely by volunteers, with support from individual patrons and sponsorship from local organisations.

Funds raised are reinvested into the following year’s festival.

Since its inception, the GGDPMF has highlighted musical talent from across South Wales and beyond, including acts from London’s West End.

Megan Gardiner, 25, died on June 4, 2022 at her home in Barry from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) while 17 weeks pregnant, and an inquest has now ruled that medical professionals responsible for her care had not sufficiently advised her of her own personal risk of death.

The inquest chaired by coroner Kerrie Burge at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard on Friday May 1 that Megan, who had been diagnosed with epilepsy at 13, had not been suitably informed of her risk of death, despite her suffering from frequent tonic-clonic seizures that were not controlled by any of her prescribed medications.

As part of the inquest, evidence was heard from Megan’s mum Alison Woolcock, who described her as “beautiful” and with a “wonderfully sarcastic sense of humour”, and a number of medical professionals, including epilepsy specialists who had direct contact with Megan.

Ms Burge said that Megan and her family would only have been aware “in broad terms” of the risk of seizures and of her risk of death and therefore couldn’t have properly protected Megan from this.

It was noted that there were “no documented references” or “specific recollections” of any discussions made with Megan or her family about her specific risks or the “mitigations” that could have been made to reduce the risk.

Ms Burge deemed that Megan’s decisions around her medications and pregnancy may have changed if she had been better informed.

Ms Burge said in her conclusion: “In the absence of documentation or recollection of specific discussions, I cannot be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that prior to April 2022, that Megan and her family were informed in clear terms that Megan was at high risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

“Understanding this risk would have contributed to discussions about appropriate medication management and opened up conversations on safety measures. But, there is insufficient evidence to determine what the outcome of these conversations would have been.”

The coroner also noted that there were two opportunities for “stronger support” of Megan by the medical professionals, namely in March 2020 as a follow-up to a medication change to confirm that it had actually taken place and in May 2022 after an appointment had been halted early as Megan had said she was “feeling overwhelmed”.

Ms Burge concluded that Megan’s death in June 2022 was natural causes and that the medical cause of death was Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which, according to evidence provided, is “common” for people who suffer the types of seizure that Megan did.

This inquest was the first in Wales to consider the significance of SUDEP risk discussions in epilepsy care.

The epilepsy centre have also been asked to provide the coroner with a statement detailing changes made to their patient care since Megan’s death.

Why We Report on Inquests

Inquests are public hearings that examine the circumstances of sudden or unexplained deaths. We report on them to uphold open justice, inform the public, and help prevent future tragedies.

We understand these stories are deeply personal and aim always to report with care and respect. We abide by the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s editor’s code, you can read their guidance on reporting deaths and inquests here.

Our coverage can clarify facts, highlight safety issues, and ensure transparency in matters of public concern, providing reassurance for the wider community.

Onzon Thai, the family-run restaurant on Windsor Road, has quickly become a firm favourite since opening in August 2025, with diners hailing its food as “better than a lot of places I’ve eaten at in Thailand.”

The restaurant represents more than 11 years of culinary expertise for owner Chanya Slorach, who began with importing fresh Thai vegetables and fruit, plus catering at food festivals.

This evolved into a pop-up in Penarth in 2020, and after running a second site in Cowbridge, the business has now settled permanently at 40-42 Windsor Road.

Here are five things to know about Onzon Thai:

1. From pop-up to permanent home

The Windsor Road restaurant is the result of more than a decade spent building a reputation for authentic Thai cuisine.

After running a second site in Cowbridge, Ms Slorach decided to focus all efforts on Penarth.

1. Authenticity at its core

Ms Slorach runs the kitchen alongside friend Salah Roap, serving dishes including homemade spring rolls, family-recipe pad Thai, tamarind duck, penang curry, and sweet chilli sea bass.

The restaurant has earned more than 40 positive TripAdvisor reviews and holds a rating of 4.2 out of 5, with diners consistently praising its authenticity.

They serve dishes including homemade spring rolls, family-recipe pad Thai, tamarind duck, penang curry, and sweet chilli sea bass. (Image: TripAdvisor)

1. Fresh ingredients, Thai roots

Ms Slorach’s background in importing Thai fruit and vegetables influences the menu, with dishes built around quality ingredients sourced for freshness and flavour.

1. Bringing Thai cooking to life

Onzon Thai offers more than just dining. Its “Cooking with Chanya” cookery school, located on the lower ground floor, runs four-hour Thai cooking classes for groups of four at £125 per person.

Each session covers the preparation of two traditional Thai dishes, giving attendees hands-on experience in the cuisine.

Onzon Thai offers more than just dining including its cookery school (Image: TripAdvisor)

1. Focused opening hours

Lunch is served Friday to Sunday from 12pm to 3pm.

Dinner service runs Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm until late.

These hours are designed to help the team maintain high standards across both the restaurant and cookery school.

Onzon Thai blends family heritage, culinary experience, and community spirit to deliver a truly authentic taste of Thailand in Penarth.

The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd has published its final determination for the next Senedd term, completing a multiyear review of the financial support and resources available to members and their staff.

Its final determination is designed to be clearer, more accessible, and transparent – and to support members in carrying out their roles effectively while ensuring value for money.

The base salary for Senedd Members in the 2026/27 term will be £79,817 – up £12,168 from 2020/21.

Members who hold an additional office will also receive a secondary amount on top of their base salary, designed to reflect the additional work and responsibilities taken on with the role.

The First Minister receives the highest additional salary at an extra £94,783 on top of the base salary, which brings their total salary to £174,600 for the seventh Senedd term – an increase of more than £25,000 since 2020/21.

The presiding officer, or the Llywydd, also receives an additional salary. For 2026/27, this will stand at £51,132, taking their total salary to £130,949.

Government ministers, deputy ministers, counsel general, deputy presiding officer, Senedd commissioners, committee chairs, business committee members, and the group leaders will also receive an additional salary.

A Senedd Member who holds more than one additional office will only receive one additional office salary – the highest paid of those roles.

Dr Elizabeth Haywood, the chair of the Independent Remuneration Board, said: “Our aim throughout has been to ensure that members and their staff have the right remuneration and support to meet the demands of a changing Senedd.

“Members play a vital role in our democracy and we provide staffing and business costs so they are able to do their job in holding the government to account, making Welsh laws, agreeing Welsh taxes and engaging with and representing their constituents.”

The board confirmed its decisions on Members’ and staff pay for the seventh Senedd in July last year.

The Determination on Members’ Pay, Staffing and Business Support 2026-27 is available on the board’s website.