Latest news with #Newport
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Locals rave about coffee shop after it gets top food hygiene rating
Locals have flooded social media with praise after Gregory's Coffee House on Caerleon Road was awarded a five-star food hygiene rating on April 9. The Newport café, run by Sarah Gregory and her partner, received the highest possible rating from food safety officers. The award recognises high standards in food handling, cleanliness, and safety management. Since news of the achievement broke, regulars and first-time visitors alike have been eager to share their congratulations and personal experiences online. Community support came thick and fast, with many customers taking to Facebook to say how much they enjoy the café. One local said: "[They are] amazing warm people who run Gregory's. "My son and I are frequent customers. "Always spotlessly clean, with an amazing relaxed atmosphere." Comments like these show just how much of an impact the coffee shop has had on its customers. Another happy customer, Janet Evans, said she enjoyed bringing her family when visiting from further afield. She said: "Congratulations both we have enjoyed coffee with my family when we came down from Manchester to see family in January." It's clear Gregory's has become a favourite not just for locals, but for visitors to Newport as well. The café's reputation for quality extends beyond its coffee. Claire Arnold said: "Latte and toasted tea cake top notch and the butter is delicious." Elizabeth Waters agreed, saying: "Amazing hot chocolate and cheesecakes are my fav[ourite] !! Staff are so welcoming and just a lovely place to go on the road !! Smashing it guys." Many praised the welcoming staff, the relaxed atmosphere, and the high standard of food and drink. Rachel Hales said: "Lovely mocha! Fair play guys. Smashing it." Andrej Madaras added: "Highly recommend great coffee and cake!" There were plenty of messages of support for the hard work put in by the owners. Natalie Arr said: "Well done both! You've worked incredibly hard to make it so wonderful, you thoroughly deserve it." Jo McWato echoed the sentiment: "We'd expect nothing less from you two grafters! "Congratulations and well deserved." The café's dog-friendly policy and community spirit also received special mention, with Deborah Williams describing it as "a beautiful coffee haven and dog friendly. Well done for receiving the recognition. You deserve the award." Regulars and newcomers alike said they look forward to returning. Jake Cullen said: "I look forward to visiting sometime!" Meanwhile Emma Willsmere added: "I visit here often, a great place for coffee and cheesecake, well done!" Sarah Gregory, speaking on behalf of the business, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to have received a 5-star food hygiene rating. "As a small, local business, this means the world to us." She added: "It's not just a reflection of our standards behind the scenes but also a message to our customers that we take cleanliness, food safety, and care seriously in everything we do." With this top rating and strong community support, Gregory's Coffee House looks set to continue as a favourite spot for coffee lovers in Newport.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Former glamour model who dated host of stars before settling down with Rose West's son reveals what it's like to be the serial killer's 'daughter in law'
A former glamour model has revealed what her life is like after having another child with Fred and Rose West 's son. Emma Bradley ignored concerns from her family to settle down with Stephen West, 51, and the pair most recently welcomed a baby girl named Eden. The former topless model is said to be so besotted with her fiancee Stephen that she is planning to marry him this August at the Celtic Manor hotel in Newport. Emma's family are believed to have raised the alarm over the fact that Stephen, who once said 'there's a bit of my dad in me', had spent jailtime for seven counts of underage sex with a 14-year-old girl. But Emma moved in with Stephen to a home in Abbeymead, Gloucester, just five miles away from the 'House of Horrors' at 25 Cromwell Street where his parents committed mass murder. She has also switched careers after modelling for magazines like Nuts and Zoo in her early 20s for her current job as a nurse at Gloucester Royal Hospital. After reports of Rose being in ill health in HMP New Hall, West Yorkshire, Emma told The Sun that neither she or Stephen were aware as they have cut ties with the serial killer. She said: 'Stephen doesn't want to say anything because his main priority is the little ones. He is adamant, at this time of his life he's got a young family to protect.' Emma's family are said to have raised the alarm over the fact Stephen (above) had spent jailtime for seven counts of underage sex with a 14-year-old girl Emma shares four girls with Stephen - the eldest being 17 years old - and says they 'don't know about the family history'. She believes they are 'old enough to be aware but too young to understand'. One inside source told the newspaper that Emma's family were 'uncomfortable' with her relationship to Stephen due to his family and 'where he comes from'. They also say that Stephen, a former builder, is currently unemployed and drives a Motability Scheme car due to one of his daughter's being disabled. Another source said Emma is only with Stephen because she 'wanted attention' and added that 'she has always been like that'. The former model reportedly dated ex-Arsenal striker Paul Merson and singer Dane Bowers before settling down. Fred West (above, left) died by suicide in 1995 while awaiting trial while Rose West (above, right) is in HMP New Hall, West Yorkshire, where she is spending a life sentence Stephen was jailed for nine months in December 2004 after having an eight month affair with the 14-year-old girl, during which time he arranged for her to have an abortion. He claimed his harrowing childhood led to psychological trauma which had been a factor in the relationship. The now-51-year-old has been married twice before his engagement to Emma and has eight children in total. He is also a grandfather. He grew up in the 'House of Horrors' and cut all ties with his mother and 1999, saying 20 years later it was 'important that I did that'. Rose had blamed Stephen for her and Fred's the horrific campaign of rape, torture and murder - which included their killing of his older sister Heather - and said it was his fault that she had ended up behind bars. Stephen added: 'She rang me in 1999 with hate, blaming me for everything. She said I should have died when I was born and that I was a disgrace to the family. 'You don't need enemies when you've got family like that.' At 14 years old, his father Fred told him to dig a hole in his garden that would be used for a fish pond. But it was to be used for his 16-year-old sister's grave. The couple would often tell their other children they would 'end up under the patio like Heather' if they did not behave. Of Fred and Rose's 10 children, only seven are still alive today. Four of them are believed to have moved to other parts of the UK to begin new lives, away from the 'House of Horrors' - but three, including Stephen, have remained in Gloucester and live around ten minutes away from each other.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's On in Newport: Half-term finale packed with music and family fun
Newport is set for a weekend of entertainment as half-term draws to a close. From music festivals to family fun days, there's something for everyone in the city. Kicking off the weekend on Saturday, May 31, is the Pirates In The Port Sea Shanty Festival. (Image: Supplied) The event, organised by local Welsh shanty group Bois Y Bryn, will bring the tradition of sea shanties and folk music to life. From 11am to 7pm, multiple venues in the city centre, including The Riverfront Theatre, will host this lively festival. Entry is free and no booking is required. On the same day, Brazilian thrash crossover band Ratos De Porão will perform at The Cab, Newport. (Image: Supplied) The intimate gig, supported by bands Harrowed, Zero Again, Rank, and Mortal Karcass, will start at 6.30pm. A small number of tickets will be available on the door. (Image: Supplied) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time continues its run at the Dolman Theatre. Presented by Dolman Theatreworks, the play tells the story of a gifted boy, Christopher Boone, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery while investigating the killing of a dog. The show will be performed on Saturday, May 31, at 7.15pm. Sunday, June 1, sees the return of the free family event, A Teddy Bears Picnic, at the top of Beechwood Park. (Image: Supplied) From 2pm to 5pm, attendees can enjoy a cartoon character disco, inflatable slides and castles, face painting, dance act performances, musical performances, bubble fun, a parrot display, and more. Families are encouraged to bring their favourite teddy and a picnic blanket. With such a wide range of activities on offer, there's no shortage of things to do in Newport this weekend. Whether you're a music lover, theatre enthusiast, or looking for a fun family day out, Newport has it all. So, whether you're planning to sing along with the shanty singers, rock out to Ratos De Porão, watch the adventures of Christopher Boone, or join in the fun at the Teddy Bears Picnic, Newport has a weekend full of activities to round off half-term. Enjoy the festivities and make the most of the weekend.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Newport school system under scrutiny for response to budget crunch
NEWPORT, KY. – The Newport Board of Education went over details of next school year's budget Wednesday night. But not before community members reamed the board for slashing jobs and reducing student services to dig the district out of a $3.9 million deficit. "There is a school board and superintendents that fail us," Tricia Tobergte, a former Newport student and teacher, said during public comment. She was one of several people at the meeting wearing a red T-shirt with "I am Fiona" written on the front. FIONA, which stands for Fiscal Integrity of Newport Administration, is a movement created by a group of local people who want better oversight and an audit of district spending. Those in T-shirts were among dozens at the Newport High School auditorium for the meeting, some offering applause or shouts of agreement as others spoke. Many wanted to know why the district was surprised by news of the shortfall earlier this year. Newport Independent Schools is home to almost 1,400 students at about five schools in the district, according to U.S. News & World Report. The board of education has announced a slew of cost-cutting measures in response to its budget crunch. Cuts include: The nonrenewal of more than dozen employee contracts, including teachers. Elimination of seven administrative positions. Retirement of at least a dozen people. Termination of a contract with TANK buses to take children to school. Elimination of non-mandatory out-of-state travel. A mutual agreement to end the contract of Superintendent Tony Watts at the end of the 2025 school year. Watts did not respond to a request for comment from The Enquirer. He told LINK nky at the time, 'We just made a mutual agreement that we thought it was best for the district at this time that we part our ways." Andrea Janovic, a former Newport Board of Education member, said she blames a lack of oversight for the budget shortfall. She said she's requested public records that allegedly reveal fraudulent charges on credit cards and overbudgeting with an excess of COVID-19 pandemic-related funding, neither of which The Enquirer could immediately verify independently. "We have to ask very difficult questions of the people who are responsible for advising us on our financial positions and whether or not a year prior we could have known (about the deficit)," she said. "Surprise should never be a word used by a school board in terms of finances." Board Chair Ramona Malone said at the end of the meeting, "I do want to say that it has been brought to our attention to consider doing a forensic audit on our finances. So, that's something that is a conversation with the board." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What will Newport schools cut?
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Welsh language social media use 'limited' among young people
Young people's attitudes towards the Welsh language are "encouraging" but English is by far the main language used by teenagers on social media, a report has found.A large majority of Welsh children communicate mainly through English on social media even when speaking to other Welsh-speakers, according to the report set to be released at the Urdd Eisteddfod on survey of around 1600 youngsters found "limited" use of Welsh by children outside of school, but added it was more likely to be spoken in activities such as to the report, Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones said it highlighted "significant challenges... [but] also identifies opportunities". Cai Saunders attends English medium secondary school Treorchy Comprehensive in Rhondda Cynon Taf. He and his friends, who are studying Welsh, have a group chat where they practice before lessons and exams, the 16-year-old said, speaking from this year's Eisteddfod yr Urdd. "Sometimes we share things on Instagram or Facebook to show friends and family, but my friends who study A-level have set up a group chat so that we can talk in Welsh." Cerys, from Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed, near Newport, speaks Welsh with her said a lot of her friends went to English schools and used English outside of school because their family and parents "don't speak Welsh"."If there are more places where they are able to speak Welsh, I think more would speak Welsh," she Franklin from Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni on Anglesey said he usually mixed Welsh and English when talking with friends at said he liked to speak Welsh, adding: "I don't get a lot of time to speak [Welsh] with my friends." Cari Lovelock from Anglesey said she thought it was "important" that the younger generation use the Welsh language when socialising."We are the next generation who are going to promote the language and keep it alive so that we get things like the Eisteddfod and I think that is an important thing," she ap Llwyd Dafydd from Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, in Caerphilly county, said he speaks English with his friends because that is the home language for many of he speaks Welsh at home, he said: "We don't see any entertainment in Welsh, they're all in English, so it's not easy to speak Welsh with friends." 'Positive' attitude to Welsh language 1,600 children and young people - most of them between the ages of 11 and 16 - took part in the research for the report to the Welsh Language the main findings of the report was that the general use of Welsh by children and young people outside of school was "limited".But children are more likely to use the language in sporting activities, especially with coaches and leaders, it towards the Welsh language were also generally "positive", especially among those who were fluent and had learnt the language at the report found there was very little use of Welsh on social media, with the majority using English "because it is easier and reaches a wider audience".Around 80 percent of those who responded to the questionnaire said they use English every time or usually to communicate online, even with other Welsh fluent speakers were more likely to communicate directly through the language, with half saying they usually text in Welsh, or use both languages equally. According to the Welsh Language Commissioner, the information gathered will help inform the commissioner's future work, as well as others."Children and young people are vital to the future of the Welsh language. This wide-ranging research offers us an insight into the use of Welsh by young people," said Ms Gruffudd Jones."There is no doubt that the report highlights significant challenges particularly in the field of social media but it also identifies opportunities, in the area of sport for example, and I will prioritise creating and strengthening strategic partnerships in order to further develop those opportunities."Myfanwy Jones, director of Mentrau Iaith Cymru, a national organisation that supports a network of 22 local Welsh language initiatives, said there was a need to expand the opportunities to use the Welsh language outside of school."It is clear that there are a large number of respondents who do not use Welsh very often outside of school but are generally supportive of the Welsh language and wish to have more opportunities to use the language," she said. "As part of our remit, we are constantly looking for further opportunities to expand our community activities in order to offer opportunities for young people to use the Welsh language naturally. The report shows that this work is crucial and we will work with the commissioner and other partners to develop it further in the future."
