Latest news with #RhysThomas
Western Telegraph
11-08-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
The Barley Gastrobar opens in 'great reputation' Narberth
Chef Rhys Thomas and his girlfriend Jodie Dickinson are at the helm of The Barley Gastrobar in the town's Water Street. And they have chosen the name for their new venture as a salute to the building's original life as The Barley Mow pub. 'We want to keep the history of the building alive with a modern twist,' said Rhys, 26, who has worked in the catering industry for the past 10 years. 'I've always wanted to run my own business, so when this building came up for lease, I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity.' The Barley Gastrobar has been attracting 'support, smiles and amazing feedback' since it opened (Image: Barley Gastrobar) The Barley welcomed its first customers on Tuesday, August 5 – and one of the first through the doors was Narberth Urban county councillor Marc Tierney, He posted on Facebook: 'Congratulations to Rhys and the team on the opening today of The Barley Gastrobar in Narberth. 'Narberth has a great reputation as a destination for food and drink. I stopped by earlier to offer my best wishes to Rhys, Alisha and Molly who were ready to welcome their first customers. 'It's so good to see a new local business opening on the High Street and I wish them well! 'The breakfast, lunch and dinner menus look great! I'm looking forward to a proper visit very soon!!' Congratulations from Cllr Tierney to The Barley's Rhys Thomas, with bar manager Alisha and front-of-house Molly. (Image: Marc Tierney) The Barley is open every day apart from Monday, from 9.30am-3pm and 5pm-8.30pm, with the bar staying open later for customers to enjoy a drink – including some interesting cocktails – in the quirky surroundings. The day gets underway with a full breakfast menu until noon with the Barley Hash – featuring cubed potatoes, diced chorizo and spinach – flagged up as the chef's favourite. Then it's onto lunch – and how about a curried chickpea sandwich or a burger with Barley sauce? Just a few of the tempting dishes being served up at The Barley. (Image: Barley Gastrobar) Or maybe choose from Rhys's recommended menu option, the flavourful small plates selection, where you can choose three for £20 from the choice of a dozen individually-priced offerings. Evening brings a tempting range of grills, burgers and seafood, and there's a children's menu all day. Rhys and Jodie posted on Facebook: "We've been blown away by the support, smiles, and amazing feedback since opening — and we just wanted to say thank you to everyone who's dined with us so far!"
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Director Rhys Thomas praises Jeremy Renner's 'genius' performance in Hawkeye
Director Rhys Thomas has praised Jeremy Renner's "genius" performance in Hawkeye. The Welsh director, best known for his work on NBC's Saturday Night Live, directed the 2021 Marvel miniseries Hawkeye, starring Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye. Speaking at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival this week, Rhys praised the actor's portrayal of the character, calling it "genius". "Jeremy frequently didn't want say much, you know," he said. "His character in the script had all this exposition. We had him saying a lot." The director continued, "He was genius (in) that kind of knowing, 'I can, I can say that entire paragraph just like this (grunts).' And he could. Not many people can." Rhys also admitted that he was "as surprised as anybody" when Marvel contacted him about working on the action series. Explaining why he was interested in the job, he said he liked the fact that, unlike most Marvel lead characters, Hawkeye had no superpowers. "You get an opportunity for a bigger budget and it's Marvel," he said. "What interested me in that show was that fans were not interested in Hawkeye because he doesn't have any superpowers. He's a real guy." "The comic book they highlighted for me as a tonal reference was by Matt Fraction, and that was grounded in that kind of energy that this is a real guy who was in pain and (who was) beaten up," Rhys continued. "He made mistakes. It was really the story of an ordinary guy with a poor sense of self-worth." The director added that, to him, the series didn't "feel like Marvel". Hawkeye is the fifth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and also stars Hailee Steinfeld.
Rhyl Journal
05-07-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Denbighshire project gets national recognition at TPAS Cymru
The Denbighshire-based project won an award in the 'Engaging Tenants in Environmental Initiatives/Projects' category at the TPAS Cymru Good Practice Awards 2025. The Thriving Partnerships, Transforming Communities project is a collaboration between Denbighshire County Council's Community Resilience Team, Actif Gogledd Cymru, Grwp Cynefin, and the council's Countryside Services. Councillor Rhys Thomas, Denbighshire's lead member for housing and communities, said: "I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in this fantastic project for their well-deserved recognition in winning the TPAS Cymru award. "We're thrilled to have won and proud to showcase the power of community-led transformation. "This success celebrates the project's innovative model as one that could be replicated in other communities across Wales." The project focuses on areas including Clawdd Poncen and Upper Denbigh, and aims to improve physical activity, reduce social isolation, and address health inequalities. Judges praised the scheme for its inclusive approach and visible impact. They said: "This one really stood out. "Choosing areas like Upper Denbigh and Clawdd Poncen, which face high deprivation, showed a strong commitment to inclusion. "From youth groups to social housing tenants, everyone had a voice, and it was obvious they were being heard. "You can see and feel the transformation. "Underused fields are now orchards, pump tracks, benches, and fit trails designed with residents. "There's reduced anti-social behaviour, and people are taking ownership of their spaces. "Really good case study on community engagement." The award-winning project transforms underused green spaces into community assets. It has converted neglected fields into orchards, fitness trails, seating areas, and other amenities. Nerys Price-Jones, director of people at Grŵp Cynefin, said: "The project showcases the power of collaboration and community-led action in creating greener, more connected spaces. "The award is a testament to the passion, creativity and commitment of our staff and partners. "They are projects that are making a real difference to our communities and environment." The project was funded through the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, via Actif Gogledd Cymru and the Nature for Health programme.
Rhyl Journal
05-06-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Denbighshire initiative shortlisted for TPAS Cymru awards
The Actif Denbighshire project, called Thriving Partnerships, Transforming Communities, is in the running for the Engaging Tenants in Environmental Initiatives/Projects category. The initiative, led by Actif Gogledd Cymru, showcases the power of community-led collaboration and a strong sense of place in driving meaningful change. Actif North Wales and Denbighshire County Council's community resilience team joined forces to appoint two project coordinators. This collaboration, involving Grŵp Cynefin's HWB Dinbych, the council's countryside services, and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley national landscape team, allowed the project to work with existing and new partners from the start. Ground-level improvements were executed by the Nature for Health team and HWB Dinbych. These efforts bolstered Actif's programme of work and helped coordinators understand the community's strengths and identify barriers to well-being. The initiative achieved key milestones in Corwen and Upper Denbigh. In Corwen, the Nature for Health team turned underused green spaces into community hubs, complete with a pump track, communal gardens, and exercise facilities. Active travel routes were enhanced, and health outreach services were hosted. Partnerships with local groups delivered inclusive activities. In Upper Denbigh, holiday programmes around Cae Hywel provided food and active play for children. Fitness initiatives, including a shoe swap and a Couch to 5k programme, were launched in partnership with Denbigh Harriers. Local youths were empowered to lead the Bumps and Jumps biking project, a grassroots campaign for safe cycling spaces. This strengths-based approach – starting with what's strong, not what's wrong – supported progress often without substantial funding, instead drawing on shared resources and strong relationships from the area. Councillor Rhys Thomas, lead member for housing and communities, said: "The success of the Actif Denbighshire project is rooted in partnership, highlighted by the two Actif co-ordinators for each area being employed by different organisations, reflecting trust, and an understanding of the unique strengths of each community. "We're thrilled to be shortlisted and proud to showcase the power of community-led transformation. "The nomination celebrates the project's innovative model as one that could be replicated in other communities across Wales."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jones names 12 uncapped players in Wales U21s squad
Matty Jones has included eight players that featured in Wales' recent senior training camp in Spain for his under-21s' friendly against Norway next month. Jones has named a 21-player squad which includes the likes of Lewys Benjamin, Joel Cotterill, Cian Ashford and Kai Andrews for the contest with Norway on 6 June (15:00 BST). Sam Parker, Dylan Lawlor, Rhys Thomas and Luey Giles - who also had the chance to impress senior boss Craig Bellamy earlier this month - have also been selected for the U21s fixture in Malaga. The squad featured 12 uncapped players, including Cardiff City's Luke Armstrong, Troy Perrett and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa along with Manchester City's Rhys Thomas. The fixture in Spain will be Wales' final match before they begin their U21 Euro 2027 qualifying campaign at home to the group's top seeds Denmark on 8 September. Evan Watts (Swansea City), Lewys Benjamin (Wolves), Luke Armstrong (Cardiff City), Archie Harris (AFC Bournemouth), Luey Giles (Cardiff City), Zac Williams (Crewe Alexandra), Ben Hammond (Nottingham Forest), Thierry Katsukunya (Aston Villa), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Sam Parker (Swansea City), Alex Williams (West Bromwich Albion), Rhys Thomas (Man City), Joel Cotterill (Swansea City), Kai Andrews (Coventry City), Jonathan Bland (Barnsley), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Troy Perrett (Cardiff City), Cian Ashford (Cardiff City), Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (Cardiff City), Cameron Congreve (Swansea City), Chris Popov (Leicester City).
