REVIEW: 'Friends: The Musical Parody' at The New Theatre The highly acclaimed musical tribute to one of the most popular TV shows of all time ends its UK tour in Cardiff this week. We were at the New Theatre last night for the opening of its week-long run here. And what fun it was! Friends: The Musical Parody manages to shoehorn many of the most memorable moments from the show's 10 seasons into a two-hour production. So, expect to be reacquainted with Marcel the monkey, Joey'

A locally written screenplay has been named in the official selection at a film festival in the USA. The script for A Fish Out of Water by our Andy Weltch and award-winning Rhiwbina-born-and-raised Robert Lancey has made the cut at the Georgia Shorts Film Festival. It's now among those those to be considered for honours at the festival in Atlanta in June. The festival is a theatrical screening event for independent short films of all genres. It focuses on films from Georgia a

A musical comedy based on the much-loved TV series Friends arrives at the New Theatre later this month (27 April - 2 May). Friends! The Musical Parody is inspired by memorable moments from all ten seasons of the show, with an original musical score. So, expect to see Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe as they navigate life, love, and friendship in 1990s New York City. Also, 'Pivot!' More information and tickets here. 🎭 A stage version of one of the great crime

The recent regeneration works in Rhiwbina village have been welcomed by many; the disruption to Heol y Deri and to the shops less so. Fortunately the work is almost complete, having taken somewhat longer than the proposed six weeks. However, one issue appears to have become a bone of contention. Residents of Y Groes have launched a petition seeking a review by Cardiff Council of the fixed bollards installed around the green. The petition asks the council to pause any furth

Velindre Hospital is holding two community workshops at 10 am on both Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April to discuss the future of the former Whitchurch Hospital site. Image: Ticketsource Velindre University NHS Trust became the legal owner of the hospital buildings and land in November 2024, following a transfer from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. In October 2025, interested parties were invited to express their interest in the property as part of the sale process

Ty Glas railway station has reopened, after being closed since last summer for improvements and safety upgrades. Transport for Wales (TfW) describes it as "a major programme of work to modernise the station and enhance safety for passengers and the local community". The pedestrian level crossing reopened in October , and the station was back in action on 4 April. The work has involved: • Extending the platform by 16 metres; • Resurfacing the crossing and introducing

A programme involving girls at two North Cardiff schools was among the winners at the Wales Golf Awards. The Leadership in Sport - Girls to Golf programme, involving 12- and 13-year-old students at Whitchurch High School and Llanishen High School, was named the Women and Girls Project of the Year for its outstanding impact. The award celebrates golf clubs and partnerships that demonstrate exceptional commitment to increasing participation among women and girls. Judges praised

REVIEW: ' Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift' at The New Theatre There's a piece of theatrical history taking place at the New Theatre this week - the first stage production of the long-running and hugely popular TV crime favourite Midsomer Murders . The Killings at Badger's Drift was the very first episode of this ITV staple, based on Caroline Graham's 1987 novel and reaching the screen a decade or so later, it now finds its way to the stage in a very entertai

Schools in North Cardiff are among those being recognised for their commitment to strengthening careers and work-related experiences through the Careers Wales Quality Award (CWQA) – as registration opens for more schools across the country to take part. Whitchurch High School and Corpus Christi High School are among 66 schools and settings across Wales to have taken part in the pilot since its launch in September 2023. Early results show how the award can support schools to

Overnight visitors to Cardiff will pay an extra fee from next year (April 2027), city councillors decided yesterday (Thursday 26 March). The visitor levy (sometimes dubbed 'tourist tax'), as set out in legislation, will be £1.30 per person per night for most accommodation types and 75p per person per night for campsites and shared rooms like hostels. The charges will be subject to VAT. In Rhiwbina, the levy will apply to hotels such as the New House Country Hotel and the Trav

Rhiwbina-based DL Reid Wealth and Finance has been named among the UK's top-rated financial advisers for the second year running. The practice - a long-time supporter of Rhiwbina Info - is listed in the top 500 in the VouchedFor Top Rated Financial Advisers Guide 2026 , published by The Times. The annual guide highlights the UK's highest-rated financial advisers based on genuine client feedback. Inclusion is determined by the quality and consistency of client reviews, reflec

CRIME & COMMUNITY ROUND-UP Llanishen High School reopened yesterday (Wednesday) after being closed for two days, when police received threats to harm people with weapons. At around 8.30pm on Sunday (15 March) South Wales Police received a live chat making threats to harm people with weapons at Llanishen and Eastern High Schools. Further communication was received late on Monday (16 March) about St Illtyd’s High School. The Force made enquiries, assessed the information, and

Two blocks of council flats in North Cardiff are set to undergo recladding and fire-safety improvements. Beech House and Sycamore House, on the Hollybush Estate in Whitchurch, are the next buildings in Cardiff Council's programme to bring homes up to current Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) requirements. Beech House, Whitchurch Councillors will consider the procurement arrangements to deliver the work next week. Cladding was removed from five council high‑rise blocks in

Local club profile Rhiwbina Camera Club (RCC) was established in the village in 1958, and is now in its 68th year. One member's research shows it is the second oldest club in Rhiwbina, after the Recreation Club and, it is believed, it is one of the oldest photography clubs in Wales. All photographers are welcomed, regardless of experience or equipment used - just a shared interest in photography is needed. Some members are complete beginners, while others are highly exper

Promotional content We are delighted to welcome local care provider Haven Care Cardiff as our newest partner. Haven was established over 25 years ago as a voluntary befriending service, after money was bequeathed by a member of Rhiwbina Baptist Church, with the stipulation that it should be used for the care of older people in the local community. Since 1992, Haven has evolved to meet increasing needs and is now a Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) registered domiciliary care prov

REVIEW: The Ballad of Johnny and June at The New Theatre This week, The New Theatre is presenting The Ballad of Johnny and June which portrays the love story between the legendary Johnny Cash, and his loving wife June Carter Cash. We were invited to last night's (Tuesday 10 March) opening night. The story is told through the eyes of John Carter Cash, the pair's beloved son, played by Ryan O’Donnell, who tells the tale of his parents' love story, mentioning the highs and lows

New plans to reduce flood risk from the brook that flows through Rhiwbina and Whitchurch have gone out for consultation. As we've reported before, Greener Whitchurch is a project that wants to cut the risk of floods from the brook on its route from Caedelyn Park and through Whitchurch by improvements including retrofitting rain gardens in targeted streets to slow stormwater. Feedback from a consultation last year has influenced the latest plans which are now out for consult

A popular Rhiwbina pub and hotel has come on the market for an asking price of £6.25 million. The Mason's Arms in Ty’n-y-Parc Road includes the Toby Carvery restaurant, seating up to 200, and the Travelodge, with 52 bedrooms. Photo courtesy of Christie and Co The 1.8-acre plot also contains staff accommodation and a car park. Hotel Owner reports that Christie and Co, which is managing the sale, describes the property as a “mixed hotel and leisure” investment opportunity, pro

Plans to help a high-flying North Cardiff soccer club get extra funding to improve facilities at their home ground are set to be agreed with Cardiff Council. Cardiff Draconians, who play at Lydstep Park, are due to take on responsibility for managing and maintaining facilities and green space in the park in Gabalfa. The club featured in a two-page spread in Rhiwbina-based Welsh Football Magazine last year , covering their rise through the leagues in the past decade, and thei

The Ballad of Johnny & June , which comes to the New Theatre, Cardiff next week (10-14 March) tells the rollercoaster story of country music power-couple, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. American musical theatre star Christopher Ryan Grant, who played Cash in the US and Canada, brings his acclaimed portrayal to the UK stage for this tour, with Christina Bianco as the multiple Grammy winner June . Packed with hits including I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Hey Porter, Jacks