Maria Cassidy

United Kingdom

Journalist at BBC Radio Foyle

Articles

Lechlade boat explosion sees couple rescue six people

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Maria Cassidy

Couple save six people after boat explodes on river SWNSJosh and Hannah were walking by the river on holiday when the boat explodedA couple who saved the lives of four children and two adults have been praised for their "heroic bravery" after a boat exploded on the River Thames. Josh Hobbs, 35, and Hannah Lloyd-Hobbs, 34, from Rhayader, Powys, leapt into the water to save six people after the boat burst into flames.
Tribute to 'kindest soul' who died in quadbike crash

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Maria Cassidy

The family of a man killed in a crash have described him as the "kindest of souls". A quadbike was found overturned on the A465 westbound between Rhymney, Caerphilly, and Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, at about 04:50 BST on 31 May. Ethan Powell, 20, from Brynmawr in Blaenau Gwent, died at the scene. Five people have been arrested in connection with the crash - one of them on suspicion of murder. Ethan's family said he was the "funniest of characters and always managed to light up a room".
Oxford-Cambridge rail line classed as England and Wales project

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Maria Cassidy

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The new line is set to cost £6.6bn but no tracks will be laid in WalesThere is anger that a multi-billion pound project to build a railway line between Oxford and Cambridge has been classed as an England and Wales project. The £6.6bn line will see no tracks laid in Wales, meaning the country will not benefit from extra funding.
Ryan Reynolds' translator to receive Welsh honour

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Maria Cassidy

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's translator is to receive a top Welsh honour. Broadcaster and journalist Maxine Hughes will be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at this year's National Eisteddfod in Wrexham county. Hughes, originally from Conwy, is well known for being the official Welsh translator and poking fun at the two Wrexham FC owners in television show Welcome to Wrexham.
Ryan Reynolds' Welsh teacher to receive top Welsh honour

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Maria Cassidy

Hughes, who previously worked for BBC News and now lives in Washington DC, flew out to Los Angeles and landed the part of the "official Welsh translator" for the television series. She ignores what they say and then provides her own commentary on the pair in Welsh, as the subtitles reveal to the audience. Ap Iorwerth worked as a journalist and broadcaster for the BBC before being elected as a Senedd member for Anglesey in 2013.
Ex-Plaid Cymru leader Price unlikely to be re-elected in 2026

4 weeks ago | bbc.com | Maria Cassidy

Ex-Plaid leader unlikely to be re-elected in 2026Jacob Morris & Maria CassidyBBCAdam Price was the leader of Plaid Cymru between 2018 and 2023Former Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price is unlikely to be re-elected in next year's Senedd election. Plaid Cymru's rules aim for gender equality, meaning the second name on each regional list must be a woman. The party would expect to win two of the six Sir Gaerfyrddin seats and face a challenge from Reform and Labour at the election in May 2026.
Doctor sent to Welsh summer set for freezing actors

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Maria Cassidy

Search queryDoctor sent to Welsh summer set for freezing actorsThu, May 29, 2025 at 7:45 AM UTCMulligan stars in the new comedy drama The Ballad Of Wallis Island [Getty Images]A medic was called on to the set of a new comedy drama filmed on the Welsh coast to make sure the actors did not suffer from the cold - despite a suggestion it was shot during the summer months.
Clog making and roof thatching

1 month ago | bbc.com | Maria Cassidy

Clog making and thatching - the people behind craft jobs at riskBBCAlan Jones is a master thatcher and believes that continuing the craft is importantEver fancied a career weaving baskets, making helmets or building rattan furniture? Those are some of the crafts that are falling out of favour, making it on to a list of endangered trades. Research by Heritage Crafts, a charity which supports and promote traditional crafts, has identified 20 more crafts at risk of vanishing from the UK.
E-bike battery fires ‘tearing through homes’ – charity | Principia Scientific, Intl.

1 month ago | principia-scientific.com | Maria Cassidy

Written by Maria Cassidy on May 17, 2025. Posted in Current News Lithium batteries present the “fastest growing” risk of fires, a Welsh fire and rescue service has said. The batteries, and specifically lithium-ion batteries, are used to power a number of devices including e-bikes and scooters and their chargers, mobile phones, laptops and e-vapes.
E-bike lithium batteries 'fastest growing' fire risk

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Maria Cassidy

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Seven people were taken to hospital when a fire started by a lithium-ion battery-powered scooterLithium batteries present the "fastest growing" risk of fires, a Welsh fire and rescue service has said. The batteries, and specifically lithium-ion batteries, are used to power a number of devices including e-bikes and scooters and their chargers, mobile phones, laptops and e-vapes.