This week I’d like to start this week’s my column by offering my warmest congratulations to the new MP for Clwyd East, Becky Gittins. Becky’s roots are firmly entrenched in our corner of North Wales and I know she will make an excellent Member of Parliament – I’ve known Becky for a number of years and I know that she has the compassion, commitment and character to make a difference to our communities and country. I’m proud to have supported Becky and campaigned with her – she worked incredibly hard to win people’s support, not just in the last weeks of the General Election but in the 14 months since she became the Labour candidate and she will continue to work hard for us as our MP. Llongyfarchiadau Becky!
I was pleased to join the newly-elected MP at the annual Mold Carnival on Sunday – an excellent event with lots of stalls and entertainment, made possible by the hard work and commitment of a team of inspirational volunteers. It was a pleasure to take part in the parade through town and then spend some time on Kendricks Field meeting people and making the most of all there was on offer. It’s the time of year when communities across the constituency hold summer events and it was good to once again be back at the Flint Festival joining Mayor Melly Buckley and Deputy Mayor Russell Davies. I was happy to reprise my now regular role in helping to judge the sandcastle competition, where every entry was a worthy winner!
Last weekend also saw the Summer Reading Challenge kick off in libraries across Wales – a free activity enabling young children to read for pleasure during the summer holidays, supported by the Welsh Government and the Books Council of Wales. All children aged four to 11 can visit their local library, register for the challenge, select six books of their choice and, once the challenge is completed, they will receive a certificate, with rewards along the way. Libraries have been hit hard in recent years as austerity has left many areas of Wales with a seriously reduced service, so this gives children the chance to learn how great libraries can be and how important they are in our communities. To find out more and sign up for the challenge, visit www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.
As regular readers will no doubt know, I am a Welsh learner – or dysgwr Cymraeg – and so I am interested in recent developments in the Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 policy, which sets a target of helping to create a million Welsh speakers by 2050. The government plans to present a Bill to the Senedd that calls for transformational changes to the way we think about the Welsh language and sets out the steps the government proposes to enable all pupils in Wales to become independent and confident Welsh speakers through the education system. Welsh is our language and it’s important that we take ownership of it – I’ve been learning Welsh because I want to use the language through my work and in my community and I’d encourage others to do the same.
More locally, Flintshire County Council has opened a consultation on moving Holywell Market from the High Street to Tower Gardens, mostly because its current location means the High Street has to close to traffic on market days. I would encourage residents to give their views on this proposal – have your say at www.givemyview.com/holywellmarketreview. Elsewhere, past and present students, parents and staff from Argoed High School are invited to a celebration event this Saturday to say farewell to the old school before it makes way for the new buildings. The event, which kicks off at 11am, will mark the history of the school and its buildings and will give everyone the chance to share memories, participate in fun activities and have a final look around the school – and get a glimpse of the new school.
As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.