January is National Walk your Dog Month, an annual event that promotes the health and wellbeing of dogs through regular exercise. During January, dog owners are encouraged to take their four-legged companions for daily walks to ensure they get the physical activity they need. As well as our regular walks near home, a particular favourite of my dog is Coed Nercwys or a beach visit to Talacre – there are plenty of different options not far from our doorsteps in Delyn. If you’re looking for a new walking route in the new year, have a look at www.walkiees.co.uk/dog-walks/flintshire. You can also become a Green Dog Walker through a scheme run by Flintshire County Council which aims to change attitudes about dog fouling in your area in a friendly way – find out more at www.flintshire.gov.uk/greendogwalkers.
As we all get used to January and await the spring, there are plenty of events going on in Flintshire which can go some way to brighten up our lives. As well as their regular community coffee mornings on Wednesdays at the Town Hall, Flint Town Council is also running a ‘repair café’ next week – bring along anything which needs fixing such as electrical goods, clothing, toys and bikes and you can get it mended for free. If you have skills which could help others in the community with their broken items, you might want to come along to help out too! And do you have an issue and live in Holywell? Holywell Town Council is running drop-in sessions for each ward in which you can meet your councillors and raise any issues with them. And, in Mold, the Daniel Owen Centre hosts a ‘warm hub’ on Friday mornings at 10am, plus there’s a school uniform recycling stall at the centre on January 20 from 10am to 2pm.
It was announced last week that the 3G mobile network is changing in our area. EE – part of BT Group – announced last year that it’s retiring its 3G network in early 2024 and, as part of the phased closure of this network, they will begin withdrawing 3G services across Flintshire. It sounds like a big step, but actually more than 95% of EE and BT customers don’t use the 3G network, using the 4G or 5G network instead, and 3G itself is more than 20 years old and is now considerably less efficient. EE has contacted my office to inform me that they are offering all vulnerable customers a free 4G-ready mobile phone or a big discount on a pay monthly plan for those who want to choose their own handset – you can find more details on my website at www.hannahblythyn.cymru/the-3g-mobile-network-is-changing-in-our-area or drop me a line if you have any concerns and would like some help.
On Friday, I visited Mold-based business Wind2, which develops onshore wind projects in both Wales and Scotland and is currently working on projects which will secure 400 megawatts of wind-generated power across Wales. It was good to hear from managing director Sarah Smith and technical and development director Chris Thomas about how the specialist wind farm developer is committed to delivering renewable energy generation projects that make positive contributions to net zero with a focus on community benefit – and Wind2 has a great apprenticeship and graduate programme which will bring a new generation of experts into this field. As well as Wind2, owners Gerry and Paula Jewson set up Solar2 in 2019 to also work on the development of solar farm projects. The Welsh Government is committed to net zero and businesses like Wind2 and Solar2 show the kind of community-focused projects we need to make Wales a nation powered by renewable energy.
Back in December, I attended a meeting set up by Councillor Tina Claydon at the Daniel Owen Centre in Mold to discuss concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in and around Elm Drive on the Bryn Gwalia Estate. Also invited to the meeting were Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as Mold Town Councillors and representatives from local schools and social services, as well as residents concerned about anti-social behaviour. It was resolved to set up a residents group and work with police and community leaders to find and encourage young people to get involved with local activities such as sports clubs as well as looking to set up Youth Shedz, which has been a popular scheme across north Wales. Anti-social behaviour is a problem in many of our communities and I’d welcome suggestions from other areas about what works and what doesn’t so we can share best practice – and residents who have concerns about anti-social behaviour can always contact me at the details below.
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 until an advice surgery.