Heledd Fychan MS raises concerns over the future of Pontypridd Post Office
Following the news that Pontypridd Post Office’s current operators are due to finish on 23rd December 2022, Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales Central, Heledd Fychan, has raised concerns in the Senedd. She has also written to the Post Office, who have confirmed that they are looking for new operators but that no one is currently in place to take over the service.
‘One Million Speakers’ is “pipe dream” without “radical action”
The latest Census data on Welsh language skills, shows a decrease in the number of people reporting to be able to speak, read, understand and write Welsh. This is driven largely by a fall among children and young people who say they can speak Welsh.
Heledd Fychan MS: We’re proud to be Yma o Hyd – now it’s time to learn what that means.
On the day that Wales play their first Football World Cup game for 60 years here is an article published by https://nation.cymru/ and writen by Heledd Fychan MS.
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Whilst getting ready for school one morning last week, my nine year old son was singing ‘Yma o Hyd’.
He’s also been singing it in his class and on the school yard with his friends – an indication that Dafydd Iwan’s epic song and the Cymru Men’s Football Team anthem for the World Cup has captured the imagination and hearts of a new generation of fans.
And with Cymru’s journey at the World Cup starting tomorrow, we’ll no doubt be hearing a lot more of ‘Yma o Hyd’ in the coming days and weeks.
Heledd Fychan MS calls on the Welsh Government to ensure access to free period products is protected by law
Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central, is today leading a debate in the Senedd calling on the Welsh Government to legislate to ensure that everyone that needs free period products can access them, wherever they live in Wales.
In August, the Period Products (Free Provision) Act came into force in Scotland making it the first country in the world to make period products freely available. This means that period products must be made available for free in public buildings, including schools and universities across Scotland.
Cost of Living Event Highlights Impact of the Crisis on our Communities
On 27 October, organisations from Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan all came together in an event organised by Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central, Heledd Fychan.
The event, which took place at The Feelgood Factory at Bryncynon Strategy was an opportunity for organisations and individuals working to support people who are being impacted by the cost-of-living crisis to come together and share what they are seeing through their work. It was also an opportunity for them to share ideas and best-practice, whilst also discussing what steps can be taken by the Welsh and UK Governments to provide greater support.
British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly
I attended the meeting of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Cavan in Ireland on the 23-25 of October.
As you can imagine, the focus of the discussions was on restoring a government in Northern Ireland and concerns about the need for another election there if there is no agreement. The effects of Brexit continue to worry many, including what effect issues around the protocol could have on the Good Friday agreement.
Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference 2022
In October, Plaid Cymru held its annual autumn conference in Llandudno. A key theme for the conference was how we can respond to the Cost of Living crisis with Plaid Cymru launching its radical ten point “Peoples Plan”. This plan will protect the most vulnerable during this worsening crisis.
During the weekend I also had the honour of chairing the discussion between Northern Irelands First Minister Elect, Michelle O’Neill and Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price MS. It was inspiring to hear Michelle O’Neill’s vision and ambition to create a fair and just Ireland and how we can learn from each other to better support the people we represent. The session can be viewed here: Michelle O'Neill, Adam Price, Heledd Fychan in conversation on the future of Wales and Ireland - YouTube
Babyloss awareness week
The 9th – 15th October marked Babyloss awareness week. Too often people suffer in silence and feel completely isolated after losing a baby. More must be done to end preventable baby loss and ensure bereaved parents are supported during the most challenging of times. It was a true honour to be able to meet with bereaved parents during this week to learn more about the invaluable work they do to support bereaved parents across Wales.
Anger as Welsh Government Approves the Continuation of Craig yr Hesg Quarry
Local Plaid Cymru political representatives have expressed their anger and disappointment after the Welsh Labour Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, supported the appeal to extend the life of the Craig yr Hesg Quarry, as well as the area to be quarried.
Both Heledd Fychan, Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central, and Dawn Wood, Rhondda Cynon Taf Councillor for Pontypridd Town Ward are also Town Councillors and represented the views of local residents during the appeal hearing earlier this year. Both have also consistently opposed the proposals, with Heledd Fychan speaking at a number of RCT Council Planning Meetings whilst she was a County Councillor.
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Network
Last week, I had the honour of being selected to be part of the Senedd’s delegation to the British Islands and Mediterranean Region Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference in Gibraltar. This year’s theme looked at how we can Attract and Retain Effective Women Parliamentarians.