‘Why should culture be the preserve of only areas that are rich?’

Delyth Jewell, who is the deputy leader of Plaid Cymru, is one of four regional Senedd Members serving the South Wales East region.

Last week, Caerphilly Council voted to close Llancaiach Fawr. It’s a decision which has caused anger and sadness locally, because the manor house is so much more than a building – it provides a living link with our area’s past, it’s a place of magic for children, and a hub for a community that is bitterly used to having things taken away.

There are other stories that the manor house could be used to tell, away from the time of the civil war.  There is so much potential still living in its walls, and it saddens me immensely to think that its doors could soon close for good. 

Why should culture be the preserve of only areas that are rich? In the Senedd this week, I asked the First Minister for assistance to be provided, either directly or through Cadw, to ensure that Llancaiach Fawr does not close its doors, and staff are retained. 

A public meeting will be held at the venue this Saturday to discuss the next steps for the campaign, and I hope that many members of the community will join us there.

The fate of Blackwood Miners’ Institute, of course, still hangs in the balance, and I know that residents and staff are deeply worried about its future. Indeed, there is a real risk that productions will pull out of performing at the venue before a decision is even made because of the ongoing uncertainty, and staff morale is shockingly low. 

I raised concerns about this too, but dismayingly, the Welsh Government has not been keen to offer its assistance. 

On a more positive note, though, I was pleased this week that the Welsh Government agreed to my calls for a proper health plan for women and girls in Wales by the end of the year. 

I led a cross party debate on the issue in the Senedd, focusing on how women’s pain in their healthcare is treated as normal. 

The absence of a dedicated women and girls’ health plan in Wales has unquestionably made this situation worse, and has resulted in poorer health outcomes for women. I hope sincerely that the situation will improve.

I have also made the case for more banking hubs in the area, as more and more banks close their branches. 

Ystrad Mynach’s branch of Barclays is the fifth branch in the county borough to have its closure announced in the last year, and this is a quiet crisis being seen across the region.

In Bargoed, there is an absence of any bank branches or hubs, and the cash points in town are sometimes left completely empty of cash at the weekend. 

When banks close their doors, it can isolate communities and individuals, so these hubs can play a pivotal role for inclusion in our community.