In his regular blog for Caerphilly Observer South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle gives his take on recent news.
A-Levels
I wanted to congratulate all A level students, staff and parents in Caerphilly. We had an overall pass rate of 98% A*-E grades, compared to all Wales average of 97.2%, so results are improving. Well done to the council for their work as well.
I wish our GCSE students the best of luck with their results which are released tomorrow. I’m sure they will do Caerphilly proud.
Senghenydd and Baker Boys
BBC journalist Huw Edwards has been filming at Senghenydd concerning the colliery disaster. Should definitely be a programme worth watching when it is eventually screened.
This will be of particular family interest for me as my great grandfather Evan Hopcyn James was one of those that died in the 1913 disaster, which was the UK’s worst colliery disaster.
I also hear that BBC Wales has been filming in Bedwas and Trethomas for the second series of Baker Boys. The first was superb and it would be great if the BBC screened it across the UK network.
Flowers
Congratulations to the council officer in Caerphilly whose idea it was to create a wild flowers meadow on the main approach into the borough along the Caerphilly Northern By pass. It’s just near the Penrhos roundabout and is absolutely spectacular. When you’re passing take a look and admire.
Tour of Britain
I can’t wait for the Welsh stage of the Tour of Britain next month. It’s a real coup for Caerffili and will put the borough on the map.
Almost 100 cyclists will enter the county borough in Nelson, travel through Tredomen, Ystrad Mynach and Llanbradach, along Pontygwindy Road and into Caerphilly town centre, before climbing to the top of Caerphilly Mountain. It will prove a true test even for the best cyclists.They will then travel back into Caerphilly town centre, for the stage finale at the castle.
Welsh Medium Education
I was delighted to read about the continuing and increasing demand for Welsh medium education across the county borough.
Although I’m not a Welsh speaker myself, I’m fully in support of those parents that want their children educated through our ancient and beautiful language.
Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru South Wales East AM
Lindsay Whittle has been a good councillor, I agree with about 80-90% of what he says, ordinarily. However, to pick up his 'A level' remarks, he has now been sent to the 'senior school'. Exciting times for him, the big boys and girls have shown him his desk, the place to hang his coat and where the toilets are. But enrolment week is now over, and he needs to behave in a more statesman like manner, commensurate with his new position.
All the comments on his last blog were the result of his mistakenly calling a facebook page "The Caerphilly Local History Society". Is it too much to ask of our AM that he publicly concedes that he made a mistake? That would not damage his reputation, quite the reverse. People admire politicians who admit their errors and are apologetic for them.
By totally ignoring the responses caused by his error he merely feeds the opinion of several commentators, and the many that have written or phoned me, who believe that this was not a mistake but a deliberate act of politics. That is a shame, The Society, I chair, is avowedly non political and will remain so, it exists to serve the interests of the general population. The vast majority of this population do not belong to political parties and do not approve of political machination, whether real or suspected.
It is now up to Lindsay to graciously acknowledge his mistake and allay any suspicion that this mistake caused.
I see no apology for the confusion over the name for the Facebook CaerphillyLocalHistory and the long established CaerphillyLocalHistorySociety. Does this mean that the widespread rumours that the FacebookGroup is a Plaid backed organisation are true?.
Ron, I can assure you with certainty and confidence, there has not been any political influence behind the page, I started the page in January and for 5 months, built the page alone, in May, Clare became an admin and has helped ever since, Ron, if there had been outside influence then maybe I wouldn't be in the position that I am now in.
Please some one tell me why is this Man is a AM what has he done for caerphilly, even when you speak with him about a problum he will not listen you or to anything you say ….just sits in his chair at his big office takes his wage then goes home… i would never ever vote for this man evere again. dirt on his hands get him out save your money ………