New surgery and chemist campaign
Myself and fellow Plaid councillors Anne Collins, Margaret Sargeant and Steve Skivens have started a campaign for a new doctor’s surgery and pharmacy in Penyreheol ward.
I’ve held a meeting with the Aneurin Bevan Health Board and also with the doctor’s surgery and Sheppard’s pharmacy, both currently based at Troed-y-Bryn.
This is golden opportunity with land readily available for a development on the site of the old Cwm Ifor Infants School and a purpose-built building there would ensure the best facilities possible for the 21st century.
The meeting with the health board was very helpful and positive and I’ve been delighted with the response of the surgery and pharmacy.
One of the factors, of course, will be the willingness of Caerphilly county borough council to release the land. We have enough housing in Penyreheol already and the Cwm Ifor site is an ideal one which could also be expanded in the future with other clinics providing services such as chiropody or optometry.
During my meeting with Aneurin Bevan officials, I also raised the question of new health facilities in Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach and the Aber Valley and they have promised to come back to me.
Welsh Products
Despite the difficult economic times, I hope people will continue to support local traders and manufacturers during 2013.
I popped into the tourist information centre in Caerphilly before Christmas and put together baskets of Welsh produce to give as gifts to people from outside the country.
This included Celt beer brewed in Caerphilly, chocolate by Castle Chocolates of Bedwas as well as other produce from Wales such as Merlyn liqueur, laverbread and cockles.
I’m pleased to say that they were extremely well received.
Christmas Break
I normally tend to spend the Christmas and New Year break at home but it was special time for me over the recent holiday.
I’m now a very proud grand-father and went to visit my daughter, Aerfen, her husband and their baby daughter, Nonna Margred in Devon.
I also want to wish all Caerphilly Observer readers Blwyddyn Newydd Dda, Happy New Year. I hope we will finally see the economic tide turn for the better.
Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East