All Creatures Great and Small
I officially opened a charity shop in Risca last Friday for a fantastic good cause.
As a pet lover with two cats, I’m really impressed with the work done by All Creatures Great & Small to care for and rehome animals.
Since I became an Assembly Member in 2011, I’ve visited their sanctuary near Cwmbran on three occasions. They are currently building an education centre which will teach children how to look after pets.
There was a good turnout at the opening and I hope the shop is a success because fundraising is vitally important to the work of the charity. They are run by full-time staff and a large number of volunteers who do a fantastic job.
The sanctuary is well worth a visit as they have quite a range of animals and more information is available on their website www.allcreaturesgreatandsmall.org.uk
Smoking in Cars
During plenary at the National Assembly, I raised with the First Minister the issue of a ban on smoking in cars when children were present.
The effect on children of passive smoking in a confined area, such as a car or van, has been highlighted by The British Lung Foundation.
There are some opponents who talk about it as being an attack on personal freedoms. I say to them what choice does a child have if an adult is smoking in a car. Answer, none. They have to put up with it and the smoke could damage their health and well-being.
The First Minister was fully aware of the issue but said he would await the results of studies of primary and secondary school age children’s exposure to second-hand smoke in cars which will be available in the summer.
Leanne Wood
It was a pleasure last week to welcome Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood to Caerphilly where she met party members and supporters.
Leanne talked about her vision for Wales, including proposals for 1,000 additional doctors to boost the health service, getting the public sector to buy more Welsh produce and services, thereby creating jobs and providing support for small business, including scrapping business rates for thousands of businesses. It was a very positive message.
Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru South Wales East AM