Assembly Diary

First Minister Rhodri Morgan visited the Rhondda the other day to open the amazing new Valleys Kids facility at Soar Ffrwdamos chapel in Penygraig, funded by the National Assembly through Arts Council and European monies.

The project is a testimony to the hard work of the Valleys Kids team led by Margaret Jervis, and was launched with a wonderful concert involving Valleys Kids children and musicians from South Africa. This is just one of a number of investments being made by the National Assembly in the Rhondda. The two most obvious Assembly investments are of course the Porth Rhondda Fach Relief Road and the new Llwynypia hospital, but there has also been investment in youth club developments, in surgeries, in safer routes to school schemes and many others. ….

We have had a number of visits to the National Assembly by local organisations in recent weeks, the latest being pupils from Ysgol Hen Felin, who demonstrated some of the excellent artwork they have developed with the artists, Pippins. They were also accompanied by their teachers and pupils from Porth County Community School, in a visit sponsored by the sporting charity, Wooden Spoon. Schools are regular visitors to the Assembly: St Gabriels and St Raphaels Primary was also with us last week. Pensioners groups have also been down recently. The best days for visits depends on whether you wish to see the Assembly in session, or whether you want to visit our new Assembly Chamber itself, which is harder to access on sitting days. Please ring Ceri on 682550 if you have any plans to visit…..

I have seen a leaflet circulating in parts of the Rhondda claiming there are plans to close the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. This is completely untrue. There are no such plans. As I have explained here before, there has been a public consultation about the future of hospital services in South East Wales. This contains no plans whatever to close the Royal Glamorgan, which of course is Wales's most modern hospital. As I have said before, I have argued, and will continue to do so, for the full range of services to be provided at the Royal Glamorgan....

I am delighted that we raised a record amount for local charities through the Rhondda Calendar this year. We are already planning for the 2007 Calendar.