AM pledges support for National Eye Week

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has pledged his support for National Eye Health Week, which takes place between September 16-22.

 

National Eye Health Week brings organisations and health professionals from across the UK together to raise awareness of the importance of good eye health and the need for regular sight tests.

 

Mr Isherwood said: “There are currently nearly 100,000 people in Wales who are living with sight loss and over the next 25 years the number is expected to double. Yet with the appropriate action sight loss can be avoided. It is vital that people are made aware of the importance of good eye health and regular eye tests and I therefore welcome the fact that eye care charities, organisations and health professionals will be coming together next week to promote this.”

 

Ceri Jackson, Chair of the National Eye Health Week steering group in Wales, added: “Fifty per cent of sight loss is avoidable, and the single most important thing that people can do to protect their sight is to go for a test every two years. Many people think that a sight test is just about checking whether your vision needs correcting with glasses or contact lenses, but a sight test is also a vital check of the health of the eyes and includes the detection of eye conditions. Many of these have no early symptoms, but when they are detected early then the right type of treatment could save your sight.

 

“National Eye Health Week is an opportunity for people to come together and raise awareness of the need to be proactive about our eye health in the same way as we would in relation to other health conditions. I’m delighted that Mr Isherwood has pledged his support and hope that as many people as possible can join us during the week in doing their bit to stop people losing their sight unnecessarily.”

 

In addition to sight tests, RNIB recommends four actions to keep your eyes healthy:

 

1 Stop smoking. Smoking can double your risk of developing some eye conditions. In fact, the link is as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer. Speak to your GP about stopping smoking.

 

2Eat healthily and watch your weight. Eating a diet low in saturated fats but rich in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli may help protect against eye disease. Oranges, kiwis, nuts, seeds and oily fish may also help. Obesity can increase the risk of diabetes, which in turn could lead to sight loss.

 

3 Keep your eyes covered in the sun. UVA and UVB rays in sunlight can harm your eyes and may increase the risk of cataracts. Wearing sunglasses, glasses or contacts lenses with a built in UV filter will protect your eyes. Only buy sunglasses that have a CE mark or carry British Standard BSEN 1863:1997.

 

4 Safety first. DIY causes thousands of eye related injuries each year. Always wear safety goggles (European Standard BS EN 166) to protect your eyes from flying debris and fine particles. Sports (especially racquet-based sports) also cause lots of eye related injuries each year. Investing in a good pair of protective sports goggles will help prevent serious damage to your eyes.

Former Maelor patients contacted over possible Hepatitis B contact

A small number of obstetric (maternity) and gynaecology patients who were treated at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in the late 1970s are being contacted by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as a precautionary measure.

 

The Health Board was recently notified that a former healthcare worker, who worked briefly at the Hospital in the summer of 1978, has been diagnosed with the Hepatitis C virus.

 

The person concerned worked elsewhere in the UK, mainly in South Wales, and is now known to have transmitted the virus to two patients between 1984 and 2003.

 

The Health Board has been reviewing clinical records from that period to identify patients who may have been treated by the affected healthcare worker at that time.

 

The risk of passing on the Hepatitis C virus during a health care procedure is low, and could only happen if the healthcare worker suffered an injury that caused them to bleed while treating a patient.

 

Although the risk is low, as a precautionary measure the Health Board will be writing to patients who may have been treated by the affected healthcare worker to offer them advice and a blood test for Hepatitis C.

 

A dedicated helpline has been set up by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board who are leading this work for Wales.  Patients who receive a letter will be asked to contact the helpline to arrange an appointment at specialist clinic sessions which will be held at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

 

Mr Andrew Jones, Director of Public Health for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said:

 

“I know that this news will cause some concern for patients who were seen in Wrexham at around that time.  However I want to stress that the risk of transmission is low.

 

“Even so, it is important that we contact patients who were treated by this person and offer them support and the opportunity of a blood test.  This will allow us to give reassurance that all is well or, if we do identify a person who is carrying the virus, ensure they get the appropriate advice and treatment.

 

“Because we are tracing old records and checking them very carefully against current information to make sure we have the right information and personal contact details for people, this work is taking time.  We will continue writing to people over the course of the next few weeks.

 

“We are only writing to people who had a procedure where there is a theoretical risk that the infection might have been passed on and where this was, or might have been, carried out by the affected health care worker.  Only people who receive a letter need to contact the helpline.”

 

The affected healthcare worker was at Wrexham Maelor Hospital for a short period from 15th May to 27th June in 1978.  People who do not receive a letter should not be concerned.  If any patient has concern or wants additional information they should phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for further advice.

 

Further information about Hepatitis C is available on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board website www.bcu.wales.nhs.uk and from the Hepatitis C Trust at www.hepctrust.org.uk.

Local MP hits out over Lobbying Bill

Charities and other community groups could face massive problems because of the Government's new bill on Lobbying, according to Clwyd South Labour MP Susan Elan Jones. 

Ms Jones who is a co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for charities, said: "We have seen one tiny change thanks to charities and other groups protesting loudly, but there are still major issues with the bill.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday (Tues), Ms Jones said: "Our tradition of charities being allowed to campaign on political issues germane to their charitable activities is at the heart of British life and our democracy.

"It been established in case law since 1917, a year before universal male suffrage. Well before women had the vote, Lord Normand, in the case of Bowman V Secular Society, held that a society whose predominant aim was not to change the law could be charitable when its campaign to change the law was merely a subsidiary activity.

"That tradition has a long pedigree in this country and I do not believe that it should be for tinkering politicians, perhaps fearful of the impact of Cameron and Clegg Non-Mania in 2015, to play with it."

Skates praises nearby community venture

* Ken Skates AM, centre, flanked by Glyn Wylfa officials.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has praised staff after a visit to a not-for-profit social enterprise in Chirk.

The Labour AM visited Glyn Wylfa – which overlooks the town’s famous aqueduct – to meet the team of residents who refurbished and developed the old Chirk Estate office and surrounding site.

 

The project, which includes a business centre and café, opened last year with financial help from the Welsh Labour Government, and Mr Skates described it as an example to others.

 

He said: “Enterprises like this help tackle social problems and improve communities, with money made on the open market reinvested back into the project for the public’s benefit.

 

“It was a privilege to meet the dedicated team at Glyn Wylfa. What they have done there is amazing and a fantastic example of how a community project can take off with the right people involved.”

 

Mr Skates added: “There are currently still office spaces available for businesses to rent, so I would urge any companies which might interested to get in touch with Glyn Wylfa chairman Mick Ramsey.”

 

The café, Caffi Wylfa, uses local suppliers and serves freshly made food prepared on site. It also offers free internet access to all customers and can be booked for private parties. The adjoining community room, which is open seven days a week, is offered to local groups and organisations free of charge.

 

For more information visit www.glynwylfa.co.uk or call 01691 770460.

Message from Limelight Productions ...

Following our review of their musical show at Llangollen Town on Saturday night, we've just received this message from Wrexham's Limelight Productions:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review you wrote for Limelight Productions in Llanblogger. It makes all the hard work we put in to bring good theatre to Llangollen worth while.

"We have had the most wonderful welcome from the people of Llangollen, and know this is going to be a long and happy association. For many years we struggled to find good performance space in the Wrexham area, but I think we have now struck gold.

"We hope we can get involved as much as possible with the many organisations and fund raising efforts of people in the town, and will gladly offer our services and entertainments to organisations wanting to raise funds.

"Thank you once again and we look forward to welcoming you to our future productions at The Town Hall."

Llan's Little Voice is big noise in Wrexham show

* Anna Turner takes centre stage as Little Voice

in Wrexham’s Grove Park Theatre.

By day 23-year-old Anna Turner from Llangollen uses her dulcet tones to answer telephone calls for large businesses but by night she is using them in a very different way, wowing audiences at Wrexham’s Grove Park Theatre as the lead in their latest production, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

Anna, who works as a Moneypenny receptionist, has been acting since the age of 10, but this is the first time she has taken centre stage.

She began with the Llangollen Twenty Club and has also performed with Tip Top Productions and Suitcase Theatre Company.

Last year she directed a play called Boxed Set which ran for four days in Theatr Clwyd.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, tells the tale of a young girl who is grieving over the death of her father.

She never leaves the house and barely speaks, while her larger-than-life mother, Mari, enjoys life to its fullest and mocks her daughter’s quiet ways.

The only way Little Voice is able to express herself is to sing along to her late father’s records, imitating icons such as Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe.

One night, Mari’s boyfriend overhears Little Voice singing and cajoles her into performing on stage. Thus begins the rise, and ultimately, the fall, of Little Voice.

Anna says: “This is my first performance with Grove Park Theatre and my first ever time singing solo on stage.

"I was quite nervous before we started the show on September 5th but we have been receiving standing ovations so that feels amazing. There is something very special about performing and it’s wonderful to get to play such a fantastic character.” 

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is sponsored by Moneypenny and runs until September 14. Tickets are available from www.groveparktheatre.co.uk or the Box Office on 01978 351091.

Eisteddfod wins chorus of approval

* This year's colourful Eisteddfod parade. 

 

There has been a chorus of approval for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for its contribution to putting Wales on the global map.

 

The first to sing the praises of the renowned festival was Huw Hampson-Jones, the Chair of the Wales in London organisation, who read about the Eisteddfod in the influential South China Morning Post while on a trip to Hong Kong.

 

According to Mr Hampson-Jones, the festival that put opera legend Luciano Pavarotti on the road to superstardom is a gem in terms of marketing Wales on the world stage.

The point was driven home while he was reading the South China Morning Post.

Mr Hampson-Jones recalled: "My eye catches the headline on page three, 'Singer 11, follows in the footsteps of greats', and a large article reporting the fact that Ella Ng has won the solo prize at the International Eisteddfod in Wales.

"The article points out that Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Jose Carreras and Elaine Page have all performed at the Eisteddfod.

"The point to note, of course, is that the paper’s worldwide readership will be made aware of this wonderful international cultural event held in Llangollen, Wales.

"Welsh culture is sophisticated – the Eisteddfod in Llangollen is living proof of that."

It was a sentiment echoed by Welsh Secretary David Jones MP who is a big fan of the colourful cultural event founded in the aftermath of the Second World War as a means of promoting world harmony through music and dance.

Mr Jones said: "Llangollen International Eisteddfod has taken a great Welsh tradition and turned it into a truly international event. I have visited the event for many years, and this year, I was honoured to be invited to be their Vice President.

 

"I always look forward to seeing just how far Wales’ culture and history can reach across the world, and how deeply it can become embedded in other nations. 

 

"It is so important that we share and celebrate our similarities, as well as our differences, at every opportunity. I congratulate the Llangollen International Eisteddfod on its successes over the last 67 years, and I wish it many more years of success."

 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates is also enchanted by the festival.

 

He said: "I love the International Eisteddfod, it's one of my favourite events of the year and one of the many fantastic jewels in Llangollen's crown, and this summer's event was one of the best yet.

 

"The atmosphere was brilliant and the warmth of the welcome extended was - as always - amazing.

 

"The event gives Llangollen another opportunity to showcase itself and provides a massive boost to the local economy, but it also helps to promote Wales on an international stage, which is hugely important as we strive to further strengthen our burgeoning tourism industry."

 

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones was proud that she had been asked to be a Day President at the 2013 event.

 

She said: "I was struck yet again by how Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod really does bring people and cultures together.

 

"For many of the groups and visitors present, it is their very first experience of Wales and they go on to have many more.

 

"We shouldn't forget that had a young Pavarotti not come to Llangollen, he would probably never have been to Wales in his life. 

 

"As someone who lived overseas in my twenties, I know first hand that when people have experienced a country for themselves that offers huge potential for the business growth that we need." 

 

The acclaim for the contribution of the Eisteddfod was music to the ears of the festival's Chairman, Gethin Davies.

 

He said: "Llangollen has long been known as the town where Wales welcomes the world but it is gratifying to hear recognition from such senior figures of our role in reaching out across the globe and playing a positive part in the drive to market our wonderful nation."