Llyr Gruffydd MS Member of the Senedd for North Wales

Fears have been raised for the future of Caernarfon Post Office and Llyr Gruffydd has added his support to the campaign to keep it open.   Llŷr Gruffydd MS, Sian Gwenllian MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP,  and Cllr Cai Larsen have written to the Post Office urging them to reconsider plans to close the branch, and reached out to acting Chief Executive Neil Brocklehurst to express concerns about the possible effects of closure on their constituents But reports in the Cambrian News claim that no decision has been made about the branch by the Post Office.  In their letter, the politicians said: “The Post Office is duty-bound to offer a certain level of face-to-face services in order to comply with the accessibility needs of residents. Gwynedd as a county has a higher median age than Wales as a whole, and a lack of trust or access means that some of our more senior constituents remain digitally excluded. In addition, within Caernarfon town lies Peblig, a ward that consistently ranks highest for deprivation in Gwynedd in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD). Digital poverty is a very real issue in our communities, which places even more emphasis on the need for in-person services. “The Caernarfon branch serves a wider, more rural area than the town itself and with a lack of a proper public transport infrastructure an acute problem in this area, expecting constituents to travel further afield to access services is unreasonable.” They also note Caernarfon has unique linguistic needs not necessarily always met by online services or services in nearby towns, and receiving services through the medium of their first language is essential in sustaining trust and loyalty to the Post Office. They add Caernarfon has struggled in recent years and removing this service “could prove to be the final nail in the coffin”. “At a time when The Post Office should be working to restore trust and public confidence in its services, this proposal rides roughshod over the needs of customers and we urge you to re-think any plans to close your Caernarfon branch.” A Post Office spokesperson said Directly Managed Branches like Caernarfon are loss-making and they “are considering a range of options” to reduce costs. However, they say no decision has been made about Caernarfon, or any branch, but added: “We have long held a publicly-stated ambition to move to a fully franchised network and we are in dialogue with the unions about future options for the DMBs.” A petition has been started by the Plaid Cymru MSs and Councillors to gain as much support as possible to the campaign to save the Post offive in Caernarfon. Plaid Cymru's petition reads- "We call on the Post Office to safeguard face-to-face, over-the-counter services in Caernarfon.  At a time when the Post Office should be working to restore trust and public confidence in its services, the proposal to close the Caernarfon branch rides roughshod over the needs of customers. We urge the Post Office to re-think any plans to close this important local branch." You can support the campaing to save Ceranrfon Post office by clicking here    

  Recently in the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd pressed the Government for a review of the cancer screenimng provision in Wales.   Addressing the Senedd, Llyr gruffydd asked for a statement from Jeremy Miles, the Cabinet Secretary for Health on the matter.  The issue has been in the news spotlight recently with Sir Chris Hoy revealing that he has terminal cancer stemming from the prostate.   Llyr Gruffydd said in the Senedd Chamber- "Currently there is no provision for screening in Wales or other areas of the UK, despite prostate cancer being the most common cancer in men. "According to the cancer charity Prostate Cymru - the outdated NHS guidelines are putting lives at risk. Despite all men aged over 50 being entitled to a free PSA test, younger if there is a family history, GPs are told not to raise the subject with men unless they have symptoms. As highlighted by Sir Chris Hoy in recent weeks, in most cases there are NO symptoms, and by the time someone does present with symptoms, the cancer will be at a much-advanced stage, and potentially incurable." The current risk is 1 in 8 men, 1 in 3 if there’s a family history.   In his plea to the Welsh Govermnment Llyr Gruffydd asked- "So will the Welsh Government take heed of Sir Chris Hoy’s calls and look again at its position on Prostate Cancer screening in Wales?"

Llyr Gruffydd recently had the opportunity to congratulate the Young Farmers Clubs and members on recent achievements.  Success came to a number of clubs and individuals at the Young Farmers' Eisteddfod in Carmarthen.  This is what Llyr had to say about the successes at the eisteddfod- "I can take this opportunity to congratulate the Young Farmers of Wales on their success at the Young Farmers' Eisteddfod held in Carmarthen recently. A number of competitors came out on top from my region of the North in areas as diverse as the Vocal Ensemble – Rhosybol Club, Anglesey who took first prize, Hawys Grug from Clwyd who won on the youth solo, and Mared Edwards from Anglesey who came out on top in the Reporting Digni competition. Congratulations also to Mared Fflur Jones from Anglesey on winning the chair, and to Elain Iorwerth who is studying at Bangor University on winning the crown.  Of course, the huge success of the eisteddfod again this year is a tribute to the vital role of the movement as the backbone of Welsh culture and the Welsh language across Wales." Young Farmers achieved success at the organisation's British awards held at the Birmingham National Conference Centre on the same weekend. Llyr Gruffudd had to say wrth congratulated those who attended the brunch at the ceremony in Birmingham- One of the stars of Uwchaled's young farmers – Ceridwen Edwards who came out on top in the 'Heart of the YFC' category – Ceridwen won over 2000 votes to scoop the award, due to her tireless work for her club. Ceridwen impressed the judges because of his energy in developing the inclusivity of the movement, and of his energy and enthusiasm. Another great achievement of the evening was Llangwyryfon Young Farmers Club, Ceredigion, which won the 'Community Spirit of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs' award. According to the Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, the club "loved how the club helped keep the Welsh language alive through bilingual activities that bring people together." 
Club members had played a key role in the or campaign to save the village hall in Llangwyryfon, and the federation's praise was generous to the club- "Their actions not only benefit the club, but also benefit the community" said a federation spokesperson. " The Young Farmers Clubs of Wales has over 5,500 members – some as young as 10, the oldest being 28. 
 It is believed that over 1.1 million voluntary working hours are carried out annually by members. It is true that the clubs and their members are truly the backbone of rural Wales, and their invaluable contribution to society often continues throughout their lives. The pillars of society without a doubt.