South Wales Guardian Opinion (From South Wales Guardian)

South Wales Guardian Opinion

7:00am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News

PLANS are being drawn up for a nightclub in the centre of Ammanford.

As we would expect, such a proposal has had a mixed reception from local councillors.

County councillor Deian Harries concedes that jobs are paramount – yet fears the negatives for such an enterprise outweigh the positives.

His main concerns are the vandalism and anti-social behaviour such an establishment could leave in its wake, coupled with concerns that police cover may prove insufficient.

While there are probably fewer people living in the middle of Ammanford than at any time in the past century, there are nevertheless still residents in this area.

In contrast, Chris Jones and his Labour colleagues on Ammanford town council have welcomed the move, arguing it could revive a town centre which, in recent years, has become eerily silent with metaphoric tumbleweeds blowing down its deserted streets.

This is an issue certain to divide public opinion -– so what do you think?

●WHAT an extraordinary job Dorothy McDonald and her hard-working staff are doing at Hafan Croeso, in Glanaman, and Hafan Gobaith, in Ammanford.

During her years as a nurse, Dorothy recognised an urgent need for respite care in the Amman Valley.

She describes dementia as “the silent epidemic” and was appalled that “the hidden army” of people left to care for their loved ones had nowhere to turn.

Yet, as Dorothy says, dementia is not necessarily the end of life – but the start of a different kind of life.