Well done to pupils

IT IS with pride that I write this letter as I would like to congratulate all the pupils in Carmarthenshire for gaining excellent GCSE results.

It is so pleasing to know that pupils across the county have worked so hard to obtain outstanding grades, and even more pleasing to know that Carmarthenshire received the best A-level results overall in Wales.

I would also like to congratulate all the teachers for doing an excellent job, their hard work, dedication, and commitment has obviously paid off.

Well done everyone.

Mrs Evans,

Ammanford

 

Counter the stereotypes

AGE Cymru is Wales’ largest and leading charity for older people.

I’m writing to remind your readers that Sunday September 28 to Sunday October 5 will be Age Cymru’s first Age Positive Week.

Age Positive Week will be our national celebration of all that is positive about ageing and the contribution older people make to our communities.

We believe this celebration is vital to counter the negative stereotyping of older people and the ageism that we all too often see, hear or experience in society.

Age Cymru wants the Welsh public to get involved in Age Positive Week by organising their own celebrations.

From organising exhibitions to day trips, concerts to song and dance events, coffee mornings to arts and crafts workshops, there are plenty of ways you can get involved in Age Cymru’s Age Positive Week.

If you would like an information pack about Age Cymru’s Age Positive Week, please contact Age Cymru on 029 2043 1555 or email agepositive@agecymru.org.uk.

You can also find out more about Age Cymru’s Age Positive Week by visiting agecymru.org.uk/agepositive

Ian Thomas

Chief Executive, Age Cymru

 

It’s tough for low-paid

WITH summer almost over and the children about to go back to school, parents are left with the dreaded task of buying the school uniform.

I love to see my children dressed smartly for school, but why does it have to be so expensive?

On top of the uniform, there is the new shoes, coat, pencil case and bag: it feels never ending, and way over-priced.

The summer is an expensive time anyway, with entertaining the children or childcare costs while we work.

Parents are forced to pay over-the-top holidays because we can no longer take our children away during term time, when prices are almost halved compared to holiday periods.

If you have one child it’s expensive but what about those with two or even three children?

A jumper alone is more than £10, and you always need at least two of everything.

As parents, it seems we can’t catch a break.

It’s ok if you’re on benefits: you can get help with uniform payments, but what about us on low earnings who don’t get benefits?

We have to struggle on through.

As long as you have a job, the government couldn’t care less how tough it is in the real world.

Llandybie mum.

Name and address supplied

 

Stay safe on roads

THIS year has seen a significant number of motorcyclists return to North, Mid and West Wales to make the most of the scenery and facilities that Wales has to offer, helped of course by the fine weather that we have all enjoyed.

Unfortunately, though ,we are seeing a significant increase this year in the number of motorcyclists killed and seriously injured on our roads, with 15 fatalities across both of the policing areas of North Wales and Dyfed Powys Police and a further 72 motorcyclists seriously injured as a result of collisions.

Among the most common reasons for the collisions are rider error and excessive speed, particularly on bends.

This year’s increase is a very real public safety concern and a priority for both police forces.

Our approach on enforcement has not changed; we will robustly enforce the law so that we can assist in reducing the risk to all road users.

Motorcyclists, and other motorists, taking their time to visit the beautiful countryside of Mid and North Wales are very welcome so long as they ride or drive safely and within the law.

Those who choose to break the law can expect to be prosecuted.

Roads policing officers are equipped with a number of detection tactics and they have both overt and covert patrol cars and bikes.

There will be no need for any riders to encounter police enforcement tactics if they ride as they should.

The approach around reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads is not, of course, based around enforcement alone.

We continue to work with riders through a variety of engagement events and we will use what opportunities we can to educate riders as to the risks associated with riding inappropriately.

We continue to be avid supporters of Bike Safe, an extremely valuable resource that is very well received, and we wish to encourage as many riders as possible to engage with a local Bike Safe workshop.

Many police officers and staff are keen motorcyclists who understand the attraction of the beautiful, but notoriously challenging, routes in North Wales and Dyfed Powys.

Fellow motorcyclists are welcome, all we ask is that they ride safely and with respect for other road users.

Chief Constable Simon Prince,

Dyfed Powys Police

Chief Constable Mark Polin,

North Wales Police

(motorcyclist)