On July 4, 1952, six men tragically lost their lives during the sinking of the No.3 shaft at the Point of Ayr colliery. 73 years to the day, it was a privilege to be part of a moving event at the Ffynnongroyw Mining Memorial, as a new commemoration plaque was unveiled in memory of the six men. Retired members from the Point of Ayr were joined by comrades from other collieries, alongside community representatives and relatives, including the daughters of one of the men who died.

There is now, rightly, public recognition and a platform for reflection after more than seven decades – thanks in large part to the work of John Wiltshire, a former Point of Ayr miner who has been instrumental in ensuring that our heritage is recognised and remembered. Like many in our area, I have family who worked at the colliery – including my Taid and my uncle – and following the unveiling I made a statement in the Senedd to mark the poignant addition to the memorial. You can see many of my contributions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn.

From September 1, if you’re aged between 16 and 21, bus travel across Wales will cost just £1 a journey or £3 for unlimited daily travel – helping young people get to work, school or travel into town to catch up with friends without breaking the bank. Our bus network is vital for travelling around our community and I have been calling on the Welsh Government to help with accessibility on public transport, making sure more young people have the means and the option to travel by bus, so this is great news. To take advantage of this new scheme, you’ll need a MyTravelPass if you haven’t already got one – applications open from Monday, July 21, and you can apply at https://mytravelpass.tfw.wales. Plus, from November, the £1 bus fare will be expanded to include five to 15-year-olds too!

The Welsh Government recently launched a consultation on school food – it’s so important that children eat well and eat quality food, so the proposals include changes to the way schools prepare and source food. Wales leads the UK in providing free school meals to all primary school children and this important step helps to tackle child poverty and hunger, supports learners to achieve and contributes toward improved health, making a real difference in schools and communities across Wales. If you’re a parent, guardian or school professional, it’s worth having your say on the proposals – you can take part at www.gov.wales/healthy-eating-schools-html and the consultation closes on July 29.

On Friday last week I had the chance to go to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod to see the fantastic Il Divo – the Llangollen Festival is one of the many jewels in Wales’ cultural crown and this year is its 78^th year! If you read my column last week, you’ll know that I was able to attend the community opening of Theatr Clwyd, another amazing cultural space in our nation and one which represents our corner of the country. Wales’ culture is varied and rich and it’s so important that we celebrate and support it – and I’m so happy to see the Welsh Government investing in the arts institutions and theatres that make events like Llangollen possible for us all to enjoy.

As the summer holidays are fast approaching, Flintshire County Council has kicked off its summer playschemes programme, providing fun, laughter and play opportunities for children over five. The summer playschemes offer children the opportunity to play in a free, self-directed atmosphere, not led by adults but by children, facilitated and supervised by playworkers, and the scheme operates in different areas across the county – you can find out more and register at www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Schools/Flintshire-Playscheme/Home.aspx.

And as the weather has become a lot hotter in recent days with a scorching weekend for us all, it’s worth remembering that our pets really struggle in the heat, especially our four-legged canine friends. The RSPCA often gives out advice on how to keep your dog safe and comfortable during hot weather – never leave dogs in hot cars or outbuildings, even for a short period, and it’s always best to walk dogs early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler. The RSPCA advice also suggests you should ensure dogs have some shade to relax in, plenty of fresh water to drink – maybe even with an ice cube in the bowl – and sometimes letting them lie on a damp towel can help to cool them down.

As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.