Last week was half term which gave me the chance to get out and about back home, including a trip to visit Polly’s Brew Co in Mold – Polly’s is one of our many food and drink success stories here in North East Wales and it’s one of the UK’s most highly-regarded breweries, with its beer Floret listed in We Are Beer’s 50 Best Beers in the UK for 2025 – and this year the firm opened its first tap house Polly’s Social in the Daniel Owen Precinct, well worth a visit if you’re a fan of craft beer. I’ll continue to champion small businesses like Polly’s, which help drive our local economy and bring people together in our towns and villages.

Each November, communities across the country come together to remember the courage, service and sacrifice of those who have served in the Armed Forces and those who continue to serve. This Remembrance Sunday, I’ll be joining local residents, veterans and organisations to reflect on the bravery of past generations and the resilience of those who still stand for our freedoms today. Over the years, I’ve been proud to support the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, which helps to provide vital support to veterans and their families. I hope that wherever you are marking the occasion, you’ll take a moment to pause and remember those who gave so much for the lives we lead today.

Before the half term recess, I asked the Senedd Commission for an update on how AI is being used to manage parliamentary business. AI has been much in the news recently and it’s such an important issue for us all, from workplaces to how our services are delivered – while it’s right that we explore how new technology can support the work we do, we need to proceed carefully with strong ethics, transparency and proper oversight at the heart of it. AI must support, not replace, our Welsh democracy and the people who make it work day to day. Safeguarding privacy, tackling bias and ensuring collaboration with staff are all key to getting this right. You can see many of my contributions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn.

Many of us have been participating in Bonfire Night events already, with more taking place later this week. While fireworks can bring joy to many, it’s important to remember the impact they can have on pets, wildlife and our environment. Research shows that almost half of dogs in the UK are afraid of loud noises, particularly fireworks, making this time of year a difficult one for many households. Organisations like Dogs Trust have some great advice to help owners prepare and comfort their pets before, during and after fireworks. You can find helpful tips at www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/seasonal/fireworks.

As a dog owner myself, I also want to make sure all animals have the best start in life. I recently met with Blue Cross and Naturewatch Foundation in the Senedd to discuss how we can tackle irresponsible dog breeding and puppy farming in Wales. It’s so important to make informed choices when welcoming a new pet into the home and Naturewatch Foundation’s dog breeding map is a really useful tool for checking whether a breeder is licensed before buying a puppy. It’s one of many steps we can all take to protect animal welfare – you can see the map at https://naturewatch.org/campaigns/companion-animals/what-were-doing/uk-dog-breeding-map.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority is asking for views on its Community Risk Management Implementation Plan for 2026-27, which helps to shape how our fire and rescue service keeps people and places across North Wales safe. It’s really important that local voices are heard as part of this – the authority wants your feedback to help make sure the right risks are identified and that the right action is being taken. The consultation is open until December 14^th and you can take part by visiting www.northwalesfire.gov.wales.

Finally, from this month children aged five to 15 will be able to travel on participating bus services for just £1 per journey – this follows the successful rollout of £1 fares for 16 to 21-year-olds in September. The scheme is a positive step forward in making public transport more affordable and accessible for young people and these initiatives form part of the Welsh Government’s wider commitment to greener, fairer travel options across Wales. Helping families save on travel costs while encouraging the next generation to use public transport is good news for our pockets, our communities and our planet, so it gets my full support.

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.