LAST Friday, I had the pleasure of a visiting Oriel Glasfryn in Caerwys as they officially opened their inaugural Winter Exhibition.

The exhibition takes place until Sunday, December 18 and showcases work by 55 Welsh artists and craftspeople, displayed across their main gallery and Glasfryn Hall. Oriel Glasfryn Gallery is owned by Dave and Lise Roberts – it opened at Easter 2022 and is the only independent art gallery in North East Wales. The gallery is open 10am until 5pm Wednesday to Saturday and 10am until 4pm on Sundays – this hidden gem on our doorstep here in Delyn is well worth a visit.

Later that day, I was shown around the Grade II-listed John Summers Clocktower in Deeside by Enbarr Foundation director Vicki Roskams. The tower represents Flintshire’s unique industrial heritage and the plans to turn it into a community hub and heritage skills and training centre get my full support – like many in our area, I have strong family links to the steelworks and our industrial heritage. The team is always on the lookout for more help and support, so please sign up at www.savetheclocktower.co.uk.

At the weekend, I spoke at the Communication Workers Union Community Wealth Building Conference in Preston – a great opportunity to talk about the way in which Wales is leading the way with the Welsh Government’s Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill, which aims to improve public services through social partnership working, promoting fair work and socially-responsible public procurement. The bill was introduced in June and it’s currently going through the Welsh Parliament.

To get into the Christmas spirit, I visited Theatr Clwyd this week to see Robin Hood in panto – oh, yes I did! – and it was a hugely entertaining show. Theatr Clwyd does great work for our area and the iconic theatre and venue contributes a lot to our cultural life here in north east Wales, including outreach programmes bringing arts and culture to a range of diverse audiences.

The Welsh Government announced earlier this year that it has agreed a £22m package to help the venue’s transformative redevelopment programme which will deliver a much-improved visitor experience and allow the theatre to boost its facilities within a greener building.

Tickets for this year’s panto are selling fast, so get in there quick!

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 emailHannah.blythyn@senedd.wales

You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/hannahblythynMS. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait until an advice surgery.