My calendar rules my life. As soon as something may be happening it goes in it. If I can see a WhatsApp or email is about an event, I don’t open it until I know I can check calendar, decide whether or not I can attend, and reply to say ‘yes’ or ‘no, sorry’.
This last week has been the busiest I’ve been for ages. And my busy means spending time with people to hear their stories. Almost every day I went out and saw people face-to-face.
A tattooist
On Monday, I met Becky Jones who in her early 30s was working full-time as retail manager but took the gamble of retraining and becoming a tattoo apprentice. Now 34, she’s loving life in her new role as a tattoo artist in Cwmbran. The Facebook post went down a storm with lots of people loving her inspirational story.
On Tuesday I checked out the new second-hand and recycling unit on Avondale Industrial Estate. Upcycle Torfaen is a huge space where they save thousands of tonne of stuff from landfill. That post went wild on social media with a couple thousands likes, and hundreds of comments and shares.
Later that day I drove to Cardiff and interviewed some staff and volunteers at Maggie’s, next door to Velindre Cancer Centre. It’s a charity that provides free expert care and support to “everyone who has cancer – and everyone who loves them.” The story isn’t up yet but will be over the next few days.
Wednesday saw me pop in Pontnewydd Golf Club to hear about a special anniversary year and things they’ve got planned. I left there to meet Jade and Tracey who run a mesothelioma and lung cancer support group that meets every month in Cwmbran.
Kickboxing siblings
On the same day I spotted Owen Filer, our 105-year-old resident, who adventures never fail to surprise. He had just pushed an abandoned Aldi trolley from the town centre back to the store on Woodland Road. I saw him outside the nearby Lidl, just after he had done his good deed.
And on Friday I popped over to Goode’s Gym to interview siblings Ella 15, and Alfie, 12, who are kickboxers with Sharks KMA. What a lovely couple of young people. They really put a smile on my face hearing them talk about their love of the sport and what they get out of it.
The week ended with work and play. I went to TEN Bar & Kitchen at Llanyrafon Golf Club for a drink, bite to eat, to watch some live music, and yes, write a review. You can read it here on Facebook.
📅 This week I’m hoping to visit the monthly veterans’ hub in the TA Centre and attend the count for the Trevethin and Penygarn county council by-election on Thursday.
Pieces about the Reform candidate Stuart Keyte and the Labour candidate Toniann Phillips have appeared on Cwmbran Life. Over the weekend I’ve contacted the other three candidates, Tony Clark- Green Party, and Catherine Ann Howell and Louise Shepphard, both independents, and hope to give them space as well to talk about why they’re standing.
🙏 Spending time walking, driving and getting on a bus (I’ve used all three this week) to meet people in person takes time and I can only do that thank to the kind support of Cwmbran Life readers and local businesses. Thank you.
☕️ Support Cwmbran Life
☕️ If you enjoy Cwmbran Life, you can show your support with a one-off or regular donation through my Buy Me A Coffee page. It makes a difference to the amount of time I can spend out and about in our town finding stories for you to read.