A hectic but enjoyable month of campaigning

Apologies for the lack of blogging but since Easter I've been out with the campaign team virtually all day every day and a very enjoyable time it's been too.

But what with the hundreds of emails from various groups and people seeking my views also to attend to, coupled with meetings and visits here and there, I'm afraid blogging has had to take a back seat.

The blog will be updated shortly with some of the highlights of the last month of hectic campaigning.

But I should just make mention of two things:

First, the very warm welcome we've had from the people of Aberconwy, wherever we've been, and by now we've been everywhere. It's been a fantastic response and the feedback we're getting is that it really is a close two-horse race between us and the Tories. With the Labour vote slumping dramatically and no sign of Clegg-mania here, our messages are clearly getting through to the voters and all the signs point to an excellent result for Plaid in Aberconwy on 6th May.

Secondly, the response from our own members and volunteers has been amazing and I'd like to thank each and every one of them who has turned up to help. On some days we've had a couple of dozen enthusiastic door-knockers and leafletters out there and with the blessing of blue skies and warm sunshine we've done more door-to-door campaigning in the last four weks than I ever thought possible.

And a special thanks too goes to Plaid's most senior figures and familiar faces who despite the heavy demands on their time have been out and about with us in Aberconwy almost every other day: Aberconwy AM Gareth Jones, Plaid Leader and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, President Dafydd Iwan, Hon President Dafydd Wigley, Llywydd Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, our Leader in Westminster Elfyn Llwyd MP and Hywel Williams MP.

Diolch o galon i chi i gyd.

Phil

Tudno FM gets another boost from the Welsh Government

Tudno FM has been awarded a grant of over £15,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Radio Fund to meet its ongoing costs in providing a service to the local community.

The news was welcomed by local Aberconwy AM Gareth Jones, Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones AM and Phil Edwards, Plaid's Aberconwy candidate.

“I am delighted that Tudno FM has won through and continues to be supported by the Welsh Government through this fund," said Gareth Jones AM. "The whole team does wonderful work for the local community in Llandudno and I wish them all continued success.”

Tudno FM is one of six local community radio stations to profit from a £100,000 fund in this year’s competitive bidding round.

Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, was himself interviewed live on Tudno FM last year and he added:

“These radio stations play a valuable role reflecting the issues affecting people living in these communities. They also provide opportunities for residents to gain new skills and in some cases employment. I’m very pleased to announce these grants and to congratulate the stations on the important role they play in their communities.”

The six stations were chosen for their commitment to their communities in a number of areas, including; encouraging healthy lifestyles, promoting training and social enterprise for excluded and vulnerable people and strengthening cultural and linguistic identity.

Phil Edwards, Plaid’s Westminster candidate for Aberconwy, took part in Tudno FM's live election hustings debate last week and launched the New Year campaign live on Tudno FM with the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones. Phil commented:

“The staff and volunteers do a tremendous job in producing a radio station we can all be proud of and their strong commitment to the local community in English and in Welsh is clearly evident whenever I visit.”

Croeso i Phil Edwards i Aberconwy! Welcome to Phil Edwards for Aberconwy!

A very warm welcome to our new blog - philedwards4aberconwy.

We hope to see Cllr Phil Edwards, Plaid's Westminster candidate in Aberconwy, elected as the first ever MP for this new constituency.

As well as Phil's campaign to become Aberconwy's first MP, we also hope to feature some of the work of the Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Plaid's Gareth Jones.

This blog is run by a team of people all committed to seeing Phil elected.

Anyone wanting to lend a hand is welcome to get in touch.

Contributions are welcome in Welsh or English.