Mark Young : Organizations

Help Waned to CANTER

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 10:43:39 GMT

(This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 03/05/2006 )

As a keen horseman, I wanted to mention CANTER. (Create a Network to encourage Riding and Driving).

Access Week, 20-29 May is the BHS's, British Horse Society's annual event to raise awareness of access issues and the work being done by the Society , it's volunteers and Affiliated /Bridleways Groups on behalf of riders across the UK CANTER is being launched for the first time this year and is focusing on the National Bridleroute Network project. CANTER is a nationwide cry for help in getting routes opened, mapped and onto the network.

The opening up of bridlepaths and private land is something that local hunts are very keen and helpful in doing. Some of the rides I have been on locally in the Vale of Clwyd have been the best scenerey I have ever seen and it is only that the Flint & Denbigh Hunt and landowners allow riders to do this that gives people the opportunity. For more information on how to get involved with Access work and the CANTER campaign, contact the Access department on 01926 707813

Flint and Denbig Hunt Ride at Cefn

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 10:41:12 GMT

(This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 18/04/2006 )

I hope you all had a good Easter. I always find at Easter that it seems like everyone comes out of hibernation. Families and friends get together and go to Church and spend time gardening and spring cleaning or catching up on their hobbies! I did just that. I spent a wonderful day out riding with close friends. There were 7 of us and so I aptly called us "The magnificent 7!" .

A fun ride, 10 miles around what I can only describe as stunning countryside, best kept secret in Wales!! The ride was wonderfully organised by Flint and Denbigh Hunt. They spend a huge amount of time marking the ride out, supplying stewards at various points and to top it all at the end of the ride they ensure that there is food and refreshments available and that everyone has returned safely. At the end of the day everyone looked refreshed and glowing from being in the country air and the horses tired and ready to go home for some well earnt hay and feed. The whole day was a credit to everyone who helped. I believe that there were over 200 horses out riding and while out on the ride and chatting to people I gathered that people came from Cheshire and Merseyside to enjoy what we have on our doorstep in the Vale.

A big thank you to Flint and Denbigh Hunt and all your helpers.

Business in the Community Cymru Wales

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 10:33:11 GMT

(This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 27/10/2005 )

A couple of weeks ago I attended an excellent conference run by "Responsible Business Wales 2005". A most invigorating and motivating day. The event was designedfor Senior Managers from corporate businesses and SMEs based in Wales. I was invited in my role as a local politician and am proud to say I was the only politician there!

Business sustainability is vital to the Welshy economy. The event concentrated on how companies in Wales address the range of impacts they have in the marketplace, community , workplace and on the environment

For me, a couple of speakers really made the day . Peter Williams , Director of Business in the Community Cymru/Wales and Professor Dylan Jones Evans, Director of the National Entrepreneurship Observatory. Professor Dylan Jones Evans made a point in his speech which haunted me; "In Wales, over 400,000 people of a working age are not in education or work!". Roughly about 24% of the population! Scary!

Towards the end of the day, I was requested to ask some questions to Andrew Davies, Minister for Economy & Transport, Welsh Assembley Government. Of course one question which had to be posed was that of how did the Minister suggest we sort out this worrying figure of 400,000 people! His answer was enlightening. "There are no quick fixes!" however we should be pleased to know that a plan is in place ! So guys watch this space...............

Help St. Kentigern Hospice St. Asaph

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 10:23:11 GMT

(This blog entry was first published on blogger.com on 03/10/2005 )

Over the last week I don't think I have ever watched the weather forecast so avidly ! A group of friends and myself felt that we wanted to do something to help raise some funds for St.Kentigern Hospice in St.Asaph. We decided on a garden party with music, food and good company. But it would be on 1st October! I was hoping for a late, hot Indian Summer. Time went by and the forecast was looking worse. So the day before the party, a sign was put up "Party moving to Village Hall!" And that's what we did.

Everyone helped ! The local Llandyrnog Village Hall committee,opened up for us, and helped us decorate the rooom. The butcher , Clwyd, delivered fresh meat for the BBQ. Everyone bought home made food, salads, pasta,and cakes. The hot meals took the shape of either Beef, chicken , or vegetable curry with nan bread and rice. Our very special Team Chef, Niky did a wonderful job on the curries! Raffle prizes from local companies, pubs and friends were put out on the stage in the hall and amounted to over 28 fantastic prizes. The village lent us the village gazebo, and the A Team set it up in wind and rain for the BBQ to go outside while people could eat in the Village Hall. On, a blustery , rainy October 1 2005 just under 100 local people paid to come to our Village/Garden party in aid of Saint Kentigern Hospice.

St Kentigern Hospice was opened as a day care hospice in 1995 . The day care unit provides care and support or up to 15 patients a day , five days a week. The in-patient unit was opened in December 2000 and has eight beds providing 24 hour care all year around.Each patient is cared for with respect, for personal belief , religion and culture. Through our local team and friends' effort we raised just under £1,200 for the hospice.

Thanks must go to everyone who helped and supported our village/garden party. Every bit of fundraising makes a difference to the hospice. Anyone reading this blog if you want to help the hospice, you can contact them on st kentigern@cybase.co.uk or telephone them on 01745 585221