Age Cymru, the national charity for older people in Wales, has appointed Victoria Lloyd as its new chief executive. 

Victoria, who lives in Monmouthshire with her husband and two children, was previously director of policy and programmes at the charity before taking up the role of interim chief executive for the last six months.

Speaking about her appointment, Victoria said: “I feel privileged to be able to take on this role.  Age Cymru is a fantastic organisation and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the talented and committed team of staff, trustees and volunteers here as we work to drive positive change for older people in Wales.

“There have been big leaps forward for older people in the last twenty years, but there is a huge amount to do to overcome the ageism that continues to permeate our society and to ensure that older people have the income, care and support they need in later life.”

Welcoming Victoria’s appointment, the charity’s chair of trustees, Keith Jones, said: “With an ageing population in Wales there are many challenges and opportunities facing older people so I am delighted that we have someone with Victoria’s skills, experiences and expertise at the helm.

Victoria is well respected by civil servants and older people’s representatives throughout Wales and so I very much look forward to working with her to help deliver an age friendly Wales.

This summer and for the third year running, Aberystwyth University will be sponsoring Maes B, Wales’ premier Welsh language music festival which takes place in Cardiff Bay from 8-11 August.

With less than three months to go before the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff this year, organisers have announced the line-ups for Maes B and several bands have close links with Aberystwyth University.

As the details were announced, Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Welsh Language and Culture and External Engagement at Aberystwyth University, said: “This is undoubtedly the biggest annual event of the Welsh music scene and Aberystwyth University is delighted to lend its support as main sponsor. Maes B provides a showcase for the scene’s top musical talent and it is fitting for us as a University to support an event which gives thousands of young people in Wales the opportunity to enjoy the very best of contemporary Welsh artists.”

Organiser Guto Brychan, said: “It’s great to announce the line-ups for Maes B, and we are delighted that the festival will be held in Cardiff Bay, close to all the other Eisteddfod activities.

“We’ve got strong and varied line-ups this year, combining some of the biggest names in the scene with newer artists like Los Blancos, Cadno and Serol Serol, creating evenings which will appeal to fans of all the different genres of music in the scene at the moment.

“Maes B is a very important stage for the Welsh scene, and is a chance for the audience to hear new and alternative bands on the same line-up as more famous names. This can only be a healthy thing for the scene.

It’s fair to say that every band and artist gigging in Wales has dreamed of headlining Saturday night at Maes B during their careers.

This year sees Yr Eira take the coveted slot. Lead singer and Aberystwyth University alumnus Lewys Wyn, said: “It’s good to be able to announce that we’ll be closing Saturday night at the 2018 Eisteddfod.

“Over the past few years, this slot has grown to be one of the most – if not the most memorable – night in the Welsh calendar, so it’s an honour to be headlining this year.  We’re not going to break any records like Yws Gwynedd did last year but I’m sure there’ll be a few exciting surprised this year, so bring your grandmother, grandfather and hamster, as this will be a party to remember!”

2018 Maes B Line-ups:
Wednesday 8 August: Band Pres Llareggub, Y Cledrau, Cadno, Gwilym
Thursday 9 August: Yr Ods, HMS Morris, Omaloma, Serol Serol
Friday 10 August: Y Reu, Mellt, Chroma, Los Blancos
Saturday 11 August: Yr Eira, Cpt Smith, Adwaith, Brwydr y Bandiau Winners

Maes B is also working on a new project in collaboration with Clwb Ifor Bach, organising workshops aimed at 16-25 year old women interested in music. The Merched yn Neud Miwsig sessions are held in Clwb Ifor Bach and Galeri during June.  Go to the location websites to book your place.

The Eisteddfod has already announced that the main act on the open air stage on Friday evening is Diffiniad, and details of all music line-ups will be published soon.

Maes B operates and enforces a strict Challenge 25 policy, and valid ID must be shown.  Details on acceptable forms of ID can be found on the Validate UK website, and these include a current full or provisional driving licence (with photo), current valid passport (no photocopies) or a Proof of Age Standards Scheme card (with PASS hologram).

Maes B tickets go on sale at 10:00 on Tuesday 29 May.  Go to www.maesb.com  for more information or ring 0845 4090 800.  Early bird tickets available until 30 June.  For more information on the Eisteddfod, go to www.eisteddfod.wales.

Photo: Aberystwyth University is a keen supporter of the Welsh music scene as sponsor of Maes B and Gowbrau’r Selar

Link:
Maes B
http://maesb.com/

An Aberystwyth University glaciologist has been recognised for his excellence in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, and outstanding service to the international Antarctic community.

Professor Michael Hambrey, Emeritus Professor of Glaciology at the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, has been awarded the prestigious 2108 SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research.

A former Director of the internationally recognised Centre for Glaciology at Aberystwyth University, Professor Hambrey is a two-time winner of the Polar Medal (1989 and 2012).

His contribution to Antarctic research has also been recognised with the naming of ‘Hambrey Cliffs’ on James Ross Island in his honour in 2006.

Commenting on the award, Professor Hambrey said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive the 2018 SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research. I have been fortunate to investigate modern glaciers in many parts of the world, and be able to use the knowledge gained to interpret older glacial sequences in Antarctica and elsewhere. This work could not have been undertaken without the wonderful collaboration I have had from colleagues around the world, notably the Antarctic community, with whom it has been a pleasure to work. I thank them for their contribution, and the SCAR Executive Committee in making this award.”

First awarded in 2006, the Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research is awarded by The International Council for Science’ Scientific Committee on Antarctic Researchin recognition of sustained contributions to research over a career.

The award recognises Professor Hambrey’s ‘distinctive insights into the field of glaciology and of particular note the application of our understanding of modern glacial processes to interpreting ancient glacial sequences’.

His work has been acknowledged as ‘often the first thorough analysis in a particular sector, but if not, invariably ground-breaking’.

Selection for the SCAR Medal is based on a person’s outstanding contributions to knowledge and the impact of their work on understanding the Antarctic region, the linkages between Antarctica and the Earth system, and/or observations of and from Antarctica.

The medal will be awarded to Professor Hambrey at the XXXV SCAR Meeting, during the Polar2018 Conference Dinner in Davos on 21 June 2018.

Professor Hambrey joins a distinguished group of recipients of the SCAR Medal including Robert Dunbar (2016), Steven L. Chown (2014), John Priscu (2012), John Turner (2010), Angelika Brandt (2008) and Paul Mayewski (2006).

Photo: As well as the SCAR Medal, Professor Michael Hambrey has been awarded two Polar Medals and a ridge of cliffs in Antarctica have been named in his honour.

Links:
The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
https://www.scar.org/

SCAR Medal
https://www.scar.org/awards/medals/overview/

Professor Michael Hambrey
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/dges/staff-profiles/listing/profile/mjh/

Department of Geography and Earth Sciences
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/dges/

Centre for Glaciology, Aberystwyth University
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/dges/research/centre-glaciology/

Today, at Wales’ National team open training session in Wrexham, The Football Association of Wales announced their partnership with Welsh Hearts, The Heart Charity for Wales.

The long-term aim of the partnership is to deliver lifesaving defibrillators, equipment and training to all football clubs in Wales.

To kick off the partnership, the National team have donated their match fees to fund the first six defibrillators, one for every area association in Wales.

Wrexham based Llangollen Football Club were present at the training session to be the first recipients of the FAW and Welsh Hearts defibrillator fitted at their ground.

Harry Wilson, who grew up in Corwen just outside Llangollen, presented the club with their defibrillator alongside captain Ashley Williams and manager Ryan Giggs.

Football clubs and training facilities across Wales are often the hub of communities, used by many different teams and community groups. However, many of these integral community spaces currently do not have defibrillators installed.

This unique partnership between The FAW and Welsh Hearts aims to change that and ensure that in the future every player and spectator in every football club in Wales, no matter how big or small, will have access to a lifesaving defibrillator.

Football Association of Wales Medical Services Manager & Lead Physiotherapist, Sean Connelly added:

“At The Football Association of Wales, we recognize the importance of investing in the health and wellbeing of our footballers and the wider community groups using football facilities across the country.”

“With this partnership we will work together to fundraise to aid Welsh Hearts with the amazing work they do for heart health in Wales and together we hope that this equipment will minimise the terrible instances from sudden cardiac arrests that have occurred in football grounds across Wales”.

Sharon Owen, the Director of Welsh Hearts says:

“This initiative is a perfect match to the ambitious work of Welsh Hearts in communities throughout Wales. We believe the impact on lives will be far-reaching, as no one should die in Wales due to a lack of a public access defibrillator in the event of an emergency. They should be available everywhere. I am excited to work with the FAW as they are at the heart of communities in Wales.”

To join the Football Association of Wales and Wales’ leading Heart Charity help safeguard our footballers and spectators across the country you can donate via the JustGiving site: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/welshhearts/faw

To apply for a defibrillator: http://welshhearts.org/online-defibrillator-application-form/

Photocall from today’s event:

Notes:

• Welsh Hearts, established by Sharon Owen, are the leading heart charity in Wales for placing defibrillators in communities and delivering CPR and defibrillator training in Wales.
• Cardiovascular disease accounts for a third of all deaths in Wales, where the death rate is higher than in the majority of countries in Western Europe.
• Research shows that over 90% of sudden cardiac arrests in young athletes happen either during or immediately after exercise and those with an inherited heart condition can be up to three times as likely to suffer a sudden cardiac arrest if they participate in intensive or strenuous exercise.
• A defibrillator is an automatic device that can be used by the public to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm during cardiac arrest.
• For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases by around 10 per cent.
• By performing CPR and using a defibrillator until an ambulance arrives, you can help double the victim’s chance of survival.
• Welsh Hearts aim to provide public-access defibrillators and free defibrillator and CPR training for the Welsh public in close partnership with strategic partners.

PRESS RELEASE FROM HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD:

Residents in Llandovery and the surrounding area are being invited to a public drop-in event to discuss our proposals to fundamentally change the way we provide healthcare services for current and future generations.

The event will be held between 2pm-7pm at Rhys Pritchard Memorial Hall, Llandovery SA20 0DS on Monday 4 June 2018. This is your opportunity to tell us what you think about our proposals or to give us new ideas.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has formally launched its “Big NHS Change,” a 12-week consultation aimed at making provision of local health and care better for our communities.

We’re asking residents across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, as well as the wider cross-border regions, to get involved and have your say on three proposals to improve the way we provide care for our population. Each proposal has been designed and tested by our clinicians to ensure that our services are safe, sustainable, accessible and kind for our generation and those to come.

Hywel Dda Chief Executive Steve Moore said: “Our proposals for change could affect everyone in our area, from bumps and babies to older people and everyone in between, so we are asking you all to tell us what you think. Whether you are a patient, a carer, a family member, or one of the thousands of people who work for the Health Board – we want to hear from you.

“Last year we started a conversation with our population, our staff and with people we work with to provide care to explore what is important to us and to jointly think about how to best run services. We did this because we think it is the right thing to do to design our services together. We explored the opportunities we think are offered to us through modern medicine and advancements in technology and the expectations you have for us to improve.

“We also set out the significant challenges faced by the NHS which we must deal with to ensure it thrives and delivers for you and your family now and in the future. This means that we will have to make decisions about where we can provide services and know that there are going to be compromises to make, so that we make best use of our resources.”

Among the biggest challenges the health board currently faces are an ageing population, difficulty for many people in accessing services close to home, significant recruitment challenges – particularly specialist medical staff – and ageing hospital buildings which require a lot of maintenance to keep running.

To overcome these we want to radically change the way we provide local health care services so that people are accessing most of the care and treatment they need in their local community, and are able to stay at home while they are getting treatment rather than having to go into hospital.

Reducing the number of main hospitals will mean having fewer medical rotas to fill, making it easier to attract clinicians to come and work for us; it will also mean shorter waiting times and fewer cancellations, and more money for local and community health services.

In all three of the proposals, Bronglais District General Hospital will continue to provide services for mid Wales; a new major hospital will be built somewhere between Narberth and St Clears, and there will be 10 community hubs across the Health Board area.

The proposals are:

Proposal A
A new urgent care and planned care hospital between Narberth and St Clears
Community hospitals in Glangwili, Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Withybush
A general hospital in Aberystwyth on the Bronglais Hospital site

Proposal B
A new urgent care and planned care hospital between Narberth and St Clears
Community hospitals in Glangwili and Withybush
General hospitals at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Aberystwyth on the Bronglais Hospital site

Proposal C
A new urgent care hospital between Narberth and St Clears
A planned care hospital on Glangwili site
A community hospital in Withybush
General hospitals at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Aberystwyth on the Bronglais Hospital site

Hywel Dda’s Executive Medical Director & Director of Clinical Strategy, Dr Phil Kloer, added: “The challenges we face are really significant. People are living longer, some with long lasting health conditions, and we expect there to be many more older people who will need regular health care and social care.

“In our area some people live in towns and some in country areas, making it difficult for us to ensure that services are in the right place for people to access. Many people live a long way from services, so helping people to live at home while they have treatment can involve a lot of travel for health workers.

“We know that people want to be supported to manage their health in their own homes – about 4 out of every 10 hospital beds are filled by people who could be treated at home. Added to this is the fact that we’re finding it hard to get enough permanent staff, especially specialist medical staff, to come and work for us, and we also need to make fuller use of new technology such as computers, phones, telehealth and telecare.

“This is why we have come up with three proposals that we think are safe, viable and offer an improvement on what we currently have, and have launched a formal 12-week consultation to present these to you, to listen and talk to you further and take on board your views and ideas.

“We all have a shared passion for the NHS, our services, our history and our staff and we want to harness this to design, together with you, the best health service for our population. We are so grateful to those of you who have already been involved in this as patients, staff and members of our communities.”

Your feedback will be independently analysed and considered before any formal proposal is put before our Health Board for decision on how to proceed later in 2018 and we will continue to keep you updated on how we have used your feedback.

Please tell us your views by:

Completing the online questionnaire at: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/hddchange

Emailing us at: hyweldda.engagement@wales.nhs.uk

Telephone: 01554 899 056

Coming to one of our drop-in events:

Monday 4th June 2pm-7pm / Rhys Pritchard Memorial Hall, Llandovery SA20 0DS

Monday 11th June 2pm-7pm / Penybanc Welfare Hall, Ammanford SA18 3QS

Thursday 14th June 2pm-7pm / City Hall, St.David’s SA62 6SD

Monday 18th June 2pm-7pm / Tysul Hall, Llandysul SA44 4HS

Tuesday 26th June 2pm-7pm / Pembrokeshire Archives Building, Haverfordwest SA61 2PE

Monday 2nd July 2pm-7pm / Victoria Hall, Lampeter SA48 7EE

Thursday 5th July 2pm-7pm / Pill Social Centre, Milford Haven SA73 2QT

Monday 9th July 2pm-7pm / Tumble Hall, Tumble SA14 6HR

The latest podcast from Phil Evans and Robert Lloyd has just been released.