Community cafe opens up on Bangor estate
CASES of scarlet fever are continuing to rise across North Wales, new figures show.
According to Public Health Wales the reported number of cases up to April year-on-year increased from 198 in 2016 to 207 this year.
Conwy and Denbighshire saw the biggest monthly rises. In February 2016 there were only four cases in Conwy, but during the same month this year there were 25.
As for Denbighshire during January and February in 2016 public health officials reported just six cases, but during the same period this year there were 32.
There has also been a rise in scarlet fever numbers in Anglesey, rising from seven in the four months to April last year to 27 for the same period this year.
However Flintshire, Wrexham and Gwynedd have seen decreases year on year.
In Gwynedd cases dropped from 68 in the four months leading to April 2016, to 33 this year. In Flintshire comparing the same period numbers dropped from 24 to 19. In Wrexham there was also a decline showing 32 cases in the first four months in 2016, to 29 in 2017.
There was a spike in figures in March with 67 cases reported across North Wales.
Dr Chris Williams, Consultant Epidemiologist for Public Health Wales, said: “We have monitored a seasonal increase in scarlet fever in North Wales, which is now returning to usual levels. This seasonal pattern is expected for scarlet fever.
“People should be aware of the symptoms, which include a fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper, a high temperature, a flushed face and a red, swollen tongue. Children under the age of 10 are most commonly affected, but people of all ages can be infected by the bacterium that causes scarlet fever.
“Most cases of scarlet fever will clear up on their own, but it is still best to seek medical advice. People diagnosed with ONE of Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG)’s empty buildings at Maesgeirchen, Bangor has recently been transformed into a community café. ‘Caffi MaesG’ is a joint venture between Communities 1st, Partneriaeth Maesgeirchen Partnership (PMP), MATRA and CCG.
The café has been open each Wednesday and Friday afternoon, with the intention to increase the opening hours, if there is sufficient interest and support within the community.
It’s run by volunteers with the help of Jennifer Williams, the Café Coordinator and Eiriona Rees Hughes from Communities 1st. As well as offering drinks and cake, the opportunity to chat with neighbours, there is scarlet fever should stay away from others until they have been on a course of antibiotics for at least 24 hours.” also free wi-fi, a book swap scheme and a variety of activities for children in the school holidays.
The café also offers work experience opportunities and training sessions such as ‘Come and Cook’ and Food Hygiene courses.
Over the coming weeks, there are plans in place to offer internet access, set up a Food Bank collection point, establish a Food Co-op and set up a Fareshare Scheme - where food from local supermarkets can be shared out.
If you are interested in volunteering at the café, just call in for a chat or contact the Community Involvement Team on 0300 123 8084 or cymunedol@ccgwynedd.org.uk Training will be provided to anyone who is interested. ANGLESEY Council has successfully bid for more than £260,000 to improve its museums and libraries.
Holyhead Library’s new home and Oriel Môn will both benefit from funding by the Welsh Government’s Museums Archives and Libraries Division.
The Market Hall will provide a new home for Holyhead Library. A £152,000 grant will fund library and local history hub furniture, signage and two self-service machines, ensuring an exciting space for visitors.
Oriel Môn’s grant of £115,368 will see major improvements to its conference room, shop and café, entrance, toilets, wi-fi, lighting, and signage and a small research room housing books belonging to Charles Tunnicliffe and Kyffin Williams.