Village fears over closure of GP surgery
ONE of Wales’ Euro 2016 heroes has once again picked up his easel to immortalise an unforgettable summer.
Unlike most professional footballers, Owain Fôn Williams is more likely to be found picking up the palette and paints than spending his free time on the X-box or golf course.
Having unveiled a tribute to his fellow squad members last year, the Inverness Caledonian Thistle goalkeeper, who grew up in Dyffryn Nantlle, has painted a fresh canvas - inspired by the friendship and personal bond between Joe Ledley and Anglesey-born goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessey.
Despite not being selected in the latest squad, following a frustrating injury-hit season in the Scottish Highlands, Williams, 30, cheered on the boys during the recent double header against Austria and Moldova, from the comfort of a TV studio as he provided punditry for S4C.
Williams, who played for Crewe and Tranmere before venturing up north, displayed some of his newest work displayed at the National Eisteddfod Maes, on Anglesey, last month.
There were portraits of Gareth Bale lining up to take a free kick, Welsh fans walking by the Eiffel Tower, and Joe Ledley enjoying a well-deserved post-match beverage in his own distinctive manner.
The former Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle pupil was initially reluctant to paint anything about last year’s European adventure in France, even though some of the boys, “Wayne and Joe especially, were asking me to”, he said.
“But coming back, I thought ‘ You know what? Wales have created history by getting to France and reaching the semis.’
“The whole occasion brought the whole of the country together, it was an unforgettable seven weeks or so.
“It felt right to try and capture that piece of history as a painting. It’s something that means an awful lot to me.”
Those images are now on display at the National Library, in Aberystwyth, showing 47 members of the victorious squad and staff.
Williams is now preparing a full exhibition at Oriel Ynys Môn next May.
“It takes a long time to generate enough work for a full exhibition, but I’ve already been working on portraits of the gaffer, Chris Coleman and Gareth Bale.
“I’ve got a way to go but to have my own dedicated exhibition is something quite special, and on Anglesey where my mother and the whole side of her family come from.” CONCERNS a village surgery may close have been raised by Arfon AM Sian Gwenllian.
The Plaid Cymru AM has visited Rhostryfan after receiving a number of complaints from villagers regarding the imminent closure of their local surgery.
Kendall Surgery is an outreach service offered by Hafan Iechyd, in Caernarfon, which has been running a twice-weekly surgery there.
The service has been invaluable to the residents, especially the elderly and those with disabilities.
Siân Gwenllian said: “I have received several letters from Rhostryfan villagers who are very con- cerned that their surgery is to close at such short notice.
“There has been a surgery in the village for more than a century, and the residents have received service of the highest quality from the doctors traveling from Caernarfon to Rhostryfan.”
One of those who has been expressing his concern regarding the closure is Bryn Hughes, from Rhostryfan, and, like many other residents, he is keen to discover the reason behind the decision to close and he is worried about the accessibility of Hafan Iechyd, in Caernarfon, for Rhostryfan patients.
He said: “It’s hard enough to get an appointment in Caernarfon as it is and imagine how it will be when Rhostryfan people need appointments, too.”
“Elderly people will be expected to travel there by taxi, to present prescriptions and then collect them. Many people will find it very difficult.”
Ms Gwenllian’s colleague, Hywel Williams MP, added: “We are facing a crisis in primary care across North Wales. The situation is at a critical point and, while I have little confidence the situation will be resolved, I do expect health managers and government ministers to sort it out.
“That is the challenge I put to them on behalf of the people I represent.
“I fear that, if this closure goes ahead, there will be a knock-on effect which will make it harder for local people to see a doctor as quickly as they might wish to, and should do.”