What a shortsighted view of free swimming

WHAT a shock to be greeted at Maindy Leisure Centre, Cardiff, by a notice that from October 1 we will only be able to have free swimming in the pool on Mondays from 9.30-11.30am. Other pools will offer free access at different days and hours.

How shortsighted of the Welsh Assembly and the swimming pool providers, Better.

The original plan to keep us pensioners fit and healthy with an allround exercise suitable for all abilities including those with reduced mobility, is being swept aside.

Hard luck if you have a hospital or other appointment at the prescribed time, you have a choice of driving or going by bus to an alternative pool at another time or you have to pay over £5. That’s rather expensive for some of us on a weekly or for some, a daily basis. And what happens on the prescribed days, loads of pensioners all trying to swim round each other, colliding and trying to be polite to allow others to pass?

I think that in a short space of time, many will be so frustrated they give up and stop going. I also wonder how empty the pools will be at alternative times. If the pools do not have clients, does that mean reduced hours and loss of jobs?

Surely, if the Welsh Assembly cannot support the programme full time, it would be in the interests of all parties to have more than one time provision a week and reduce the price of entry, at alternative times, for pensioners.

Gill Irwin

Pantmawr, Cardiff

The importance of every single animal

WITH almost half of adults owning a pet, Britain is truly a nation of animal lovers – and the benefits are clear.

New research shows that 83 per cent of pet owners in the UK believe their animals help reduce their stress levels and improve their emotional wellbeing.

However, few people are aware that working animals are vitally important to the health and survival of people in the world’s poorest communities.

These horses, donkeys, camels and other animals help provide millions of impoverished families with a basic income for food, transport to hospital, and other necessities for life, such as water and firewood.

Just like pet owners in the UK, the owners of working animals would be lost without their animals.

But hardworking animals in developing countries often have no access to vital veterinary treatment when they are sick or injured.

This World Animal Day (October 4), I’m asking everyone to recognise the value and importance of every single animal, be they the ones we share our homes with, or working animals overseas that support the livelihoods of over half a billion people worldwide.

Please help us to give working animals the care they so desperately need by visiting spana.org/worldanimalday

Geoffrey Dennis

Chief Executive

SPANA

The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad

Concern at nature of the Queen’s role

I am increasingly concerned about the independent nature of the Queen’s role as seen in two issues of immense national import in recent times.

The first issue was the Scottish referendum re independence in 2014.

David Cameron has recently found out that the Queen is displeased by his revelation that he asked her to “raise an eyebrow” re the referendum.

Whilst Cameron’s action in letting this be known is of course disgraceful, I am more concerned that the Queen acceded to his request by suggesting that voters should be careful in placing their votes.

This was clearly seen at the time as an indication that she would prefer a remain vote.

As she would presumably have been Queen of an independent Scotland, surely her duty was to remain silent on the issue and let Scots secure their own destiny. The second issue is proroguing. It is clear that there is universal understanding that the real reason for the parliamentary suspension was to stymie opposition attempts to thwart Johnson’s Brexit plans, and particularly the danger of no deal.

The media had been alive with suggestions that Johnson would prorogue for this reason, but there was not the slightest indication that he would do so to properly prepare for the Queen’s speech.

The Queen would have been aware of all this, and certainly aware of Johnson’s two career dismissals for lying.

With all of this in mind, surely she should have refused assent.

I am not sure of who would be advising the Queen on these issues. But that concerns me as well. The likely advice would come from her Private Secretary.

The two incumbents for the issues above were Lord Geidt and Edward Young, both very heavyweight Tories with backgrounds not unlike that of Mr Johnson.

The other likely adviser might have been the Lord President of the Privy Council, Jacob Rees Mogg.

Surely there are grounds to be suspicious of a right wing bias in the Queen’s position here.

Tony Pegge Ystradgynlais

Advice on offer to change lifestyle

DIABETES UK Cymru is holding a Health and Wellbeing Conference on Saturday October 12. The day will include inspiring talks and engaging workshops, all to give you the tools, support and advice you need to make positive changes to your lifestyle.

There are more than 194,000 people living with diabetes in Wales, the highest prevalence in the UK. This means we are all likely to know someone affected by the condition.

However, as many as three in five cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by eating well, moving more and maintaining a healthy weight. And Diabetes UK Cymru believes that everyone living with diabetes, regardless of what type of diabetes they have, can live a full, rewarding and healthy life.

This event isn’t only for people living with diabetes; members of the public are also welcome to attend and we hope that everyone will come away feeling inspired and motivated. The practical workshops will cover a wide range of

The original plan to keep us pensioners fit and healthy with an all-round exercise suitable for all abilities including those with reduced mobility, is being swept aside

Gill Irwin Pantmawr

topics, from mental health and tackling stigma to food demonstrations and overcoming barriers to getting more active.

We’ll also hear talks on the current state of diabetes in Wales and hear about some of the fantastic work individuals and communities are doing to bring about change and support people living with diabetes in their area.

The free event will be held at Cardiff City Stadium from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Registration is now open.

Contact wales@diabetes.org.uk or 029 2066 8276 to register. We hope to see you there. Dai Williams National Director – Wales Diabetes UK Cymru

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