‘Stay busy and care for your neighbours’
The coronavirus lockdown is posing a challenge for us all, but imagine living in a remote community with one shop and hardly any buses? Lewis Smith reports
WITH the continued spread of coronavirus, many villages in the South Wales Valleys are finding that life is becoming more challenging by the day.
Brynithel in Blaenau Gwent is one such place, sitting high on the mountainside overlooking Aberbeeg, it is a picturesque part of the borough that has limited access to a number of key services.
With only one shop nearby and a single bus route running through, there is already a certain level of isolation for vulnerable members of the community.
However, with the shop now only opening at limited times and the local bus service being reduced, some residents fear they could become completely cut off as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
Toni-Anne Jarvis, 30, from Penrhiw in Brynithel, says there could be a number of elderly people who suffer during this time, and hopes the local bus service is able to keep running for as long as possible.
She said: “I don’t drive so with two kids at home it is a bit of an issue to get to the shops. We don’t mind the 30-minute walk down to Tesco in Abertillery, but for others that journey may not be possible on foot.
“It is a steep hill back up to Brynithel, and with having to carry the shopping as well, I think it would be too much for many of the elderly people to manage getting back.
“We were a little nervous for them when the buses cancelled services to Brynithel this week, but were also grateful when they decided to keep going after talks with the council. It’s an essential service, especially now.
“Things are changing by the day with the situation at the moment so it is a bit of a worry. There’s a great community spirit up in Brynithel though so whatever happens we’ll keep looking out for each other.”
On Monday, Henleys Bus Services, which usually runs a number of routes in the area, announced the closure of the business due to safety concerns for staff and passengers.
However, after talks with the local council and workers, an arrangement was made to return the service on a limited basis.
A statement from Henleys read: “After discussions with the local authorities and our drivers, we have decided to operate a limited service to Cwmtillery, Brynithel and Blaenau Gwent. This service is for essential travel only, for food or prescriptions.
“Social distancing will apply and we encourage anyone over the age of 70 or with underlying health problems to please ask a family member or friend to use this service.
“This service will start at 8.50am and end at 1.30pm. We will post a timetable shortly.”
Councillor Hedley McCarthy, who lives in nearby Aberbeeg, welcomed the move by the bus company and says the priority now is to take care of vulnerable people, making sure they are not cut off during this period of social distancing.
He said: “Brynithel a little bit cut off from the rest of the villages in Abertillery, and is very reliant on the bus and shop they have up there.
“We completely understand the decision of businesses to run on limited hours at the moment, and are very thankful for the work they are doing to keeping the community going.
“There were worries that if the shop closed altogether as well as the buses, people could become very vulnerable, particularly if they were unable to leave the area by their own means. Thankfully a solution has been agreed upon by everyone involved.
“As always, the council’s emergency response team has done a brilliant job working on this, and will continue to support residents, making sure everyone has access to the things they need.”
Kathleen Donoghue lives in nearby Llanhilleth and says while residents there are holding up well at the moment, she is concerned about the mental health of people who are isolated.
She said: “We’re lucky down here as the shops are open and we are able to get supplies as normal. There is also a bus still running up to Abertillery, albeit at a reduced service which is good. There’s always a good spirit in Llanhilleth and I have family up in Brynithel as well who all say the same thing.
“It is weird as we live so close together, yet can’t see each other due to social distancing. That’s what’s hard, and will only become harder for people, especially if they live alone or have no-one to talk to.
“It’s a strange time that has made us realise the things we took for granted before, but it has also made us realise how lucky we are to live in such a tight-knit community as this.”
Jill and Kevin Morris own a smallholding in Wales’ highest village Trefil, and say that while they are used to this kind of isolation during the winter months, they have never experienced it on a scale such as this.
Jill said: “I’ve lived here in Trefil since 1982 and there is a certain amount of isolation that comes with living in Wales’ highest village that you just get used to.
“We don’t have a regular bus and we always stock up on supplies in case the weather gets bad and we’re cut off. It’s lambing season at the moment so we have plenty to keep us occupied as well, but generally we are all used to this lifestyle.
“My advice to people would be to look out for your neighbours and try to keep yourself busy. That’s what we do in Trefil and we’ve always been fine. We also have a list of local people posted through our doors, so if you need something, you can give them a call and they’re happy to go and pick it up.
“That’s what being a good community is all about and in times like these it’s more important than ever.”