'I was pleased to welcome Wales' First Minister, Mark Drakeford to Wrexham'

MS for Wrexham

I was pleased to welcome Wales' First Minister, Mark Drakeford to Wrexham once again as the guest speaker at AVOW's (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) AGM.

During his speech, the First Minister praised all the local organisations and volunteers who stepped up so admirably during the pandemic.

Challenging times lie ahead as the cost-of-living crisis escalates but AVOW's strong values and rich human resources mean it will continue to provide an outstanding and invaluable service to the people of Wrexham.

Many readers will be aware we recently marked the 88th anniversary of the Gresford Colliery disaster. On 22nd September, 1934, the Wrexham community experienced one of its darkest days as 266 men and boys tragically lost their lives.

To ensure their names are never forgotten, a Memorial Wall was unveiled at the Miners Rescue Station on Maesgwyn Road by Wrexham AFC manager, Phil Parkinson. Goalkeepers Rob Lainton and Christian Dibble also unveiled a detailed plan of the mines and the Rhos Orpheus Male Choir sang a selection of miners songs.

I was proud to be part of such a special event and I thank Wrexham Warehouse Project and North Wales Miners Association Trust for all their hard work.

Next month Wales will play in a World Cup for the first time since 1958. With a global audience of five billion people, the tournament offers a platform to promote our nation on the international stage, the magnitude of which we have never previously encountered.

To help take advantage of this unique opportunity, the Welsh Government is funding a range of initiatives that will promote and celebrate Wales in Qatar, and I’m pleased some of the funding will be spent here in Wrexham.

The new Football Museum for Wales has received £75,000, enabling it to run a series of events and activities. Another beneficiary is Expo'r Wal Goch, which is hosting a Festival for Football Lovers in Wrexham on 11th – 13th November. Organisers hope the festival, which has the backing of the Football Association of Wales, will become a yearly event and a range of activities, film screenings, talks and workshops are expected to feature across the city.

The Welsh Government is determined to capitalise on the men’s national team’s historic achievement by helping build a positive and lasting legacy from participating in the tournament.

If you’re a constituent in Wrexham and there’s something I could help you with, please contact me via email: lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743.