A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS

May I wish all who visit this blog a Happy and Healthy New Year.
I am already stocked up with varieties of minty toothpaste, mouth wash and inter dental brushes and lovely scented soaps everywhere. I intend letting no bugs in and the spin off will  be lovely scents and a sparkly smile, what a nice way to start the year !

Clean your teeth to prevent pneumonia !

I have just read an article in the newspaper telling me that oral hygiene is directly connected to lung health. Also, commonsense tells me that what's on my fingers often gets into my mouth. So, I know what my New Year's resolution is going to be. 


Extra special care and attention to teeth cleaning, 
Wash my hands a few more times a day, 
Always use a mouth wash
And keep those bugs away.


I'll never make a poet !

The Catwg Bell Ringers

Today we welcomed the Catwg Bell Ringers for the second time, and once again they entertained us well. The costumes, the carols, the sound of the bells, the visitors from Swansea and Bridgend Breathe Easy Groups, not to mention Denise Williams and Chris Mulholland, all helped to make this a lovely festive occasion. It amazed me yet again, that I, who has not one musical note in my body, can manage to ring a bell at the right time. Great fun, not to be missed and we look forward to seeing the ladies another year.

Ystradgynlais Christmas Craft Fair

The Christmas Craft Fair was held in Ystradgynlais Miners Welfare Hall and was organised by Caroline from the Volunteer Centre - www.ystradgynlaisvc.org.uk/ Lots of toys, tree decorations and hats and scarves bought ready for Christmas. The brass band played festive music and Santa came, much to the delight of all the children there.

The BOFFAs

What are The BOFFAs ? They are British Lung Foundation's answer to the OSCARs. We were really thrilled last Thursday. The BOFFAs - Breathe of Fresh Air Awards presentations were made by Patrick Flood Page, Chairman of British Lung Foundation Wales and chest consultant in Newport, at the Spectwm Centre in Cardiff. Breathe Easy Neath Valley won two awards, one for outstanding contribution to British Lung Foundation Projects and the other for outstanding group achievement in influencing the ways lung conditions are dealt with.

Margaret Barnard won two personal awards, one for outstanding service to Breathe Easy and the local community and the national award for outstanding contribution to awareness raising and campaigning.

Margaret and the group won these awards in spite of having lung conditions themselves and are all very proud of their achievements and would like to thank everyone who has helped them in achieving these goals.

Breathe Easy groups from across south Wales gathered to celebrate the achievements this year and to celebrate Christmas with a cuppa, cakes, music and good company.
See more pictures on Flickr

VIPs and Big Money

Patrick Flood Page, Chairman of British Lung Foundation Wales, Suzy Davies AM and Peter Mannion, Public Health Service Manager ABM Health Board joined us for a lively discussion covering various topics.

We were all thrilled about the progress being made to protect children from smoking in cars. Patrick and Suzy expressed concern about long term sickness and lack of cover we are getting from our COPD team - not their fault at all, no one can help being ill. We all think long term illness should be covered so that we can get the service we are promised. For two years now we have had no self referrals as one or another of the team has been ill. This means hospital admissions in some cases because of a lack of home nursing.

Peter talked about the importance of continuing exercise after pulmonary rehab and the PACE programs are finished. We all know how true that is - exercise does you good and keeps you going. Healthy muscles use less oxygen.

Then, on a really happy note, it was great to be able to hand over a cheque for £4,620 to Patrick. British Lung Foundation Wales needs every penny it gets in order to carry out its much needed work supporting all people with lung conditions in Wales.

Wysgi and a cream tea

Last Wednesday we went to the Whiskey (Wisgi) Distillery in Penderyn to see how the only Welsh Wysgi is made and how different barrels used for storage give it three very distinctive flavours. We saw the oldest bottle of Welsh Wisgi - there are only two left, Penderyn has one and Prince Charles has the other one. At the end of the tour we were all given a taste of two different types of whisky or a miniature to take home.

When we left there we went just down the road to Ty Newydd for a cream tea with a distinctive Welsh flavour. Tasty sandwiches (crusts removed), Welsh cakes, Bara Brith and scones with jam and cream, all washed down with tea or coffee.

It was a lovely afternoon and we look forward to many more like it.