4. 90-second Statements

– in the Senedd at 3:15 pm on 3 February 2021.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 3:15, 3 February 2021

(Translated)

So, we'll move to 90-second statements, and the first statement is from David Rees.

Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour

Diolch, Llywydd. Tomorrow, 4 February, is World Cancer Day. It's a day when we remind ourselves of both the impact upon people of cancer and the energy that exists within communities all over the world to make progress in the fight against cancer. This year, we can also reflect upon how the fight exists alongside the challenges of a global pandemic, but we must remember that the fight is never-ending as, like coronavirus, cancer doesn't go away. It continues to affect people, and we need to ensure that the battle against it is not just continuing, but strengthens. 

This year's theme focuses on the message, 'I am and I will', and encourages us to personally commit to reducing the impact of cancer. Now, I'm sure that, like all Members, I, as the Member for Aberavon and chair of the cross-party group on cancer, will continue to take personal positive action and will always call for the prioritisation of cancer diagnostic services during this pandemic. The urgency for early diagnosis has not changed. We know that the rapid rise of COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations has put tremendous pressure upon services, and I thank our staff who are working hard to ensure that cancer diagnoses and treatments can continue safely. 

The organisers of World Cancer Day ask Governments to take action by having national cancer control plans. I am proud that, here in Wales, we benefit from the single cancer pathway set out by the Welsh Government, but, due to the pandemic, it is likely that 3,500 people could now have missed a cancer diagnosis in Wales. There is much to do to catch those missed diagnoses. We cannot let this virus take away the need to attend our GP practices, whether it's for a cough, a lump or any other worrying symptom. So, today, let us all recommit to continuing the fight against cancer and encouraging people to seek help if they believe something is not right.  

Photo of Helen Mary Jones Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru 3:17, 3 February 2021

Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to congratulate Pontyberem's Jonny Clayton on winning his first individual televised darts title. The 46-year-old Welshman fought back from 5-3 down to beat Mervyn King 11-8 in the Masters final in Milton Keynes last week. He's considering quitting work as a Carmarthenshire County Council plasterer to concentrate on his darts. Jonny Clayton has previously recently described darts as his 'hobby'.

'I don't know if I'm going to finish work', he said after his famous win,

'I'll see. I don't know.' 

He'll discuss the prospect of continuing full-time concentrating on darts with his wife Elen and his children after he arrives home, having won that valuable prize at the Masters.

In November, he and his fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price won the World Cup of Darts. Jonny hopes Welsh success will continue for the next five or 10 years. He added:

'It's a great feeling to be Welsh at the moment in the darts world.'

The community of Pontyberem is rightly proud of this citizen of the Gwendraeth valley. His stunning achievement has inspired council leader Emlyn Dole and poet Aneirin Karadog to write limericks and poetry to celebrate his win. I'll spare the Senedd Emlyn's limerick, but Emlyn has said what an honour it is to have a world champion on the council's payroll. Last November he said:

'We are immensely proud of Jonny and all that he has achieved. What a fantastic achievement for him to lift the trophy for his country in the sport that he loves. Jonny is a valued member of the Carmarthenshire council team, and he's as talented at his plastering as he is at his darts.'

Emlyn added:

'As with any member of staff representing their country in elite sports, we have given Jonny our full support to ensure he can work his day-job as well as having the time to train and compete.'

I suspect that Emlyn will now be considering, after this latest win, whether the council could offer Jonny a sabbatical to pursue his darts career full time. 

As the poet Aneirin Karadog wrote:   

Photo of Helen Mary Jones Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru

(Translated)

As one, Wales gazed on that one dart, / so true its flight / to the double in sight, / when thrown for those who hold your heart.

Photo of Helen Mary Jones Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru

With apologies to Aneirin for the awful pronunciation. Jonny, Pontyberem is very, very proud of you, and so is Wales. Da iawn. 

Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I'd like to pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who was born on 30 April 1920 in West Yorkshire. His mother and father ran a successful construction company. His father was deaf and the sense of loneliness that this condition made his father feel stayed with Sir Tom and become one of the causes he championed through the course of his life. He married his second wife Pamela in 1968 and they had two daughters, Lucy and Hannah. Sadly, the last 10 years of Pamela's life were spent battling the effects of dementia. This battle again reinforced Sir Tom's belief in the need to campaign to help people overcome the effects of loneliness. Captain Sir Tom saw active service in the far east, holding the rank of captain in the Duke of York regiment during the second world war, and, as we've all witnessed, he wore his service medals with such pride and passion. He was, however, not romantic about the terrible effects of war on people's lives and said of his experience, 'I wasn't a hero; I was just lucky. I hope there are no more wars; they are fruitless things.'

The last 12 months of his life have been truly remarkable—recovering from a fall that broke a rib, punctured a lung and shattered his hip to raising nearly £40 million for various charities and becoming a national hero and treasure at a time of national emergency. While I'm sure there are many that have shed a tear at Sir Tom's passing, he did not fear death, and I will close on his thoughts:

'Some people can't bear the thought of death, but I draw strength from it...if tomorrow is my last day, if all those I loved are waiting for me, then that tomorrow will be a good day too.'

Thank you, sir. You were truly a remarkable son, brother, soldier, husband, father and grandfather and an all-round thoroughly decent human being.