Damian Plant’s Weblog

Well, that’s the Extravaganza over for another year. Although it brings in loads of money to the town from all the visitors, I must be honest and say I won’t miss it!

The amount of traffic and noise has been exceptional, so it is nice to see normality return for the residents of Craig-y-Don.

In my post of the 30^th, I mentioned the problem of parking. Well, it did turn out to be the same this year with another badly parked vehicle blocking my drive, I almost had to call out the police. Fortunately, we were able to track down the owner before it got too tricky.

Yesterday, 2^nd May, I was invited to take part in a training session for Arriva drivers and staff. This had been set up after the conversation I had on Radio Wales’s Richard Evans Show with Mr Tom Balshaw from the Arriva Head Office.

I am at present writing a full account of the session, but would just like to say how impressed I was with the attitude of the trainer, Ian, and all the drivers who took part.

A huge pat on the back goes out to Arriva for setting this up and taking in to account the views of disabled patrons.

Thanks again Arriva!

Well, it’s that time of year again, when people from all over come to Llandudno to celebrate the towns annual Victorian Extravaganza. The town fills with all sorts of vintage motor vehicles and steam engines. The centre of Llandudno, Mostyn Street, closes down to accommodate the numerous fairground attractions and crowds of brightly dressed visitors, many in Victorian costume. It is a fun packed three day event and highly recommended.

There is also a vintage vehicle rally on Bodafon fields in Craig-y-Don, which is always worth a look.

Don’t miss the daily parade through the town centre!

It runs from Saturday 3^rd May to Bank Holiday Monday 5^th May.

My only gripe, and I’m sure that of many other locals, is the problem of people parking thoughtlessly and, in many cases, in the householders parking place. This can be very inconvenient and annoying. One year a visitor parked across my drive and made it impossible to move my van. I park out on the road over this weekend nowadays.

Does an able bodied person stop and think for one minute about their normal routine that they go about on a daily basis? I’m not talking about work or social aspects, but things like going to the wc, getting out of bed and having a bath. How would some people manage if they suddenly found themselves having to rely on people and machinery?

I have a daily routine that involves using a body sling and overhead tracker hoist to get me out of bed in the morning. To get me into and out of my bath. On and off my wc. Into and out of my wheelchairs and back to bed in the evening.

Last Sunday evening, when I was about to be hoisted from my chair to my bath, via my bed, one of the little things that I take for granted decided to become a big problem. My hoist had broken down! All normality ceased at that point in time! I then required 2 carers to do the work of 1, people had to do extra hours, support had to be shuffled around and my life lacked the status quo that I enjoy just because 1 small relay on a circuit board decided to burn out. Anyway, it was fixed on Tuesday and now normality reigns supreme.

So, I suppose that the little black relay on the circuit board was just one of the little things in life that I take for granted and we never know how much we rely on these small, insignificant objects until they break down.

I was out on the buses again today, to try and keep awareness of the needs of disabled passengers to the fore. I like to travel about on different routes to see how accessible they are and to monitor drivers attitudes. Most drivers are very good, but it doesn’t hurt to keep them on their toes.

I was on my way to Corwen, Via Rhyl, and was waiting for the X51 at Rhyl station. They were going to put a stepped bus on. They saw a wheelchair and put a low floor bus on, but unfortunately it got as far as Bodelwyddan before we had to change buses. The bus had a problem with it’s hydraulics and could not go any further. Luckily, there was a bus right behind us which was going up to Denbigh, so we got on that. Once in Denbigh, we decided to see what bus came along and go off in that direction. We caught the number 76 bus to Llandyrnog, which is a little village out in the rural area near Denbigh. It was nice to see accessible buses on rural routes like this one, as many elderly and disabled people have difficulty getting from their local communities to the larger towns. The driver of this bus, by the way, was extremely friendly and helpful. Good one M & H Coaches!

Before I finish up I would just like to say that, even in these times when everyone seems to be out for themselves, there are some nice people about. I had been waiting in Rhyl for some time and was getting quite cold. A lady with a pram, who was in front of me in the queue, insisted that I go before her and her children. I tried to say no but she was not having any of it. What a nice act. I wish there were more people about like her, for everyone’s sake.

I had an eventful day yesterday.

Firstly, I received a message from my friend Dan at The Daily Post telling me that I was in that days edition of the paper. The article was about campaigning for better bus services for disabled and elderly travellers. It was great and got over my points very well. They also put a video, filmed at my flat and around Llandudno, on their website at http://www.dailypost.co.uk Take a look and see what you think. I would be please to hear your views.

By 10 o’clock that morning I had received an Email from Radio Wales asking if I would like to take part in a live debate later that day. I was very happy to oblige and joined Richard Evans on his show that afternoon. We talked for a while about the issues raised in the article then he introduced Tom Balshaw from Arriva, who  was happy to discuss my concerns.  He invited me to meet with representatives of Arriva Buses in Llandudno Junction with a view to seeing if I could assist them in any way. I am now going to a meeting at their offices next Wednesday and we’ll see where we go from there.

Another unforeseen effect of this exposure has been the increase in traffic on the Blog. Cool, the more the better.

I had a meeting today with the area manager for J D Wetherspoons. We were discussing  an issue surrounding access to the Colwyn Bay branch.

I have to say I was particularly impressed with his attitude. He listened to my concerns and acted immediately to rectify  the situation.

This is how issues should be dealt with, not in a patronising way but with concern for the patrons who pay good money to frequent their premises.

Well done Steve Edge and J D Wetherspoons!

They are investigating a fire that happened yesterday at Colwyn Bay Police HQ.

Colwyn Bay Fire service were called to the scene at 11:33am and it took until 2:47pm to extinguish. It was a serious fire and the Head Quarters are now closed. All calls have been diverted to St, Asaph.

To whom it may concern

I’d just like to compliment the RAC on their actions when I broke down on the 16th of march. They were very , very quick in doing what was required. My support worker ,knew exactly what had happened ie wrong fuel put in my van and they got me home in a suitable wheelchair accessible vehicle. I would like to highlight the fact that the taxi was all sorted and paid for by the RAC. Thankyou all at the RAC for your help

Had a quick visit to my friend Becky’s house in Prestatyn. What a busy bee she was!! Preparing a Sunday lunch for 9 people! Braver than i could ever be! my friend Sarah Harrison was there as well because I was on msn last nite talking to her and she said she would meet me at Becky’s. Returned home about an hour later to get on with a bit of relevant pc work. Later on I’m off to my Mum and Dads for a spot of tea and then home again to do even more work on the pc. no rest for the wicked! Any comments regarding hard work or nice teas to damianplant.wordpress.com