This morning on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast I spoke about the future of St David’s Hall 🎶 ✅ Classical programme safeguarded ✅ World-class acoustics protected ✅ Major investment & RAAC works ahead ✅ Future secured as Wales’s National Concert Hall Proud to be delivering for culture & communities 💙

I’m a proud, long-standing @gmb.org.uk member – honoured to have their backing as I seek to be @welsh-labour.bsky.social #1 choice in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf. I’ve stood with union colleagues before and I’ll do it again – for fair pay, safe workplaces & dignity at work. 🌹✊

🚪 Out in Trowbridge today, listening to residents. What matters here isn’t slogans, it’s delivery. Reform offer only division. Labour delivers on housing, jobs, safer streets, and community. That’s the difference. 🌹 #LabourDoorstep

Cardiff Music City Festival returns 📅 3–18 Oct 2025 🌍 Global stars: Rufus Wainwright, Cate Le Bon, Gruff Rhys 🎤 Welsh talent: Adwaith, Ani Glass, Georgia Ruth, The Gentle Good Two weeks of gigs + innovation – putting Cardiff on the world stage 🌟 🔗 cardiffmusiccityfestival.wales

This evening I visited the opening of Mark Griffiths: An Incremental Demise at Fotogallery A powerful exploration of how land carries memory, identity & the choices we face for its future. Open until 2 Oct – well worth a visit.

🌿 What if Cardiff became a National Park City? Plans are underway for Cardiff to be Wales’ first, but your help is needed! 💚 👉 Find out more and have your say at community events this autumn (dates in poster ⬇️). #NationalParkCity #Cardiff #HaveYourSay

Brilliant morning at Cardiff Pickleball Club for their Open Day in Roath Pleasure Gardens 🌳 Fab to play with club members, my kids & @jostevenslabour.bsky.social and to see so many people trying pickleball for the first time 🏓 Thanks to the volunteers making this community sport thrive

Cardiff’s summer of music = £44m boost for our city centre 💷🎶 Hospitality & retail thrived, with hotel bookings, restaurants & bars all reporting record trade. Proud as Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks & Events to see major artists + crowds powering local jobs & prosperity. bit.ly/4n7ksx0

As a parent whose kids have gone through chicken pox, I’m so glad to see this 👏 A free chicken pox vaccine for children in England & Wales will spare so many families the stress, discomfort & worry we went through. A really positive step forward. 🔗 www.gov.wales/written-stat...

Proud to have the support of my friend and Cardiff North councillor Mike Ash Edwards: “Honest and authentic with a drive to break down barriers, Jen will challenge the status quo and back policies to achieve real change.” Let’s do just that. ✊ #Senedd2026 #CaerdyddFfynnonTaf

Big news for Hailey Park! 🎉 A brand-new inclusive sport & games facility is coming—shaped by 180+ local children 🏀⚽🏏 📍New location: 50m from homes ✅ Football, netball, calisthenics, table tennis & more 📸 Designs below #LlandaffNorth #HaileyPark

Proud to have the support of my friend Zac Harvey, who I’ve worked with for 10+ years. His words mean a lot — change happens together, never to people.

I first met Hefin in 2016, when he was a candidate for the Senedd. He was always supportive of those around him, a fierce advocate for the people he represented. He will be greatly missed.

Days of phoning members across Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf ✔️ Campaigning in the Grangetown by-election ✔️ Day job ✔️ Tonight: Penarth swim 🌊, chippy tea from Plassey Street 🍟, sunset over Cardiff ☀️ Perfect reset before the next push.

Proud to be endorsed by The Co-operative Party 🌹🤝 The co-operative movement is growing – today The Entertainer becomes employee-owned. Let’s take that same spirit to the Senedd. #CoopValues #Senedd2026

Half way through the summer holidays and we’ve been having a blast! 🌞 From the Royal Welsh Show to beautiful parks, the immersive Van Gogh exhibition and plenty of time with a good book 📖 — it’s been lovely to slow the pace and soak it all in 🥰💐

Delighted to be shortlisted as a candidate for Welsh Labour in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf! 🌹 Looking forward to speaking with members in Cardiff North & East about your priorities — and how we build a campaign rooted in your vision for our communities. DMs open! #Senedd2026

In 2021, Splott residents Laura and Nick started a petition to improve Splott Park. Working with local councillors, their campaign led to a successful Neighbourhood Renewal bid — and investment is now on its way 🙌🌳 People power at its best. #Splott #Cardiff

Big thanks to Cardiff’s amazing parks volunteers — celebrated this evening at the Forest Farm BBQ 🌿 💚 21 Green Flag Awards for council-managed parks 💚 23 Green Flag Community Awards for brilliant local projects Your time + care make our green spaces thrive 🏆

Proud to help launch the Irish Women’s Network in Wales. ☘️💚 A new community space for Irish women living, working or studying in Wales – celebrating heritage, sharing stories, and amplifying our voices. 📍 First event: Tues 16 July, 6pm 📩 Get involved: [email protected]

Cardiff now has 21 Green Flag parks — more than any other UK Core City or Welsh council 🌿 Llandaff Fields joins the list for the first time 👏 Thanks to our staff, rangers & volunteers — and to every community group helping protect & improve these spaces 💚

Joined FAW to watch Cymru take on France in their second #WEURO2025 match last night. A 4–1 loss, but full of grit and pride. And a historic first major tournament goal — had to be Jess Fishlock! 👏⚽🏴#Cymru #YWalGoch #WomensFootball #JessFishlock

🌿 Cardiff’s nature boost! £2m from @welshgovernment.bsky.social will support biodiversity, habitats & community engagement via Cardiff’s Local Nature Partnership 🌼 From wetlands to pollinators—this is real action for a nature-rich Cardiff 💚 #NatureRecovery #Cardiff #LNPWales

A very nice and busy Saturday! Swimming lessons, campaigning for the Llanrumney by election, library to sign up for the summer reading challenge topped off by watching Wales in their first Euros 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 ⚽️

★★★★★ Oasis at Principality Stadium Cardiff review: Still mad for it after all these years. The band’s kicked off their reunion tour in style, proving that even bad songs can sound good eventually

Happy Oasis Day to all who celebrate x

Last night I saw Alanis Morissette at Blackweir and cried my eyes out. Jagged Little Pill came out when I was 9 — it was the first time I knew women could be angry. It changed everything. When I became Cabinet Member for Culture, I said I wanted vibes. We’ve got them. 💫🎶

What’s very lovely is in the summer I sit with my window open and listen to the Cardiff Youth Orchestra practise at Hawthorn Primary school, like a free classical concert 🎶

🎶 Spoke to BBC Radio Wales this morning about Blackweir Live — a brilliant new event series for Cardiff. Yes, there are environmental concerns. But we plan carefully and back culture, music and the local economy. This is about joy, jobs, and a vibrant city. #BlackweirLive

🏉⚽ Delighted to award £200k in capital grants to 14 grassroots sports clubs across Cardiff – supporting better pitches, changing rooms & floodlighting. Part of our work to boost participation & invest in community sport.

Unveiled today in Splott Park: a powerful new mural of Jess Fishlock, Cymru’s all-time top goal scorer and a true local legend. Created by Unify creative with local young people, backed by @welshgovernment.bsky.social @cardiffcouncil.bsky.social & Wales Art International #EURO2025 #TeamCymru 🏴⚽🎨

🏳️‍⚧️ Carrying the trans pride banner yesterday was a privilege. Pride is protest, Pride is community, and Pride means standing up for our trans siblings—loudly, visibly, and always. Cardiff, you were wonderful 💜🩷💙 #TransRightsAreHumanRights #Pride2025

🚧 Roadworks update: Chamberlain Rd, Llandaff North 🚧 Essential prep works for resurfacing start 26 June (approx. 2 days). Expect parking restrictions & limited driveway access. Pedestrian & emergency access maintained. 🔗 Info: www.cardiff.gov.uk/highway-impr... 📞 029 2087 2087

You may have seen today’s BBC coverage about Hailey Park. I’m pleased to confirm we’ve secured funding for the park ✅ Designs aren’t ready yet, but engagement with local schoolchildren and the community will begin soon. More updates to come. 🌳

🚧 M4 resurfacing works (J30–J32) start 24 June. 🔹 Westbound closures: 24 Jun–15 Jul 🔹 Eastbound closures: 15 Jul–12 Aug ⏰ Overnight: 8pm–6am 🚗 Diversions in place (A4232/A48/A470) Info 👉 traffic.wales

Was having too much fun at this year’s Tafwyl to take many pics or videos. Such a brilliant weekend — I was there as a proud parent, watching my kids perform with their school for the first time. Such a lovely, joyful celebration of Welsh language and culture 🤍❤️💚

Such a devastating loss of life in the Air India crash. The shock is being felt far beyond India. Here in Cardiff, many families have strong roots in Gujarat — this news will be hitting home for them. Holding everyone affected in my thoughts

🚧Upcoming works – Maplewood Avenue, Llandaff North Resurfacing prep works start 16 June 2025 -approx. 4 weeks. New channels & gullies from No. 8 to Station Rd. 👉 Temp parking & driveway restrictions 👉 Pedestrian & emergency access maintained Latest info: bit.ly/43THLCq Thanks for your patience

In Reform-run councils, union membership is rising because staff can see the attacks on pay & conditions coming. No friend of workers ever votes against sick pay or fire & rehire protections. Solidarity with Trade Union members fighting back. ✊ #JoinAUnion nation.cymru/news/union-m...

I’ve written to my MP to urge them to back NC20 — the amendment to decriminalise abortion and protect women’s rights. Abortion is healthcare. It should never be a crime. With rights under threat in the US, we must act now to protect them here. #NC20 #DecriminaliseAbortion

New 1,000m² East Side Skate Park opens in Cardiff🛹 Designed with local skaters 🌟 Matt Pritchard: “Amazing to see Cardiff investing in skateboarding. Great for kids, especially with it now an Olympic sport!” First park from Cardiff’s Skateboard Strategy — more coming soon.

🏊‍♀️ School swimming making waves in Cardiff 🌊 ✅ Participation up from 57% to 74% ✅ 2,250+ children accessing lessons ✅ Local model easing costs & access Brilliant success for Nofio Ysgol Caerdydd — and it’s expanding next year 💪👏 bit.ly/4mIFRgj #WaterSafety #NofioYsgolCaerdydd #Cardiff

☀️💦 Good news! The Splashpad in Victoria Park is now OPEN for summer fun! 33 exciting features including sprays, jets, tipping bucket + more, all in the beautiful Grade II listed park. Opening times + relaxed sessions info 👉 bit.ly/4krHoWK #CardiffParks #SummerInCardiff 🌳🌊

🌊 @cardiffcouncil.bsky.social is developing plans to reduce flood risk from Whitchurch Brook as part of #GreenerWhitchurch 🌿 Join this session to view proposals + share your feedback: 📅 Tues 17 June 🕑 2–6pm 📍 Whitchurch Tennis Club More info 👉 greenerwhitchurch.virtual-engage.com

🚗 Following resident concerns, I've had confirmation that Ysgol Glantaf is being added to the Council's school camera car schedule. Foot patrols are also being considered to enforce new double yellows.

💧 Got questions about storm overflows or river water quality? Pop by the @welshwater.bsky.social drop-in session: 📍 Uncommon Ground, Royal Arcade, Cardiff 📅 28 May 2025 🕙 10am–2pm Meet their River Quality Liaison Manager & learn how they’re investing in the environment. #Cardiff #WaterQuality

🚨 Llandaff North & Gabalfa PACT 🚨 🗓 Thurs 29 May | 🕕 6–7pm 📍 Llandaff North Hyb, Gabalfa Ave Join us to discuss parking issues, air pollution & sustainable travel with reps from @cardiffmet.bsky.social 👥 All welcome – have your say

🏥 While the headline focuses on a missed target, let’s not ignore the scale of the achievement: ➡️ Two-year NHS waits in Wales have dropped by nearly half in one month – down from 15,500 to 8,389. 👏 Huge credit to NHS staff and the investment that made this happen. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

As a swimmer, I won’t lie — the warmer sea feels lovely. But sea temps 4°C above normal in places is no joke. Marine heatwaves are a clear signal of climate crisis. What’s refreshing for us could be devastating for ocean life. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Cardiff’s nature-friendly ‘one cut’ mowing is back! 144 sites (equal to 272 football pitches) will go unmown until Sept – helping pollinators & biodiversity thrive. 89% of sites now support over 11 species – a real success story. Map: bit.ly/4jjQDqH #OnePlanetCardiff #NoMowSummer