It's time for my yearly roundup, first books read. This year has been phenomenal for my reading, at 66 books done I've read more books than any year since I started keeping proper track, far exceeding the 43 in 2018. A long morning commute helps of course. 1/3

The first book of the year will be The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed, we will be upstairs in Tiny Rebel at 7pm on the 13th of January 2026.

This Tuesday. Charles Dickens, The Cricket on the Hearth at 7pm. We're in the little O'Neill's on Trinity Street.

Brief weekend away in Tenby, nice to get out that way and have a good, relaxing, time.

The proposed Heritage list went to Scrutiny today. This acknowledgement recognises the historical value of the building of the Radyr Court, giving the Council additional powers to protect the structures of the buildings themselves through the planning process. I very much support this proposal.

Did some more litter picking in Danescourt this weekend with some dedicated local Labour members. We also did some doorknocking afterwards but entirely forgot to take a photo!

Honoured to be at the Llandaff Armistice Day Service today laying a wreath with my fellow Councillor, Sean Driscoll.

Great to do a bit of litter picking around Danescourt this afternoon and then get into door knocking with some of our future Welsh Labour Senedd candidates for Caerdydd Penarth. Definitely the case that on a cool, crisp, October day we needed layers but the reception on the door was lovely and warm

This Saturday I was at the Llandaff Parish Hall, at my Council Surgery anyone can visit and ask questions, I had a very nice chat about local government procedure and will now be doing some digging. My next Councillor Surgery is on the 25th of October at 12:00 in St John's Church Hall in Danescourt

I spent my weekend in West Wales with Friday evening and Saturday morning in Fishguard There's something particularly joyful in both going to an independent bookshop (Seaways) and discovering something you couldn't get elsewhere, a really neat zine. The Tapestry in the library is also a must visit

Great to be invited around the new Fairwater campus, just next door to my ward. Parts of it are already operational, so we got to see kids enjoying these modern facilities. Core investment into communities instead of austerity driven cuts and having to paper over the cracks is hearting and needed.

As part of the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee, Councillors, including myself, have already done a decent amount of work on how this will affect Cardiff. In my opinion it's a very positive move that could easily make Cardiff a nicer place to live and visit www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/Your-Cou...

Many other countries use a similar levy to balance the benefits and pressures of tourism. A small contribution will make a huge difference to both residents and tourists, and will help us maintain and enhance the attractions we all love.

We love welcoming visitors from around the world to Wales—and we want to continue doing so for years to come. I’m delighted to seal the Visitor Levy Bill. It allows councils to introduce a small change on overnight stays, with all funds reinvested locally to support tourism.

Our next session on the 14th of October at 19:00 is Miss Major Speaks: Conversations with a Black Trans Revolutionary ' upstairs in Tiny Rebel.

I've visited residents who have a problem with an old overgrown oak tree (second oldest in Cardiff) overhanging their houses. The tree is protected by a TPO but these don't require the landowner to maintain, or pay for any work needed, so my residents have to pay or risk waking up to a tree branch.

Out and around Llandaff village on a lovely (too lovely) day. Neither snow or rain or heat or gloom of night will stop us knocking doors. But I've got to be honest, bit of snow wouldn't go amiss today.

Out today in Radyr & Morganstown knocking doors, talking to residents. We'll leave no part of Caerdydd Penarth uncontacted.

This weekend was a really good, I went up a little early to Llandudno for a minibreak and managed to visit the Mostyn Art Gallery, Madoc Books and Heartland Coffee Roasters. Always something to see and I always wish I had a little more time in Llandudno to see and experience more. 1/4

Had a good time this evening door knocking around Riverside with labour members, Councillor Kanaya Singh and Councillor Leonora Thomson. The rain held off but seagulls did not.

Great to be out in Canton with the local Councillors Stephen, Susan and Jasmin. If it wasn't sunny it was tipping it down and all on a very hot day.

Out this weekend around Insole Court/Western Avenue, talking to residents and picking up casework. Huge thanks as always to Labour members Auriol Miller and Kevin Crawford for coming out and knocking some doors.

Great to be at the Riverside Eid Mela festival today with such strong Labour representation in the heart of the community. Catching up with local Councillor Kanaya Singh was just a very nice bonus.

If your industry can't survive without exploiting people, then you're in the wrong industry.

It's never been easier to get a train on a Sunday from Danescourt to Cardiff Central.

Going to see shows sight unseen always carries the risk that what you're seeing will be simply OK or worse. So know I am beyond blown away with the two shows I've sent today at the RWCMD. Vital and urgent would apply to both equally. An Armed Robbery in a Petrol Station off the A38 and Salem.

Different location, same open door. Councillor Surgery today in Prebendal House from 12:00-13:00.

Due to a late change of availability I will be holding my monthly Councillor Surgery tomorrow at 12:00 in Prebendal House next to Llandaff Cathedral and not in the Llandaff Parish Hall. Please see below for directions. maps.app.goo.gl/bzwzrQG9i878...

Out tonight listening to a talk at Cardiff Uni's School of Geography and Planning by @swalesmetroprof.bsky.social on How to Build a Metro. Should be an enjoyable and informative evening.

Choosing to go up and down a mountain in Bannau Brycheiniog Park with some fellow poor decision makers, does make the perfect Sunday experience.

Out this morning in Splott with the local Councillors Huw Thomas, Anny Anderson and Ed Stubbs talking to local residents. Snapped a quick pic as we were doing the round.

I've been out doorknocking the new houses at the old BBC site, Parc Llandaff, collecting signatures for a grassroots resident-led petition on a crossing by the Heathcock pub. A pedestrian crossing is much needed there specifically, in addition to the one already proposed by the Llandaff rowing club

It's been a weekend of Labour fundraisers. Cardiff South and Penarth on Friday and a Cardiff East Quiz yesterday. Always good to have a relaxing evening, catching-up with friends across the great city of Cardiff and the town of Penarth.

It's another sunny day in Llandaff so out today around Insole Court, talking to residents with my colleague Auriol. Casework has been picked up, discussion has been had, now I'm looking forward to a coffee and a bit of a read.

Alex Barros-Curtis MP visited @insolecourt.bsky.social last week and I'm grateful to Lloyd, Neil and John spent time showing him around. It really highlighted the vital role that Insole Court plays in Cardiff, not just a unique historical asset but as a much needed, and well-used, community space.

Caught up with Councillor Elliot Penn over hot drinks and Welsh cakes in the Pavilion's Big Fresh Café. Feels like a lifetime since we last had a proper chat, I'm looking forward to the next time coming a lot sooner!

Finishing Bettany Hughes, Helen of Troy, listening to the sound of waves breaking against the beach. Well, that's a good experience. I would absolutely recommend, a tour de force of history and mythology.

Great to grab the new Natasha Brown book, Universality, from Griffin Books in Penarth. Looking forward to diving into it.

Good to be back at the Sherman tonight for Port Talbot Gotta Banksy. Really looking forward to spending my evening with some great, Welsh, theatre.

Yesterday I had the privilege of seeing the on the ground work that Cardiff Council's Into Work service does with fellow Committee Members Peter, Jamie and Anny. They provide employment support, across the city, to around 80,000 people a year, a phenomenal amount of good work, rarely acknowledged.

Residents in Caewal Road met me recently to raise issues about parking. Today we had a walk around with residents and Officers, my thanks to Andrew and Amy, to look at the situation and discuss potential solutions.

At midday on the last Saturday of every month (except December) I hold my Council surgeries, where people can come and directly speak to me. Today I'm in Danescourt and I alternate between Danescourt and Llandaff each month.

I joined the march for Trans Liberation today in Cardiff. One of the largest marches Cardiff has seen in a long time. All united in a message of absolute support for LGBTQIA+ folks.

FOR Cardiff conducted a survey in 2023 that found one-in-five women do not go out after it gets dark in our city. I wanted to know what we were doing to make Cardiff a safe place for women.

We recently scrutinised the role of Cardiff's City Centre Wardens and I asked about how they react when major events come to our city like the rugby, Taylor Swift concerts and long Easter weekends.

Our statement on the Supreme Court's decision. We will have more to say in due course.

Yesterday we had doorknocking weather in Llandaff (the good kind, not the rainy kind) so we were out in the morning around Insole Court. Several bits of casework picked up and filed. My absolute thanks to Kevin, Julia, David, Cllr Helen Gunter, Steve, Cllr Sarah Merry.

Ok I hate it when this happens, I'm reading Peter Ackroyd's Venice: Pure City and pause because a sentence is constructed weirdly. A ref to begining of the seventeenth century, which is 1601-1700, then a date given 1760. I look it up and it's also definitely not the 'first newspaper in the world.'

A new office for our new constituency of Newport West and Islwyn. Thank you for the warm welcome, Newbridge! ❤️

The decision by Microsoft to hide a substantive fee hike (42%) on the personal version of Office pass the exorbitant cost of AI word salad onto the user has been criticised by Chi Onwurah MP. As such, I am very glad that this is something that Cardiff Council is keeping a watch on.