I should have worn my wellies. After a number of re-arranged dates due to postponements caused by the weather, I met with coaches and players from the Vale of Glamorgan mini leagues in Barry on Saturday.

As I write this column, there are 100 hundred days to go until the General Election. Since 2010, the Conservative government has worked hard to turn the economy around – the job is far from finished and there is much more we have to do in the Vale of Glamorgan.

I always feel privileged to be the MP for the Vale of Glamorgan but I am especially reminded how fortunate I am at this time of year. Over the last few weeks I have been able to meet and get involved with a whole host of community groups that have made a difference to the quality of life for so many.

I have written on several occasions in the Gem about the cuts to the bus services and my recent surgeries have been dominated by the subject. As a result of the number of contacts I have received I have held two public meetings which were packed with worried residents.

Do nuisance telephone calls drive you mad? I have been campaigning for some time reduce and eliminate nuisance calls and texts messages. People are fed up of receiving calls and texts trying to sell gas or electricity; promoting claims for the miss-selling of payment protection insurance; to see whether you have had an accident; asking you to buy financial services; or simply to complete a survey to see what they can try to sell you at a later stage.

You can imagine my anger and frustration at the Welsh Government’s announcement last week that Barry will not receive the £15M funding needed to regenerate the town. The Welsh Government Minister, Carl Sargeant, has confirmed that the bids for 11 council areas were being progressed to the second stage and that Barry and the Vale had not been successful.

Two weeks ago my column focussed on the changes to bus services across Barry and the rural Vale. I expressed concern about the cuts; and that the Local Authority should make bus services a spending priority, following the cut backs by the Welsh Government.

Depending on where you live the Vale, this has become a real issue for many local residents. Since earlier this year I’ve been frequently contacted by constituents concerned by the widespread cuts to bus services across the Vale, from Barry to Peterston Super Ely and Llantwit Major.