The OECD report into the health services in Wales and the rest of the UK has made for some very illuminating reading.

We have seen the NHS in Wales being used as a political football by David Cameron and the Tories to try to mask the damage their cuts are causing.

The report has proven that Wales’s service isn’t worse than its neighbours. We’ve seen developments such as Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan under the Labour Welsh Government in Blaenau Gwent.

Of course that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to be done in Wales. I’ve campaigned in the past about ambulance wait times.

But we know here, in the birthplace of the NHS, we do have a service we can still very much be proud of.

From one Welsh tradition to another as St David’s Day is just around the corner.

From the school photos in our local papers to choir performances, we’ve done our best to keep the day’s significance alive.

That’s why I’m glad to see Parliament recognises St David’s Day with an annual service.

Beaufort Male Voice Choir are coming up to Parliament for a second time, singing at the Palace of Westminster for MPs and their staff from across the UK.

I’m glad to see Blaenau Gwent represented on the day and I’m sure they’ll do us proud as always.

Speaking of our musical talents, it’s nice to see Ebbw Valley Brass recognised by Blaenau Gwent’s Mayor after a long run of successes.

We’re very lucky to have not only strong community groups like our bands and choirs, but to see so many of them go on and achieve success.

As for myself, in Parliament talk of a European referendum is picking up steam.

As I’ve said before in the column, I take a look around at the big ticket items in Blaenau Gwent and none of them would have been possible without European funding.

It’s brought so many benefits to the borough, and I wouldn’t want us to fall behind in the mad rush for a “Brexit”.

I’ll be campaigning to keep us in and I hope many readers will feel the same way.

Finally, my responsibilities as the Shadow Farming Minister have taken me all over the country already, but close to home I’m going to be trying my hand at some horticulture with a hedge laying crash course with Keep Wales Tidy at Beaufort Ponds and Woodlands.

Although Gwent is an urban area we know there is plenty of rural landscapes, so it’s good to see people doing their bit to keep it green.