The Senedd is on recess so there were no formal meetings during August.
However, constituency work continues as normal as does the work of the Welsh Government.
I have been able to make use of the additional time to hold some in-depth technical meetings which I hope will bear fruit in the future.
The raising again of the energy price cap has reminded everyone that the lack of access to cheap energy massively impacts our standard of living.
Nearly everything that affords us a safe and comfortable life requires energy – usually in the form of electricity, natural gas, or diesel and petrol.
I believe that the prospect of a Severn Barrage should be put back on the political agenda.
The plans for this were first developed a century ago, so we know the options and how much power would be generated.
There would undoubtedly be some local environmental drawbacks, but this needs to be offset against the very large volume of dependable electricity that would be generated every day.
There is now the added consideration of energy security, which was much less of a concern in previous decades.
I met recently with the Magor Action Group on Rail.
This is a very well-organised and informed group who for many years have pressed for the reopening of a station at Magor.
It would be a ‘walkway’ station because there are many passengers within walking distance who would use it to travel to Bristol, Cardiff or further afield.
It would not require much new infrastructure (and therefore has a modest cost), and this proposal has my full support.
The Stroke Association has been doing good work briefing MSs about stroke detection and treatment.
Stroke is the fourth highest cause of death in Wales, with around 7,000 strokes a year in Wales alone.
Remember that if someone has a sudden problem with their face, arm or speech, it could be a sign of a stroke.
Look up the details online under FAST.
The key to minimising brain damage is an urgent scan followed by the appropriate treatment, so getting the person to hospital within 20 minutes is the aim.
Call immediately for an ambulance if a stroke is suspected.
Finally, I shall be at the Usk Show on Saturday, September 12.
This is the biggest of the rural shows in our part of the world.
It is a great day out for all the family, and I hope to meet some of you throughout the day.
Stephen Senior is a member of the Senedd for Sir Fynwy Torfaen.
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