It is extremely important that as politicians we get out and about and meet with a variety of people to discuss the issues that are at the heart of the Welsh community; too many are stuck in a bubble and out of touch with the communities they represent.

At a time when we are celebrating all that Wales has to offer, be it at
the Eisteddfod this week, the Royal Welsh Show or one of our many county shows, it is crucial that we recognise and address those pressing issues of real concern to us.

I discussed at length the rising costs of fuel and general living and
how we should help to address this from the National Assembly for Wales.
Also, as you would expect at the Royal Welsh, the soaring price of
fertiliser and animal feed was raised time and time again.

At the top of the NFU's and FUW's agenda was the electronic tagging of sheep which will come at a great cost to sheep farmers right across
Wales. We should be looking at ripping up regulations, not thinking of
new ways to make our farmers' lives difficult.

The precarious nature of the farming industry is very concerning to us all, and rightfully so. We need to look to our own farming industry
and see how we can help it.

Locally sourced food cuts down fuel costs and has the added bonus of supporting our local economies.

One issue that really stood out for me though, was how people are
extremely concerned to lose their local phone boxes, following plans by BT to close a quarter of phone boxes in Wales.

The more I look into these plans the less they make sense. Considering the rurality of Powys and the patchy mobile phone signal obtainable in some areas, these payphones can quite literally mean life or death in some circumstances; I have no doubt that payphones have saved the lives of many people involved in road accidents.

There is also evidence to show that some of the most vulnerable in our society, like victims of child abuse, rely on payphones to seek help.

However, with the Eisteddfod on this week, showcasing our language and much of our welsh culture, it is very evident that there are also many positive issues to discuss and that we in Wales have much to be proud of.