Christmas is well and truly underway in the Cardiff North suburb of Rhiwbina!
Wales & West Utilities, which has been working hard in Rhiwbina, are delighted to donate a real Christmas tree and accompanying lights to the village to help spread some festive cheer. The tree, which was purchased from local Rhiwbina business The Deri Stores and the lights from Cardiff North local business Tree Control, took centre stage during the Christmas Light Switch on event.
Picture caption: Councillor Jayne Cowan and Santa celebrate with Wales & West Utilities Georgie Govier, Matthew Rees (front) and Francis Kirk (back left)
The company, which is familiar to the Rhiwbina community after it’s been working to upgrade gas pipes in the village, has donated the tree to the local community as a gesture of goodwill and as a thank you for their patience while essential gas pipe upgrade work has been done in the area.
Rhiwbina Councillor Jayne Cowan welcomed the donation and said:
"My colleagues Adrian Robson, Oliver Owen and I have worked closely with Wales & West Utilities and we are grateful for the ongoing dialogue. We will continue with our regular meetings and briefings as new sections of work are completed in 2018.
“We only had to ask Francis Kirk, Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller, for his assistance with the Christmas tree and lights and within a few hours this was arranged. I know Bethany Baptist Church are very grateful for this kind donation and the Christmas spirit has started here in Rhiwbina."
Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller for the area, Francis Kirk, said:
“We are pleased to be able to donate the Christmas tree to the Rhiwbina community. As we have been working in the area for some time, we have very much become a part of the local community and are pleased to go some way to giving back to local people.
“The community spirit is very much alive and kicking in the area and it has been wonderful to see everyone come together to celebrate the switch on and the festive season. We continue to work closely with local residents and businesses to make sure they are aware of our essential gas pipe upgrade plans and would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.”
Wales & West Utilities has been working hard on the £2 million gas pipe investment working Rhiwbina since July last year. The scheme, to upgrade more than 8km of old metal pipes to new plastic ones, will make sure that local homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply to the area for years to come.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service that serves the south west of England and Wales, puts customers at the heart of the business and is rated the top utility company in the UK for customer service. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being upgraded to new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.