News
Welsh language commissioner highlights compliance failure by Ceredigion Council

THE Welsh Language Commissioner has criticized Ceredigion County Council for failing to meet Welsh Language Standards in its consultation process over the proposed closure of Ysgol Llangwyryfon, a Welsh-medium school. This oversight has prompted concerns over the potential impact on the use of the Welsh language among children in the rural area.
In a recent letter addressed to Mr. Nudd Lewis, the Chair of Governors at Ysgol Llangwyryfon, Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones emphasized that the council’s consultation document did not properly account for the impact of the school’s closure on the use of Welsh as the primary language in the playground. If the school closes, students would be relocated to Ysgol Llanilar, where Welsh is not as widely spoken among pupils.
The council, in its correspondence with the Commissioner’s office, acknowledged its failure to comply with the Welsh Language Standards. It committed to revising the Impact Assessment, ensuring it aligns with the requirements, and publishing the updated version. The council also promised to extend the consultation period to allow for further community feedback, a decision welcomed by the Commissioner.
Due to the council’s willingness to rectify its mistakes, the Welsh Language Commissioner decided that a formal investigation would not be necessary. “The council’s commitment to address these issues promptly makes an investigation redundant,” stated Efa Gruffudd Jones.
The future of Ysgol Llangwyryfon is part of a broader review of rural schools in Ceredigion, with Ysgol Craig-yr-Wylfa and Ysgol Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn also facing potential closure. An upcoming consultation concerning Ysgol Syr John Rhys in Ponterwyd is expected later this month, following preliminary discussions with the Church in Wales.
The handling of the consultation process has drawn criticism from local community groups. Jeff Smith, Chair of the Ceredigion branch of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, condemned the council’s approach: “This is another instance where the council has pushed forward with school closures without fully considering their impact or exploring alternative solutions. The council should halt these consultations and engage in genuine dialogue with the communities to find a way forward that respects the needs of rural Welsh speakers.”
Local councillor Gwyn Wigley Evans expressed disappointment in the council’s approach but welcomed the efforts to amend the consultation process. “It is regrettable that the council did not comply initially, but I am pleased that they are now taking steps to correct this oversight,” he said.
The consultation period, initially launched on October 14th, has been extended after it emerged that the necessary documents were not uploaded to the appropriate section of the council’s website until the following evening. This delay and subsequent extension have heightened scrutiny over the council’s adherence to consultation protocols, with a formal complaint already lodged with the Welsh Government’s Education Secretary.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s complaint alleges that the council’s primary motive for the school closures was financial, rather than prioritizing the educational needs of students. They argue that the council failed to give due consideration to alternatives in the early stages of planning, potentially undermining the spirit of fair consultation.
As the debate continues, the future of Welsh-medium education in Ceredigion remains uncertain, with local communities advocating for decisions that will preserve the linguistic heritage of the region.
Community
Choir joins Welsh Guards Band for memorable concert

PEMBROKE and District Male Voice Choir shared the stage with the renowned Band of the Welsh Guards during the band’s tour of Wales, delivering a stirring performance at Harri Tudur School hall.
A capacity audience enjoyed the collaboration, with the choir and band uniting for powerful renditions of Welsh classics Cwm Rhondda and Gwaddoloddiad. The Band of the Welsh Guards also performed a medley of traditional Welsh folk tunes and music from the acclaimed film Wicked.
Choir MC Matthew John introduced the evening in his distinctive style, while the choir’s set—featuring newly added pieces Let A New Day Dawn and Tell My Father—was selected by Musical Director Juliet Rossiter. Accompanist William Lambert, a recent addition to the choir, provided support on the keyboard.
The event was co-ordinated by Councillor Aden Brinn, with distinguished guests including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Sharon Lusher, Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Councillor Steve Alderman, Mayor of Pembroke Councillor Ann Mortesen, Senedd Member Sam Kurtz, and mayors from neighbouring communities.
Proceeds from the evening were donated to the Welsh Guards Charity. A special guest was David Silcox of Haven Self Storage, whose company has sponsored an impressive banner to promote choir concerts.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of the choir’s senior member, Frank Harries, who recently passed away at the age of 95.
The following evening, the choir performed again at Monkton Priory Church, raising funds for the RNLI in another well-attended concert.
Community
Castle Ward Councillors Meet at Waldo Lounge to Discuss Residents’ Concerns

ON MONDAY (Mar 11), County Councillor Thomas Baden Tudor, alongside Councillors Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner and Dani Thomas-Turner from Haverfordwest Town Council, held a joint meeting at the Waldo Lounge.
The gathering provided an opportunity for the councillors to address issues raised by Castle Ward residents and discuss matters of local concern. Councillors were joined by representatives from Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust and Haverfordwest, Fishguard, and St Davids Police, who provided valuable updates on their current and future plans.
Councillor Tudor expressed his gratitude to the services for their insightful contributions, which highlighted ongoing efforts and future projects aimed at improving public services in the area.
Education
Children learn how delicious potatoes are produced locally in Pembrokeshire

SCHOOL children from across Pembrokeshire, aged from five to 16, learnt how the food produced locally is delicious and nutritious during a highly successful ‘Food Story / Stori Bwyd’ event, held by the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.
During the event potato, dairy, sheep and poultry farmers from all over the county volunteered their time to talk to the children and give hands-on demonstrations. They explained to the children how they produce potatoes, dairy products, eggs and meat. They also demonstrated how they farm sustainably, look after local wildlife and how they care for the countryside.
The event was held on the Pembrokeshire County Showground and the focus was on potato growing, production and supply. The children also got the opportunity to taste locally produced jacket potatoes with a variety of toppings cooked perfectly and served by staff from Castell Howell.
Kathy Wilson, a former teacher and now an Honorary Pembrokeshire Show Governor, organised the event on behalf of the Society’s Food Story / Stori Bwyd. She said, “I would like to say a massive thank you to each and every one of the volunteers and who took two days out from their busy work on the farm to come and talk to the children and demonstrate how they produce food and drink. A big thanks also to the local providers who contributed to the event. The smiles on the faces of the children said it all, they listened intently, enthusiastically took part in the demonstrations and the teachers took resources back with them to their schools to continue the learning.
“One of the important elements of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s work is educational and spreading the word around the county about how local food is produced by farmers. Everyone enjoyed eating the jacket potatoes after they had learnt how hard the farmers work to produce them.”
As well as food production, the event was an opportunity to teach the children about the seasonality of what farmers produce locally and how the weather and climate affects the work farmers do as well as the different food groups and healthy eating.
Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President was one of the farmers who volunteered their time to talk to school children at the event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Kathy Wilson and Jo in the show office for all the hours they have put in to organise this magnificent event. To see how much the children enjoyed learning how their food is produced through hands-on demonstrations is heart warming.”
Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society would like to thank NFU Mutual Pembrokeshire, the CLA Charitable Trust and Women in Wales, for their financial support. Thanks also to the Camrose Vintage Working Day for their support as well as the NFU, Wales Farm Safety and Puffin Produce for providing educational resources and buckets for the schools and pupils.
Food Story volunteers will be at the County Show on 20 and 21 August 2025 with an interactive display and demonstrations for children to have fun and take part in to learn where their food comes from.
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