Community

Senedd Members criticise ‘slow progress’ on Gypsy sites

Published

1 year ago

May 12, 2025

SENEDD Members criticised a lack of progress on new Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites, warning people are living in substandard conditions in contravention of their human rights.

John Griffiths raised concerns about the poor condition of council-run sites in Wales after hearing evidence of disrepair, pollution and rat infestations destroying people’s lives.

The Labour politician, who chairs the Senedd’s housing and local government committee, led a debate on a report following two inquiries into the provision of sites.

Mr Griffiths, who will stand down next year having represented Newport East for 27 years, said it too often seems the needs of Gypsies and Travellers are not prioritised.

“Some described being treated as outcasts and second-class citizens,” he warned. “Nobody should be made to feel this way; we urgently need to see improvement.”

He told the Senedd: “At heart, this is a matter of human rights…. These communities are entitled to an alternative way of life, aren’t they? In essence, I think a lot of these arguments centre around that: we have to facilitate and accommodate that alternative way of life.”

Conservative Laura Anne Jones was similarly concerned by slow progress on new sites, with a “shockingly” low number of applications from councils for grants.

Laura Anne Jones MS speaking in the Senedd — South Wales East’s Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones

Calling for greater care in identifying appropriate locations to meet needs and avoid fuelling community tensions, the shadow housing secretary said: “The process must be transparent and fair, and communities must feel their views are genuinely taken into account.”

Her Plaid Cymru counterpart Siân Gwenllian said: “This is a very concerning situation. Although the Welsh Government has accepted the 21 recommendations from the 2022 report – very, very little true progress has been made.”

Ms Gwenllian stressed: “We can’t accept a situation where Gypsies and Travellers are living in conditions that aren’t just below standard but also contrary to their human rights.”

Plaid Cymru MS Sian Gwenllian — Plaid Cymru MS Siân Gwenllian

She pointed out that the Welsh Government’s anti-racist Wales action plan promised improvement but “none of the key actions have been achieved”.

“Again, totally unacceptable and difficult to understand because the funding was available,” she said, calling for urgent action to restore faith in ministers’ ability to deliver.

Labour backbencher Carolyn Thomas warned of noise and air pollution, with sites too often placed next to busy roads and industrial estates.

The former Flintshire councillor said: “Some councils take a long time to deal with repairs and maintenance. I recall a home we visited had a broken window and another had ineffective gutters for surface water – it had been like that for a long time.

“Residents pay rent for their sites just like any other tenant and are subject to council tax, gas, electricity and other charges in the same way as settled communities.”

Recognising that some Travellers prefer private sites, Ms Thomas expressed concerns about planning proving controversial and permission taking a long time.

She raised “disproportionate pressures” in Flintshire with 15 illegal sites, including ten set up in one year, despite the council adopting a local development plan with allocated areas.

Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams warned of a “shameful” lack of progress on providing sites for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers since the committee’s initial report.

The shadow social justice secretary warned: “Families are in a worse position now than they have ever been in and they’re not seeing any change.”

Jane Hutt, her opposite number, said the Welsh Government shares the committee’s ambition to deliver the best outcomes for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Wales.

She told the Senedd more than £2m was allocated to 14 councils for site improvements in 2024/25, with grant funding made available for buying land in 2025/26.

Ms Hutt vowed to take action if councils fail to meet their duties on housing needs, warning: “I will use my powers to enforce action against them if a resolution cannot be found.”

Jane Hutt, secretary for social justice, trefnydd and chief whip

The minister highlighted an ongoing consultation on non-statutory guidance for councils about managing Gypsy and Traveller sites, which was last refreshed a decade ago.

She pointed to proposals for a new transit site in Flintshire, with only two in Wales currently.

Closing the debate on May 7, Mr Griffiths said: “We don’t have to look very far from here to see the reality of some, at least, local authority sites in totally inappropriate places, juxtaposed to busy roads, to industrial development, to waste disposal sites.

“To see families living in that way in this new millennium is hugely disappointing, so there’s still a lot of work to be done here in Wales.”

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

8 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

11 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)