A PEMBROKESHIRE school, which has become a fully Welsh medium one, is to change its name following the backing of senior councillors.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, at their November 3 meeting were asked to support a revised Instrument of Government for Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch.

The instrument of government sets out how the governing body is constituted and establishes it as a corporate body; it must set out the name of the school along with the composition of the governing body.

A report for members, presented by Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “Since 2007, primary and secondary schools have been categorised using the defining schools according to Welsh medium provision, non-statutory guidance.

“The school was categorised as a transitional school, which is, predominantly English-medium schools but with significant use of Welsh Foundation phase pupils and Key Stage 2 pupils are taught in both languages, but more emphasis is given to the English language. The Welsh language is used to teach between 20-50 per cent of the curriculum generally.

“In the previous Welsh in Education Strategic Plan for the Council 2016-2021 the school was identified to become a Welsh medium school.”

It said, over a transition of seven years, the school now functions as a fully Welsh Medium School, adding: “All staff at the school are Welsh speakers so there have been no human resources implications from the report. Children are now taught in the medium of Welsh.

“Following the change in language categorisation of Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch from a ‘transitional school’ to a ‘Welsh Medium’ school in September 2025, the governing body, following consultation with the school community and its governing body wish to change its name from Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch to Ysgol Gymraeg Croesgoch.”

It finished: “Cabinet approval is required for the name change of the school Conclusions It is considered that the governing body’s proposal is sensible and reflects the language that learners are taught at the school.”

After the recommendation was moved by Cllr Woodham, members unanimously backed approval of the revised Instrument of Government.

COMMUNITY groups across Wales can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help them start a social business or community-led housing project.

For over three years, the scheme has supported Welsh-speaking communities with high densities of second homes, with 64 grants awarded across Gwynedd, Conwy, Anglesey, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Even more communities will now be able to benefit from the grant as it opens across the whole of Wales, with funding increased to £400,000 for this year.

The Perthyn grant scheme has helped Bys a Bawd Pawb set up as a Community Benefit Society in Llanrwst, Conwy, where the community has come together with the aim of buying and running a beloved shop that has served the community for 50 years. The project aims to create a Welsh literary hub, provide affordable accommodation for local people above the shop as well as offering job and volunteering opportunities.

Nia Clwyd Owen, Councillor for Llanrwst and Llanddoged and Chair of the Bys a Bawd Pawb Working Group said:

“Without the support of the Perthyn grant, it is unlikely that Bys a Bawd Pawb would be in the strong position the community enterprise finds itself in today. The grant has been fundamental to the development of the initiative, enabling the group to appoint a consultant to lead on the community share offer scheme. The work she undertook to raise awareness of the project was invaluable.

“In addition, the grant was used to host a series of events in Llanrwst, giving the local community the opportunity to learn more about the initiative and support it through investment.

“This success is a testament to the power of communities when given the right support. We would like to thank the Perthyn grant scheme for their backing, and the community for their enthusiasm and commitment to creating positive local change.”

Hwb Penmachno has also received a Perthyn grant award, to help the community with early-stage elements of their community-led housing initiative.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language: “These inspiring community-led projects demonstrate the power of local action to strengthen Welsh-speaking communities. By expanding the Perthyn grant scheme across Wales, we’re giving more communities the chance to take control of their housing future and ensure the Welsh language remains at the heart of their initiatives.”

Community groups must apply at the latest by 21 November 2025 here: Perthyn – Cwmpas

THE WELSH Welsh Government has rejected calls for a new law to protect historic place names, arguing goodwill and current initiatives are already working.

Favouring persuasion rather than enforcement, Mark Drakeford unveiled a four-point plan including guidance for councils and a tool for the public to record historic names.

The former First Minister pointed to research showing properties in Wales are at least three times more likely to be renamed from English to Welsh than vice versa.

He told the Senedd his approach was driven by the same anxieties that motivated past campaigns, saying: “The same concern lay behind the research commissioned by this government, research on current trends in relation to changes to place names in Wales.”

Prof Drakeford added that the Welsh Government would commission further research on “topographical” names given to the natural landscape and geographical features.

In a statement on September 30, Prof Drakeford acknowledged a passionate campaign for legal protections led by former Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Dai Lloyd.

Dr Lloyd introduced a bill aimed at reversing a trend of historic place names in the Welsh language being lost but his draft law was voted down at the first stage in 2017.

The retired GP said at the time: “The rich smorgasbord of our history is going down the tube and we’re standing idly by, either doing nothing or lamely saying, ‘Duw, let’s have a bit of guidance, is it?’

“No, it is not on. We’re talking about the history of a nation here – pride in the history of that nation – pride that deserves to be enshrined in law.”

Tuesday’s statement highlighted cross-party support for protecting place names but clear differences of opinion remain on whether goodwill was enough without new legislation.

Tom Giffard, for the Conservatives, supported the commitment to retain Wales’ cultural heritage by promoting Welsh place names. But he stressed the need to strike a balance by respecting the rights of property owners or communities who prefer English names.

The former teaching assistant in a Welsh-medium school also raised practical questions about how public contributions would be verified and how young people would be engaged.

In response, Prof Drakeford said the government respects people’s individual choices and does not want to pursue legislation because “we’re gaining ground without doing that”.

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan welcomed the work but challenged the refusal to legislate, arguing for legal protection for historic names rather than relying on community campaigns.

Her party colleague Siân Gwenllian said relying on “goodwill alone” was insufficient in the current political climate and legislating is the only way to truly safeguard names.

A different note of caution came from Labour backbencher Lee Waters.

While praising practical steps like the “crowdsourcing” tool, the former minister questioned the headline statistic about the rise in Welsh names.

Mr Waters asked whether this represented a growth in authentic local names or the loss of heritage to “charming folksy names” with no real connection to an area.

He raised the “egregious example” of Llyn Bochlwyd in Eryri being called Lake Australia – warning the ancient Welsh name is at risk of being replaced by an informal nickname.

The debate also touched on practical issues, with Conservative Gareth Davies expressing concerns about inconsistent road signage as he called for more harmony between councils.

In response, Prof Drakeford clarified that the law requires any new street signs to be bilingual, with Welsh appearing first.