News
New funding for Wales based companies to develop bilingual content for young audiences
MORE Welsh language animation and live action programming is set to be developed for children and young people in Wales thanks to a funding boost from the Welsh Government, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden announced today.
The Deputy Minister has confirmed eight projects will receive a combined £352,545 in funding from Creative Wales’ Young Content Fund, which will see Wales-based companies develop new bilingual content for children and young people.
The fund, which is part of the co-operation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, is designed to stimulate the provision of programming for children and young people.
The projects include an animation and game inspired by the myths and legends of Wales; a comedy sketch show aimed at a preschool audience featuring an eclectic band of characters made from buttons and thread; to a fun-filled, water-based children’s gameshow that combines mental and physical challenges.
Familiars is the latest idea from Cloth Cat who have produced over 100 hours of animation on a variety of international broadcast series such as Boj, Dave Spud, Luo Bao Bei and Olobob Top. Cloth Cat has become a thriving animation and games production studio based in Cardiff. It has expanded its core crew to 6 full time staff and regularly employs over 25 skilled staff per project.
Jon Rennie from Cloth Cat, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the new Young Content Fund and it continues investment by Creative Wales in local companies looking to reach international audiences. Our project is a CG animation series and game idea that weaves together modern Wales and Celtic mythology to tell a new adventure story for 7 to 11 year olds.”
Caernarfon based Cwmni Da have been awarded funding for the development of a programme idea called ‘Act your Age’. Act Your Age is a situation comedy aimed at children in Key Stage 2 (age 6 to 11) and their parents. It uses the stereotypical style of a traditional situation comedy to create a familiar world, while at the same time, offering something completely new.
Barry “Archie” Jones, author and producer of Act your Age, said: “Act Your Age is an idea we’ve wanted to develop for some time. We really believe that the concept has potential to appeal to international audiences, and this Welsh Government support will help the dream become reality.”
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said: “We have a vibrant and well-established creative sector in Wales which has an excellent track record of producing world class and award-winning content for young audiences. Some of the most iconic animations such as SuperTed and Fireman Sam were born in Wales and went on to make a lasting impression on a whole generation of children and young people.
I’m delighted we’re able to support the development of more original content which will support Welsh creative businesses and be about Wales – and from Wales. This will engage our young people in our history and culture as well as being a way of hearing and then using the Welsh language in a way that’s relevant and interesting to them.
I’m confident this investment will boost to our efforts to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”
Designated Member, Cefin Campbell said: “Ensuring that children and young people across Wales have access to fun, engaging content is vital and a vibrant creative sector has a crucial role to play in this. We are supporting our creative businesses to create stories, images and content made in Wales, about Wales and in Welsh for the benefit of all.”
Community
Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire
THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.
With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.
John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.
Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.
Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.
Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.
Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.
National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.
“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.
“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”
Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.
The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.
News
Campaigners urge Welsh Government to adopt proportional representation for Local Elections
CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Welsh Government to introduce the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system for local elections, following moves by two councils to shift away from the First Past the Post (FPTP) system being blocked on technical grounds.
Yesterday (Nov 14), Ceredigion Council voted narrowly, with an 18 to 17 majority, in favor of adopting STV. This follows Gwynedd Council’s decision last month, where 65% of councillors backed the move. However, both councils have been prevented from implementing STV due to a requirement for a two-thirds majority under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.
In recent consultations, public support for STV has been overwhelming, with over 70% in Gwynedd and 67% in Ceredigion favoring the change. Only Powys Council rejected the proposal, despite 60.5% of its respondents supporting STV. Campaigners argue that the current system deprives voters of representation, citing that over 100,000 people were denied a vote in the 2022 elections due to uncontested seats.
The Electoral Reform Society Cymru (ERS Cymru) highlights the contrast with Scotland, where the introduction of STV for local elections in 2007 has significantly reduced uncontested seats. According to ERS Cymru, Scotland has had fewer uncontested seats in the last four elections combined than Gwynedd Council recorded alone in 2022.
Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said:
“Decisions made in council chambers affect everyone in those areas, so every vote should count. It’s absurd that councils choosing STV are blocked by a technicality, leaving them stuck with an outdated system that denies representation to thousands. The Welsh Government must act to avoid repeating the undemocratic outcomes of the last elections.”
Campaigners are now calling on the Welsh Government to introduce STV across all councils in Wales, ensuring representation that reflects the electorate’s wishes.
Business
Upgrades completed at Port of Milford Haven’s simulator suite
UPGRADES have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment within the Port of Milford Haven’s navigation simulator suite at Milford Waterfront enabling marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training. The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real world situations such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations and escort tug work.
The upgrades provided by Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.
Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-Pilot Andy Hillier, involving members of the Svitzer team as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes. As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The Pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhances participants’ skill sets.
Marine Pilot and Simulator Instructor, Captain Ewan McNicoll, said “This simulator suite has future proofed our training capabilities, both internally for Pilots and marine staff, but also externally for clients wishing to use the facility, be it for training purposes or research and development. We can create any type of scenario with any type of ship, ranging from practicing ship handling manoeuvres to emergency situations, it really is game changing! Working with our partners at MARIN has been a complete success and I am very proud of our new facility.”
For more information about training at the navigation simulation suite please contact the Port of Milford Haven at [email protected] or 01646 696100.
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