Education
£3 million from Enigma codebreaker for Aberystwyth University research
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AN ABERYSTWYTH graduate who contributed to the breaking of the German Enigma code during the Second World War has left over £3m to her former University.
Originally from Galgate near Lancaster, Joy Welch studied Economics, Geography and Philosophy at Aberystwyth and graduated in 1950.
In 1943, aged 17, Joy volunteered for the Women’s Royal Naval Service and the work took her to Eastcote, an outpost of Bletchley Park.
There she operated the machines used to break the German Enigma code.
In 1988 she established the Joy Welch Educational Charitable Trust and the University became a regular beneficiary, reflecting her fond memories of her time at Aberystwyth.
Her long-term support was recognised in 1998 when she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University. She died in 2017.
The new endowment totalling £3.15m from the Joy Welch Educational Charitable Trust was announced today, Friday 13 October, by Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Treasure at the University’s annual Founders Day celebrations.
With the first call for applications due in spring 2024, the fund will provide a minimum of 12 research grants a year for postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers across all disciplines at Aberystwyth University.
Professor Elizabeth Treasure said; “We are absolutely delighted that the ongoing relationship with one of our alumni has supported researchers across disciplines and ranks for so many years. The endowment will make sure that this support continues. In a world where research funding programmes change, favouring certain academic fields and types of projects at different times, the Joy Welch Fund will offer opportunities to all our researchers and so make a valuable difference”.
In addition to supporting postgraduate and postdoctoral research, the Trust has also contributed £170,000 towards establishing the Joy Welch Seminar Room in the Old College.
Research funded by the Joy Welch Educational Charitable Trust
Over the years, the Trust has provided over £400,000 to fund research at Aberystwyth University.
Dr Otar Akanyeti from the Department of Computer Science, Dr Sarah Dalesman and Dr Sebastian McBride from the Department of Life Sciences, and Dr Alice Vernon from the Department of English and Creative Writing are amongst those who have received support in recent years.
Dr Otar Akanyeti’s work focuses on care for stroke sufferers. Support from the Joy Welch Trust has enabled Dr Akanyeti and his team to secure more than half a million pounds of external funding and are currently running two clinical studies in Aberystwyth and Turkey.
Dr Akanyeti said; “The support from the Joy Welch Trust over the years has enabled us to establish a new research group focusing on improving stroke care pathways using technology and artificial intelligence. We were able to prototype a new gait monitoring technology, engage with stroke patients and their families, disseminate our work in Welsh Stroke Conference and establish new collaborations across the UK and internationally.”
Dr Sarah Dalesman and Dr Sebastian McBride from the Department of Life Sciences have been studying the cognitive abilities of dogs and how they can impact the safety and welfare of dog training.
Dr Dalesman said; “The Joy Welch funding this year has enabled us to buy equipment and employ a student who now plans to pursue a masters’ in this field. It has also led to future research plans to study how, using non-invasive techniques, stress affects dogs’ cognitive ability and performance.”
Dr Alice Vernon from the Department of English and Creative Writing received a Joy Welch grant in 2021-22 for her project ‘Inner Workings: How We Understand and Imagine the Inside of the Human Body’.
Dr Vernon said; “The support of the Joy Welch fund allowed me to conduct archive research in London for the first time, which really helped develop my skills as a researcher and writer. As a result of this work, I was selected to give a lecture at Hay Festival in 2022 which has been one of the high points of my career so far. This was my first grant success and was influential in encouraging me to submit further funding applications. As such, in 2023 I was awarded a University Research Fund award, and I will now be applying for external funding with the Leverhulme Trust and British Academy.”
Pictured: Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Treasure (centre) and Dr Eva De Visscher, Trusts and Foundations Manager at Aberystwyth University (second from right) mark the new Joy Welch endowment with researchers who have received support from the Trust (left to right) Dr Valerie Rodrigues (Life Sciences), Dr Alice Vernon (English and Creative Writing), Professor Stephen Tooth (Geography and Earth Sciences), Tracy Knight, Dr Sarah Dalesman and Dr Rhys Thatcher (Life Sciences), and Dr Rachel Cross (Physics).
Education
Back to school reminder of free primary school meals
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AS the new school year is with us anyone with children in full time Primary are reminded that hot and cold lunches are available every day for free.
Pembrokeshire County Council extended the Universal Free School Meals initiative last September after free meals for all those in Year Two and below was introduced by Welsh Government earlier that year.
There is a two week rolling hot food menu offering tasty, nutritious, balanced food inclusive of all dietary needs. Popular choices include pasta bolognaise, meatballs, and chicken wrap.
There is always a sandwich or jacket potato option for children each day if they do not fancy a hot meal.
All your child has to do is to pick their meal option each morning at registration.
Concerned about allergies – our dedicated team of nutrition specialists can cater for any child that suffers from a food allergy or intolerance too.
If your child has a specific dietary requirement or restrictions please contact our School Liaison Officer via email [email protected] or telephone 01437 776168.
Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham said: “Last year 925,531 learners enjoyed universal free school meals and we hope to see many more taking advantage this new school year. The catering team at Pembrokeshire County Council do a fantastic job in providing nutritious and tasty meals for your young people.”
The scheme does not replace Free School Meals for those learners whose parents or guardians are receiving qualifying benefits, which allows them to access other financial support for school costs.
This includes claiming up to £200 of additional support for School Essentials if your child is eligible for Free School Meals.
Take a look at the menus on offer on the Pembrokeshire County Council website and why not give free lunches a go!
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Education
Four Ceredigion schools could be at risk of closure
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FOUR Ceredigion schools could be at threat of closure if recommendations before the county council’s Cabinet meeting of September 3 are backed.
Cabinet members are recommended to back the start of statutory consultations for proposals to discontinue north county schools Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa, Borth, Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Ysgol Llangwyryfon, near Aberystwyth, and Ponterwyd’s Ysgol Syr John Rhys.
All four have similar recommendations, to approve a proposal to commence the statutory consultation process to cease to maintain the provision at [the relevant school] with effect from August 31 of next year.
The changes in the fortunes of the four schools are detailed in individual reports for Cabinet members.
Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa has seen numbers decline from 42 in 2020, to 29 in 2024, with a forecast 22 pupils in 2019; the school having 44 surplus places (59 percent surplus), and the cost per pupil amounting to £7,640 against a Ceredigion average of £4,635.
It also lists are predicted school budget deficit for 2025 of £3,368.
Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn numbers in the report are: 30 (2020), 19 (2024), 19 (2029), with a 46 per cent surplus of 17, and a per pupil cost of £6,978, with a deficit of £27,488.
Ysgol Llangwyryfon: 46 (2020), 30 (2024), 22 (2029), with a 45 per cent surplus of 25, and a per pupil cost of £6,321, with a deficit of £23,916.
Ysgol Syr John Rhys: 25 (2020), 22 (2024), 19 (2029), with a 46 per cent surplus of 18, and a per pupil cost of £7,949.
The report says that Ysgol Syr John Rhys also has maintenance backlog costs of £77,500.
In the individual reports it is suggested Craig Yr Wylfa pupils could be moved to nearby Ysgol Talybont or the schools acting as one school on two sites; Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn and Ysgol Llangwyryfon either forming a partnership with Ysgol Llanilar, or all pupils could transfering to Llanilar; pupils from Ysgol John Rhys pupils transferring to another nearby school, or a federation formed.
Ahead of the discussion on the future of the schools, a report for Cabinet on each school says: “Subject to Cabinet approval, it is therefore intended to proceed to statutory consultation.”
It adds: “If no alternative is suggested, the proposal paper will be presented to the Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Community for information before undertaking a Statutory Consultation. Cabinet should be satisfied that implementation would be the most appropriate response to address the key challenges identified as the reason for proposing discontinuance of the school.”
Following consultations, the final decision to close any school would be undertaken by full council.
Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith has said that if the Cabinet votes for such a consultation, they would immediately submit a complaint to the Minister for Education, saying that the council is not fulfilling its educational duties and is going against the School Organisation Code.
On behalf of the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Education Group, Ffred Ffransis said: “Not only are Ceredigion Council intent on undermining a number of Welsh-speaking communities and emptying them of younger families, but the whole process is also completely contrary to the presumption in favour of maintaining rural schools which is an essential part of the 2018 edition of the Schools Organisation Code. Ceredigion have looked at these schools in the context of trying to make immediate savings to their budget, and have therefore adopted a practical presumption against maintaining the schools, which are being asked to justify their existence despite their academic success.
“Furthermore, the Government Code insists that all other options must be considered while proposals are still at a formative stage – that is before a proposal is made. Yet the officials are proposing going to a statutory consultation on their established option and invite comments on other options during statutory consultation. If the Minister allowed Ceredigion to get away with this blatant disregard of the principle of presumption in favour of rural schools, then the whole government policy would be discredited.”
Community
Fun days support families over summer holidays
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THE Pembrokeshire County Council Early Years Integration Team has been working in the Tenby and Fishguard areas to support families with children 0-7yrs for a summer of fun.
The Team works closely with Midwives and Health Visitors to run groups and parenting sessions for families from pregnancy onwards.
For summer the team ran some Family Fun Sessions as the school holidays can be very long, especially with the inconsistent Pembrokeshire weather.
They teamed up with local schools to ensure a ‘Plan B’ indoor space was available for all six sessions.
Three sessions took place in each area and luckily all but the last had sunny weather so the families were able to make use of the great outdoors.
The Play Works Grant was accessed to provide fruit pots and healthy wraps that families were able to create. The Healthy Preschool Practitioner from Hywel Dda University Health Board gave her time at each event to ensure this ran smoothly.
Local charities and organisations were invited to support the events, including Family Information Service, ASD Family Help who provided circus skill activities and general outdoor equipment and Citizens Advice Bureau who provided some fun colouring and badge making that incorporated messages around budgeting.
Small Woods brought a new dimension to the sessions with fantastic nature activities that saw children and adults creating brilliant bunting and willow wands.
Volunteering Matters rounded up some of their local volunteers who supported each event to provide a range of interesting activities including making crowns, light catchers and lanterns, as well as a drumming session and board games.
The families provided some great feedback as well as all the providers enjoying the atmosphere.
Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “These series of events have been so much fun and brilliant support for the families involved across the summer. My thanks go to everyone who has been involved.”
A total of 84 adults and 165 children attended the Tenby sessions with 60 adults and 106 children attending the sessions in Fishguard.
With the Early Years Team providing other activities for families to enjoy together, it created lots to do for all ages, a particular favourite was children face painting their parents!
Plant Dewi Project Worker Carys came along to provide some interesting ‘messy and sensory’ play and promote a new group (see below).
The Early Years Team are joining Plant Dewi to provide a new Families Together Group starting in St Teilo’s Church Hall, Tenby on Wednesday 4th September and running every week 9.30-11.30am.
To find out more information about what is going on in your area please contact Helen on 07774900140 email [email protected] and follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EYITeam/
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