Isle of Anglesey County Council

I would like to start by congratulating some of our residents on their recent successes.

Last month, Mike Doran and Mark Wade received official approval from the lifeboat charity (RNLI) for their efforts in rescuing a climber who had fallen into the sea at North Stack. Both were presented with certificates at Holyhead station recognising their efforts. I would like to thank them on behalf of the Council for their dedication.

Congratulations to Ann Harries Jones from the Farmers Union of Wales for winning the Welsh Language Champion gold award at an awards ceremony in Cardiff recently. Ann has provided insurance services in Welsh on the Island for over 30 years.

Congratulations to Mon Actif on recently winning the ‘School Swimming and Water Safety Impact’ award. The award was presented by Swim Wales, the National Governing Body for Aquatics, at their annual awards in Cardiff. Mon Actif was recognised for its success in organising a series of 'Swim Safe' events across the Island. The latest involved over 500 local children learning vital water safety skills.

Turning to the arts world next, and I'd like to congratulate Twm Tudor from Anglesey who recently achieved success on the “Y Llais” programme - Bryn Terfel is Twm's mentor. Congratulations also to Gwen Edwards who came third in the Can i Gymru 2025 competition.

Congratulations to Gorwel Owen of Llanfaelog on being presented with a Special Contribution Award at the Selar Welsh Music Awards this month. The award is given to artists who have made a significant contribution to Welsh music over a number of years with Gorwel being honoured not only as a musician, but also, as a producer.

I would also like to pay tribute to Will Young from Holyhead who is a member of Mencap Mon and currently on a theatre tour playing the role of Lennie in "Of Mice and Men". This is the second time Will has played Lennie, following another successful theatre tour in 2017. Congratulations to him and we wish him well for the future.

Congratulations to Gwenllian Howe of Brynteg. A former member of Beaumaris Youth Band and now a student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Gwenllian has been chosen to be part of the European Youth Brass Band. Gwenllian will play alongside young musicians from 14 other countries when they get together in Stavanger, Norway in May.

In February Kev Bach left Capital radio after 27 years on radio 103 with Champion, Heart and Capital. Kevin is one of the Island's most recognisable voices and has provided a platform for the Welsh language over the years as well as supporting a number of local events. I'm sure we'll hear from him again soon.

Earlier this week, Côr Ieuenctid Môn were crowned the Barnardo’s Senior National Choir of the Year following the final round of competition consisting of 18 Choirs from all over the UK at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Finally, and on a sad note, we were very sorry to hear of the passing of the well-known actress and writer Marged Esli. Raised in Gwalchmai, she was very active locally including volunteering with Theatr Fach Llangefni and being a member of the Anglesey Gorsedd of the Bards.

We were also very sorry to hear of the death of former County Councillor and Welsh Senedd member Peter Rogers a few weeks ago. I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

We also offer our condolences to the family of former Councillor Glyn Jones who recently passed away. He was Chair of the Council and a portfolio member of Housing while on the Council.

I would also like to offer my condolences to the family of former Councillor John Rowlands who was also Chairman of the Council and served the Llangoed ward.

Also, and in accordance with normal procedure, we as a council wish to sympathise with any elected member, or member of staff who have recently suffered a bereavement. I therefore ask those who are present in the Chamber, and who are able to do so, to stand please for a minute's silence to show respect.

• Chairman, Cllr Glyn Haynes, thanks staff at Brwynog residential home in Amlwch with local member, Cllr Aled Morris Jones, and also meets staff at Garreglwyd Residential Home in Holyhead.
• Council Chairman, Councillor Glyn Haynes, undertaking his annual Christmas visits. Here he visits staff to the Plas Mona Residential Home in Llanfairpwll.
• Council Chairman, Councillor Glyn Haynes, had the honour of welcoming Beaumaris Band members and Coleg Menai Choir to the County Offices this year. Thank you to both for entertaining us with a feast of Christmas music!

I'd like to start by looking back over the summer and congratulating the organisers of the Anglesey Show on another successful show this year and congratulating all the competitors from the Island who were successful at the Royal Welsh and the Eisteddfodau.

Secondly, I would like to wish the Island's children and young people a huge congratulations on their success with GCSEs, A Levels, and other level 2 and 3 qualifications over the summer. Best wishes to those young people leaving their homes for universities and colleges across Wales and beyond. I'm sure there were a few very emotional parents on the Island over the last few days!

The Council is a Corporate Parent, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Looked After Children on their recent GCSE successes and other attainments. Most have secured college placements, work experience or apprenticeship opportunities and we have one young man who has just started at the University of Bolton – well done to you all! We are also of course grateful to all the staff, teachers, parents and foster parents who have supported the young people.

Special congratulations to Isaak Floyd-Eve, who was a year 13 pupil at Holyhead High School, on winning the Goronwy Jones Prize for the best A-level candidate in Physics throughout Wales. Well done Isaak.

Turning to sport next, and congratulations to Holyhead's Mabli Blackshaw on representing the Wales U16 football team at just 12 years old. Mabli recently played for Wales against Ireland in Dublin, and I'm sure she has a glittering football career ahead of her. Remember the name!

Congratulations to Jenna Seddon, Rhosneigr - winner of the women’s fire lighter race, part of the Ring of Fire Running festival in August, and also to Gethyn Evans, Bryngwran – First male in the Holyhead breakwater 5-mile race also in August.

Congratulations to Gareth Cadwaladr, digital services manager at the Council, who has cycled over 700 miles from Sweden to the Netherlands with a group of friends to raise money for the Blood Cancer UK charity. They have managed to raise over £2,600 for the charity so far.

I would also like to pay tribute to Elfed Roberts from the Council’s Finance Department who has reached a remarkable milestone of working for the Council for 50 years. I’m sure he’s seen a lot of change during his career. Our thanks go to members of staff like Elfed for their unwavering dedication to the Council.

Staying with County Council matters, and I am pleased to say that we have successfully upgraded our Disability Confident membership, and we are now known as a Disability Confident Employer. Many thanks to those staff who were involved in this important development.

Congratulations to Councillor Jeff Evans on his recent success in the Town Crier championships. I’m sure Jeff will have been a good ambassador for the town of Holyhead at the event.

I also wish former Council leader Llinos Medi well at the start of her work as a Member of Parliament for Anglesey. We look forward to continuing to work with Llinos in her new role.

Finally, and on a sad note, I would like to offer my condolences to the families and friends of Humphrey Pickering, Stephen and Katherine Burch who lost their lives in a car accident in Beaumaris at the end of August. Despite the sadness of the incident, the reaction of local residents is a sign of the strength of the community.

I would also like to pay tribute on behalf of the whole Council to those members of staff who recently passed away and offer my deepest condolences to their families:

• Tony Jones who worked for the Council for many years and was active in the community through his work with MonFM
• Einir Williams, a highly respected head of Spanish, deputy head of the 6th form and BAC teacher at Ysgol David Hughes, and
• Hilda Owen, who was an experienced and hardworking member of the special care team at Canolfan Addysg y Bont.

Also we as a Council wish to sympathise with any elected member, or member of staff who recently suffered a bereavement. I therefore ask those who are present in the Chamber, and are able to do so, to stand for a minute's silence in a show of respect.