Firstly, I would like to congratulate everyone who competed in the Anglesey Young Farmers’ Eisteddfod last weekend at Mona Showground. I understand it was very successful and entertaining.
Congratulations to the Rapper Ren Gill who has overcome a long period of illness to top the UK charts with his second album. Ren is originally from Dwyran and is a former pupil of Ysgol David Hughes.
Good luck to Ioan Rhun Jones from Llanfairpwll who will be climbing part of Everest in March in memory of his father and to raise money for the charity ‘Shout’. We wish Ioan all the best.
Congratulations to the Anglesey Fostering Team on winning an award in recognition of their excellent contribution to foster care. The support given by the team to the Island’s foster carers was praised along with the close relationship with the Anglesey Foster Care Association.
Congratulations to the broadcaster Hywel Gwynfryn on receiving a Special Contribution Award at BAFTA Cymru Wales awards recently for his contribution to broadcasting. Originally from Llangefni, he has been a very proud ambassador for Anglesey throughout his career.
Congratulations to George North for creating history by becoming the first Welshman to appear in the Rugby World Cup quarter finals on four separate occasions.
Congratulations to Amlwch Town Football Club on winning the Wales Over 50’s Walking Football championships; and good luck to the Anglesey netball team who will be competing against other island teams in the Isle of Man next month.
Good luck also to all individuals and teams nominated for an award in the Môn Active awards ceremony for 2023. The ceremony takes place tonight at Beaumaris Leisure Centre.
Thank you to Haydn Edwards for his work as Chair of the Anglesey Welsh Language Forum over a period of six year. Under his leadership the Forum developed to be the voice of authority on Welsh Language matters on the Island and over 30 organisations are now involved in the work.
I would also like to thank the Reverand Dr Dafydd Wyn Williams for his tireless work as the Minister at Noddfa Chapel in Holyhead over a period of 30 years and for his work as a local historian which has seen him publish over 40 books and numerous articles.
Finally, increasing conflict has been witnessed in the Middle East over the past few days. We have seen and heard news reports of how critical the situation is and our thoughts are with the children and ordinary people who are suffering as a result of the fighting.
On another sad note, I wish to express our sympathies to the family of Reverand Emlyn Richards who passed away in August. He had served as a minister in the Cemaes area since 1964 and published numerous books on the history of Anglesey. I also wish to extend our sympathies to Cllr. Robert Llewelyn Jones, following the death of his sister in law.
As a Council we also send our condolences to any member of staff who has recently suffered a bereavement. I therefore ask those present in the Chamber, and who are able to do so, to stand for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.