Isle of Anglesey County Council

I’d like to begin by looking back over the summer and congratulating everyone who organised the Anglesey Agricultural Show for yet another successful year, as well as everyone from the Island who was successful in the Royal Welsh, Eisteddfod yr Urdd and the National Eisteddfod.

I’d also like to congratulate individuals from Anglesey that were inaugurated to the Orsedd during the Wrexham Eisteddfod, including Hywel Wyn Owen, Mared Lewis, Gwyn Anwyl, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Nia Wyn Jones. Congratulations also to Erin Fflur who won the David Ellis memorial prize, the Blue Ribband.

Secondly, I’d like to congratulate the children and young people of Anglesey on their successful GCSE, A Level and other level 2 and 3 qualification results over the summer. I’d also like to share my best wishes with those young people who will be leaving their homes and heading to university and colleges across Wales and beyond. I’m sure there were many emotional parents across the Island over the last few days!

The Council is a Corporate Parent, and I’d like to take advantage of this opportunity to congratulate our Looked After Children on their recent success with GCSE qualifications and other achievements. We are also grateful to all staff, teachers, parents and foster parents who have supported young people during their exams.

The County Council has been successful in appointing four graduates through the Dyfodol Môn scheme. The scheme gives local graduates an opportunity to complete valuable work experience as they work toward a post graduate qualification. As well as supporting graduates to develop their skills and foster careers with the Council, it also helps to plan future succession. We wish them all the best as they start their career with the Council.

A special event was held in Llangefni last weekend to welcome the Eisteddfod yr Urdd to the Island. It was a very successful event despite the weather, and we look forward to welcoming the Eisteddfod to Anglesey in 2026.

Earlier in September, the popular television series, Rownd a Rownd, celebrated 30 years since it was first broadcasted. The series, located in Menai Bridge, has attracted significant financial investment to the area over the years, and more than 100 people now work on the programme.

Congratulations to businesses on the Island that have recently won awards. Cybi Brewery and the honey production company, Anglesey Bees won stars in the Great Taste Awards, and Llanfairpwll Distillery won the best small drink producer award in the Welsh Food and Drink Awards.

On behalf of the County Council, I’d like to thank the Fire Service for their work managing and fighting fires on Mynydd Bodafon during the summer. At one point, the fire had spread to 1,500 meter squared. We are extremely grateful that no one was injured during the incident.

Earlier this month, a special event was held with key partners and stakeholders to celebrate the County Council’s journey to becoming a Trauma Informed Island. One of the highlights was naming Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni as the first mainstream secondary school in the United Kingdom to receive the Trauma Informed and Mental Health award from Trauma Informed Schools UK. Thank you to everyone for their dedication during this important journey to ensuring that our Council and our Island is trauma informed.

On the 15th of August, the County Council and officers from RAF Valley came together to commemorate 80 years since VJ Day with a flag raising ceremony outside the Council offices in Llangefni. Many also attended the remembrance event that was organised by Councillor Aled Morris Jones at Parys Mountain in the evening. Both events, as well as the VE Day event in May, were opportunities to remember the generation who sacrificed so much, so that we can enjoy our freedom today.

Lastly, it was sad to hear about the passing of the former county councillor, Derlwyn Hughes. I’d like to share my deepest sympathies with his family and friends.

As ever, we as a Council also sympathise with any elected member or member of staff who has experienced a recent loss. I therefore ask those present in the Chamber, who are able to do so, to please stand for a minute silence to pay our respect.

I would like to begin by congratulating everyone who were rewarded in the Môn Actif Awards held at Beaumaris Leisure Centre in October. They are all a credit to the Island. The event was the highlight of a busy year for Môn Actif as high numbers took part in a variety of activities across the Island.

Best wishes to Bodffordd Elderly Club on reaching a significant milestone recently – reaching their 50^th birthday since the club was established. The Club has been run throughout this period by the very able Ellis Wyn.

Congratulations also to Jac Hughes, one of the Social Services Department’s users who will appear on the TV Programme “Y Cyfweliad” (The Interview) in the new year. Jac is known to everyone who has attended the Learning Disabilities forum for his valuable contributions.

I would like to congratulate the Communities Team within our Housing Service for winning a national award at the 2025 Wales Safer Communities Awards in the Equalities, Inclusion and Cohesion category. This award is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the outstanding work of the staff, volunteers, and partners behind the Môn Diverse Community Hub. Their commitment to inclusion, safety, and community wellbeing reflects the very best of our island.

Congratulations to Elen Gwen Williams, who now lives on Anglesey, for winning the Dai Jones memorial prize for her project “Calon Cefn Gwlad” (The Heart of the Countryside). The work was praised for its focus on the community and heritage of agricultural Wales.

The North Wales tourism awards were recently held in Llandudno and it was nice to see so many Anglesey businesses succeeding – including Chateau Rhianfa, Ribride and Llanfairpwll Distillery. Holyhead Town Council were also honoured for their excellent work in welcoming cruise passengers to the town.

Congratulations to the Young Farmers of Anglesey for their success at Young Farmers’ Eisteddfod at Montgomeryshire in November. It was nice to see strong representation from Anglesey putting us on the Map once again.

Congratulations to Kenan Davies-Zorlu from Holyhead who is an Engineering student at Coleg Menai and who has received national recognition for his excellent progress in Mathematics.

Congratulations to Steffan Lloyd Owen for winning one of the most prestigious Opera competitions in the World in Paris recently.

Congratulations to Cari Hughes (Menai Track and Field) who won the Liverpool Cross Challenge 2025 – an 8km cross country race in a time of 27 minutes 17 seconds – in November.

Congratulations to the Farmers’ Union of Wales who are celebrating 70 years since they were established back in 1955.

Congratulations to the Old Ysgol Bodorgan Centre for their recognition for their voluntary services.

Finally, and on a very sad note, I would like to take this opportunity to pay a heartfelt tribute to Councillor Trefor Lloyd Hughes who passed away recently following a period of illness. We as a Council send our deepest condolences to his wife Janet and all the family during this sad time.

Before we have a minute’s silence, I’m aware that other Members would like to pay tribute to Trefor. (Opportunity for Members to pay tribute)

Can we therefore stand for a minute’s silence please to pay our respects to the late Councillor Trefor Lloyd Hughes, his family and friends. In the same manner, we send our condolences to any elected member or member of staff who have recently suffered a bereavement. I therefore ask those who are in attendance in the Chamber, and who are able to do so, to please stand.

I would like to begin by congratulating everyone who arranged parades and other celebrations to note St Davids Day over the weekend. I had the privilege of leading the Llangefni procession and it was excellent to see such a great turnout.

In January, the Menai Suspension Bridge celebrated its 200^th birthday. Thomas Telford’s design was an ambitious one and at the time, this was the largest suspension bridge in the world. A commemorative plaque was unveiled in Menai Bridge to note this milestone.

Congratulations to Dion Wyn Jones, originally from Anglesey, for winning the Welsh National Cook awards at a recent competition in Newport. Dion has also represented Wales at a number of competitions over the years and seems to have a bright future ahead of him.

Congratulations to Anglesey Gymnastics Club on the praise received at the British Gymnastics Awards in the safe sports category. The club were praised for their work of ensuring the safety of children.

Congratulations to Isabel from Cemaes School for designing a badge that will go to space on one of the NASA voyages. There is a unique link between the school and NASA as one of their former pupils, Dr Melanie Coathup, works for the agency.

I would like to recognise the great community work done by Liz Mangan from the Holland Hotel, Llanfachraeth. Liz was busy distributing bags of fruit and vegetables to everyone in the village before Christmas.

Congratulations to the organisers of the Anglesey Half Marathon and to all runners who took part this year. The race was moved to the Anglesey Showground in 2026 and was a very successful event.

Congratulations to Jenna Seddon from Rhosneigr for finishing 3^rd in the ‘Ultra’ 50-mile race in Chester in a time of 8 hours 38 minutes. Quite an achievement!

The Anglesey CF prizegiving ceremony was held on the 25^th of February. Congratulations to everyone on a successful evening and to the businesses who were awarded for their hard work.

Best wishes to Beaumaris Youth Band on their trip to Linz in Austria to represent Wales in the European Youth Brass Band Championships. An excellent experience for the young people.

Finally, we had the opportunity to note the national holocaust Memorial Day at the Council on the 27 January. A short ceremony was held outside the Council’s main entrance where the building was lit up purple. The event reminded us of the importance of remembering the lessons of the past in the world we live today.

I would like to take this opportunity to send our condolences to any elected member or member of staff who have recently suffered a bereavement. I therefore ask all those who are in attendance in the Chamber, and who are able to do so, to please stand for a minute’s silence.

As the Anglesey Urdd Eisteddfod 2026 will be starting in less than two weeks, I would like to begin by thanking all volunteers across the Island who have been busy raising money and making arrangements ready to welcome the festival.

I also send my best wishes to all the children and young people who will be competing during the week.

Congratulations to Derek Evans from Llannerch-y-Medd for being honoured by the Urdd in winning the John and Ceridwen Hughes Trophy. It is awarded annually by the Urdd to extraordinary volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the lives of the young people of Wales. A special ceremony will be held at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Anglesey at the end of the month.

Best wishes also to everyone from the Island who will be competing at the National Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire in August and congratulations to Malachy Owain Edwards from Llanfairpwll who will be honoured with the green robe at the Eisteddfod this year. As one of the main voices within the black Welsh community, Malachy has a significant influence on changing perceptions and inspiring Welsh learners from all backgrounds.

Turning to agriculture next and I would like to wish all the best to everyone from Anglesey who will be taking part in the Royal Welsh show this year. Anglesey will be the Feature County in 2027 and therefore it will be a busy year for the agricultural communities.

As a Council, we also congratulate RAF Valley who recently celebrated 85 years since being established. The celebrations were noted by a visit from Prince William who trained and worked at the base for a period. We look forward to continue our working relationship with the base at Valley in the years to come.

With the examination period almost upon us I would like to take this opportunity to wish good luck to everyone who will be sitting their GCSE and A Level examinations as well as any other qualifications. The Council is also a Corporate Parent and best wishes to all those young people receiving care in their examinations over the next few weeks.

Congratulations to Ellie Corcoran from Anglesey who won the Miss Wales 2026 title recently. Ellie volunteers with Careers Wales and assists young people. She has also raised more than £40,000 for various charities.

Congratulations to the Môn Actif service for their national success in receiving the ‘Building Belonging’ award at the Youth Sports Trust Awards 2026. The award recognises organisations that create an inclusive environment and Môn Actif have been awarded for their significant work across the Island ensuring that every child and young person, whatever their background, can gain confidence through sport and physical activity.

Congratulations to 101 young people of Year 10 age across the Secondary Schools of the Island who have been successful in completing their bronze Duke of Edinburgh award over two days during the Easter holidays. A special thank you to the Youth Service for co-ordinating and leading the excursions as well as the support given by the Urdd’s outdoor team. In order to complete the accreditation, the young people walked for 6 hours with heavy walking bags, camped outside overnight and prepared their own food. Anglesey’s Youth Service continues to have the largest number of young people achieving the Duke of Edinburgh accreditation in Wales.

A number of Council staff were busy as part of the arrangements to hold the Senedd Cymru elections in the Bangor, Conwy Môn constituency last week. I would like to thank them for their work and congratulations to the six successful candidates, I wish them well in their new roles.

On a sad note to finish, our condolences to the family of Gladys Pritchard from Holyhead who passed away a few weeks ago. She did a lot for the Welsh Language on the Island and was very hardworking in her community. She was accepted into the Orsedd at the National Eisteddfod in 2005.

We were also sad to hear of the death of the former County Councillor Eric Jones of Llanfihangel Esceifiog. Condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to send our condolences to 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 for a minute’s silence.