Yahoo News The full list of Gorsedd honours for the 2024 National Eisteddfod
A sub-postmaster, wrongly jailed jailed in the Post Office scandal, an asylum seeker and a Wales rugby international and her mother will be honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards at this year’s National Eisteddfod.
Noel Thomas, from Gaerwen, Anglesey is among the 49 people named today to be invested into the blue or green robes during a special ceremony at the festival in August. Also honoured are two top judges, a popular broadcaster and the former Chief Executive of the National Eisteddfod.
The Gorsedd citation notes Noel Thomas is a man "who conscientiously and selflessly served his community for many years as sub-postmaster and county councillor".
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But in 2006 he was sacked by the Post Office and jailed for false accounting. It was not until April 2021 that his reputation was restored when he was cleared of all charges against him in the Supreme Court. "As someone who suffered a great wrong at the hands of a powerful public institution, but who continued to fight for justice and kept his self-respect and dignity throughout, it is entirely appropriate that his stance is recognised by his own nation through Gorsedd Cymru," the citation says.
Joseff Gnagbo, Cardiff, is an asylum seeker from the Gold Coast, who moved to Wales a few years ago. He settled in Cardiff and learned Welsh confidently. He has become an excellent Welsh language tutor in the city and since last autumn has been Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith appearing regularly in the media sharing his experiences as an asylum seeker and Welsh learner after moving to Wales.
Lord David Lloyd-Jones CB, Pontypridd, is a Supreme Court Judge and legal scholar. He was a member of the Court of England and Wales and Chair of the Law Commission, and the first to deliver a judgment in Welsh in the Supreme Court.
He taught and lectured at the University of Cambridge while a member of the Bar before becoming a Judge, and while President of the Law Commission, he led innovative research and reform work which ensured the extension of the Commission's statutory scope to include working on projects to Welsh Government.
He is President of the Law Council of Wales which brings together legal practitioners, judges and scholars to consider and implement issues involving legal education and the development of the legal professions in Wales.
Judge Meleri Tudur Thomas, Caernarfon is the Deputy President of the Education, Health and Social Care Chamber of the Courts and Tribunals Service for England and Wales. She grew up at Bangor and is an Upper Tribunal judge and Deputy High Court Judge, sitting in Wales and in the Royal Courts in London, one of the few who can deliver judgments in Welsh.
Elfed Roberts, Cardiff but originally from the Nantlle Valley, retired from his position as Chief Executive of the National Eisteddfod in 2018, following a quarter of a century at the helm.
The Eisteddfod developed and evolved under his care, and today it is a lively and colourful festival that attracts visitors of all ages and backgrounds, but without losing sight of its deep roots in the traditions and culture of Wales. "During his time, the Eisteddfod travelled to all parts of the country, and the linguistic and cultural legacy left behind can be clearly seen in every corner of Wales," his citation says.
And it will be a special celebration for mother and daughter Nerys Howell and Elinor Snowsill. Nerys Howell grew up in the Rhondda Valley Fawr and has promoted Welsh foods and produce around the world. She has written three cookbooks using Welsh ingredients, and has appeared regularly on television.
Until her recent retirement from professional rugby, Elinor Snowsill was one of the most prominent players in the Welsh women's team. She was also vocal in favour of promoting equality for women in the game and in presenting the game in Welsh - on the pitch and in the media.
Since her retirement, Elinor has been appointed Player Development Leader, at Cardiff Met University's Player Development Centre. Although Gerallt Pennant hails from Eifionydd, he taught at Ysgol Gymraeg Ynys-wen, Cwm Rhondda for a while, before moving into the media.
Gerallt is a familiar face on some of S4C's most popular programmes, as the north Wales reporter on Heno and Prynhawn Da, and his Radio Cymru weekly programme, Galwad Cynnar has inspired generations of listeners.
"Gerallt's ability to deal with a variety of topics, and to respond warmly to people of all kinds and from all over the country, makes him one of the best presenters in the Welsh language, and it is a privilege to honour him this year," the Gorsedd said.
Gorsedd Recorder Christine James, a former Archdruid, said these honours, presented annually, are an opportunity to recognise individuals from all parts of the country for their achievements and their commitment to Wales, the Welsh language and to their local communities across the whole of Wales.
“In line with the Gorsedd of the Bards’ arrangements for honouring new members they all enter the Gorsedd on the same level, irrespective of whether they are honoured into the Blue or Green robes. “Only the winners of the main competitions at the National Eisteddfod are honoured with White robes,” she said.
Among the other well-known names honoured by the Gorsedd this year are Ynyr Williams was born and raised in Trawsfynydd but who settled in Cardiff. A poet, producer and television director he was responsible for the popular series S4C series Pobol y Cwm for eight years before being appointed Content Editor of Radio Cymru.
The highlight of his career, however, was, between 2010 and 2021, being responsible for the broadcasting side of the National Eisteddfod for the BBC including the two challenging years of 'alternative eisteddfodau' during the Covid-19 pandemic. Originally from Galicia, Helena Migu lez-Carballeira, Bangor lectures in Spanish Studies at Bangor University.
She has contributed extensively to the discipline of translation studies, and largely through her efforts, Welsh is part of the international discourse in this field. Mike Parker hails from Kidderminster in Worcestershire, but now lives in Machynlleth.
He has been fascinated by maps since he was a child, and also by Wales. He moved here in 2000, and dedicated himself to learning Welsh.
He is the author of several books and last year he published All the Wide Border, exploring the marches. As a gay man, he knows what it's like to belong to a minority that often suffers prejudice, and this informs the way he interprets Wales for an English-speaking audience.
Gill Griffiths, Pentyrch has has been an active member of Merched y Wawr for many years. During her time as that organisation's National President, she raised awareness of the importance of the work of Christian Aid by encouraging members to collect bags and sell them for the benefit of the charity. She has been a Welsh language tutor at Cardiff University and the Learners' Officer for the National Eisteddfod. Gill was an honorary president at the 2018 Cardiff National Eisteddfod.
Elgan Philip Davies, Bow Street, Aberystwyth, who has made a considerable contribution to Welsh culture. At the beginning of a key period in the Welsh pop scene, he was a leading member of Hergest, with one of his songs the first to be played on Radio Cymru in 1977.
He is a prolific writer, having written many novels for children and adults, and was a librarian who spent a considerable period in the Old College at Aberystwyth University. He became an expert on the building, presenting its history orally as well as publishing several books about its uniqueness and significance.
David Roberts, Caerphilly but originally from Llandudno has worked in Welsh language education in the Rhondda and Cwm Taf for almost 30 years, teaching Welsh to thousands of children, many of whom come from non-Welsh speaking households.
He led the Urdd Club at Ysgol Llwyncelyn, so that children had the opportunity to speak Welsh socially, has started Welsh-language football clubs, and encouraged children to compete in the Urdd. David was a leader on the Ffit Cymru programme in 2019, motivating thousands of people to live a healthier life. The Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod is to be held in Pontypridd from 3-10 August. More details online at eisteddfod.cymru
GREEN ROBES
Jane Aaron, Aberystwyth, has contributed much to Welsh life, as an educator, literary researcher and author.
Anna ap Robert, Aberystwyth is a Creative Officer (Dance and Theatre) with Theatr Felin-fach and a Welsh for Adults tutor at Aberystwyth University.
Simon Chandler, Manchester, grew up in London but has not only mastered spoken and written Welsh but can also compose poetry in strict meters and writes a regular column for Barddas.
Elgan Philip Davies, Bow Street, Aberystwyth, was a leading member of Hergest has written many novels for children and adults, and was a librarian in the Old College at Aberystwyth University.
Owenna Davies, Ffostrasol worked in education for years, but is honoured for her voluntary contribution as a community councillor, local charitable groups and helps to run the Food Bank at Capel Seion, Llandysul.
Anne England, Aberfan, is honoured for her voluntary work for our language in the Merthyr Tydfil area, and in particular for her contribution to the Welsh Language Centre at Theatr a Chanolfan Soar.
Nerys Howell, Cardiff, has written three cookbooks using Welsh ingredients, and has appeared regularly on television. Her daughter, Wales rugby international Elinor Snowsill, is also being honoured this year.
Angharad Lee, Tonyrefail has nurtured the talents of Rhondda Cynon Taf residents in Welsh and English for years. She is a senior lecturer and Welsh-medium director at the Welsh Voice and Dramatic Arts Academy, and artistic director of her own theatre company, Leeway Productions.
Elin Llywelyn Williams, Pontyclun as deputy head of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwyncelyn has inspired generations of children, encouraging them to celebrate the culture and heritage of Wales.
Helena Migu lez-Carballeira, is from Galicia, an lectures in Spanish Studies at Bangor University and has contributed extensively to the discipline of translation studies.
Mari Morgan, originally from Llanelli, has lived in the USA for almost 30 years, contributing extensively to the Welsh culture of North America and Canada during this time.
Catrin Rowlands, Swansea, is a Welsh teacher at Ysgol Llanhari, and her creativity and dedication to the work of the local Eisteddfod committees will be evident on the Maes in Pontypridd this year.
Derrick Rowlands, Pont-iets has worked quietly but tirelessly for the Welsh language making an enormous contribution to the world of male voice choirs, locally and nationally.
Mike Parker, who hails from Kidderminster but now lives in Machynlleth, has been fascinated by maps since he was a child, and is the author of several books, including Neighbours from Hell (2007), discussing the attitudes of the English towards Wales and Map Addict (2009), a love letter to maps.
Sh n Eleri Passmore, Cardiff, is honoured for her service to eisteddfodau in Wales and was part of the team that set up a brand new eisteddfod in Cardiff, which has now developed into a successful event.
Siwan Rosser, Cardiff, is senior lecturer and deputy head of the School of Welsh, Cardiff University. She is a leading authority on Welsh books for children, and was commissioned by the Wales Books Council to create a Survey of Children's and Young People's Books, which influenced the publishing world in Wales.
Peter Spriggs, Narberth is a prolific and highly respected artist. He is a lecturer at Swansea College of Art and Design, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and a member of Grwp 56 Cymru, a group of professional artists who live and work in Wales.
Llinos Swain, Cardiff has contributed extensively to the Welsh and musical life of the Ton-teg and Llantrisant area while living in that area for many years.
Meilyr Tomos, Fishguard is a talented musician who tours care homes in the Pembrokeshire area and beyond to entertain the residents, and performs in the CYTUN tent on the Eisteddfod Maes every year.
Gareth Williams, Pontypridd, is a leading historian, and Emeritus Professor at the University of South Wales, having spent an extensive period teaching there and at Aberystwyth University. His specialist area is social history, and in particular the history of sport and music.
Sian Rhiannon Williams is originally from the Rhymney Valley but now lives in Barry. After completing a doctorate in Aberystwyth, she worked as a teacher and radio producer before spending most of her career lecturing at Cardiff Metropolitan University's School of Education.
BLUE ROBES
Delyth Badder, Pontypridd, is the first Welsh-speaking paediatric pathologist, and thanks to her decisiveness and determination to fight for the service in Wales, the specialty has survived, avoiding additional worries and pain to thousands of families.
Carol Bell, London, grew up in Felindre and specialises in energy, finance and business and charitable activity, and has been associated with a number of international organisations.
Jamie Bevan, Merthyr Tydfil has been the lynchpin of the Welsh language community in his area for over twenty years, and now he runs the Welsh cafe in Soar, part of the important Welsh language centre in the town.
Dafydd Trystan Davies from Aberdare and Cardiff is well-known as an academic, politician, promoter of education and environmentalist, who has contributed greatly to Wales, its traditions, landscape, people and language. He is the Registrar of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
Geraint Davies, Treherbert, has worked tirelessly for over half a century on behalf of the communities of the Rhondda. As a pharmacist he served the communities of Treherbert, Treorci and Tynewydd, he was a local councillor for Treherbert for over 40 years.
Michelle Davies is from Beulah, Llangamarch, has done much to ensure that Welsh flourishes once again in an area where there has been a steady decline in the language over the years.
Joseff Gnagbo, Cardiff, is an asylum seeker from the Gold Coast, who settled in Cardiff and learned Welsh confidently. He has become an excellent Welsh language tutor and is Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith.
Margot Ann Phillips Griffith is originally from Pont-iets, but moved to New Zealand almost half a century ago. She returns to Wales regularly and attends the Eisteddfod. She has served as the president of the Wellington Welsh Society several times, and her vision led to holding language refresher meetings.
Gill Griffiths, Pentyrch has been an active member of Merched y Wawr for many years and during her time as it's National President she raised awareness of the importance of the work of Christian Aid by encouraging members to collect bags and sell them for the benefit of the charity.
Rosa Hunt, Church Village, moved to Britain with her family when she was 15 and today is a confident Welsh speaker, Co-principal of Cardiff Baptist College, and a part-time minister at the Tabernacle Church, Cardiff.
Awen Iorwerth has done much to promote medical education through the medium of Welsh. Awen was appointed as a lecturer at Cardiff University to develop Welsh-medium medical education, and she delivered the first ever Welsh lecture to the students at the College of Medicine.
Gethin Lloyd James, Llanarthne founded the company, IAGO Cymru (Co.), which supplies archictectural plans to local people through the medium of Welsh, promoting the language in a practical way. Gethin was key to the initiative of seeking funds to build a village hall in Llanarthne, which opened in 2008.
Theresa Mgadzah Jones came to Britain from Zimbabwe as a 12-year-old child, before settling in Cardiff. She worked for the Red Cross in Newport for years, coordinating a programme for women, looking for ways to dispel the idea that these women could not cope with learning Welsh on top of English. .
Lord David Lloyd-Jones CB, Pontypridd, is a Supreme Court Judge and legal scholar. He was a member of the Court of England and Wales and Chair of the Law Commission, and the first to deliver a judgment in Welsh in the Supreme Court.
Gerallt Pennant hails from Eifionydd, he taught at Ysgol Gymraeg Ynys-wen, Cwm Rhondda before moving into the media. Gerallt is a familiar face on some of S4C's most popular programmes, as the north Wales reporter on Heno and Prynhawn Da, and his Radio Cymru weekly programme, Galwad Cynnar has inspired generations of listeners.
Ian Wyn Rees, Porth Tywyn, is a Gastrointestinal specialist at Hywel Dda Health Board, and a leading liver doctor in the local area. He is one of the executive trustees of the Angor charity, which offers a bilingual service to cancer or life-limiting disease patients in the Carmarthenshire area.
Rhuanedd Richards, Pontypridd has deep roots in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Following a period as a journalist, and then working in the world of politics, she is now director of BBC Wales.
David Roberts, Caerphilly but originally from Llandudno has taught Welsh to thousands of children, many of whom come from non-Welsh speaking households. He led the Urdd branch at Ysgol Llwyncelyn, so children had the opportunity to speak Welsh socially, has started Welsh-language football clubs, and encouraged children to compete in the Urdd Eisteddfod.
Elfed Roberts, Cardiff, retired from his position as Chief Executive of the National Eisteddfod in 2018, following a quarter of a century at the helm. The Eisteddfod developed and evolved under his care, and today it is a lively and colourful festival that attracts visitors of all ages and backgrounds, but without losing sight of its deep roots in the traditions and culture of Wales. During his time, the Eisteddfod travelled to all parts of the country, and the linguistic and cultural legacy left behind can be clearly seen in every corner of Wales.
Elinor Snowsill, Pontyclun was one of the most prominent players in the Welsh Rugby women's team. She was also vocal in favour of promoting equality for women in the game and in presenting the game in Welsh - on the pitch and in the media. Her mother, Nerys Howell, will also be honoured by the Gorsedd this year.
Derek Stockley, Cefneithin, was born in Nelson, and was a lecturer in Brittany and Head of the French Department at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, before starting a distinguished career at the WJEC where he became Director of Examinations and Assessment in 2001.
Hazel Thomas, Cwm-du, Crickhowell, has contributed extensively to her local communities. She had a very musical upbringing, which led to considerable success at the National Eisteddfod when she was young, and she went on to appear as a soloist on a variety of television and radio programmes.
John Thomas, Swansea, is an Employment Judge by profession. When the Welsh Language Act came into force in 1993, he was a pioneer in ensuring that the administrative process was feasible before an application could be presented to the judge, by ensuring that enough civil servants could speak Welsh.
Noel Thomas, Gaerwen, is a man who conscientiously and selflessly served his community for many years as sub-postmaster and county councillor. But a turning point came in 2006: he was sacked by the Post Office and jailed for false accounting. It was not until April 2021 that his reputation was restored when he was cleared of all charges against him in the Supreme Court. As someone who suffered a great wrong at the hands of a powerful public institution, but who continued to fight for justice and kept his self-respect and dignity throughout, it is entirely appropriate that his stance is recognised by his own nation through Gorsedd Cymru.
Judge Meleri Tudur Thomas, Caernarfon is the Deputy President of the Education, Health and Social Care Chamber of the Courts and Tribunals Service for England and Wales. She grew up at Bangor, and began her career as a solicitor in Pontypridd. She is an Upper Tribunal judge and Deputy High Court Judge, sitting in Wales and in the Royal Courts in London, one of the few who can deliver judgments in Welsh.
Mark Vaughan, Llanedi, Pontarddulais grew up near Blackwood in a non-Welsh speaking household. While a student at the Welsh Medical School, he set out to learn Welsh, in order to socialise, to help with his profession as a family doctor in Llanelli and later to raise his own family. He was the first Welshman to receive the honour of Fellow of the Medical College in 1996.
Megan Williams, New York, is editor-in-chief of Ninnau, the North American Community Paper that appears regularly every two months. She is also primarily responsible for the Wales-North America Association and organises the North America Festival of Wales every year. She has learned Welsh well and is married to a Welsh-speaker from Gwynedd.
Ynyr Williams was born and raised in Trawsfynydd but settled in Cardiff. A poet, producer and television director, between 2007 and 2015 he was responsible for the popular series Pobol y Cwm, before being appointed Content Editor of Radio Cymru for six years.
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