TWO Abergavenny women are among those who will be honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards at the Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod in a list which has been announced this morning.

Ceri Thomas (Blue Robes) is recognised for her long service and work to strengthen the Welsh language. Ms Thomas chaired the Abergavenny Eisteddfod for almost a decade until 2011, and she remains very involved, looking at technology and new communications tools to reach competitors of all ages.

Originally from Abergele, she is an integral part of the Welsh community in Abergavenny and promotes the use of Welsh locally and in the workplace. She has worked hard during difficult times to strengthen the Welsh language in Abergavenny and in various workplaces.

Also honoured is Rhiannon Davies of Llanellen, who has as contributed to the vitality of Welsh in Monmouthshire.

She has made a valuable contribution strengthening Welsh language services in the health service locally in her capacity as Welsh Language Officer at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and has also managed to bridge the work she has done to promote the language at grass roots level with her work in the Health Board in a number of ways, including building relationships with local Welsh schools to encourage Welsh speaking pupils to consider a career in the NHS.

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. This year’s individuals will be honoured at a special ceremony on the Eisteddfod Maes in Abergavenny on Friday, August 5.

In line with the Gorsedd of the Bards’ arrangements for honouring new members, all new members enter the Gorsedd on the same level, irrespective of whether they are honoured into the Blue or Green robes.

Those who have succeeded in the fields of Law, Science, Sports, Journalism, Media, local / national activities become Honorary Druids – Blue robes for their services to the nation. The Gorsedd also honours new members to the Green robes for their contribution to the arts. Those who have succeeded in the Gorsedd examination or are eligible because of their degree in literature, music, drama or art, also receive the Green robes, as will the winner of the Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize every year and the winners of the Urdd Crown and Chair.

Only the winners of the main competitions at the National Eisteddfod are honoured with White robes.

The Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod is held on Castle Meadows, Abergavenny from 29 July – 6 August. For more information go to www.eisteddfod.wales.

The full list of honours for South East Wales

Roger Boore

Cardiff is Roger Boore’s home, and this is where he brought up his family. When the children were young in the late 1960s, he realised how few Welsh books were available for children and how bleak and boring they looked. So he set about establishing Gwasg y Dref Wen, working with foreign publishers to create compelling content with colourful design and layout, beginning a new chapter in the history of children’s publishing in Wales.

Rhiannon Davies, Llanellen, Abergavenny, has contributed to the vitality of Welsh in Monmouthshire. She has made a valuable contribution strengthening Welsh language services in the health service locally in her capacity as Welsh Language Officer at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. She has also managed to bridge the work she has done to promote the language at grass roots level with her work in the Health Board in a number of ways, including building relationships with local Welsh schools to encourage Welsh speaking pupils to consider a career in the NHS.

Robin Davies, Coleford, Gloucestershire, has actively promoted the language in the Monmouth area for many years. In addition to leading the local fundraising work for the Eisteddfod this year, Robin edited the local papur bro, Newyddion Gwent, for a decade and was part of the group which set up the local language initiative, Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Monmouthshire in 2008. He was responsible for establishing the Monmouth and District Welsh Society, and plays a leading and important role in Cymdeithas Gwenynen Gwent, the Association of Lady Llanover, serving as secretary since 2008.

Hywel Ellis Griffiths, Dinas Powys, has been the head at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw since 2006. His vision is to create fully bilingual individuals who take pride in their identity and heritage, and this vision is transferred to pupils and parents alike. Hywel Ellis Griffiths ’ work in promoting the Welsh language and the concept of speaking the language as a privilege and opportunity has inspired a generation of young people, and there are now almost 1,000 pupils at the school, which is itself a vibrant and successful Welsh community significantly contributing to positive attitudes towards the language.

Elin Maher, Newport, is one of the Welsh language’s greatest supporters in the south east. Through her commitment, hard work and inspiration, Elin has set up and steered Menter Casnewydd. She organises Welsh language events in the city, is an important contributor to Capel Mynydd Seion, a teacher and a great supporter of Welsh medium education across the region. She campaigned hard for the creation of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Is Gwent, and she is Chair of the Governors at the school which opens its doors next September.

Aled Wyn Phillips

Aled Wyn’s discos have been an important part of the Cardiff social scene since the 1980s, with Aled Wyn Phillips, Cardiff, in charge. The aim was to promote and support Welsh music and this love of music, sound and lighting has continued over the years, as he provided services for a number of local events and activities. He chaired Clwb y Diwc, a social group promoting and organising Welsh events in the capital city, following the Eisteddfod’s visit to the area in 2008.

Philip Brian Richards, Mountain Ash, has been honoured for his work in the Law sector, and this during the year of his retirement. He learnt Welsh as a second language, and not only presides over cases in Welsh, but has also served as Chair of the Lord Chancellor’s Standing Committee on the Welsh Language twice. He has also been active with Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg (Parents for Welsh Language Education), and has served as a governor in a number of Welsh schools in Rhondda Cynon Taff over the years.

Ceri Thomas, Abergavenny, has been active in Welsh activities in the area for many years. She chaired the Abergavenny Eisteddfod for almost a decade until 2011, and she remains very involved, looking at technology and new communications tools to reach competitors of all ages. Originally from Abergele, Ceri is an integral part of the Welsh community in Abergavenny and promotes the use of Welsh locally and in the workplace. She has worked hard during difficult times to strengthen the Welsh language in Abergavenny and in various workplaces.

Green Robes

Anne Hughes, Tongwynlais, Cardiff’s interest lies in Welsh folk dancing, and she has worked diligently to promote folk dancing for many years. One of the founding members of Gwerinwyr Gwent, she was also one of those who founded Dawnswyr Gwerin Penyfai, and remains a member of the group. In 2012, she was co-responsible for the selecting the youngsters and teaching the flower dance for the 2012 Vale of Glamorgan Eisteddfod, and since then, Anne has continued to advise the coaches of the dance. She is a member of the Welsh Folk Dance Society executive committee, and the National Eisteddfod and Urdd dance panels, and is secretary of the Celtic Connections Festival, Porthcawl.

Siân Lewis is from Cardiff and has worked hard for her city over the years. She joined Menter Caerdydd nearly fifteen years ago, and the Menter has developed and flourished in her care, with Welsh language activities increasingly dramatically during the period. The annual Tafwyl festival at Cardiff Castle has been a great success, giving an opportunity for tens of thousands of people to enjoy a wide range of events. The recent development of the Old Library in the city centre is an exciting addition to Welsh life in the Welsh capital. Siân’s energy, vision and perseverance have been a critical part of this success.