Poet named as guardian of Welsh place names

A POET has been appointed to head a council project to protect native Welsh place names.

Meirion MacIntyre Huws – often known as Mei Mac – will head Gwynedd council’s new ‘Indigenous Name Protection Project’.

In 2020 more than 15,000 people signed a Senedd petition following claims that indigenous place and house names are gradually being eroded.

BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has described the practice as having been “going on for years – with some really gruesome and offensive examples – and virtually nothing’s been done about it.”

According to Cllr Nia Jeffreys, Gwynedd’s cabinet member with responsibility for the Welsh language, the authority is committed to protecting the Welsh language and cultural landscape.

“As part of these efforts, the council’s strategic plan includes a new workstream which aims to protect and promote native place names,” she said.

“To support this work, the council has recently appointed Meirion Macintyre Huws to the role of project officer.”

Mr Huws said: “This is an area that has fascinated me for many years and is close to my heart. I’m looking forward to being a part of preserving a very important element of our history and language.”

Gwynedd council leader, Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn, added: “The team will be developing a work programme, working with others within the council and with external bodies to examine the possibilities, and take positive steps towards promoting and protecting Welsh place names.

“This will hopefully cover all aspects, from the historical names for properties and street names to towns and villages and geographical locations.

“We are aware that a lot of work is being done in this area by other bodies, and the team look forward to coordinating and working closely with them.”