SECOND HOME RATES THREAT
ANWYL Homes’ George Povey, from Criccieth, has beaten stiff competition from hundreds of other site managers across the country to take the title of Best Site Manager in the All Wales National LABC Excellence Awards.
Designed to reward and recognise the outstanding contributions of site managers working on Local Area Building Control (LABC) developments across the UK, the awards are presented annually to exceptional individuals who stand above the rest and go the extra mile to deliver quality and excellence in all areas of build on site.
George received the award in recognition for the work he has delivered over the last 12 months, particularly at Anwyl’s Golygfa Menai development in Y Felinheli and Tai Dyffryn development in Abersoch.
Both were not without their challenges, and the judges were particularly impressed with the way George approached the situations and ensured a high level of workmanship was maintained throughout. FRESH calls are being made to recognise the achievements of Wales’ Euro 2016 footballers after the team was snubbed by Gorsedd y Beirdd.
An official motion will go before Gwynedd council next week in a bid to force a U-turn after the Gorsedd, which recognises those who have made distinguished contributions to Welsh life, refused to honour Chris Coleman and his players.
Councillor Owain Williams, who is leading a renewed effort to reverse the decision, said: “I’m a Wales supporter and went to the Euros this summer.
“Our football team awoke us all and contributed more to our country than any individual or political party.”
Archdruid Geraint Lloyd Owen had said there would be no recognition because the majority of the players were not Welsh speakers.
Asked again about the team, Mr Owen, of Bontnewydd, near Caernarfon, said the Gorsedd had not discussed honouring the players.
“There is one basic fact – they have to speak Welsh,” he said. “If you treasure that rule, then the language is a very valuable thing which is intrinsic to the Eisteddfod. We know that there are only three or four of the team who can speak Welsh fairly fluently.”
But 81-year-old Llais Gwynedd leader Cllr Williams said the national team has “unified the country”, adding: “The Gorsedd has honoured the Queen of England, but neither she nor her offspring can speak Welsh.
“With every respect, Wales’ players have contributed much more to the nation than her. The Welsh players sang our national anthem with conviction.
“The Gorsedd is one of the institutions which does honour people in Wales, and it’s only right that it does in this instance.”
The Gorsedd’s reasons for refusing included that inductees for this year’s ceremony at the National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny had already been announced and that they are always individuals and never teams.
Trefor Lloyd Hughes, former Football Association of Wales president and Gorsedd member, said: “Not every member of the team can speak Welsh, but neither can the Queen – and she’s in.”
Asked about the Queen, the Archdruid said: “She was honoured in the 1940s. She would not be honoured with the Welsh rule now. Once you open the door, then it’s very dificult to close it afterwards.”
Gorsedd Recorder Penri Roberts said nobody was more proud than him of the team’s success, but said no team had ever been honoured by the Gorsedd and that any such decision would have to be taken by the members.
The closing date for nominations had passed, said Mr Roberts, and the FAW’s Osian Roberts and Ian Gwyn Hughes had been invited to the Eisteddfod to be congratulated on behalf of the team.
Cllr Williams will bring a motion before his fellow councillors on Thursday asking the Gorsedd to change its mind ahead of next year’s National Eisteddfod on Anglesey.