Llyr Gruffydd MS Member of the Senedd for North Wales

Today in the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd marked the 150th anniversary of Ysgol Pentrecelyn near Ruthin.

In an address to the members in the chamber Llyr Gruffydd praised the school anf paid tribute to its alumni.

Here's a translation of his speech-

"Congratulations to Ysgol Pentrecelyn, which is celebrating its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary this week. As a former parent and current governor of the school, I want to mark such a major milestone for this small rural school in the beautiful Vale of Clwyd.

Now, the school was opened on 11 May 1874, with 34 children on the register, and Mr Owen Henry Owen, Gaerwen, as head. Sarah Ann Winter from Siop Pentrecelyn was the first name on the register and many hundreds of pupils have followed in her footsteps on that register since then. People such as the actors Rhys Ifans and his brother, Llyr Ifans, the actor Victoria Pugh, the internationally renowned pianist Teleri Siân and the well-known singers Sera Baines and Elis Jones, and Elis, by the way, is also a world champion clay-pigeon shooter, and that's just to name a few of the former pupils.

And the school of course continues to go from strength to strength, with a glowing report from Estyn last year, demonstrating that Ysgol Pentrecelyn is an outstanding school that provides high-quality education and learning experiences for its pupils. 

Several hundreds of people attended a celebratory concert a few weeks ago, and there will be a day of celebration and a big birthday party at the school this Saturday. Gareth Neigwl wrote in his wonderful englyn:

"Its education was my foundation – all my life,
To its small yard I’ll belong;
Wherever life takes me, all paths lead
Home to Pentrecelyn."

Happy birthday to Ysgol Pentrecelyn from all of us here at Senedd Cymru."