At the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) Annual General Meeting held at the Morlan Centre Aberystwyth yesterday (Saturday March 10th) Hywel Griffiths was elected as Cymdeithas chair for 2007 – 2008. Hywel is 23 years old and a postgraduate student at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

He was born in Llangynog, Carmarthenshire and now lives in Carmarthen, with his partner, poet and novelist Catrin Dafydd. Hywel has made quite a name for himself as a poet. He won the chair at the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Anglesey a few years ago, and came very close to winning the chair at last year's National Eisteddfod. He is the son of television journalist Tweli Griffiths. Accepting the Chair for the forthcoming year Hywel Griffiths said:"It is a great honour to follow Steffan Cravos as chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg. I am also aware that I have taken on the responsibility of chair of Cymdeithas in a year of great significance both for Wales and the Welsh language. It could be argued that this is one of the most important years ever in the history of Wales. For the first time since the Age of the Welsh Princes, the people of Wales will have the right to make their own laws, since the National Assembly, following the May elections will have limited law making powers.""Of course, we in Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg believe that one of the first issues that the new law making National Assembly should take on board is a strengthened Welsh Language Act which will be worthy of the Welsh people. There is now a chance that one of our main aims will be realised, and we will have to work very hard over the next few months to ensure that there will be a New Welsh Language Act on the statute book.""There are of course a number of other issues that the Welsh Assembly Government should tackle as a matter of urgency, such as the housing crisis in Wales, the lack of job opportunities and our primitive transport system. All these problems are contributing to the out migration of young people from our communities. The threat to our village schools and the need for a greater commitment to Welsh medium education are also issues which need to be addressed."One of the most important motions under discussion involved the large sum of money left to Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg in the will of the late Howell Lewis. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has already received around £400,00 from the will. Dafydd Morgan Lewis speaking on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:"Over the last 18 months Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has been involved in discussions about how best to deal with such a large amount of money. We have received many donations in the past but nothing like the amount we received from Mr Lewis. It also important that such a large sum of money is allowed to effect our basic principals and that we remain faithful to our vision and non violent direct action as a means of achieving our aims.""Having spent the last few months discussing how best to invest the money in the future of Wales and the Welsh language we thought that it was important to give all of our member a chance to express their views in our AGM. The Cymdeithas leadership recommended that £100,00 of the money is set aside for special projects, and that the rest of the money is to be spent on a 10 year plan which would lead to the appointment of 5 officials throughout Wales. After some lively discussion, the motion was passed."At the afternoon session, Hywel Griffiths, Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s new Chairman, launched the final updated version of the 'Welsh language Measure 2007'. The session was presided over by Kate Crockett a former journalist with 'Y Byd ar Bedwar' and the BBC. For this session the AGM took on the form of the Senedd debating chamber and Kate Crockett took on the role of Llywydd.Candidates standing in next May's National Assembly elections were then given the chance to respond to the 'Welsh language Measure 2007'. Trefor Jones who is standing in Ceredigion represented the Conservatives, Alun Davies top candidate on the Mid and West Wales list represented Labour and Elin Jones AM candidate for Ceredigion represented Plaid Cymru. The Liberal Democrats have apologised for not sending a representative, since all their candidates will be attending a conference in Swansea, but Eleanor Burnham has sent a message to the AGM on their behalf.Hwb ariannol i fudiad protest - Newyddion BBC, 11/03/07£500,000 bequest creates jobs - BBC News, 11/03/07Pwyswch yma i weld lluniau o'r digwyddiad oddi ar wefan Flickr.