The 90-second statements next. Vikki Howells.

Diolch, Llywydd. Today, I want to reflect on the life and achievements of Dr Shah Imtiaz. Dr Imtiaz achieved prominence in 1988, when he was elected as mayor of Cynon Valley borough council, becoming the first Asian mayor in Wales, which he described as the proudest moment in his life.

But Dr Imtiaz had been at the heart of the community since he arrived in Aberdare in 1970 to become a family doctor. As Councillor Mike Forey, his ward colleague for 19 years, said, Dr Imtiaz made a significant contribution to the political life of Cynon Valley, and to Aberdare in particular. He represented the town on Cynon valley and Rhondda Cynon Taf councils for 35 years, but his passionate activism extended beyond municipal office.

Dr Imtiaz, perhaps as would be expected from a local general practitioner, was actively involved in the Aberdare hospital action group, and campaigned against the pollution caused by the phurnacite plant in Abercwmboi. Showing his empathy with the community he had made his home, he championed the miners during the 1980s and the 1990s. Dr Imtiaz was a passionate advocate of devolution, chaired Cynon Valley CND, and helped install the peace pole in front of Aberdare library. He never shied from his beliefs, stating that he was a ‘socialist by conscience’.

Sadly, Dr Imtiaz passed away on 19 June. Our thoughts are with his children, but his memory and his legacy will surely live on.

Dawn Bowden.

Diolch, Llywydd. Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Chwarae Teg Womenspire awards, where the work of women across Wales was celebrated and recognised, with awards in categories ranging from community activism to business, industry, and the arts. And I was delighted that Sarah Draper, the fitness managing director at Inspire Fitness in Merthyr, won the game changer of the year award.

With the help of grant funding, Sarah launched a group called Merthyr Girls Can in 2016, bringing together otherwise difficult-to-reach women, in terms of health and well-being, and introduced them to fitness. Sarah is teaching these women, and their families, that it’s important to get out there and engage in physical activity, be it walking, running, or just kicking a ball. Through Merthyr Girls Can, they receive self-esteem coaching, nutritional advice, one-to-one personal training, coaching support, a 20-week training programme, and unlimited exercise sessions. Due to its huge success, a further three Merthyr Girls Can groups have been formed, with phenomenal results. And Merthyr Girls Can 4 started on 1 April this year.

Through Sarah’s hard work, support and encouragement, many Merthyr women have achieved amazing things, entering triathlons, marathons, gaining qualifications and employment in sport, and inspiring others into fitness. There are endless testimonials to Sarah’s work, but I would like to thank Sarah, and those like her, who give up their time tirelessly to help others. Without them, our objective of making Wales a healthier nation would be so much harder to achieve.

Llyr Gruffydd.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod celebrates its seventieth birthday this year, and as with all years, we will see competitors from across the world coming to sing, dance and enjoy the glories of Llangollen and the Dee valley. The first international eisteddfod was held in June 1947, and following the horrors of the second world war, there was a vision that music could heal some of the wounds of war, and that music could be used to promote peace.

The first eisteddfod was a huge success, as a result of the fact that the local populous contributed over £1,000 of their own money—which accounts for some £35,000 in today’s money. And it continues to rely on the hard work of many volunteers, and we thank them for all their work. Over 300,000 competitors, from over 100 different countries, have come to compete on the festival’s stage over the years, with tens of thousands of visitors attending every year. And the festival still promotes world peace, with local children presenting the annual message of peace.

It’s welcomed some of the biggest names in world music. We know of the relationship with Luciano Pavarotti, and his visit with a choir from Modena in 1955 that inspired him to become professional. This year, the festival will welcome Bryn Terfel, as well as the jazz, soul and gospel singer, Gregory Porter.

In these days of discord and international dispute, in an age where walls are being erected, and boundaries placed between nations, let us celebrate the way in which the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has opened our arms to the rest of the world. Its age-old message of peace, tolerance and fraternity is as important today as it was 70 years ago.