Forty years ago to this week, in 1977, I left Ysgol Gynradd Llanwnnen, at 10 years old, to go to high school in Lampeter. Forty-nine years ago to this week, my fellow Member, Dai Lloyd, left ysgol Llanwnnen too, also to go to secondary school.

This week, every child will leave ysgol Llanwnnen, and the school will close its doors forever. The schools at Cwrtnewydd and Llanwenog will also close their doors, and in September, all the pupils will commence their education at Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn, a new area school.

More than 400 years of education has been provided between the three schools—Llanwnnen, Llanwenog and Cwrtnewydd—to generations of children. My grandmother, and my father, before me, were at ysgol Llanwnnen. But this is no time for feeling disheartened, but rather a time to look forward enthusiastically for another century and more of education for children of the area at Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn.

A fortnight ago, I walked into ysgol Llanwnnen to the sound of the children singing, ‘Rwy’n canu fel cana’r aderyn’—a song that I sang 40 years ago and more at the school. Therefore, yes, things do change but some things remain. The buildings and the facilities do change, but the education, the singing, the playing and the Welsh language go on.

Thank you, therefore, for the excellent start to life that Llanwnnen, Llanwenog and Cwrtnewydd schools gave to so many of us. I wish Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn a long and happy life.