Item 4 is the 90-second statements, and the first of the 90-second statements today is Mike Hedges.

Thank you. Tabernacle Chapel has been voted Wales’s favourite church or chapel. The Cymru Sanctaidd—Sacred Wales competition was launched by broadcaster and journalist and vice-president of the National Churches Trust, Huw Edwards, in July of this year. He called on the public to vote for their favourite church or chapel in Wales. Tabernacle Chapel has today been revealed as the winner, with 7,081 people voting for it on the Cymru Sanctaidd—Sacred Wales website. Tabernacle Chapel beat off competition from 49 other churches and chapels. A grade I listed building, Tabernacle Chapel was designed by Welsh architect John Humphreys, and it opened its doors in 1870. It was said to be the most ambitious chapel in Wales, and cost what was then a huge sum of £18,000. It is known as the cathedral of Welsh nonconformity. Tabernacle Chapel will receive a special Cymru Sanctaidd—Sacred Wales glass trophy, designed by Sandra Snaddon, and a prize of £500.

Later this week, the ancient town of Montgomery is preparing to turn back the clock 750 years to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Montgomery. On 29 September 1267, King Henry III of England and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd, signed the treaty, which recognised Llywelyn as the Prince of Wales. The 1267 treaty gave Llywelyn Builth, Brecon and Whittington Castle in mid Wales. He also received an assurance that no castle would be built at Hawarden for 60 years by Robert of Mold, securing the north-eastern border of Wales. However, following the succession of Edward I as King of England in 1272, relations between Wales and England deteriorated and Edward declared war on Llywelyn in 1276. To celebrate the seven hundred and fiftieth anniversary, Montgomery Town Council and partners have agreed a short re-enactment of the treaty signing, and local schoolchildren will be taking part. Later in the evening, there’ll be a mediaeval banquet and entertainment in the town hall, which I’ll be attending. I’m sure everyone will wish to join me in wishing the people of Montgomery well as they mark this special occasion.

On Thursday 7 September, I joined members of the local community to celebrate the opening of a new Co-op store on Canal Road in Cwmbach, in my constituency. In fact, I was delighted to be asked to formally open the store. The £0.5 million development brought a disused building back to life, providing an invaluable community resource and the creation of 16 brand-new jobs. It will also directly benefit community groups in Cynon Valley, such as the local football club, AFC Llwydcoed, Hirwaun OAP Association and Women’s Aid RCT. More importantly, this investment brought the co-op back to Cwmbach. As historian of the co-op movement, Alun Burge, has noted, the original Cwmbach Co-operative Society, founded in 1860, may be considered as the beginning of co-operation in Wales. In south Wales communities like my own, the strength of the co-op was in small Valleys towns. As was said of the Blaina co-op in the 1920s, it was the biggest thing in the valley outside of the coal industry itself. The co-op movement, with its commitment to education and cradle-to-the-grave services offered a way of life for many, through its extensive social provision. It was a pleasure, both as the granddaughter of a co-op worker, and as someone who grew up in Cwmbach, to welcome the co-op back to the village.

Thank you very much.