Therefore, the 90-second statements. The first statement is from Hefin David.

You won't believe this, Llywydd, but I always wanted to be on the stage and never had the opportunity, which is why I was delighted to attend the fifteenth annual suppers show of the Bedwas Theatre Group last weekend. Bedwas Theatre Group has been in existence since 1982, and they are a community-run organisation that provides entertainment, pantomimes, fundraising events for the community. They welcome people of all ages, regardless of ability, and they've got around 30 members, with people across all ages.

If anyone wants to work in a theatrical environment, whether it's on stage, acting, singing, dancing or comedy, they have a chance with the Bedwas Theatre Group. If anyone is more inclined to the production side, then the group has the theatrical equipment and technical equipment and knowledge to show them and give them a start to what will be a very entertaining career. Bedwas Theatre Group believes there is a star in everyone, and that everyone can do something. The group has members who join who are very shy, and some who are restless and hyperactive, and all have gone on to succeed in doing something that they wanted.

Much of what Bedwas Theatre Group does could not be done without the hard work of Caroline Hampson. Caroline is the group's chair and president, and has been a member since 1987, and the group's director and producer since 2001. During her time with the group, Caroline has been an inspiration. She has taken on the role of seamstress, make-up artist, as well as being a member of its management committee.

In the Queen's birthday honours this year, Caroline was delighted to receive a British empire medal award for her voluntary work with the Bedwas Theatre Group. To people who know her, however, it was not a surprise—an award that was richly deserved. It's thanks to Caroline that the theatre group plays such a pivotal role in the heart of the community, and, whatever your age, the group says that it must be the magic of the stage that helps you succeed.     

Jayne Bryant.

Last week was Seafarers Awareness Week. The city of Newport has a very proud maritime heritage. On Sunday, a special service was held to remember the sacrifice of Newport seafarers who took part in D-day landings 75 years ago. The service was held alongside the unveiling of a commemorative anchor at the Mission To Seafarers near Alexandra Dock. This year also marks the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the Newport branch of the Merchant Navy Association. Special mention must be given to Alan Speight, chair of the branch, for his dedication to the association, and to other stalwarts like Edward Watts for their contribution to the local community. Over the last two decades, the Newport branch has worked to commemorate members of the mercantile marine and the merchant navy. The branch is very active, and their work includes plaques dedicated to Newport seafarers lost in the first world war, a monument to the members of the arctic convoys famously described as the worst journeys in the world, and a monument to Raymond Victor Steed, who at just 14 years old was the youngest Welsh person to be killed in action during the second world war when his ship, the Empire Morn, was mined off the north African coast. Newport lost more merchant seamen in world war two than it did of all members of the army, navy and air force put together. I know that the Merchant Navy Association in Newport will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that, as a city, we will never forget those lost at sea.

Last week, two Welsh men were crowned world champions in their field. In a competition between 35 nations and 300 competitors in France, the Welshman Richard Jones from Glyndyfrdwy in Denbighshire became a world shearing champion, the first from Wales ever to have won that championship. He had to shear 20 sheep, and he did that in 15 minutes and 30 seconds, and although two other shearers—two former world champions—had finished in a slightly quicker time, it was the quality of the shearing that ensured that Richard took the title. He was part of a team of seven Welsh people, with another member, Aled Jones from Powys, becoming a world wool handling champion—only the third from Wales to hold that title. Richard and his partner, Alun Lloyd Jones from Llangollen, came to within a hair’s breadth of winning the world team shearing championship. If you haven't seen their story on Ffermio on S4C, it is worth catching. There will also be an opportunity to see members of the Welsh team working in the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells next week, and I'm sure there will be quite some celebration. But there will be no rest for Richard because he will defend his crown as the Welsh shearing champion in the Royal Welsh. On behalf of the National Assembly for Wales, may I extend our congratulations to the Welsh team, and particularly to Richard Jones and Aled Jones, Wales's latest world champions and a source of pride for each and every one of us?