4. 90-second Statements

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:00 pm on 13 November 2019.

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Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru 3:00, 13 November 2019

I'd like our Senedd to acknowledge the singing talents that we have in the Rhondda. We are famed for world-class male voice choirs, whose talents are more than well-known. But it's great to see that we have some new kids on the block. The school choir at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwyncelyn has been forging a formidable reputation over recent years. They've won first prize at the Urdd National Eisteddfod and have been crowned BBC Songs of Praise Young Choir of the Year. The latest stellar achievement is for them to be selected to sing and appear on the Marks & Spencer Christmas advert campaign. The song they've recorded—a version of Fleetwood Mac's Albatross—will be played at least once an hour in every M&S store, and millions more will hear them on the television advert over coming weeks. If that sounds a bit like overkill to you, then you haven't heard the incredible sound that they make. It really is something special, and I've been privileged to hear them on a number of occasions over the years. The pupils may change from year to year, but the excellence remains. I'm so pleased to see the next generation of singers in the Rhondda. Long may this excellent singing continue.