4. 90-second Statements

– in the Senedd at 3:46 pm on 29 January 2020.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 3:46, 29 January 2020

(Translated)

The next item is the 90-second statements, and the first statement today comes from Lynne Neagle.

Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour

Thank you, Llywydd. The Inspire! tutor awards are organised by Learning and Work Cymru and celebrate the work of dedicated tutors and mentors, who have encouraged people from all backgrounds and ages to achieve their potential. Behind every successful adult learner, there is an inspirational tutor or mentor.

Daniel Dyboski-Bryant of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has been teaching refugees and migrants, pioneering the use of virtual reality. Mary Murray has been on a mission to inspire adults in Torfaen to learn maths, her classes are always full and many have passed GCSE. Laura Wheeler in Cardiff delivers learning and support for young people in Llamau's Learning 4 Life programme, she has created a space where they feel safe and can tackle the issues affecting their lives. Philippa Gibson learnt Welsh as an adult, and has developed her skills to become a talented Welsh tutor in Cardigan and south Ceredigion. Rameh O'Sullivan at Cardiff Met is described as having the gift of awesomeness, many of her students are refugees and asylum seekers suffering from trauma, Rameh gives them hope to progress. And Suzanne McCabe delivers training and support for adults with autism in south Wales, and to businesses to support employees and customers with autism.

This is our chance to say congratulations to all award winners and tutors throughout Wales, who continue to change lives. Thank you.

Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru 3:48, 29 January 2020

Llongyfarchiadau mawr to Treorchy on winning the title of the UK's best high street. It's great that the hard work in this Rhondda town has been recognised, and I'm glad to be able to recognise it here in the Senedd too.

Local traders have banded together with local councillors and other community figures to make things happen for themselves. The local chamber of commerce is thriving in a town where 80 per cent of the businesses are independent. Treorchy people have put their faith in the old Welsh maxim, 'Mewn undod mae nerth/In unity there is strength', the town centre is very well supported. People from all over the Rhondda and beyond use the town centre for shopping and for leisure, enabling Treorchy to become the thriving hub of commerce that it is.

The absence of the dominance of big chains has been a major contributor to the success of the town. It's hard to deny the adverse impact that large chain stores can have on small businesses and town centres. Treorchy has shown what is possible for struggling town centres across Wales. I very much hope that other towns in the Rhondda and further afield can learn those lessons and thrive just as Treorchy is. Diolch yn fawr.

Photo of Siân Gwenllian Siân Gwenllian Plaid Cymru 3:49, 29 January 2020

(Translated)

My great-grandfather was a quarryman in Cilgwyn in Dyffryn Nantlle, so I'm very proud to support the bid to secure UNESCO world heritage site status for the slate-quarrying areas of north-west Wales. Growing up in Felinheli in the 1960s, I was highly aware of the decline of an industry that, at one time, sent slate to all parts of the world. The old dock had dilapidated, and now only the chimney stands in the middle of a housing estate.

But it is very different in the quarrying areas of Arfon, just a few miles inland from the Menai strait. Here is one of the most dramatic post-industrial landscapes of the world, and last week the final nomination was presented to UNESCO. The aim is to recognise the quarrying landscape of the north west of Wales as a world heritage site. And if this bid is accepted, then the notable landscape of Llanberis, Bethesda, Dyffryn Nantlle and Blaenau Ffestiniog would share the same designation as the Taj Mahal and the Egyptian pyramids.

Much work has already been done by the partners involved. As well as recognising our unique culture, heritage and language, having the status would open the door for sustainable tourism and high-quality opportunities for jobs across Gwynedd, bringing millions of pounds to the local economy. Best of luck to everyone as we move to the next stage of this project.