Gorsedd honour for Head of School of Welsh

Dr Dylan Foster-Evans, Head of the School of Welsh, will be honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards at this year’s National Eisteddfod for his contribution to the Welsh language in education.

The award recognises Dr Foster-Evans’ contribution on both a local and national level. As a member of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Academic Board, he has played a leading part in a number of the organisation’s developments, including the Welsh Language Skills Certificate.

Dr Foster-Evans, who was appointed as Head of School in July 2017, has a particular interest in the role of Welsh in the education system and the different types of Welsh used in contemporary Wales.

Dr Foster-Evans said: “‘It’s a great honour to be invited to become a member of the Gorsedd, especially as this year’s National Eisteddfod is to be held here in Cardiff. My work on the history of the Welsh language in Cardiff would not be possible without the support of a wide range of partners in the city and beyond, and the Eisteddfod will provide an ideal stage to bring that work to a wider public. And on a personal level, being honoured by the Gorsedd will make it a very special occasion for which I’m very grateful — I’m sure that we’ll have a truly memorable Eisteddfod.”

As well as honouring Dr Foster-Evans, the Gorsedd will be honouring rugby international and Cardiff University alumnus Jamie Roberts (MBBCh, 2013) for his contribution to raising the profile of the language among young players, as well as television presenter and journalist, Huw Edwards (BA 1983, Hon 2003) who has been responsible for a number of important feature series on Welsh history.

The other alumni being honoured are:

• Elin Jones AM (BSc, 1987)
• Alaw Le Bon (BA, 2013)
• Jeremy Randles BEng (1989)
• Manon Eames (Alumna 2016)

The Cardiff National Eisteddfod is held in Cardiff Bay from 3-11 August.