Aberystwyth alumna honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards

Liz Saville Roberts MP

Aberystwyth alumna, Liz Saville Roberts MP was honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards at the Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod on the Castle Meadows at Abergavenny this morning (Friday 5 August).

Liz learnt Welsh during her time at Aberystwyth University and became Plaid Cymru’s first female Member of Parliament in 2015.

The Gorsedd honours, presented annually, are an opportunity to recognise individuals from all parts of the country for their achievements and their commitment to Wales, the Welsh language and to their local communities across the whole of Wales.

Originally from Eltham in south-east London, Liz Saville Roberts attended university in Aberystwyth when she was eighteen to study languages, and it was here that she learnt Welsh.

Liz said: “I would dearly like to thank the Welsh and Irish lecturers who taught me during my time in Aber. They gave me far more than an academic education. First and foremost, they gave me a vocation.”

After a period working in London, Liz returned to Wales to work as a journalist.  She represented Morfa Nefyn as a councillor for over ten years and worked in Coleg Meirion Dwyfor supporting and developing post 16 Welsh medium education.  Until her election as an MP, she was Director of Bilingualism at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.

In May 2015 she was elected MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, becoming Plaid Cymru’s first female member in Westminster.

Aberystwyth University has had a stand bustling with events and activities throughout the National Eisteddfod held this week in Abergavenny.  The University was also the main sponsor of this year’s Science and Technology Pavilion.  This year’s National Eisteddfod draws to a close tomorrow.

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