It’s been a really busy time as the school year ends, writes councillor Aled Davies.

The countdown to next May’s Urdd Eisteddfod has started.

This will be held on the fields of Mathrafal near Meifod and the year has been kicked off with fun filled entertainment for children at Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd last Saturday morning, followed by the best of Montgomeryshire’s talent performing at a fund raising Noson Lawen in Llanfair Caereinion.

I was sat on the front row and was almost blown away by the booming voices of Aled Wyn Davies and Rhodri Prys Jones, such talent!

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The Urdd offers wonderful opportunities for our children and with the Eisteddfod coming to Meifod, I hope that schools across Powys will encourage children and young people to make a special effort to take part.

Royal Welsh show opens hot on the heels of the last day of school, not only is it an opportunity to showcase the best of British farming but a chance for our communities to come together.

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Large events such as the Show and the Eisteddfod are important for the Powys rural economy which is facing challenging times.

The confidence in the economy isn’t helped by Welsh Government proposals for a tourist tax and restrictions on the release of game birds.

Shooting brings in millions into the Powys economy as does tourism. I am presenting a motion at Council this week to ask the Council to support my call to Welsh Government to think again about introducing a ban on bird release without a license. It is sad to see that Welsh Government decisions are driven by dogma, not evidence.

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Summer holidays should be 6 weeks of fun filled days for our children but that is not always so, family budgets are extremely tight.

It is desperately sad that support over the summer holidays for children who are eligible for free school meals has been cut by Welsh Government. This has been done at very short notice, creating anxious times for families. This support is worth £117 for each child.

Powys County Council had no choice but to step in and use its reserves to cover the £280,000 cost. The First Minister says there is other support available for our children, sadly that isn’t so in rural Powys. 

For those who have recently sat exams, summer holidays can be an anxious wait for results day, good luck to every student who is waiting for that dreaded day and if you are returning to school in September I hope the options you wish to take are still available at your school, good luck.