The previously named ‘Welsh Language Award’ has had an update for this year's Society Awards. The new award, titled the ‘Welsh Culture Award’, is there to still recognise those who have integrated bilingualism, but more important it now recognises those who have also been dedicated to conserving wider Welsh culture/heritage. This update has opened the award to a broader range of societies and enabled societies to put forward a greater range of activities.
Our winners this year are Aberystwyth Conservation Volunteers (ACV). They are a shining example of how this new, broader award, has opened the award to a new range of societies. ACV stood out to the panellists as throughout the year; they have actively worked towards the conservation of local attractions and areas of interest.
Here is a list of some of the local places they have supported in the past academic year:
- Llandre community path
- Denmark farm
- Hafod Estate
- Hafod Walled Garden Group
- Butterfly house
- Penparcau Scout group
- Cambrian Wildwood project
- Parc-Y-Llyn Nature reserve
- Pen Dinas
- Penparcau community forum
- Ynys-hir RSPB
- Cors Caron NNR (NRW)
- Broniwan farm
- Stanner rocks NNR (NRW)
- Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (WT)
- Ceredigion County Council
- Parc Natur Penglais
- Penglais community gardens
- Greener Aberystwyth Group
As you can see above, they have worked on many local properties and within local areas that distinctly represent Welsh culture. A significant amount of their achievements have also assisted people in accessing the local area and utilising it to its full potential. Alongside this they have also undertaken non-native species removal to give native species a fighting chance. The diversity of tasks they have undertaken at these various locations has been outstanding. Through these activities they have directly and indirectly conserved Welsh culture in a variety of ways.
In addition to what has previously been said, by far one of their most outstanding achievements was being heavily involved in securing over £3,000 worth of funding for the Welsh Heritage Orchard project. However, they did not stop there; they got hands on with the project and helped plant 250 trees on Gogerddan Campus.
It is clear to see ACV have been busy; they have achieved a remarkable amount over the year! All they have accomplished would not have been possible without the devotion of the committee members and the interest of all the groups members. The SU is excited to see what ACV get up to next year, and we hope you are too!
Why not get involved yourself? Check out ACV here:
Email: scty22@aber.ac.uk
Website: https://www.abersu.co.uk/society/acv/
Facebook: Aberystwyth Conservation Volunteers
Insagram: @aberystwythconservation
