Eisteddfod: Inaugral R Alun Medal awarded to Powys woman

Powys County Times

a day ago

Wenna Bevan Jones was named the inaugural recipient of the R Alun Medal in recognition of her contribution to Welsh culture and community life.
The award was created in memory of the late Reverend R Alun Evans, a long-serving member of the Eisteddfod council and a Fellow of the National Eisteddfod, who died shortly after the 2023 Eisteddfod in Llŷn and Eifionydd.
Ms Bevan Jones said: "It was a shock, but I appreciate the honour because I remember the family in Llanbrynmair – R Alun and his late father, the Reverend Robert Evans.
"My father was a pharmacist in Machynlleth, and I remember that well."
Originally from Montgomery, Ms Bevan Jones has spent decades serving the community in West Wales and has been part of a range of cultural, educational and voluntary organisations.
She trained as a nurse in Birmingham, where she met her husband, Huw, before relocating to Llandysul when he began working as a psychiatrist at St David's Hospital in Carmarthen and Glangwili Hospital.
Ms Bevan Jones said: "He got a job as a psychiatrist, and I decided I needed to get to know the area, so I started going to Merched y Wawr."
Her involvement in Merched y Wawr was just the beginning of a lifetime of community service.
She has served as a Justice of the Peace and chair of the Ceredigion bench, and has been a governor at Tregroes Primary School and Dyffryn Teifi School.
She also served as secretary of the parent-teacher association at both schools.
Beyond education, Ms Bevan Jones served on the management board of Theatr Arad Goch, played a leading role in feature programmes, and was the first organiser of the Meals on Wheels scheme in rural Llandysul.
She was a member of the food festival committee, a welcoming officer for artists at the Cnapan Folk Festival, and a regular supporter of the learners' society.
Despite now being in her 80s, she remains deeply involved in the community.
She is secretary and press correspondent for Merched y Wawr Llandysul and has previously served as branch president, secretary of the Dyfed committee, and secretary of the Gwenllian memorial committee in Cydweli.
Ms Bevan Jones has made a notable contribution to the Llandysul Cymrodorion Society, acting as secretary and press correspondent for many years and serving as a former president.
Her involvement with the society dates back to the 1960s, when she lived in Birmingham.
She has also played a vital role in the newspaper Y Garthen, serving on the editorial board and as a correspondent.
In 2009, she was admitted to the Gorsedd for her services to the community and culture.
Her nomination for the R Alun Medal stated stated: "Wenna works quietly and effectively without seeking recognition – and always entirely through the medium of Welsh.
"She prefers to work behind the scenes and does not seek praise."
Betsan Moses, chief executive of the National Eisteddfod, said: "The award will be presented annually to an individual who, like R Alun, has made a genuine contribution to supporting, sustaining, and enriching the culture of their local area over a significant period.
"The award will keep R Alun's name alive on the lips of the people of Wales for generations to come."
Betsan Powys, the daughter of R Alun Evans said: "We are delighted with the idea as it will keep his name alive in the National Eisteddfod, which was such a huge part of his life.
"We are equally pleased that the award is being presented to someone who has served her community and region."
Ms Bevan Jones is set to be honoured in a special ceremony at the Pavilion on the Eisteddfod Maes at 1.50pm on Sunday, August 3.
The National Eisteddfod Wrecsam will take place in Is-y-Coed from August 2 to 9.