New Neath Port Talbot Youth Mayor Maddie Pritchard to focus on Welsh Language and the Environment

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Chief Executive Karen Jones has inaugurated 17-year-old Maddie Pritchard as the council’s new Youth Mayor at a ceremony held in the Civic Centre, Port Talbot, on St David’s Day, 2023.

Maddie, a pupil at Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur and a member of Neath Port Talbot’s Youth Council, takes over from outgoing Youth Mayor Bethan Nicholas-Thomas.

In her acceptance speech, Maddie said in her year of office she wanted to concentrate on promoting the Welsh language and to help raise awareness of environmental issues.

Maddie said: “My main priority is Welsh as I’m a fluent Welsh speaker and fully support the Welsh Government’s aim of reaching its target of a million Welsh speakers in Wales by 2050.

“I’d like to release Welsh lessons for beginners to local residents as it’s a very major issue in my opinion and I’d encourage as many people as possible locally to learn to speak Welsh as it’s a big passion of mine.

“The environment is also going to be very high on my agenda this year as it’s a very relevant problem for me and for other young people across Neath Port Talbot.”

The positions of Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor are elected annually by Neath Port Talbot’s Youth Council to ensure young people are given a voice and have a say on local issues that matter to them.

At the ceremony, Gracie Radmore, of St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre, was inaugurated as Deputy Youth Mayor.

Neath Port Talbot Mayor, Cllr Robert Wood, said: “Neath Port Talbot strives to be a place where the voices of young people are listened to and at the forefront of our work.  We already have a strong Youth Council and the addition of Youth Mayor has enhanced and strengthened this process and raised the profile of young people in our communities.”

After thanking outgoing Youth Mayor Bethan Nicholas-Thomas for her work, Cllr Wood added at the ceremony: “Maddie, in your previous role as Deputy Youth Mayor you have already been busy working with the Youth Council and spoke on Radio Cymru about voting for 16 and 17 year olds, you were also interviewed by Carwyn Jones about the Celtic Freeport bid.

“I am sure that as our incoming Youth Mayor you will continue with this good work and we look forward to you attending future events with me and the Mayor elect, Cllr Chris Williams.”