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Wales Online
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Exam bosses accused of 'patronising' Wales and students in Welsh GCSE paper
Exam bosses accused of 'patronising' Wales and students in Welsh GCSE paper Exam board WJEC and regulator Qualifications Wales argued the works look at themes of identity and diversity Nia Morais is Bardd Plant Cymru for 2023-2025 (Image: copyright unknown ) Exam bosses have been accused of "patronising" Welsh literature and students in a recent GCSE exam. Instead of using the wealth of Welsh writing available the WJEC commissioned specially written works for its exam paper for second language learners. Exam board WJEC and regulator Qualifications Wales said the works look at themes of identity and diversity. Critics say these ideas are already explored in centuries of Welsh literature and it would be unthinkable to commission made-for-exam writing for English GCSEs. "This is like saying the quality isn't there in Welsh literature. It's unimaginable to think they'd do this for the English exam," said one teacher. The WJEC commissioned the current Bardd Cymru, Nia Morais and critically acclaimed poet Aneirin Karadog to write pieces looking at race and LGBTQ issue among other themes for the GCSE unit four paper. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Aneirin Karadog is a former children's Poet Laureate for Wales The exam board said its qualification development team "searched extensively to select text that represent today's Wales". Article continues below Adding: "They selected authors from diverse backgrounds across Wales, each bringing different themes through a mixture of short stories and poems. These texts will allow learners to explore different perspectives, cultures, themes and study contributions from BAME communities at a local, national and international level. " But although this initial collection successfully reflected Wales' diversity, the team "recognised the absence of poems that would support the qualification's objectives" and decided to commission the two "distinguished" Welsh poets to develop new pieces to form part of exam texts. Aneirin Karadog's piece 'Y Daith' (The Journey) uses an LGBTQ+ love story to examine language, identity and culture while Nia Morais' poem, 'Llwybrau' (Pathways) considers identity and diversity. One teacher, who did not want to be named said the works were "OK" but "not that good" and he wasn't clear why the exam board had chosen those themes, which were, in any case, already explored in the "universal themes" across Welsh language literature. "This is condescending to Wales and Welsh literatire and to students as it assumers they cannot access Welsh literature as it is. We want to be as ambitious as we can as teachers. "There are loads of great poems already out there that would have been more accessible. It is a bit odd as both poems they commissioned are free-form without regular rhythm or traditional meters. If the point is to gain more Welsh speakers and welcome young people into the language and culture then don't assume they won't cope by commissioning work especially. "These new poems have not been around for long and however good, or not, they are they have had no cultural impact. It feels inauthentic. "These poets have done good things, but these commissioned poems have come out of nowhere. They are interesting but not as good as some of the poems already written that they could have chosen, in my opinion ." The second language Welsh GCSE was reformed pre-pandemic and now has four units. Units one and two are speaking and three reading and writing while paper four brings in literature. Quoted on the WJEC website the GCSE exam paper commissioned poets said they were delighted. Describing her inspiration for her poem, Nia Morais, a writer from Cardiff, said : 'My father's family is from Cabo Verde in West Africa, and I also have family in Portugal. This is a poem I have written as a letter to my grandmother and grandfather, remembering the longing for cultural connection I felt as a teenager, and celebrating my mixed heritage. "I hope the poem will strike a chord with the young people of Wales and start discussions in the classroom about the diverse identities that can be seen in Wales today." Nia has an MA in creative writing from Cardiff University and in 2020, she released her first audio play, Crafangau, as part of Sherman Theatre's Heart of Cardiff project. She has been Writer in Residence at Sherman Theatre and her first full play Imrie, co-produced by Frân Wen and Sherman Theatre, toured Wales over the summer of 2023. Nia was a member of the Tir na n-Og Awards judging panel in 2021, and also part of the Literature Wales' Representing Wales writers development programme the same year. Nia writes for children and adults. Describing his experience of working with WJEC, poet Aneirin Karadog said : "It was a pleasure and a privilege to collaborate with WJEC on providing a literary element for the new GCSE in Core Cymraeg. "Presenting literature to those who aren't native Welsh speakers is a radical change, which is to be welcomed. Having the opportunity to create a piece of poetry that would be suitable, understandable and offer entertaining and interesting discussion points, was an experience I really enjoyed. I hope that my personal passion for the language will pass on to a generation, or possibly, new generations of Welsh speakers." Aneirin, the son of a Welsh father and a Breton mother speaks five languages – Welsh, Breton, French, Spanish and English – and writes poetry in the strict Welsh meter called Cynghanedd and in free verse. He was awarded the distinguished scholarship in the Royal National Eisteddfod and he has won the National Urdd Eisteddfod Chair. Exams regulator Qualifications Wales said: "The new range of 14-16 Cymraeg qualifications have been designed to align with Curriculum for Wales. In setting design requirements, Qualifications Wales considered the need for learners to engage with an appropriate range of written and literary forms which reflect the diverse nature of Welsh citizenship and its cultures. "We also wanted learners to be able to gain an awareness of Welsh heritage and the value of Welsh literature and culture in society today. "The poems that have been commissioned by WJEC for the new GCSE Core Cymraeg provide engaging opportunities for learners to explore these cross-cutting themes whilst developing their Cymraeg skills. Support will be provided by WJEC in the Guidance for Teaching and the package of Professional Learning." A WJEC spokesperson said: "As part of our new GCSEs in Core Cymraeg and Welsh Language and Literature, learners will have the opportunity to explore a range of poets and poetic styles. Article continues below "To meet Qualifications Wales' approval criteria for our GCSE in Core Cymraeg, we commissioned two critically acclaimed Welsh poets, Aneirin Karadog and Nia Morais to produce two new poems. These new poems offer learners texts that reflect the heritage of the language, whilst also celebrate the diversity seen across Wales. "These materials are available for free to centres, and are supported by a package of free digital resources. For our GCSE in Welsh Language and Literature, learners will study six poems, from at least three poets. Schools can choose their own poets/poems in accordance with the requirements, which are outlined in our specification."
Telegraph
11-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Don't let a vocal minority silence Britain's ancient church bells
There used to be a tradition that ringing church bells would drive out evil spirits. Now it's the bells that are being driven out. The latest set of chimes to fall foul of complainers are in Mytholmroyd. It's a small West Yorkshire village, best known as the birthplace of Ted Hughes. Perhaps it was the bells of St Michael's Church that inspired the late Poet Laureate to write in one of his rhymes for children about a bell's 'clang of mumbling boom'. But that clang was far from mumbling for three residents who said they were being kept awake all night by the chimes, ringing every 15 minutes. A noise abatement order imposed on the bells means they now can't be rung at all, so for the first time in 100 years they have fallen silent. There have been similar ding dongs over church bells elsewhere in the past few years: in both Witheridge and Kenton in Devon, in Helpringham in Lincolnshire, and in Beith in Ayrshire, usually by people saying that chimes through the night in these rural neighbourhoods are ruining their sleep. As someone who lives in a city, used to police helicopters overhead, ice cream vans blaring their tinny tunes, trains rattling past, and crowds of students staggering home at night under the influence of numerous intoxicants, I have to say I do find the noise of the countryside rather disturbing. Here in the city, these noises are part of a constant soundscape. In the country, there is an enveloping silence, but then you will be jolted into wakefulness by a cockerel's piercing crow, or a huge piece of farm machinery rattling past, or a herd of cattle lowing their way to milking. But a church bell chime, surely, is in a minor key compared to these other rural interruptions? For me the sound of bells is, well, music to my ears. Despite the planes flying into Heathrow over my head and the police sirens blaring outside my door, I can still hear the sound of a bell nearby, which rings regularly to mark Divine Office being said in a local monastery as well as the Angelus at noon. On Sundays, a peal of bells sounds out at a nearby church, and on weekday evenings too you can hear the ringing, as the tower captain and his team practise Plain Bob Major or Grandsire Triples or one of those other extraordinary mathematical formulas, known as changes, that make up bell-ringing. But the kind of change we don't want is something so quintessentially English as bell-ringing to disappear because after a few people make a fuss, officialdom steps in. The bells of Mytholmroyd were silenced when just three people objected – but the 1,200 residents who wanted the chimes to continue had their petition ignored. It's a growing pattern: a few complaints put an end to chimes that had been loved by communities for generations. Yet there's more at stake here than bells. It sounds a death-knell for our tradition of going with what the majority want.
Politico
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Meet Markey's primary challenger
MARKEY CHALLENGER ENTERS THE CHAT — Alex Rikleen — a father, former teacher and fantasy sports writer — is running for the U.S. Senate 'because Democrats have shown us that they're not going to change on their own.' Rikleen, a first-time candidate, launched his primary campaign against Sen. Ed Markey earlier this week with a call for Democrats to do more to fight the 'existential threat' they warned of from a second Trump term. 'Democrats the whole last campaign, the overwhelming message was 'existential threat, existential threat,'' Rikleen told Playbook. 'And Ed Markey has been around for — this is his seventh new Republican administration — and I don't see any difference in how he is responding to this new Republican administration versus any of the previous six.' Out of power in D.C., Democrats have unleashed a steady drumbeat of criticism against Republicans. Markey has crossed the state to attend protests and rallies, and he t raveled to Louisiana in April to urge the White House to release Tufts student Rumeysa Öztürk who was detained there. But beyond messaging, there's little Democrats can do to block President Donald Trump's agenda without control of either the House or the Senate. Republicans will likely be able to push their policy agenda through Washington, Rikleen acknowledged. 'A unified Republican majority can overcome people who are objecting to unanimous consent, and they can overcome quorum calls, but it slows them down,' he said. Rikleen isn't alone in launching a frustration-fueled primary challenge against a longtime Democratic member of Congress. Candidates are running similar campaigns in California, Illinois and Virginia. But Rikleen, a millennial, didn't specifically mention Markey's age (he'll be 80 when he's on the ballot next year). Taking on Markey will likely be an uphill battle for a political newcomer like Rikleen — especially considering he notched a decisive victory last cycle over high-profile congressman from one of the country's most storied political families. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy Friday! TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announce the state's new Poet Laureate at 12:45 p.m. in Salem. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a Chinatown and Bay Village coffee hour at 10 a.m. in Chinatown, speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Flour Bakery location in Boston Common at noon and talks about 'governing in the age of Trump' at the WBUR Festival at 2 p.m. THIS WEEKEND — Auditor Diana DiZoglio is on WCVB's 'On the Record' at 11 a.m. Sunday. Rep. Jake Auchincloss is on NBC10 Boston Weekend Today at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ DATELINE BEACON HILL EYEBROW RAISER — Massachusetts' Healey seeks meeting with Trump border czar Homan by Barry Richard, 1420 WBSM: 'Days after Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised 'some' of President Donald Trump's border policies, Healey is now looking to score a meeting with Trump border czar Tom Homan. … [F]ormer Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson, the Massachusetts chairman of the 2024 Trump campaign, told WBSM's Chris McCarthy he was approached by a Healey contact who asked if he might mention Hodgson to Healey as someone who might be able to put her in touch with Homan. Hodgson agreed. 'I will wait for his response,' Hodgson said. 'He (the contact) did not say she asked him to reach out to me, but he prefaced his conversation by saying he was 'having dinner with Maura Healey.''' Healey has previously said she would be willing to meet with Homan, but an aide didn't clarify Thursday night whether she was actively seeking a meeting with Trump's border czar. — Lawmakers urged to block library book bans by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: 'Lawmakers are being urged to restrict efforts to ban books from public libraries and schools in response to a rise in challenges from parents and conservative groups. The bipartisan proposal, which is being considered by the Legislature's Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, would, if approved, make Massachusetts one of only two states to effectively outlaw book bans because of 'partisan or doctrinal' reasons by setting new restrictions on receiving state funding.' WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET — AG Campbell releases 'Know Your Rights' guide as ICE arrests surge by Vivian La, WBUR: 'In response to an increase in immigration arrests, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell issued a guide that outlines what immigrants, families and communities should know about their rights if they are approached by ICE or witness detentions in their neighborhoods. Over the last few months, some arrests have shocked communities. Five federal agents tackled a man in Watertown; a chaotic arrest in Worcester led to an hours-long standoff between bystanders, local police and federal agents; agents smashed a car window to access a man in New Bedford; and a Tufts student who didn't know her visa was revoked was arrested by plainclothes agents.' FROM THE HUB — Opioid-related deaths decline in Boston in 2024 by Craig LeMoult, GBH News: 'Opioid-related deaths dropped sharply in Boston last year, hitting a nine-year low, according to a new analysis by the Boston Public Health Commission. Public health leaders believe some interventions, like distribution of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, are helping — but they say the biggest contributing factor may be what's in the illicit drugs themselves.' THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — District 7 candidates debate land use, White Stadium at Boston forum by Tréa Lavery, MassLive: 'Nine candidates seeking to replace Boston District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson discussed a number of community issues during a virtual forum Thursday night. But the one issue that remained unsaid during the nearly three-hour forum was the reason Fernandes Anderson's seat is open — her conviction on federal corruption charges.' PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — MBTA employees busted for allegedly falsifying Red Line track inspection reports in Boston by Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald: 'Four former MBTA employees who clocked in overtime well north of $50,000 last year and a current staffer could face up to 20 years in prison for allegedly falsifying Red Line track inspection reports. The four former employees are accused in federal court of working on private vehicles, playing on their phones, and chatting with other employees instead of performing track inspections, which they stated they completed.' DAY IN COURT — Grand jury investigating State Police recruit death by Sean Cotter, The Boston Globe: 'A state Superior Court grand jury has been hearing sworn testimony over at least several weeks from State Police troopers and others close to the investigation of a police recruit's death during a training exercise in September, according to three people with direct knowledge of the secret court proceedings. The grand jury appears to be an escalation in the months-long investigation by special prosecutor David Meier. The veteran defense attorney and former prosecutor was tapped by state officials to lead an independent probe into the death of 25-year-old Enrique Delgado-Garcia, who suffered serious injuries in a boxing ring during an academy training exercise in New Braintree. He died a day later.' WARREN REPORT — Savannah Chrisley clashes with Elizabeth Warren over Trump's pardon of her parents' fraud convictions by Tal Kopan, The Boston Globe: 'Senator Elizabeth Warren drew the ire of a conservative reality television star Thursday morning over a pardon from President Trump that wiped away her parents' fraud convictions. Savannah Chrisley, daughter of 'Chrisley Knows Best' TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, took issue with a Warren post on the social media platform X that called Trump's pardon of her parents 'a get-out-of-jail-free card for the rich & famous who cozy up to Trump.' The younger Chrisley campaigned for Trump last year.' — Led by Senator Warren, Mass. lawmakers demand answers about Trump's ongoing attack on international students by Tonya Alanez, The Boston Globe: 'Senator Elizabeth Warren led a delegation of Massachusetts lawmakers in demanding answers from the Trump administration about its revocation of international students' visas, what they called the latest in a string of hostile actions aimed at students from abroad, according to a copy of a letter sent Wednesday.' FROM THE DELEGATION OVERSIGHT OFFICIAL — Rep. Stephen Lynch made his bid for the for the top Democratic spot on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee official Thursday, touting his decades of experience on the committee, and the support of the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, who previously held the post. 'As we all know, Gerry Connolly was all about the work, and I am honored to have earned his trust and endorsement to continue this important work and lead Oversight Democrats at a moment when our decisions and our actions over the coming months may determine the course of our American experiment,' Lynch, who has been serving as the party's temporary head of the panel, wrote in a letter to Democratic colleagues. 'I am well-prepared to manage an extremely talented group of Oversight Democrats as we fight like hell against every action taken by the Trump Administration to curtail individual rights, dismantle our democratic institutions and unload the costs of reckless economic plans onto the backs of America's workers and vulnerable communities,' Lynch added. So far, Lynch is up against Rep. Robert Garcia of California and Rep. Kweisi Mfume of Maryland. Others, like Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, have also expressed interest in running. MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS — Small marijuana businesses call reform bill a 'Trojan horse' for big companies by Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: 'Massachusetts House lawmakers this week released their long-awaited plan to restructure the state's embattled Cannabis Control Commission, but some marijuana retailers say it contains provisions that would be a 'death blow' to the industry. The agency tasked with regulating the state's $8 billion marijuana industry has faced calls for reform following allegations of workplace toxicity, infighting and perceived regulatory delays. The House proposal would reduce the five-member commission to three, and give more governing power to its chair.' — With cannabis industry struggling, Western Mass. sellers and growers seek relief from high court by Jim Kinney, The Springfield Republican: 'Plaintiffs growing, selling and delivering legal marijuana in Massachusetts now have two court decisions against them, but aren't giving up. They seek to overturn a federal law they say strangles their business. They were turned back last week by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. But plaintiffs say their fight against the Richard Nixon-era Controlled Substances Act of 1970 is not over.' FROM THE 413 — ICE takes two into custody Wednesday morning in Amherst by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: 'Amherst officials are notifying the community about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in which two individuals were taken into custody, in separate incidents, Wednesday between 7 and 8 a.m.' — Pittsfield City Council gives initial OK to 10 city budgets by Maryjane Williams, The Berkshire Eagle. THE LOCAL ANGLE — Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill cuts overnight care, pursues 'satellite emergency' status by Jill Harmacinski, The Eagle-Tribune: 'Plans are underway for Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill to become a 'satellite emergency facility' with 59 beds for overnight admissions now being phased out, officials said. Surgical services ended in March at HFH Haverhill and intensive care unit services have been unavailable there since 2024 before Lawrence General Hospital assumed ownership after the Steward health care system collapse.' — $70 million in bonds in pipeline for New Bedford's water systems by Colin Hogan, The New Bedford Light: 'A new bond order advanced in City Council last Thursday will kick off the latest round of work — $70 million in total — for the Whaling City to repair, replace, and improve its water systems: stormwater, wastewater, and lead pipes alike.' — In Nantucket, fears of an economic chilling effect after ICE sting by Danny McDonald, The Boston Globe. — — Renters find relief at Worcester legal clinic to clear their eviction records by Sam Turken, GBH News. HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to CNN's Eric Levenson, Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Bill Fonda, Natasha Sarin, Ayanna Pressley alum Luisa Peña Lyons and Wes Ritchie. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND — to WPRI's Ted Nesi, Katie Sagarin and Gena Mangiaratti, who celebrate Saturday.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ann Fisher-Wirth named Mississippi's Poet Laureate
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) appointed poet Ann Fisher-Wirth, of Oxford, as Mississippi's Poet Laureate. Serving as the official state poet for a term of four years, the state's Poet Laureate creates and reads appropriate poetry at state occasions, promotes literacy, and represents the rich cultural heritage of Mississippi. 'It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Ann Fisher-Wirth as Mississippi's new Poet Laureate,' said Reeves. 'I am confident that Ann will represent our state with grace and dedication, fostering a deep appreciation for poetry and literature throughout Mississippi.' Fisher-Wirth retired in 2022 from the University of Mississippi, where she taught for 33 years in the MFA program and directed the Environmental Studies program. She is preceded in the role of Poet Laureate by Catherine Pierce. Mississippi State gets $1 million for indoor practice facility 'I am thrilled to be chosen as Mississippi's Poet Laureate for 2025-2029,' said Fisher-Wirth. 'I look forward to continuing the wonderful work that Catherine Pierce developed through the Mississippi Young Writers Poetry contests and festivals. Thank you so much for this incredible honor!' A senior fellow of the Black Earth Institute, Fisher-Wirth received Fulbright scholarships to Switzerland and Sweden. She has had residencies at Djerassi, Hedgebrook, Storyknife, The Mesa Refuge, and Camac; in October 2025, she will be in residence at Studio Faire in the South of France. She received the 2023 Governor's Award for Excellence in Literature and Poetry from the Mississippi Arts Commission. She has also received three Mississippi Arts Commission Poetry Fellowships, the MS Institute of Arts Poetry Award, and fifteen Pushcart nominations. Fisher-Wirth's term as Poet Laureate will expire on April 15, 2029. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Simon Armitage ‘excited to be northerner' getting City of London freedom
Simon Armitage has said he is 'excited' to receive the freedom of the City of London, despite being a northerner all his life. The Poet Laurete, who was brought up in Marsden, West Yorkshire, attended the ceremony on Wednesday at the Barbican Centre's Conservatory, the first time it was held there. The Freedom ceremony is mostly held in the Chamberlain's Court at Guildhall or The Mansion House. Armitage's recognition was for 'his outstanding achievements in the written word and his enthusiastic promotion of poetry, in particular, to the younger generation'. He said: 'This is a wonderful and exciting honour. I'm a northerner and have lived in West Yorkshire all my life, but through poetry and all its different manifestations, London has become a home from home, the place I know best outside my own postcode. 'The city itself has always been something of a mystery to me until recent years when I've started exploring it more for work and pleasure. 'The freedom feels like an invitation to spend even more time in a place that feels truly historic yet determinedly futuristic, a sort of visa in my poetic passport. Thank you – expect me any moment.' Following the ceremony, the poet gave a reading of his works, and in addition two people from the Barbican's artist development programme recited an original poem inspired by his writing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Simon Armitage (@simonarmitage_official) Armitage was appointed as Poet Laureate in May 2019, succeeding Scottish poet Dame Carol Ann Duffy. He is professor of poetry at the University of Leeds, and has written around 30 collections of poetry – starting with Zoom! in 1989. The former probation officer's work is studied by children as part of the national curriculum, and he most recently released Magnetic Field: The Marsden Poems in 2020 and Blossomise in 2024, a limited-edition collaboration with artist Angela Harding. Armitage, nominated for the Freedom by the recorder of London, his honour Mark Lucraft KC, and honorary secondary of London, Fiona Adler, from the Old Bailey, follows in the footsteps of comedian Sir Lenny Henry and British actor, musician and filmmaker Giles Terera. Mr Lucraft said: 'As prolific and versatile as he is popular and accessible, Simon Armitage is one of our finest poets – now, almost six years into the historic position of Poet Laureate – and also a talented musician, playwright, and novelist. 'It has given my colleague, Fiona Adler, and I tremendous pleasure to support his admission into the Freedom, which is richly deserved, and we hope that he will have fond memories of his ceremony for many years to come.' Armitage has translated major classic texts, including the Odyssey and medieval romances Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written non-fiction work Walking Home: Travels With A Troubadour On The Pennine Way and is the frontman of the ambient post-rock band LYR. For the Platinum Jubilee, Armitage wrote a poem, Queenhood, to mark the late Queen's 70 years of service, and when she died he put out Floral Tribute in remembrance of her reign. The tradition of the freedom of the city is believed to date back to 1237.
