Falyri Jenkins from Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion, is the winner of this year’s Sir TH Parry-Williams Memorial Medal.
The Medal is presented annually to an individual who has contributed widely within their local community with a particular emphasis on working with young people.
Originally from Sling near Bethesda, Falyri graduated at Bangor’s Normal College before starting her career in education near Wrexham. She moved to the Aberystwyth area in 1974, and has worked tirelessly in the area since then, settling in Tal-y-bont in 1978.
A first class teacher according to her colleagues, generations of local children and young people have been inspired by Falyri, with her coaching soloists, parties, choirs and instrumentalists for many years.
She has published a number of attractive music books for pre-school circles and primary schools during her career, and generations of children from all parts of Wales have enjoyed singing songs from books like Caneuon Bys a Bawd and her famous songbook, Clap a Chân i Dduw, a collection of modern hymns for schools and Sunday schools.
She has contributed greatly to education locally and nationally, and her voluntary work at grassroots level in Ceredigion has been significant for many years. She has supported youth work in Bethel Sunday School, volunteered with the pre-school circle, and has worked closely with the Christian Youth Club.
She has been a long-time stalwart of the local papur bro (community newspaper), Papur Pawb, in Tal-y-bont for many years, as a joint editor with her husband, Gwyn, and then as the village reporter for over ten years. She continues to co-edit a monthly edition of the paper every year, ensuring that there is always space for children and young people’s activities.
A great supporter of drama, Falyri grasped the opportunity to invite Theatr Bara Caws to Tal-y-bont years ago and by today, the Memorial Hall regularly welcomes the company, ensuring that local people can enjoy theatrical performances in their community, with Falyri in charge of promoting the show and selling tickets.
She epitomises the aims and values of the Sir TH Parry-Williams Memorial Trust, and therefore, fully deserves to receive this year’s Medal.
Sir TH Parry-Williams was a great supporter of the National Eisteddfod, and in August 1975, following his death a few months earlier, a trust was set up to celebrate his invaluable contribution to Eisteddfod activities. The fund is administered by the Sir Thomas Parry-Williams Trust.