The exclusive club that counts both an ex-chief constable and a Treweryn bomber among its members

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An ex-chief constable, a man convicted of bombing a controversial dam, the 'father of Mistar Urdd' and an un-sung National Eisteddfod volunteer are among those to be honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards.

Although the National Eisteddfod has been postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic Gorsedd officials have decided to announce the names of those who were to be honoured on the Maes in Tregaron, Ceredigion next week.

Others being honoured for their achievements and their commitment to Wales, the Welsh language and to their local communities across the whole of Wales include two senior judges, two medics prominent in their respective fields and several with links to the host county.

Emyr Llywelyn, Ffostrasol, will join the Green Druidic order. The citation notes he has sought to promote and protect the Welsh language and its culture throughout his life.

He was active during his time as a student at Aberystwyth, and was at the forefront of discussions to establish a Welsh-language hall of residence, which led to the establishment of Neuadd Pantycelyn.

In 1963 he was imprisoned for causing damage to the construction site of the Tryweryn dam.

A former Acting Chief Constable of North Wales Police, Clive Wolfendale, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, is now chief executive of CAIS, the Drug and Alcohol Agency in Wales.

He learned Welsh while with the police, and has continued to learn and use the language, supporting and promoting the importance of Welsh-language services for people suffering from addiction, mental illness and the after-effects of trauma.

A keen musician he is a former conductor of Llandudno Town Band and conductor of Llandudno Swing Band.

Cledwyn Ashford, of Cefn-y-bedd, Wrexham, undoubtedly deserves his place in the Gorsedd on account of his contribution to Welsh football for over 40 years. He has worked with some of football’s biggest stars, mentoring them from an early age and keeping a close eye on their development over the years.

However, Cled is best-known to us as a vital member of the team that runs the Maes during the week.

National Eisteddfod chief executive Betsan Moses said: "Always willing to lend a hand, Cled is one of the Eisteddfod’s silent heroes, and is honoured for his outstanding contribution to the organisation over many years."

Originally from Tregaron, Wynne Melville Jones, Llanfihangel-Genauʼr-Glyn is well-known as an artist and the father of Mistar Urdd.

The Urdd is particularly close to his heart and he is Honorary President of the movement.

Mr Jones founded Strata Matrix, Wales’ first bilingual communications company, running it successfully for 30 years. After retiring, he returned to his first love, art, and has been extremely productive.

Another Welsh language, campaigner Robat Gruffudd, Talybont, Ceredigion, is also honoured in the Druidic order for his contribution to the language and culture of Wales.

He started campaigning while a student at Bangor, and in 1965, with his friend Penri Jones, published the first issue of the satirical magazine, Lol. In 1967, he founded Y Lolfa press, one of today’s leading presses in Wales.

He has twice won the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize, and published a volume of his poems, A Gymri di Gymru?, in 2008, and his diaries, Lolian, in 2016.

Dr Ruth Hussey, originally from Llanrws t, retired as Chief Medical Officer for Wales in 2016. During her time in that post, she was responsible for dealing with the largest measles epidemic in south Wales since the vaccination programme began.

Although now ‘retired’, her experience is in demand across numerous organisations and committees involved in health strategies in Wales and England, and she has been honoured by a number of prestigious universities for her work.

Dr Esyllt Llwyd, Llanrug, Caernarfon, is a GP and also advises local students considering studying medicine, mentoring them carefully, and offering them work-experience opportunities in the practice.

Also honoured are Judge John Milwyn Jarman, Penarth, for his contribution to the field of law. Originally from Newtown he served as a barrister until 2007 when he was promoted to the bench. He has learned Welsh fluently and conducts cases in Welsh.

Mr Justice John Thomas, Lord Thomas of Cwmgïedd in the Swansea Valley, is honoured for his contribution to the Welsh language through the justice system. He was Presiding Judge of the Welsh Circuit prior to his promotion to the Court of Appeal, and Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.

Of the three dozen people honoured many are from Ceredigion and included Rhiannon Evans, Blaenpennal, who is known for her jewellery, which are original interpretations of our Welsh and Celtic artistic traditions.

Deian Creunant, Aberystwyth, was one of the first Welsh-language voices on Radio Ceredigion and has worked for the Urdd, the Big Lottery Fund and the Welsh Government

He is vice-chair of the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod Executive Committee and was chair of the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Ceredigion in 2010.

Originally from Brynaman, Glan Davies, Rhydyfelin, Aberystwyth, is well-known as an actor and comedian. A charismatic presenter of nosweithiau llawen across Wales, he played the part of Clem Watkins in Pobol y Cwm from 1988 to 1997. He was chosen to lead the Aberystwyth St David’s Day Parade in 2017, due to his contribution to the cultural life of that area.

Siôn Jobbins was born in Zambia but his family moved to Cardiff when he was a baby. Since his student days in Aberystwyth, Siôn has campaigned passionately for the Welsh language and independence for Wales.

He is chair of Yes Cymru and co-ordinator of the successful marches for independence, and was one of the leaders of a bid to secure the web domain dotCYMRU (.cymru).

Gorsedd of Bards Christine James said: "In line with the Gorsedd of Bards’ arrangements for honouring new members, all new members are admitted at the same level, irrespective of whether they are honoured with Blue or Green robes.

"Only winners of the main competitions at the National Eisteddfod are honoured with White robes.

"A number of those honoured this year have learned Welsh and have moved to live here in Wales, whilst others continue to live in other countries, and have done excellent work to promote the Welsh language and create valuable connections between Wales and other parts of the world.

"The aim is to hold the ceremonies on the Eisteddfod Maes next year. As the process had been completed prior to lockdown, we will not be reopening nominations for the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod, and nominations for the Eisteddfod in Llŷn and Eifionydd will open in a year’s time."