TV weatherman helps celebrate Carmarthenshire’s Eco Schools success

TELEVISION weatherman Chris Jones has congratulated Carmarthenshire schoolchildren on their Eco Schools success.

A special Platinum awards celebration event was held by council chairman Cllr Terry Davies and Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans and S4C weather presenter Chris was invited along as a guest speaker.

Chris, who has presented the weather on S4C for 22 years, has now invited pupils to the TV studios to see what happens behind the scenes.

Schools that attended the event included Ysgol Y Castell, Llanmiloe, Llanddarog, Johnstown, Peniel, Saron, Tumble, Ysgol Y Bedol, Pentip, Dewi Sant and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman.

The Platinum award is the highest accolade possible under Eco Schools and is the equivalent to achieving four Green Flags.

Carmarthenshire has the highest number of Platinum award winning schools in Wales at 17.

Cllr Davies said: “It was a pleasure to invite the children to the council chamber to congratulate them for all their hard work in achieving Platinum status as part of the Eco Schools programme.

“It is very important we do all we can to reduce our carbon footprint and look after the environment for future generations.”

Eco Schools is a partnership between the county council, Keep Wales Tidy and the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

Also in attendance was Keep Wales Tidy’s Eco Schools Officer for Carmarthenshire Gerry Taylor who was retiring after 14 years in the job.

Cllr Evans added: “A lot of work is going on in our schools to become as environmentally-friendly as possible and this includes reducing energy use, recycling and composting our rubbish, keeping communities clean and safe, walking, cycling or using public transport instead of the car, eating healthily and taking regular exercise.

“These children are an example to us all and I would like to thank them for all their efforts. I would also like to thank Gerry for his commitment and enthusiasm over the years and wish him all the best for the future.”

CAPTION: Carmarthenshire schoolchildren at the Eco Schools Platinum awards celebration event with (back row from left) council officers Sharon Griffiths and Tina Brice, Cllr Colin Evans, Gerry Taylor from Keep Wales Tidy, S4C weather presenter Chris Jones and Cllr Terry Davies.

Picture: Jeff Connell.