Medal proposed for Welsh 'hero'

The idea of a separate honours system for Wales has been rejected

A medal could be awarded each year to a person who has brought credit to Wales, under plans being considered by the Welsh assembly.

The "Medal Cymru" is likely to form part of events to mark the 10th anniversary of devolution this summer.

There had been calls for a separate Welsh honours system to parallel those issued from the Queen but it has been ruled out in favour of a single medal.

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, who helps decide UK honours, supported the idea.

However, she warned of the difficulty in deciding who would get the medal each year.

"It's a lovely idea but I wouldn't want to be the person deciding," said Cardiff-born Paralympic great Dame Tanni, who sits on the sports committee which helps decide who gets recognised in the New Year's Honours and Queen's Birthday Honours.

YOUR VIEWS

The idea of an award for services to Wales is a good one, but it should be done upon the lines of the US Congressional Gold Medal - awarded as and when some service is performed that is worthy of note; rather than an annual scramble for a 'one-a-year' award.

Megan, Cheshire

"The sports committee put forward a list to the central panel to make a final decision. And that's difficult enough and a long process. You always get 50% of people who agree with the decision and 50% who don't.

"So if you can only pick one person, it would be really hard and could lead to disagreements about who gets it. How do you decide between someone who has done years of volunteering for sport and [Olympic cyclist] Nicole Cooke?

"I also think people who do a lot of charity work, who do unsung work, are amazing, but how do you actually get to these people?"

The assembly said it would award the medal annually to recognise "exceptional service from an individual who has brought credit to Wales".

A plan to hold two receptions every year to recognise the achievements of and special contributions by Welsh people is also being considered separately by the assembly government.

The assembly's petitions committee had received a request that the assembly introduce a Welsh honours system from University of Glamorgan law lecturer Richard Owen.

He decided to submit a petition to try to engage his students in politics after Jan Morris, the writer, received a CBE, a difficult honour for her to receive being a republican.

"It made me think that Wales might want to honour people, running alongside the UK system," he said.

"I like the idea of a 'Medal Cymru' and the reception for people as I don't agree with people getting different 'levels' of honours in the UK honours. If you're honoured you're honoured.

"But I do think it could be done in a more imaginative way in Wales. For example, why not get Welsh artists doing portraits of people we want to honour, which could then be put in the Museum of Wales? That would be something for everyone to enjoy."

Some of the names suggested for the new medal by BBC news website readers include Falklands veteran Simon Weston, X Factor runner up Rhydian Roberts, television writer Russell T Davies and rugby player Shane Williams.

Posthumous awards should also go to Goons performer Harry Secombe and poet Dylan Thomas, some suggested.

However others were opposed to the idea.

Louise from Swansea wrote: "No more medals - as they will end up being handed out at the sports tracks like MBE's and OBE's."

Others said they would back the Medal Cymru idea as long as it went to unsung heroes who worked tirelessly for their communities.

Kevin Phillips from Ammanford commented: "Someone who has put heart and soul into community improvements without having received the financial recognition or accolade for their hard work."