FROM next September, Machynlleth’s Ysgol Bro Hyddgen will take its first steps down the path of becoming a Welsh medium school, despite local objections.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s cabinet earlier today (Tuesday), councillors looked at the objections report into proposals to change Ysgol Bro Hyddgen’s language category from a bilingual school into a Welsh medium school.

The proposal is that from September 2022, the reception class at Machynlleth’s Bro Hyddgen will be taught in Welsh, in a move which will eventually see all classes from reception to sixth form taught in the language.

The legal period to lodge objections took place from 17 June to 15 July.

Machynlleth county councillor Mike Williams pointed out that: over 1,219 people had signed a petition against the proposal, just over 278 signed a petition in favour, the council received over 252 other objections with four supporting the proposal.

Cllr Williams also said that Machynlleth town council had also objected to the language category change.

Cllr Williams said: “Over 1200 people signed a petition against the proposal, that’s 66 per cent of the adult population of the town.

“I would urge cabinet to take full cognizance of the volume of objectors and those for, as it’s crucial that the views of the Machynlleth townspeople are taken on board.”

“This is a very big issue for the town and the Dyfi Valley.”

Cllr Elwyn Vaughan who represents nearby Glantwymyn and is chairman of the school governors said: “Whenever any changes are proposed it is inevitable that some are opposed to such changes, fear of the unknown is understandable.