English

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol CymruNational Assembly for Wales · Cyfarfod llawnPlenary sitting

Dydd Iau 4 Ebrill 2002

Thursday 4 April 2002

DechreuoddMet 11:30 · Daeth i benRose 12:09

Gweld y Cofnod (PDF)View the Record (PDF)

Heb ei wirio â llaw etoNot yet checked by hand

CynnwysContents

  1. 3Datganiad gan y LlywyddStatement by the Presiding Officer
  2. 3Teyrngedau i’w Mawrhydi y Frenhines Elizabeth y Fam FrenhinesTributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

PleidleisiauVotes

Dim pleidleisiau.No votes.

TrafodionProceedings

Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 11.30 a.m. gyda’r Llywydd yn y Gadair.

The Assembly met at 11.30 a.m. with the Presiding Officer in the Chair.

Datganiad gan y Llywydd

Statement by the Presiding Officer

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 3

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 3

Prin ddeufis yn ôl, buom yn mynegi cydymdeimlad ag Ei Mawrhydi y Frenhines a’r teulu brenhinol ar achlysur marwolaeth Ei Huchelder Brenhinol, y Dywysoges Margaret, Iarlles Eryri. Y mae’n addas ein bod fel Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, yn unol â sefydliadau seneddol eraill y Deyrnas Unedig, yn cyfarfod i gydymdeimlo ag Ei Mawrhydi y Frenhines ar golli Ei Mawrhydi y Frenhines Elizabeth y Fam Frenhines. Cydymdeimlwn hefyd â Thywysog Cymru, ar golli mam-gu annwyl. Wrth inni ei choffáu, cydnabyddwn ei hoes hir o wasanaeth, iddi arddel ei thras Albanaidd yn gyson gyda balchder, ac am ei hymdeimlad o lawenydd wrth gyflawni ei dyletswyddau cyhoeddus. Gofynnaf i’r Aelodau sefyll am funud o dawelwch.

Barely two months ago, we expressed our sympathy with Her Majesty the Queen and with the royal family on the death of Her Royal Highness, the Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. It is fitting that we as a National Assembly, in line with the other parliamentary institutions of the United Kingdom, meet to express our sympathy with Her Majesty the Queen on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. We also express our sympathy to the Prince of Wales, on the death of a beloved grandmother. In commemoration, we recognise her long life of service, for her being proudly true to her Scottish ancestry, and for the sense of joy with which she undertook her public duties. I ask the Members to stand for a minute’s silence.

Safodd AELODAU’R CYNULLIAD am funud o dawelwch.

ASSEMBLY MEMBERS stood for a minute’s silence.

Teyrngedau i’w Mawrhydi y Frenhines Elizabeth y Fam Frenhines

Tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

Rhodri Morgan Prif Weinidog Cymru siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 3

Rhodri Morgan The First Minister spoken in Welsh and English p. 3

Nid yw heddiw yn ddiwrnod ar gyfer areithiau angladdol.

in Welsh Today is not a day for funeral orations.

Funeral orations are for funerals. Today is the day on which we, on behalf of the people of Wales, mark and celebrate the remarkable life and longevity of public service of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. When we consider that she was born in 1900, when the Marquis of Salisbury was Prime Minister—the last time that the post was held by a member of the House of Lords—and lived until 2002, it is an extraordinary life-span. Was there ever such a life of non-retirement? She did not slip quietly into the shadows of old age when widowhood began in 1952. When the Marquis of Salisbury was Prime Minister, there was no welfare state. He came from the famous Anglo-Welsh Cecil family, whose ancestor, Lord Burleigh, had been Prime Minister—although the title was not used then—during the reign of Elizabeth I. His grandfather had left the little border village of Pandy following the Wars of the Roses. I had the odd experience two days ago of staying at Alltyrynys, the farmhouse which was the ancestral home of the then Dafydd Seisyllt—David Cecil as he became when he moved to England—the ancestor of the Marquis of Salisbury. The family of Winston Churchill emanated from the neighbouring farm, Trewyn, which was anglicised into Winston. There must be something in the water of the river Monnow around those parts.

yn Saesneg Ar gyfer angladdau y mae areithiau angladdol. Heddiw yw’r diwrnod pryd yr ydym ni, ar ran pobl Cymru, yn nodi ac yn dathlu bywyd hynod a hirhoedledd gwasanaeth cyhoeddus y ddiweddar Frenhines Elizabeth y Fam Frenhines. Pan ystyriwn ei bod wedi ei geni yn 1900, pan yr oedd Marcwis Caersallog yn Brif Weinidog—y tro olaf i aelod o Dŷ’r Arglwyddi ddal y swydd—ac wedi byw hyd at 2002, y mae’n hyd oes eithriadol. A welwyd erioed fywyd o’r fath heb ymddeoliad? Ni lithrodd yn dawel i gysgodion henoed pan ddechreuodd gweddwdod yn 1952. Pan yr oedd Marcwis Caersallog yn Brif Weinidog, nid oedd gwladwriaeth les. Perthynai ef i deulu enwog Eingl-Gymreig y Seisylltiaid, teulu y bu un o’i ddisgynyddion, yr Arglwydd Burleigh, yn Brif Weinidog—er na ddefnyddiwyd y teitl bryd hynny—yn ystod teyrnasiad Elizabeth I. Gadawodd ei dad-cu y pentref bychan ar y ffin, Pandy, ar ôl Rhyfeloedd y Rhosynnau. Cefais y profiad rhyfedd ddau ddiwrnod yn ôl o aros yn Alltyrynys, y ffermdy a oedd yn gartref cyndeidiol i Dafydd Seisyllt bryd hynny—David Cecil fel y daeth i gael ei adnabod pan symudodd i Loegr—un o ddisgynyddion Marcwis Caersallog. Hanai teulu Winston Churchill o’r fferm gyfagos, Trewyn, enw a seisnigeiddiwyd yn Winston. Rhaid bod yna rywbeth yn nŵr afon Mynwy o gwmpas y parthau hynny.

There were many changes during her lifetime, including the general strike of 1926. However, it was the abdication crisis that finally gave Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother as she was to become, such prominence in the royal family. It was, in many ways, the lowest ebb for royalty in this country. It was immediately preceded by the famous visit by Edward VIII to the south Wales Valleys where he reputedly said on three occasions that something had to be done about the horrendous unemployment of Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent. During the brief period following November 1936 when he visited south Wales, a King’s party was formed to support Edward VIII in his attempts to marry Mrs Simpson. However, that existed briefly. In less than 12 months, abdication was inevitable and George VI and his wife, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, became King and Queen.

yn Saesneg Bu llawer o newidiadau yn ystod ei hoes, gan gynnwys streic gyffredinol 1926. Serch hynny, helynt yr ymddiorseddiad a roddodd, yn y pendraw, gymaint o amlygrwydd yn y teulu brenhinol i’r Frenhines Elizabeth, y Fam Frenhines, fel y byddai’n dod i gael ei hadnabod. Mewn sawl ffordd, dyma’r trai isaf i’r frenhiniaeth yn y wlad hon. Yn union cyn hyn daeth Edward VIII ar ei ymweliad enwog â Chymoedd y De lle bu iddo ddweud, yn ôl pob sôn, ar dair achlysur fod yn rhaid gwneud rhywbeth am y diweithdra echrydus ym Merthyr Tudful a Blaenau Gwent. Yn ystod y cyfnod byr ar ôl Tachwedd 1936 pan ymwelodd â de Cymru, ffurfiwyd plaid y Brenin i gefnogi Edward VIII yn ei ymdrechion i briodi Mrs Simpson. Byr oedd bodolaeth honno, serch hynny. Mewn llai na 12 mis, yr oedd yr ymddiorseddiad yn anochel a daeth Siôr VI a’i wraig, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, yn Frenin a Brenhines.

That was the lowest point in the fortunes of this country’s monarchy since the time of George III, and the loss of the American colonies, and it was followed shortly by the further crisis of the second world war and the Blitz on London. The decision to remain at Buckingham Palace was referred to by east end MPs such as Oona King, in the House of Commons yesterday. That period is remarkable in that it raised the monarchy in this country from its lowest ebb to its highest status, and the Queen Mother’s contribution to that will always be remembered as a matter of historical record, because without her it would probably never have happened.

yn Saesneg Hwn oedd yr isafbwynt yn nhynged brenhiniaeth y wlad hon ers cyfnod Siôr III, a cholled y gwladfeydd Americanaidd, a dilynwyd hyn yn fuan gan argyfwng pellach yr ail ryfel byd a’r Blits ar Lundain. Cyfeiriodd Aelodau Seneddol dwyrain Llundain, megis Oona King, yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin ddoe, at y penderfyniad i aros ym Mhalas Buckingham. Mae’r cyfnod hwnnw yn hynod o ran ei fod wedi codi brenhiniaeth y wlad hon o’i thrai isaf i’w statws uchaf, a chaiff cyfraniad y Fam Frenhines at hyn ei gofio am byth fel mater o record hanesyddol, oherwydd hebddi mae’n debygol na fyddai hyn fyth wedi digwydd.

I can personally recollect the period in which her widowhood began, when the King died in 1952. I was 12 and have vivid memories of that day. I remember that Whitchurch Grammar School, 3 or 4 miles north of here, ceased its activities, and that we were asked to file out via the front gate so that we could see the flag at half-mast at the British Legion in Whitchurch. I had never seen a flag at half-mast before, and did not know what it meant. We—a small number of boys from Radyr—walked along Church Road, got on the train at Llandaff North for the one stop to Radyr, and were joined in our carriage by the Melin Gruffudd tinplate workers. It was interesting for us, as boys of 12, 13 and 14, to hear the way in which adults were reacting to this event. They all had early copies of the South Wales Echo, which had black edges and a huge picture of the Queen in a veil with a headline saying ‘The King is Dead’. We listened to the adult conversation and picked up on that curious mixture of respect and irreverence with which the people of Wales have always treated monarchy.

yn Saesneg Yr wyf yn cofio’n bersonol y cyfnod pan ddechreuodd ei gweddwdod, pan fu farw’r Brenin yn 1952. Yr oeddwn i’n 12 oed ac mae gennyf atgofion byw o’r diwrnod hwnnw. Yr wyf yn cofio bod Ysgol Ramadeg yr Eglwys Newydd, 3 neu 4 milltir oddi yma, wedi rhoi’r gorau i’w gweithgareddau, ac y gofynnwyd inni gerdded allan o’r gât flaen mewn un llinell er mwyn inni allu gweld y faner ar hanner y mast ar adeilad y Lleng Brydeinig yn yr Eglwys Newydd. Nid oeddwn erioed wedi gweld baner ar hanner y mast o’r blaen, ac ni wyddwn beth a olygai. Cerddom ni—criw bychan o fechgyn o Radur—ar hyd Heol yr Eglwys, dal y trên yng ngorsaf gogledd Llandaf ar y daith i’r orsaf nesaf i Radur, ac ymunodd gweithwyr tunplat Melin Gruffudd â ni yn y cerbyd. Yr oedd yn ddiddorol i ni, yn fechgyn 12, 13 a 14, glywed y ffordd yr oedd oedolion yn ymateb i’r digwyddiad hwn. Yr oedd gan bob un ohonynt gopïau buan o’r South Wales Echo; yr oedd ymylon y papur yn ddu ac arno yr oedd llun anferth o’r Frenhines mewn fêl gyda’r pennawd yn darllen ‘The King is Dead’. Gwrandawsem ar sgwrs yr oedolion a chael ar ddeall y gymysgedd ryfeddol o’r parch a’r amarch, fel a welwyd erioed ymhlith y Cymry tuag at y frenhiniaeth.

In the 50 years that followed, the Queen Mother carried out her public service as a widow. She was witty, full of fun, she enjoyed public service—as you said, Llywydd—and she invented the walkabout before Bill Clinton and Tony Blair perfected it almost half a century later. I never met her, but one of my aunts in the Swansea area got the full treatment from her when the Queen, as she was then, broke away from the official cordon and advanced on my auntie, who must have been terrified at the time, and close to fainting I imagine, with the greeting of ‘Have you come far, my dear?’.

yn Saesneg Yn ystod y 50 mlynedd nesaf, cyflawnodd y Fam Frenhines ei gwasanaeth cyhoeddus yn wraig weddw. Yr oedd yn ffraeth, yn llawn hwyl, yr oedd yn mwynhau’r gwasanaeth cyhoeddus—fel y dywedasoch, Lywydd—hyhi a ddyfeisiodd yr arferiad o fynd i gwrdd â’r bobl cyn i Bill Clinton a Tony Blair ei berffeithio bron hanner canrif yn ddiweddarach. Ni chyfarfûm â hi erioed, ond cafodd un o’m modrybedd yn ardal Abertawe y driniaeth lawn ganddi pan fu i’r Frenhines, fel yr oedd hi bryd hynny, dorri ymaith oddi wrth y cylch swyddogol a dynesu at fy modryb—yr oedd hi mewn dychryn ar y pryd bid siŵr ac ar fin llewygu yr wyf yn dychmygu—gan ei chyfarch ‘Ddaethoch chi o bell, annwyl wraig?’.

Politicians have learnt the art of enjoying public company and wanting to see the crowd’s response from somebody who was not a politician, but an extrovert who enjoyed life and public service. She could have faded into the background, and simply devoted herself to horse racing and other private enjoyments, but instead she devoted herself to public service. She may never have imagined it would go on for so many decades, but that has been of benefit to us in providing continuity in our national life.

yn Saesneg Mae gwleidyddion wedi dysgu’r gelfyddyd o fwynhau cwmni’r cyhoedd ac eisiau gweld ymateb y dorf i rywun nad oedd yn wleidydd, ond yn berson allblyg a fwynhâi’r bywyd a’r gwasanaeth cyhoeddus. Gallasai fod wedi diflannu i’r cefndir, ac ymroi i rasys ceffylau a phethau eraill preifat yr oedd yn eu mwynhau, ond yn hytrach ymroddodd i’r gwasanaeth cyhoeddus. Mae’n bosibl na ddychmygodd hi erioed y byddai hyn yn parhau am gynifer o ddegawdau, ond bu hynny o fudd inni drwy roi dilyniant i’n bywyd cenedlaethol.

I will finish with a simple expression of our human sympathy for all of those who are closest to her—the Queen and other members of her family. This has been a cruel beginning to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee year. May the Queen and her family find some comfort and strength in the sympathy and warm regard which, as First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales, I convey on behalf of the people of Wales.

yn Saesneg Hoffwn gloi drwy fynegi’n syml ein cydymdeimlad dynol i bawb o’r rhai sydd agosaf ati—y Frenhines ac aelodau eraill ei theulu. Bu hwn yn ddechrau creulon i flwyddyn Jiwbilî Aur y Frenhines. Boed i’r Frenhines a’i theulu gael rhyw gymaint o gysur a nerth drwy’r cydymdeimlad a’r cofion cynnes yr wyf fi, Prif Weinidog Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, yn ei fynegi ar ran pobl Cymru.

Ieuan Wyn Jones Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid siaradwyd yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg t. 6

Ieuan Wyn Jones The Leader of the Opposition spoken in Welsh and English p. 6

Ymunaf â’r Prif Weinidog drwy anfon ein cydymdeimlad llwyraf at y teulu brenhinol ar golli’r Frenhines Elizabeth y Fam Frenhines. Yr ydym, fel plaid, yn ategu’r neges o gydymdeimlad y mae’r Cynulliad yn ei anfon heddiw. Mae ein meddyliau gyda’r teulu, sydd yn mynd drwy gyfnod anodd ar hyn o bryd. Gŵyr nifer ohonom, o brofiad, fod colli rhywun sydd yn annwyl inni yn golygu bod angen cyfnod i alaru arnom, ond mae’r teulu brenhinol yn gorfod gwneud hynny yn llygad y cyhoedd.

in Welsh I join the First Minister in sending our deepest sympathy to the royal family in the loss of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. We, as a party, support the message of condolence that the Assembly is sending today. Our thoughts are with the family members, currently going through a difficult time. Many of us know, from experience, that losing someone dear to us means that we need time to grieve, but the royal family must do so in the public eye.

Yn ei deyrnged i’r Fam Frenhines, dywedodd Tywysog Cymru fod ganddi gymeriad cadarn, synnwyr digrifwch, a’r gallu i ofalu am ei theulu.

in Welsh In his tribute to the Queen Mother, the Prince of Wales said that she had a strong character, a sense of humour, and an ability to care for her family.

Cafodd oes hir. Bu farw yn 101 oed. Fe’i ganed ym mlwyddyn gyntaf yr ugeinfed ganrif a bu fyw ar hyd y ganrif honno. Ni welwyd canrif debyg erioed yn ein hanes. Er i’r ganrif honno gychwyn yn obeithiol, buan y gwelwyd cymylau duon y rhyfel byd cyntaf; yr oedd hi’n ferch ifanc yn ei harddegau ar y pryd. Fel nifer fawr o’i chyfoedion, gwelodd golli nifer o bobl ifanc yn y gyflafan honno. Mae’n bosibl mai’r profiad hwnnw a barodd iddi deimlo, pan ddaeth y cyfle, fod ganddi rôl arbennig i’w chwarae—fel y dywedodd y Prif Weinidog—yn ystod yr ail ryfel byd. Erbyn hynny, yr oedd ei gŵr, Sior VI, yn Frenin. Yn ôl pob sôn yr oedd yn gefn mawr iddo.

in Welsh She enjoyed a long life. She died at the age of 101. She was born in the first year of the twentieth century and she lived throughout a century the likes of which had never been seen before. Although that century started promisingly, the dark clouds of the first world war were soon to be seen; she was a teenager at the time. Like many of her peers, she saw many young people lost in that war. It is possible that it was that experience that made her feel, when the opportunity arose, that she had a special role to play—as the First Minister has already mentioned—during the second world war. By that time, her husband, George VI, was King. By all accounts, she was of great support to him.

Dioddefodd Llundain, a nifer fawr o drefi a dinasoedd eraill yng ngwledydd Prydain, fomio cyson yn ystod blynyddoedd cyntaf yr ail ryfel byd. Efallai y byddid wedi disgwyl i’r Brenin a’r Frenhines a’r teulu brenhinol symud o’r ddinas i loches ddiogel, ond nid felly y bu. Arhosodd y teulu yn Llundain, ac ymwelodd y Frenhines ag ardaloedd a oedd wedi’u bomio—yn arbennig yn nwyrain y ddinas. Dangosodd hynny fod ganddi’r ddawn i uniaethu â phobl mewn cyfnod peryglus ac anodd. Diolchwn am ei chyfraniad, gan ddod â chysur ac ymgeledd i nifer fawr o bobl. Gwyddom iddi ymweld hefyd ag ardaloedd a oedd wedi’u bomio yng Nghymru, yn Abertawe a Chaerdydd. Mae’n siŵr i hynny hefyd fod o gysur.

in Welsh London, and many other towns and cities in Britain, were bombed regularly during the first years of the second world war. It would have been expected, perhaps, that the King and the Queen and the royal family would move out of the city to a safe haven, but they did not. They stayed in London, and the Queen visited areas that had been bombed—especially in the east end. That demonstrated her ability to empathise with people during a dangerous and difficult period. We are grateful for her contribution, bringing comfort and succour to many people. We know that she also visited areas in Wales that had been bombed, in Swansea and Cardiff. That also must have comforted people.

Today, from this special session of the National Assembly, we send our heartfelt condolences to the royal family on the sad death of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. As we have heard, she lived a long life, and although this must be a sad time for the family, we are asked not to be too solemn. When the Prince of Wales made his personal public tribute to his grandmother, he referred not only to her strong character and her sense of concern for her family, but also to her sense of fun and humour.

yn Saesneg Heddiw, o’r cyfarfod arbennig hwn o’r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, estynnwn ein cydymdeimlad diffuant i’r teulu brenhinol ar farwolaeth drist y Frenhines Elizabeth y Fam Frenhines. Fel y clywsom, cafodd fywyd hir, ac er bod hwn yn sicr o fod yn amser trist i’r teulu, gofynnir inni beidio â bod yn rhy drymaidd. Pan dalodd Tywysog Cymru ei deyrnged bersonol i’w nain, cyfeiriodd nid yn unig at ei chymeriad cryf a’i theimlad o bryder dros ei theulu, ond hefyd at ei hwyl a’i hiwmor.

I have already referred to her contribution during the second world war and how she touched the hearts of so many people during those dark days. As well as being compassionate, she was, by all accounts, a person who had a strong sense of duty. She came to play a prominent role in public life following the abdication of the Duke of Windsor. Her husband became King, unexpectedly and at a difficult time for the monarchy. She was to live through further difficult times, particularly during the last 20 years. However, she would always approach those difficulties with the sense of duty that was part of her character.

yn Saesneg Yr wyf eisoes wedi cyfeirio at ei chyfraniad at yr ail ryfel byd a sut y bu iddi gyffwrdd â chalonnau cynifer o bobl yn ystod y dyddiau tywyll hynny. Yn ogystal â bod yn berson tosturiol, yr oedd hi, yn ôl pob sôn, yn un a oedd â theimlad cryf o ddyletswydd. Daeth i chwarae rôl amlwg yn y bywyd cyhoeddus ar ôl ymddiorseddiad Dug Winsdor. Daeth ei gŵr yn Frenin, yn annisgwyl ac ar adeg anodd i’r frenhiniaeth. Byddai hi yn byw drwy ragor o amserau anodd, yn enwedig yn ystod yr 20 mlynedd diwethaf. Serch hynny, byddai bob amser yn delio â’r anawsterau hynny gyda’r teimlad o ddyletswydd a oedd yn rhan o’i chymeriad.

She lived throughout one of the most turbulent centuries in history. There were two world wars, the role of the monarchy changed, there were tremendous changes in the world of science, medicine and technology, and the empire all but came to an end. It was a century which, when viewed from its end, was hardly recognisable from the year it began. One often wonders what the Queen Mother made of it all. There were also constitutional changes, with devolution being granted to Wales and Scotland. During her lifetime, the monarchy had to adapt to changes so profound in so many areas of life—both political and personal—that it is little wonder that she was regarded by many as an important, and perhaps critical, link between two different centuries. At this vantage point in history, it is too early to tell what lasting impact her death will have on the institutions that she cherished and valued. It is enough today that we join in paying our respects to a public figure held in great esteem by so many people. We send our sympathy to a family that has lost a much loved mother and grandmother. At a time like this, the loss is always most keenly felt within the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

yn Saesneg Bu iddi fyw drwy gydol un o’r canrifoedd mwyaf cythryblus mewn hanes. Cafwyd dau ryfel byd, newidiodd rôl y frenhiniaeth, cafwyd newidiadau anferthol ym myd gwyddoniaeth, meddygaeth a thechnoleg, a bu ond y dim i’r ymerodraeth ddod i ben. Yr oedd yn ganrif, o edrych arni o’i diwedd tuag at yn ôl, nad oedd prin modd ei hadnabod oddi wrth flwyddyn ei dechreuad. Mae rhywun yn aml yn meddwl tybed beth oedd y Fam Frenhines yn ei feddwl o’r cyfan. Cafwyd newidiadau cyfansoddiadol hefyd, gyda datganoli yn cael ei ganiatáu i Gymru ac i’r Alban. Yn ystod ei hoes, bu’n rhaid i’r frenhiniaeth addasu i newidiadau mor fawr, mewn cynifer o feysydd bywyd—yn wleidyddol ac yn bersonol—fel nad yw’n syndod bod llawer yn ystyried ei bod yn ddolen gyswllt bwysig, ac efallai holl bwysig, rhwng dwy ganrif wahanol. Ar yr adeg fanteisiol hon mewn hanes, y mae’n rhy fuan dweud pa effaith barhaol a gaiff ei marwolaeth ar y sefydliadau yr oedd yn eu trysori a’u gwerthfawrogi. Mae’n ddigon heddiw inni uno i dalu ein teyrnged i ffigwr cyhoeddus a edmygwyd gan gynifer o bobl. Estynnwn ein cydymdeimlad i deulu sydd wedi colli mam a nain annwyl iawn. Ar adeg fel hon, mae’r golled i’w theimlo fwyaf o fewn y teulu. Mae ein meddyliau a’n gweddïau gyda nhw ar yr amser anodd hwn.

Nick Bourne The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives spoken in English p. 8

Nick Bourne Arweinydd Ceidwadwyr Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 8

The Queen Mother’s death is a moment of national sadness. In post-devolution days she was a potent reminder of the values that unite us as a nation: decency, good sense and strength of purpose. Mention has been made of the fact that she lived through the whole of the last century. She was the last Empress of India; she saw this country through the abdication crisis; almost single-handedly she gave strength to her husband to take on the role of monarch.

Mae marwolaeth y Fam Frenhines yn adeg o dristwch cenedlaethol. Yn y dyddiau cyn datganoli yr oedd yn atgoffâd amlwg o’r gwerthoedd sydd yn ein huno fel cenedl: cwrteisi, synnwyr da a chryfder pwrpas. Crybwyllwyd y ffaith ei bod wedi byw drwy gydol y ganrif ddiwethaf. Hi oedd Ymerodres olaf India; hebryngodd y wlad hon drwy helynt yr ymddiorseddiad; a bron ar ei liwt ei hun rhoddodd gryfder i’w gŵr i ysgwyddo rôl y brenin.

She will be remembered for her extraordinary combination of grace and serenity, and her indomitable willpower. Those qualities were certainly brought to bear during the Second World War and at her husband’s accession to the throne.

Caiff ei chofio am ei chyfuniad rhyfeddol o raslonrwydd a thawelwch, a’i hewyllys anorchfygol. Daeth y priodweddau hynny i’r amlwg yn bendant yn ystod yr Ail Ryfel Byd ac adeg esgyniad ei gŵr i’r orsedd.

I met the Queen Mother on many occasions and I remember conversations with her on a variety of issues, including public life and national events. Above all, however, I remember a conversation when she became animated about a football match she had watched on television. She told me that she had to get up to switch it off because it was getting too exciting to watch. One remembers the Queen Mother’s human touches.

Cyfarfûm â’r Fam Frenhines sawl tro ac yr wyf yn cofio sgyrsiau gyda hi ar amrywiol bynciau, gan gynnwys y bywyd cyhoeddus a digwyddiadau cenedlaethol. Yn anad dim, serch hynny, yr wyf yn cofio sgwrs pan yr oedd hi wedi cynhyrfu am gêm bêl-droed yr oedd wedi ei gwylio ar y teledu. Dywedodd wrthyf y bu’n rhaid iddi godi i’w ddiffodd gan fod y gêm yn mynd yn rhy gyffrous i’w gwylio. Mae rhywun yn cofio cyffyrddiadau dynol y Fam Frenhines.

It could truly be said of the Queen Mother that she walked with kings and yet retained the common touch, for she possessed that remarkable ability when speaking with somebody that made them feel that she was interested just in them and nothing else. That was the magic, because she was only interested in that person and nothing else when she spoke to them.

Gellir yn gywir ddweud am y Fam Frenhines ei bod hi wedi troedio gyda brenhinoedd ac eto wedi cadw’r cyffyrddiad cyffredin, oherwydd yr oedd yn meddu ar allu nodedig, wrth iddi siarad gyda phobl, i wneud iddynt deimlo bod ganddi ddiddordeb ynddynt hwy yn unig ac mewn dim arall. Dyna oedd yr hud, oherwydd yn yr unigolyn hwnnw’n unig yr oedd ei diddordeb ac nid mewn dim arall wrth iddi siarad gydag ef.

As has been mentioned, our thoughts must go out to the Queen. She was close to her mother and she has had the immense sadness of losing a much-loved sister and a beloved mother in quick succession. Our thoughts must also go out to our own Prince of Wales who was close to his grandmother and who has spoken so movingly about her in recent days.

Fel y crybwyllwyd, rhaid inni droi ein meddyliau tuag at y Frenhines. Yr oedd yn glòs iawn at ei mam ac mae wedi cael y tristwch aruthrol o golli hoff chwaer ac annwyl fam yn syth ar ôl ei gilydd. Rhaid inni hefyd droi ein meddyliau tuag at Dywysog Cymru; yr oedd ef yn agos at ei fam-gu ac mae wedi siarad yn emosiynol iawn amdani yn ystod y dyddiau diwethaf.

It is fitting today that we come together in the National Assembly to express our feelings of national loss. However, our sadness must be balanced with celebration of a truly remarkable life of public service. It was a fulfilled and joyous life. At key moments in our history the Queen Mother was a pivotal figure. That was certainly true in the Second World War when she was a rallying point in London and throughout the United Kingdom. She bolstered morale here and sapped that of our enemies.

Mae’n briodol heddiw inni ddod ynghyd yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i fynegi ein teimladau o golled genedlaethol. Serch hynny, rhaid i’n tristwch fod yn gytbwys â dathlu bywyd gwir hynod o wasanaeth cyhoeddus. Bu’n fywyd boddhaus a llon. Ar adegau allweddol yn ein hanes yr oedd y Fam Frenhines yn ffigwr canolog. Yr oedd hynny’n sicr yn wir yn ystod yr Ail Ryfel Byd pan fu’n gefnogaeth yn Llundain a ledled y Deyrnas Unedig. Atgyfnerthodd y morál yma gan wanhau morál ein gelynion.

She also gave remarkable support within the royal family and was truly tireless in fulfilling public engagements. Today some people retire in their fifties, many in their sixties, most are retired by their seventies but she was still fulfilling gruelling public duties, which she loved, after her hundredth birthday. We are all sad today at her passing, but we are also immensely grateful for her remarkable, unparalleled life. She was, simply, very special.

Rhoddodd gefnogaeth hynod o fewn y teulu brenhinol hefyd ac yr oedd yn gwbl ddiflino wrth gyflawni ei galwadau cyhoeddus. Heddiw mae rhai pobl yn ymddeol yn eu pumdegau, llawer yn eu chwedegau, mae’r rhan fwyaf wedi ymddeol erbyn eu saithdegau ond yr oedd yn parhau i gyflawni dyletswyddau cyhoeddus blinderus, rhywbeth a oedd wrth fodd ei chalon, ar ôl ei chanmlwyddiant. Yr ydym oll yn drist heddiw oherwydd ei marwolaeth, ond yr ydym hefyd yn ddiolchgar dros ben am ei bywyd hynod, unigryw. Yn syml, yr oedd hi’n arbennig iawn.

Michael German The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrat Group spoken in English p. 10

Michael German Arweinydd Grŵp Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 10

I begin by saying that while we are here today, as many have said, to pay tribute to the life of a special woman, we must not lose sight of the fact that a family is grieving for her. The Queen has lost her sister and mother within a few weeks. She was a mother, grandmother, aunt and dear family member; whatever importance a public figure has, we must not forget the family for whom this is a great loss. The Welsh Liberal Democrats associate ourselves with the First Minister’s sentiments.

Dechreuaf drwy ddweud, er ein bod ni yma heddiw, fel y dywedodd lawer, i dalu teyrnged i fywyd menyw arbennig iawn, rhaid inni beidio â cholli golwg ar y ffaith bod yna deulu sy’n galaru trosti. Mae’r Frenhines wedi colli ei chwaer a’i mam mewn ychydig wythnosau. Yr oedd hi’n fam, yn fam-gu, yn fodryb ac yn aelod annwyl o’r teulu; pa bwysigrwydd bynnag sydd gan unrhyw ffigwr cyhoeddus, rhaid inni beidio ag anghofio’r teulu y mae hon yn golled fawr iddo. Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yn ategu teimladau Prif Weinidog Cymru.

A person’s life—let alone a highly revered person—rarely spans a full century and beyond. At the start of her life cars were preceded by red flags, wireless telegraphy was in its infancy, and the Tsar ruled imperial Russia. By the end of her extraordinary life, human beings had landed on the moon, verbal and visual communication is possible instantly to and from every corner of the globe, and the political landscape of mainland Europe has changed beyond all recognition. In the year that she was married, Wilhelm Röntgen, the discoverer of the x-ray, died, and Bolton Wanderers beat West Ham by 2-0 in the FA cup. In 1926, on the birth of her first child—the present Queen—the first flight over the north pole took place, and Bolton Wanderers beat Manchester City in the FA cup by 1-0. For those who know these things, in the intervening year between her marriage and the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, Cardiff City played in their only cup final appearance and were splendid runners-up. During her lifetime she saw the passing of the hansom cab. When she was young a car ride meant dressing up in goggles and special clothes. Travelling speeds of 80 miles per hour have now been replaced by speeds within our atmosphere of almost 20 times higher. In 1933, she saw the coming of the automatic streetlight and, recently, she saw them supplemented by the famous grey boxes with cameras, which record our progress through the streets.

Anaml iawn y mae bywyd rhywun—heb sôn am rywun uchel ei barch—yn pontio canrif lawn a thu hwnt. Ar ddechrau ei hoes yr oedd baneri coch yn rhagflaenu ceir, yr oedd telegraffi’r di-wifr yn ei fabandod, a’r Tsar a reolai Rwsia ymerodrol. Erbyn diwedd ei bywyd hynod, yr oedd bodau dynol wedi glanio ar y lleuad, y mae’n bosibl cyfathrebu ar lafar ac yn weledol ar unwaith yn ôl ac ymlaen o bob cwr o’r byd, ac mae tirwedd wleidyddol tir mawr Ewrop wedi newid y tu hwnt i adnabyddiaeth. Yn y flwyddyn pan briododd, bu farw Wilhelm Röntgen, darganfyddwr pelydr-x, a churodd Bolton Wanderers West Ham o 2-0 yng nghwpan yr FA. Yn 1926, ar enedigaeth ei phlentyn cyntaf—y Frenhines bresennol—hedfanwyd dros begwn y gogledd am y tro cyntaf, a churodd Bolton Wanderers Ddinas Manceinion yng nghwpan yr FA o 1-0. I’r rhai sy’n gwybod y pethau hyn, yn y flwyddyn rhwng ei phriodas a geni’r Frenhines Elizabeth II, chwaraeodd Dinas Caerdydd yn eu hunig ymddangosiad yng ngêm derfynol y gwpan a daethant yn ail cwbl haeddiannol. Yn ystod ei hoes gwelodd yr hansom yn mynd heibio. Pan oedd yn ifanc yr oedd taith mewn car yn golygu gwisgo gogls a dillad arbennig. Cafodd cyflymdra teithio o 80 milltir yr awr ei ddisodli bellach gan gyflymdra o fewn ein hatmosffer o bron i 20 gwaith yn gyflymach. Yn 1933, gwelodd ddyfodiad y goleuadau stryd awtomatig ac, yn ddiweddar, gwelodd y blychau llwyd enwog gyda’r camerâu, i recordio ein hynt ar y strydoedd, yn cael eu hychwanegu atynt.

While the Queen Mother was justly proud to be Scottish, she had Welsh connections. She was Colonel in Chief of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards—the Welsh Cavalry Regiment, which was recently granted the freedom of the city of Cardiff. On a more humorous note, at the end of a tea she hosted for public dignitaries from Llanelli, the famous corgis rushed into the room to the Queen Mother’s comment, ‘You Welsh, such great friends, but not very obedient’.

Tra’r oedd y Fam Frenhines yn falch, gyda phob rheswm, o fod o waed Albanaidd, yr oedd ganddi gysylltiadau Cymreig. Yr oedd yn Brif Gyrnol ar Warchodlu Marchfilwyr y Frenhines—Catrawd y Marchoglu Cymreig, catrawd y rhoddwyd rhyddfraint dinas Caerdydd iddo yn ddiweddar. Ar nodyn ysgafnach, ar ddiwedd te a gynhaliodd ar gyfer urddasolion cyhoeddus o Lanelli, rhuthrodd y corgwn enwog i fewn i’r ystafell a dywedodd y Fam Frenhines, ‘Y chi Gymry, rydych chi’n gyfeillion arbennig, ond dydych chi ddim yn ufudd iawn’.

There were defining moments in her life that were not of her making but which showed her indefatigable spirit. First, as other Members have said, the accession to the throne in 1936. That was not something that she, or her husband, sought, but it was a task in which she set the highest standards. In a very different society to the one that we have today, she realised the new challenge and set about it with vigour. Secondly, many of the older people of Wales will remember the major role she undertook during the war years to boost the country’s morale in its darkest hours. She regularly visited areas that suffered during the Blitz, and narrowly avoided death when bombs fell on Buckingham Palace. She chose not to be evacuated to Canada, against the advice of the Government. Instead, she learned to use a revolver so that she could use it should she be kidnapped. For many, it is during those years that she represented the tenacity, courage and sheer will of the British people in those dark times. The Queen Mother, and the late King, will be remembered for their courage and leadership, particularly by those who lived through those years. Thirdly, she was determined to continue her contribution to public life to the very end. There is the enduring sight of the Queen Mother taking the salute from the armed forces, which revered her so much, refusing the chair that was provided for her and insisting on doing the job in the way in which she had always done, despite obvious pain and discomfort. No-one can deny her tremendous sense of service to the British people.

Yr oedd adegau diffiniol yn ei bywyd, adegau nad oeddynt yn waith ei llaw hi, ond a ddangosodd ei hysbryd diflino. Yn gyntaf, fel y dywedodd Aelodau eraill, yr esgyniad i’r orsedd yn 1936. Nid oedd hyn yn rhywbeth yr oedd hi, na’i gŵr, wedi’i geisio, ond yr oedd yn dasg y pennodd hi’r safonau uchaf ar ei chyfer. Mewn cymdeithas tra gwahanol i’r gymdeithas sydd ohoni heddiw, sylweddolodd beth oedd y sialens newydd ac aeth i’r afael â hi yn egnïol. Yn ail, bydd llawer o bobl hŷn Cymru yn cofio’r rôl bwysig a ymgymerodd yn ystod blynyddoedd y rhyfel i hybu ysbryd y wlad yn ystod ei horiau tywyllaf. Ymwelai’n rheolaidd â’r ardaloedd a ddioddefodd yn ystod y Blits, a bu’n agos i gael ei lladd pan syrthiodd bomiau ar Balas Buckingham. Dewisodd beidio â chael ei symud i Ganada, yn groes i gyngor y Llywodraeth. Yn hytrach, dysgodd sut i ddefnyddio llawddryll er mwyn iddi allu ei ddefnyddio pe bai’n cael ei chipio. I lawer, yn ystod y blynyddoedd hynny y bu iddi gynrychioli cadernid, dewrder ac ewyllys pur y Prydeinwyr drwy’r amseroedd tywyll hynny. Caiff y Fam Frenhines, a’r diweddar Frenin, eu cofio am eu dewrder a’u harweiniad, yn enwedig gan y rhai sydd wedi byw drwy’r blynyddoedd hynny. Yn drydydd, yr oedd yn benderfynol o barhau â’i chyfraniad at fywyd cyhoeddus i’r diwedd un. Ceir yr olygfa fythol o’r Fam Frenhines yn sefyll i’r salìwt gan y lluoedd arfog, oedd â pharch mawr tuag ati, gan wrthod y gadair a ddarparwyd ar ei chyfer gan fynnu gwneud y gwaith yn yr un modd ag y gwnaeth erioed, er gwaethaf ei phoen a’i hanghysur amlwg. Ni all unrhyw un wadu ei hymdeimlad aruthrol o wasanaeth i bobl Prydain.

She will be remembered for her contribution to our lives as an exemplar of duty and citizenship. She carried out this role with spirit, joy and loyalty to her country. She was a great symbol of the spirit of the British people. Throughout her long and active public life, which she never relinquished, she was the companion of our country and of our people. Many Members will have enjoyed her company, and none who spent time in her presence will have failed to note her wit and charm, and the impish smile which typified the manner in which she carried out her public duties. One such moment for me was the opening of the George Thomas suite of rooms in Cardiff Castle. It is not a large suite of rooms but, in the best William Burgess fashion, it is located up a flight of very winding stairs not best suited for a lady in her 90s to climb. We need not have been concerned because she made the stairs in double-quick time. The formal affairs were undertaken and the Queen Mother’s affection for George Thomas was obvious. We were only a small number of people, but she gave a speech that clearly expressed the warmth of her memories of Speaker Thomas. However, the ceremony was ended, not by concluding remarks as you would expect, but by the arrival of the mid-morning glass, which I believe to have been Dubonnet, and a cigarette. The conversation changed to speculation on the racing to be held that day at Cheltenham. I do not know how much of the city’s silver was speculated that afternoon, but the insider knowledge of the odds was considerable indeed.

Caiff ei chofio am ei chyfraniad i’n bywydau fel esiampl o ddyletswydd a dinasyddiaeth. Cyflawnodd y rôl hon gydag ysbryd, llawenydd a theyrngarwch i’w gwlad. Yr oedd yn symbol gwych o ysbryd pobl Prydain. Drwy gydol ei bywyd cyhoeddus maith a gweithgar, rhywbeth na roddodd y gorau iddo erioed, hyhi oedd cymdeithes ein gwlad a’n pobl. Bydd llawer o’r Aelodau wedi cael mwynhau ei chwmni, ac ni fydd unrhyw un a dreuliodd amser yn ei phresenoldeb wedi methu â sylwi ar ei ffraethineb a’i swyn, a’r wên ddireidus a nodweddai’r modd y cyflawnai ei dyletswyddau cyhoeddus. Un foment o’r fath imi oedd achlysur agor ystafelloedd George Thomas yng Nghastell Caerdydd. Nid yw’n gyfres fawr o ystafelloedd ond, yn ôl arferiad gorau William Burgess, fe’i lleolir i fyny staer droellog iawn nad yw’n addas i fenyw yn ei 90au ei dringo. Nid oedd yn rhaid inni fod wedi pryderu oherwydd dringodd y grisiau mewn dim amser. Aeth y trefniadau ffurfiol rhagddynt ac yr oedd hoffter y Fam Frenhines o George Thomas yn amlwg. Dim ond nifer fechan o bobl oeddem ni, ond rhoddodd araith a oedd yn mynegi’n glir gynhesrwydd ei hatgofion o’r Llefarydd Thomas. Fodd bynnag, diweddwyd y seremoni, nid gan sylwadau i gloi fel y byddech yn ei ddisgwyl, ond gan ddyfodiad gwydraid ganol bore, Dubonnet oedd ef yr wyf yn credu, a sigarét. Newidiwyd y sgwrs i ddamcaniaethu am y rasys a oedd i’w cynnal yn Cheltenham y diwrnod hwnnw. Ni wn faint o arian y ddinas a fentrwyd y prynhawn hwnnw, ond yr oedd y wybodaeth fewnol am yr ods yn sylweddol iawn yn wir.

This is a moment for the entire nation to pause, reflect and be grateful for the Queen Mother’s wonderful contribution and enduring legacy. Her story was the story of the twentieth century, and her passing concludes a major chapter in our country’s history. Many of the personal tributes paid in books of condolence and on websites in recent days have commented on the way she appeared to people to have been a member of their own family. One wrote that as a child growing up in Australia, she felt as though she had two grandmothers—her own and the Queen Mum.

Mae hon yn foment i’r genedl gyfan oedi, myfyrio a bod yn ddiolchgar am gyfraniad ardderchog ac etifeddiaeth barhaus y Fam Frenhines. Ei stori hi oedd stori yr ugeinfed ganrif, ac mae ei marwolaeth yn dwyn pennod bwysig yn hanes ein gwlad i ben. Mae llawer o’r teyrngedau a dalwyd mewn llyfrau cydymdeimlad ac ar wefannau yn ystod y dyddiau diwethaf wedi gwneud sylw am y modd yr ymddangosai i bobl fel petai yn aelod o’u teuluoedd eu hunain. Ysgrifennodd un ei bod yn teimlo, fel plentyn a fagwyd yn Awstralia, fod ganddi ddwy fam-gu—ei mam-gu ei hun a’r Fam Frenhines.

Perhaps for many, she will best be remembered not just as the grandmother of her family, but as the grandmother of our nation and of the Commonwealth.

I lawer efallai, caiff ei chofio orau nid yn unig fel mam-gu i’w theulu ei hun, ond fel mam-gu i’n cenedl ac i’r Gymanwlad.

Peter Law spoken in English p. 13

Peter Law siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 13

I am pleased that this Plenary session is being held today. It is vital that this National Assembly—in effect our parliament for Wales—expresses the views of the people of Wales through democratically elected representatives. This Assembly is the focus for the tributes and sentiments of the people on this special and sad occasion and for all such national and international events. Coming from an area such as Blaenau Gwent, I am pleased to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen Mother. One of our national daily newspapers mentioned yesterday that Her Majesty the Queen Mother had carried out 51 official engagements in her hundred and first year. That is amazing and showed remarkable fortitude and commitment, and is worthy of the most fulsome tribute. In my constituency of Blaenau Gwent, where many of the old traditional values prevail in a fast and materialistic age, it is nice to be able to say that there is a deep warmth of appreciation of Her Majesty the Queen Mother and of Her Majesty the Queen. That is why there are at least 25 applications for Jubilee street parties in Blaenau Gwent.

Yr wyf yn falch bod y Cyfarfod llawn hwn yn cael ei gynnal heddiw. Mae’n hanfodol bod y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hwn—ein senedd i Gymru i bob pwrpas—yn mynegi safbwyntiau pobl Cymru drwy gynrychiolwyr a etholwyd yn ddemocrataidd. Y Cynulliad hwn yw’r canolbwynt ar gyfer teyrngedau a theimladau pobl ar yr achlysur arbennig a thrist hwn ac ar gyfer pob digwyddiad cenedlaethol a rhyngwladol o’r fath. Gyda minnau’n hanu o ardal megis Blaenau Gwent, yr wyf yn falch o gael y cyfle i dalu teyrnged i’w Mawrhydi y Fam Frenhines. Crybwyllodd un o’n papurau newydd dyddiol cenedlaethol ddoe fod Ei Mawrhydi y Fam Frenhines wedi cyflawni 51 o ymrwymiadau swyddogol yn ystod y flwyddyn ar ôl ei phen-blwydd yn gant ac un. Mae hynny’n rhyfeddol a dengys gryfder ac ymrwymiad hynod, ac y mae’n haeddu’r deyrnged fwyaf truthgar. Yn fy etholaeth i, Blaenau Gwent, lle pery llawer o’r hen werthoedd traddodiadol mewn oes gyflym a materol, y mae’n braf gallu dweud y ceir teimlad o werthfawrogiad cynnes dwfn tuag at Ei Mawrhydi y Fam Frenhines a’i Mawrhydi y Frenhines. Dyna paham y cafwyd o leiaf 25 o geisiadau am bartïon stryd y Jiwbilî ym Mlaenau Gwent.

It is important to reflect today on her wonderful life. It is a day for celebration. I am pleased to be able to reflect a little on what I know about her link with my constituency. I always felt that Her Majesty the Queen Mother represented the best of royal commitment and tradition. In 1932—and some of you will understand that I was not there at the time, although you would be forgiven for thinking it—the Queen Mother and the late King George VI, who were then Duke and Duchess of York, came to Blaina, in the former Abertillery constituency. The Queen Mother visited the Blaina and District Hospital, which is still there today and going strong—the Minister for Health and Social Services was there recently. It was built with the local miners’ pennies. When she opened the new maternity unit in that area, it was described as a joyous occasion, which undoubtedly it was from the photographs that I have seen. Children from Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent and Nant-y-glo sung for her and gave her a traditional Valleys welcome. From that day to this, there are elderly people in the community who remember that occasion with great warmth and respect.

Mae’n bwysig myfyrio heddiw ar ei bywyd ardderchog. Diwrnod o ddathlu ydyw. Mae’n bleser gennyf allu myfyrio ychydig am yr hyn a wn am ei chysylltiad gyda fy etholaeth. Yr wyf wastad wedi teimlo bod Ei Mawrhydi y Fam Frenhines yn cynrychioli’r traddodiad a’r ymrwymiad brenhinol ar ei orau. Yn 1932—a bydd rhai ohonoch yn deall nad oeddwn yno ar y pryd, er y buaswn yn maddau ichi am feddwl hynny—daeth y Fam Frenhines a’r diweddar Frenin Siôr VI, Dug a Duges Caerefrog bryd hynny, i’r Blaenau, yn etholaeth Abertyleri gynt. Ymwelodd y Fam Frenhines ag Ysbyty’r Blaenau a’r Cylch, ysbyty sy’n dal yno heddiw ac yn ffynnu—yr oedd y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yno yn ddiweddar. Fe’i hadeiladwyd gyda cheiniogau’r glowyr lleol. Pan agorodd hi’r uned famolaeth newydd yn yr ardal honno, fe’i disgrifiwyd fel achlysur llawen, ac nid oes unrhyw amheuaeth nad oedd yn achlysur llawen o’r ffotograffau yr wyf fi wedi’u gweld. Canodd y plant o Frynmawr, Blaenau Gwent a Nant-y-glo iddi gan roddi croeso traddodiadol y Cymoedd iddi. O’r diwrnod hwnnw hyd heddiw, mae yna bobl oedrannus yn y fro sy’n cofio’r achlysur hwnnw gyda chryn barch ac angerdd.

That was one small example of a great lady who cared about ordinary people. She came to Blaenau Gwent and made a difference because she came on a special occasion to see the people of a poor community. She was royalty, but she was blessed with the common touch. Her life was one of dedication and commitment, which we are rightly celebrating here and throughout the UK today. Today, 70 years or so from the time that she came to that little town of Blaina in my community, we remember her and her act of inclusion. We remember a remarkable lady—the woman who was known as the nation’s grandmother, the Queen Mum, in affectionate terms. She will be greatly missed, but she will be remembered with affection, warmth and respect.

Yr oedd honno yn un enghraifft fach o fenyw bwysig a bryderai am bobl gyffredin. Daeth i Flaenau Gwent a gwnaeth wahaniaeth oherwydd iddi ddod ar achlysur arbennig i weld pobl cymuned dlawd. Perthynai i’r frenhiniaeth, ond fe’i bendithiwyd â’r cyffyrddiad cyffredin. Bywyd o ymroddiad ac ymrwymiad oedd ei bywyd hi, bywyd yr ydym yn ei ddathlu yn gyfiawn yma ac ym mhob cwr o’r DU heddiw. Heddiw, oddeutu 70 mlynedd ers iddi ddod i’r dref fechan honno, y Blaenau, yn fy nghymuned i, yr ydym yn ei chofio hi a’i gweithred gynhwysol. Cofiwn fenyw hynod—menyw a adnabuwyd, yn serchog, fel mam-gu y wlad. Bydd colled fawr ar ei hôl, ond caiff ei chofio gyda hoffter, angerdd a pharch.

William Graham spoken in English p. 14

William Graham siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 14

I associate myself with the previous speakers’ remarks. As we work through our devolution settlement in Wales, we are deeply conscious that the monarch and consort play such a pivotal role. After all, the Queen Mother was the descendant of the first Welsh king of England—Henry VII. We know that we are witnessing the end of an era.

Ategaf sylwadau’r siaradwyr blaenorol. Wrth inni weithio drwy ein setliad datganoli yng Nghymru, yr ydym yn dra ymwybodol bod y frenhines a’i chydwedd yn chwarae rôl mor ganolog. Wedi’r cyfan, yr oedd y Fam Frenhines yn ddisgynnydd i frenin Cymreig cyntaf Lloegr—Harri VII. Gwyddom ein bod yn tystio i ddiwedd cyfnod.

Throughout her long life, flat racing was the original sport of kings. She, however, was associated for some 40 years with national hunt racing. With her patronage, the national hunt has grown dramatically. I recall spontaneous applause at many race meetings when she appeared. This showed the great affection and deep respect in which she was held. In many ways, she was the embodiment of the national hunt, in that she was never daunted or bowed.

Drwy gydol ei bywyd hir, rasio ar y gwastad oedd camp wreiddiol brenhinoedd. Bu hi, fodd bynnag, yn gysylltiedig â’r rasys perthi cenedlaethol am oddeutu 40 mlynedd. Gyda’i nawddogaeth, mae’r rasys perthi cenedlaethol wedi tyfu’n aruthrol. Yr wyf yn cofio clywed cymeradwyaeth ddigymell mewn llawer o gyfarfodydd rasio pan ymddangosai. Dengys hyn yr hoffter mawr a’r parch dwfn a deimlwyd tuag ati. Mewn sawl ffordd, yr oedd yn ymgorfforiad o’r rasys perthi cenedlaethol, o ran na chawsai hi fyth ei brawychu na’i chrymu.

She drew her strength from a relatively small circle of people. With her strong faith, I am sure that in matters spiritual as in matters temporal, she will be a winner.

Dygai ei chryfder oddi wrth gylch cymharol fychan o bobl. Gyda’i ffydd gadarn, yr wyf yn sicr y bydd hi, mewn materion ysbrydol fel mewn materion bydol, yn fuddugol.

Gwenda Thomas siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 15

Gwenda Thomas spoken in Welsh p. 15

Bore ddoe, bu farw fy nghymydog, Iona Harris, ac er ei bod genhedlaeth yn iau na’r Fam Frenhines, yr oedd hefyd yn hen fam-gu. Er y bwlch aruthrol rhwng eu dosbarth cymdeithasol, wrth edrych yn ôl dros eu bywydau, gwelwn hefyd aml gyffelybiaethau.

Yesterday morning, my neighbour, Iona Harris, died, and although she was a generation younger than the Queen Mother, she was also a great-grandmother. Although there were enormous differences between their social classes, looking back over their lives, we also see many similarities

Ganwyd y Fam Frenhines i foethusrwydd a braint, ond fel y dywedwyd eisoes, ym mhob braint y mae dyletswydd. Wynebodd ei dyletswyddau gydag urddas ac ymrwymiad llwyr. Drwy gyfnod o ryfel a heddwch, dangosodd gryfder a rhoes arweiniad drwy ei pharch at ei chyd-ddyn.

The Queen Mother was born into a world of luxury and privilege, but as has been said, in every privilege there is duty. She faced her duties with dignity and full commitment. In times of war and peace, she showed strength and gave leadership through her respect for her fellow human beings.

Dyma fenyw a oedd yn wraig gadarn mewn argyfwng, yn fam gariadus i’w merched, yn fam-gu annwyl i’w hwyrion a’i hwyresau, ac yn hen fam-gu a oedd yn byw bywyd i’r eithaf. Wrth inni gydymdeimlo â’r teulu brenhinol yn ei alar—yn enwedig wrth inni gofio bod ein Brenhines wedi colli ei mam a’i hunig chwaer o fewn ychydig o wythnosau, yn ystod blwyddyn ei Jiwbilî Aur—cofiwn hefyd fod y Fam Frenhines, fel Iona, wedi wynebu treialon teuluol sydd yn gyffredin mewn cymdeithas. Mae bywyd y Fam Frenhines, dros bedair cenhedlaeth, yn ddarlun manwl o bwysigrwydd cyfraniad cyson menywod—y wraig, y bartneres, y fam, y fam-gu, a’r hen fam-gu—i’n teuluoedd, i’n cymunedau ac i’n cenedl.

This was a lady who was a strong wife in a crisis, a loving mother to her daughters, a dear grandmother to her grandchildren, and a great-grandmother who lived life to the full. As we sympathise with the royal family in its grief—particularly when we remember that our Queen has lost her mother and her only sister within a few weeks, during her Golden Jubilee year—we also remember that the Queen Mother, like Iona, faced family trials that are common in society. The life of the Queen Mother, spanning four generations, is a detailed picture of the importance of the consistent contribution of women—wives, partners, mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers—to our familes, our communities and our nation.

Rod Richards siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 15

Rod Richards spoken in Welsh p. 15

Diolch am y cyfle i dalu teyrnged i’r Fam Frenhines ac i gydymdeimlo â’r Frenhines, y teulu brenhinol a ffrindiau’r teulu.

Thank you for the opportunity to pay tribute to the Queen Mother, and to sympathise with the Queen, the royal family and friends of the family.

Disgrifiodd Tywysog Cymru ei fam-gu fel menyw hynod—gair cywir am rywun a fu fyw gydol y ganrif ddiwethaf. Ond pwysicach, efallai, yw cofio yn ystod y cyfnod maith hwnnw, iddi fod yng nghanol ac yng nghalon y sefydliad Prydeinig. Yr oedd ei chyfoedion yn cofio oes Fictoria. Dyma fenyw a oedd yn adnabod mawrion y byd—Lloyd George, Churchill, Gandhi, Mandela, Roosevelt a nifer o bobl fawr a ddylanwadodd gymaint ar y ganrif ddiwethaf. Gwelodd lanw a thrai comiwnyddiaeth a ffasgiaeth. Gwelodd gyfnod pan oedd yr ymerodraeth Brydeinig ar ei hanterth, a hefyd ddiwedd y cyfnod hwnnw.

The Prince of Wales described his grandmother as an extraordinary lady—an apt word for someone who’s life spanned the last century. It is more important, perhaps, to remember that during that long time, she was at the centre and heart of the British establishment. Her contemporaries remembered the Victorian age. This lady knew the world’s greats—Lloyd George, Churchill, Gandhi, Mandela, Roosevelt and many other great people who influenced the past century to such a degree. She saw the rise and fall of communism and fascism. She saw a time when the British empire was at its greatest, and also the end of that time.

Lywydd, dyma gyfoeth o wybodaeth na welir mewn unrhyw lyfr hanes. Dyma gyfoeth o wybodaeth a phrofiad a oedd yno i’r holl deulu brenhinol ac i wleidyddion y ganrif ddiwethaf—yn sicr cyn fy oes i—ac y mae hynny’n rhan o’r golled fawr y mae’r teulu brenhinol a phob un ohonom yn ei phrofi.

Presiding Officer, here is a wealth of information not to be found in any history book. Here is a wealth of information and experience that was there for all the royal family and for the politicians of the past century—certainly before my time—and that is part of what the royal family and every one of us have lost.

Gallwn oll, fel gwleidyddion ac fel pobl sy’n byw bywyd cyhoeddus, ddysgu llawer o fywyd y fenyw hon. Dyma fenyw na wnaeth gyfweliadau nac areithiau mawrion ac ni chyhoeddodd unrhyw faniffesto erioed. Eto, llwyddodd rywsut i fod yn gannwyll llygad y genedl. Mae ein colled yn fawr.

All of us, as politicians and as people living a public life, can learn much from this lady’s life. Here is a lady who did not do interviews nor great speeches and she never published any manifesto. Nevertheless, she somehow succeeded in winning the nation’s affection. Our loss is great.

Brian Gibbons spoken in English p. 16

Brian Gibbons siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

At the outbreak of the second world war, my mother—a very young woman at the time—left the west of Ireland and came to Britain, to work as a hospital nurse in central London. One hospital in which she worked suffered a direct hit as part of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz to which London was subjected. In the fullness of time, she returned to the west of Ireland, which is not fertile soil for the monarchy or royalism. However, because of her experiences in London during that difficult time, my mother always held a deep affection for the royal family, and for the Queen Mother in particular. Most of the people who were in her situation—in the front line, placing their lives at risk—are dead, as is my mother. However, I do not think that she would regard it as inappropriate that we who believe in citizenship and an elected head of state remember the people who served in those difficult times and pay our tribute on their behalf. They greatly appreciated what the Queen Mother did for them during that difficult time.

Ar ddechrau’r ail ryfel byd, gadawodd fy mam—menyw ifanc iawn ar y pryd—orllewin Iwerddon a dod i Brydain, i weithio fel nyrs ysbyty yng nghanol Llundain. Cafodd un ysbyty lle bu’n gweithio ei daro’n uniongyrchol fel rhan o Frwydr Prydain a’r Blits ar Lundain. Ymhen hir a hwyr, dychwelodd i orllewin Iwerddon, man nad yw’n bridd ffrwythlon i’r frenhiniaeth na’r teulu brenhinol. Serch hynny, oherwydd ei phrofiadau yn Llundain yn ystod yr amser anodd hwnnw, yr oedd gan fy mam wastad hoffter dwfn o’r teulu brenhinol, ac o’r Fam Frenhines yn enwedig. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r bobl a oedd yn ei sefyllfa hi—yn y rheng flaen, yn rhoi eu bywydau mewn perygl—wedi marw, fel y mae fy mam innau. Serch hynny, ni chredaf y byddai’n meddwl ei bod yn amhriodol ein bod ni, sy’n credu mewn dinasyddiaeth a phennaeth gwladwriaeth etholedig, yn cofio’r bobl a wasanaethodd yn ystod yr amserau anodd hynny ac yn talu ein teyrnged ar eu rhan. Yr oeddynt yn gwerthfawrogi’n fawr yr hyn a wnaeth y Fam Frenhines iddynt yn ystod yr amser anodd hwnnw.

Glyn Davies spoken in English p. 16

Glyn Davies siaradwyd yn Saesneg t. 16

I am a monarchist, and I believe that the monarchy has an important role to play in the governance of Britain. A monarchy can only be successful if its members accept the life of responsibility, duty and commitment. No-one has ever accepted those duties with more commitment than the Queen Mother. We all sympathise with the Queen and her immediate family. However, my feelings are wholly of appreciation, rather than of sadness. I value this opportunity to publicly express my appreciation—and that of the people whom I represent—of the Queen Mother’s dedicated service to Britain over a long period, and our appreciation of her inspiration, her dignity, her sense of fun and, more than anything, her great sense of duty.

Yr wyf fi’n freniniaethwr, a chredaf fod gan y frenhiniaeth rôl bwysig i’w chwarae yn nhrefn lywodraethol Prydain. Ni all unrhyw frenhiniaeth ond bod yn llwyddiannus os yw ei haelodau yn derbyn y bywyd o gyfrifoldeb, dyletswydd ac ymrwymiad. Nid oes unrhyw un wedi derbyn y dyletswyddau hynny gyda mwy o ymrwymiad na’r Fam Frenhines. Yr ydym oll yn cydymdeimlo gyda’r Frenhines a’i theulu agosaf. Serch hynny, teimladau o werthfawrogiad llwyr sydd gennyf, yn hytrach na thristwch. Yr wyf yn falch iawn o gael y cyfle hwn i fynegi yn gyhoeddus fy ngwerthfawrogiad i—yn ogystal â gwerthfawrogiad y bobl yr wyf yn eu cynrychioli—o wasanaeth ymroddedig y Fam Frenhines i Brydain dros gyfnod maith, a’n gwerthfawrogiad o’i hysbrydoliaeth, ei hurddas, ei hwyl ac, yn anad dim, ei hymdeimlad dwfn o ddyletswydd.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas Y Llywydd siaradwyd yn Gymraeg t. 17

Dafydd Elis-Thomas The Presiding Officer spoken in Welsh p. 17

Diolchaf i’r Aelodau sy’n bresennol ac i’r rhai a gymerodd ran heddiw. Byddaf yn anfon dwy neges o gydymdeimlad ar ran y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol—un at Ei Mawrhydi y Frenhines ac un at Dywysog Cymru—yn nodi inni gyfarfod yma heddiw i ddatgan ein cydymdeimlad â hwy yn eu profedigaeth. Daw hynny â’r cyfarfod arbennig hwn i ben.

I thank the Members who are present and those who have contributed today. I will send two messages of condolence on behalf of the National Assembly—one to Her Majesty the Queen and one to the Prince of Wales—stating that we met today to express our condolences in their bereavement. That brings this special session to an end.

Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 12.09 p.m.

The session ended at 12.09 p.m.