A welsh-medium playgroup based in Saron is celebrated it’s 50th anniversary this year.

Cylch Meithrin Saron a’r Hendre was opened in 1968 and was recorded as a charity in November of the same year.

In 1977, the school came under the Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin umbrella which governed the organisation’s leadership, courses and activities.

The Cylch, which has been named Saron Play Group and Ysgol Feithrin Saron over the decades, is situated at the vestry at the Saron Baptist Chapel campus and accommodates up to 30 children at one time between two classes.

There are currently 28 children registered. Pupils can attend the school from the age of two until the term before their fourth birthday.

Over the last half a century, a close relationship has been developed between Cylch Meithrin and Saron Primary School which has provided beneficial for both institutions.

During the school year, pupils at Cylch Meithrin Saron a’r Hendre celebrate Christmas, St David’s Day, Easter and multicultural events such as Diwali. There are also occasions when children can visit places of educational interest.

There have been many famous faces who took their first educational steps at the school including Carmarthen East and Dinefwr Member of Parliament Mr Jonathan Edwards, BBC The One Show host Alex Jones with many more former pupils excelling in their chosen careers.

Member of Parliament Jonathan Edwards said: "Ysgolion Meithrin make a valuable contribution to ensure young children have the best start in life.

"50 years is a remarkable achievement for the organisation, and is a testament to both the work of the staff and volunteers who have lead it so successfully, and the wider community for recognising its importance to learning.

"It continues to receive glowing praise from inspectors and I am immensely proud to say I too attended Ysgol Meithrin Saron a'r Hendre.  I wish it every success for the next 50 years."

The success of the Cylch Meithrin depends on the support of the long-standing committee which has been chaired by Reverend Lyn Rees, minister of Saron Baptist Chapel, for the last five decades.

Mr Rees along with his wife Heulwen Rees decided to open the school as their son was two and a half at the time and they wanted to their son to Welsh speaking play group and there wasn’t one in the area.

The school was originally open just three mornings a week and eventually became open for five full days a week in 2009.

There have been six group leaders over the last 50 years. The present one, Ms Annette Price, is leading her team of licensed assistants forward to the future.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cylch Meithrin Saron a’r Hendre over the last 20 years,” said Ms Price.

The school recently received a visit from ESTYN and staff were praised for the ethos and all aspects of their work.

Chairman Mr Rees said: “Cafodd y Cylch ei agor yn 1968 a’i gofnodi fel elusen yn Nhachwedd yr yn flwyddyn. Yn 1977 daeth o dan ymbarel Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, cysylltiad arweinyddiaeth, cyrsiau a gweithgareddau.

Cynhelir y Cylch ar gampws Capel y Bedyddwyr Saron ac mae’n lle hwylus ar gyfer 30 blant.

Dros y blynyddoedd datblygwyd perthynas agos rhwng y Clych Meithrin ac Ysgol Gynradd Saron. Profodd hyn o fudd I’r ddau sefydlaid. Bydd gan y Clych Meithrin stondin yn ei ffair Haf flynyddol.

Caiff prif wylia’r flwyddyn fel Nadolig a Dewi Sant eu dathlu chynhelir cyngherddau a boreau coffi o bryd I’w gilydd. Bydd y plant hefyd yn cael cyfle i ymweld a mannau hwylus ac o ddiddordeb addysgiadol.

Dibynna llwyddiant y Cylch Meithrin ar gefnogaeth y Pwyllgor sydd wrth gefn y brifathrawes. Cafwyd 6 o’r rheini ers y cychwyn. Mae’r yr un bresennol, sef Ms Annette Price, yn arwain ei thim o gynorthwywyr trwyddedig ymlaen I yfory llwyddiannus.

Cafwyd ymweliad gan ESTYN yn ddiweddar a derbyniodd y Staff ganmoliaeth am yr ethod a phob agwedd o’u gwaith.

Teg yw nodi cefnogaeth y rhieni di-Gymraeg sy’n gweld gwerth dysgu’r iaith i’w plant. Mae hyn yn argoeli’n galonogol iawn I’r dyfodol.

Bellach mae disgyblion cyntaf y Cylch yn rieni eu humain, a llawer yn falch o ddod a’u plant i Gylch Meithrin Saron a’r Hendre.

Y mae croeso I bawb ymuno a ni Neuadd Saron ar Orffennaf 11eg o 4 hyd 8 o’r gloch I ddathlu hanner canrif o fywyd llwyddiannus y Cylch.

Edrychwn ymlaen i’ch gweld yno"

Everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations at Saron Welfare Hall on July 11 from 4pm to 8pm to celebrate half a century of the successful life of the Cylch.

There will be performances from former pupils and refreshments.

Staff and members of the committee look forward to seeing you there.

Tickets are £3 for adults.

For more information you can call the school on 07843913072 or email cylchmeithrinsaronarhendre@gmail.com.