ABERYSTWYTH saw a crowd of more than 1,000 gather on Saturday calling for action on the housing crisis that is “blighting” communities, organisers Cymdeithas yr Iaith said.

The Nid yw Cymru ar Werth (Wales is not for Sale) rally was held to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the ‘Tynged yr Iaith’ (Fate of the Language) radio lecture by the dramatist and political activist, Saunders Lewis.

The lecture prompted the founding of the Welsh language movement and the establishment of Cymdeithas.

The Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Mabli Siriol, thanked everyone who came to Aberystwyth, despite the poor weather and “said it shows how determined people are to stand up and fight for our communities.”

The rally took place just days before two Welsh Government consultations on planning legislation and policy for second home, and on Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan, are set to close.

The Cooperation Agreement between the Government and Plaid Cymru also includes commitments to cap the number of second and holiday homes in communities, introduce a tax on tourism and consider rent management.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith said that while these plans “address some of their concerns”, the group “emphasised the need for a Property Act that would provide a home for everyone and strengthen communities and the Welsh language in all parts of the country.”

Mabli Siriol Jones, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said: “Following pressure from people from all over Wales, the Government launched two consultations, one on creating a new use class and the other on the Government’s Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan.

“It is vital that people respond to the consultations, and we have templates on our website that people can use.

“Pressure has had an effect, and today’s intention is to keep the pressure.

“We need an effective Property Act that will take the housing and planning system out of the free market and put it under the democratic control of our communities.

“We held the rally today, on the 60th anniversary of the broadcast of Tynged yr Iaith, a lecture which inspired the founding of Cymdeithas yr Iaith later that year.

“We have won several campaigns since then, thanks to the work of ordinary people, and we are confident that we will win this fight as well. “

One of speakers at the rally was Gwenno Teifi from Llandysul, who said: “As a family we are looking for a house in Llandysul, the area where I grew up.

“Although we have saved money for several years, it is not enough to afford to buy a house in the town.

“We could compromise and move to a nearby area, but all the schools are closed, there are no shops, and the houses are even more expensive. ”

Also speaking were Bryn Fon, Heledd Gwyndaf, former chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith and Mared Edwards, President of Aberystwyth’s Welsh Students’ Union (UMCA).