RESIDENTS are being encouraged by an Assembly Member to have their say on the future of Wales.

The GWLAD: Future Wales Festival is a free, one-day event that is currently touring the country and is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the National Assembly for Wales.

Its next destination will be Glyndwr University’s Catrin Finch Centre on Saturday, November 23.

As well as marking the Assembly’s work over the past two decades, the event hopes to spark a conversation about the future of Wales and its communities.

Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, will be part of a lively panel discussion entitled ‘Hopes for a Future Wales’ where there will be an opportunity to share ideas and matters of importance for the town, the north-east region and nation as a whole.

Members of the audience will have the chance to ask questions at the event.

Nic Parry, Judge, will chair the discussion and among those joining him on the panel alongside Lesley Griffiths AM will be Aled Roberts, Welsh Language Commissioner; Gareth Jones, Founder of Town Square Spaces, Wrexham and Jonathan Powell, Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Wrexham.

The discussion is scheduled to take place from 4pm to 5pm and is followed by a reception hosted by Ann Jones AM, deputy presiding officer, National Assembly for Wales.

Lesley Griffiths AM said: “Wales is a stronger, more confident country thanks to devolution and I firmly believe the people of Wrexham and Wales have benefited significantly.

“As we mark the first twenty years of the National Assembly, its clear Wales’ devolution journey is still developing and the GWLAD festival is the perfect opportunity for local residents to have their say on both the future of our region and country as a whole.

“There are plenty of activities taking place and hope people from Wrexham and the surrounding areas will come along and enjoy the day.”

During the day, between 11am and 4pm, there will be fun and activities for all the family, with live performances, shows, workshops and games to enjoy, including a brand new show, ‘Our Senedd’, which tells the story of the Assembly, by the educational theatre company ‘Mewn Cymeriad’.

A number of local performers will be participating and entry is free of charge, however, a ticket is required to attend the discussion event and is available at https://devolution20.wales/gwlad