A PROTEST of two hundred people gathered at Parrog beach today (Ocotber 23) calling on the government to do more to tackle the housing crisis currently engulfing the country.

The event, which started at 1pm, was held over, among other things, concerns about the future of Welsh as a community language as house prices deprive local people of the right and ability to live in their communities.

One of the speakers, Mabli Siriol, chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, encouraged people to come to the national rally in Cardiff on the November 13, saying that it was time to take the message directly to the capital.

Tivyside Advertiser: Protesters gathered at Parrog's beach todayProtesters gathered at Parrog's beach today

Tivyside Advertiser: Among the speakers were PCC Cllr and Plaid Cymru representative Cris TomosAmong the speakers were PCC Cllr and Plaid Cymru representative Cris Tomos

Tivyside Advertiser: People were encouraged to go to the national rally in Cardiff in NovemberPeople were encouraged to go to the national rally in Cardiff in November

Previously Hedd Ladd-Lewis, one of the organisers, said the housing crisis has changed Newport completely.

"Something needed to be done about the housing problem.

"There is a real concern about the future of Welsh as a community language as house prices deprive local people of the right and ability to live in their communities and as more houses are bought as second homes and AirBnBs."

She added that the average house in Pembrokeshire is on the market for £227,000, but three-bedroom houses sell for nearly £400,000 in areas such as Newport.

With the average wage in the county at £26,466, she says it is very difficult for local people, especially young people, to buy a house to live locally.

Heledd Evans, from Moylegrove, who has been looking for a home in the area where she grew up, will talk at the rally about her experience of the local housing market.

"With a huge rise in house prices this year, the future of our area's youth and the rest of the Welsh countryside is more uncertain than ever," she said.

"No youth, no future for our rural Welsh communities."