Carmarthen centre backs Welsh language
St Catherine’s Walk in Carmarthen is playing a pioneering role in the way it is supporting the Welsh language.
The county Council, Welsh Language Board and Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar have worked closely with the centre’s management to promote the use of Welsh.
St Catherine’s Walk manager Mike Pugh said: “We have been credited with Investing in Welsh by the Welsh Language Board and we are the only shopping centre in South West Wales to have that. My colleagues and I have been assessed and are either starting to learn Welsh or improving our Welsh. I have started Welsh lessons myself.
“All our promotional work, leaflets, store signs and internal signs are bilingual; Frankie & Benny’s menu cards are bilingual, as are the signs in the car park. If any communication is received in Welsh we reply in Welsh.”
He said that the decision to support the language as much as possible was taken right at the start.
“It was right from the set-up of the centre in March that we decided to support the Welsh language as much as we could.”
Bethan Griffiths, of Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar, said: “It has been great for the Menter to work in partnership and the whole process of promoting the Welsh language has been very heartening.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work together in the future.”
Chair of the Welsh Language Board, Meri Huws, said: "By signing up to the Board’s Investing in Welsh scheme, St Catherine's Avenue shopping centre have showed that the Welsh language is important to them and that they are serious about developing the use of language on the site. Welsh is very important in Carmarthenshire, and I'm sure that local people will be pleased to see that the new shopping centre is celebrating the language like this. "
Executive board member with responsibility for the Welsh Language Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “I think it is very important that Welsh has its place in the St Catherine’s walk development.
“When visitors and tourists he come to St Catherine’s Walk what is immediately apparent is the number of people speaking Welsh. It sets us apart from the rest of the UK and adds something extra to a visit to Wales.”
St Catherine’s Walk manager Mike Pugh celebrates the Investing in Welsh Award with, from left, Bethan Griffiths of Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar, and Welsh Language Board Business support officer Emma Pugh.
Pic Jeff Connell
The county Council, Welsh Language Board and Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar have worked closely with the centre’s management to promote the use of Welsh.
St Catherine’s Walk manager Mike Pugh said: “We have been credited with Investing in Welsh by the Welsh Language Board and we are the only shopping centre in South West Wales to have that. My colleagues and I have been assessed and are either starting to learn Welsh or improving our Welsh. I have started Welsh lessons myself.
“All our promotional work, leaflets, store signs and internal signs are bilingual; Frankie & Benny’s menu cards are bilingual, as are the signs in the car park. If any communication is received in Welsh we reply in Welsh.”
He said that the decision to support the language as much as possible was taken right at the start.
“It was right from the set-up of the centre in March that we decided to support the Welsh language as much as we could.”
Bethan Griffiths, of Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar, said: “It has been great for the Menter to work in partnership and the whole process of promoting the Welsh language has been very heartening.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work together in the future.”
Chair of the Welsh Language Board, Meri Huws, said: "By signing up to the Board’s Investing in Welsh scheme, St Catherine's Avenue shopping centre have showed that the Welsh language is important to them and that they are serious about developing the use of language on the site. Welsh is very important in Carmarthenshire, and I'm sure that local people will be pleased to see that the new shopping centre is celebrating the language like this. "
Executive board member with responsibility for the Welsh Language Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “I think it is very important that Welsh has its place in the St Catherine’s walk development.
“When visitors and tourists he come to St Catherine’s Walk what is immediately apparent is the number of people speaking Welsh. It sets us apart from the rest of the UK and adds something extra to a visit to Wales.”
St Catherine’s Walk manager Mike Pugh celebrates the Investing in Welsh Award with, from left, Bethan Griffiths of Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar, and Welsh Language Board Business support officer Emma Pugh.
Pic Jeff Connell
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