Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The annual Lifelong Learning and Welsh for Adults Awards held at Aberystwyth University provided an opportunity to reward excellence in learning and teaching. The successes and achievements of individuals and groups were celebrated in the special ceremony, which offered an opportunity to congratulate both students and tutors. Speaking during the event, the Director of the Institute of Professional Development, Professor Judy Broady-Preston, said: “Aberystwyth University takes great pride in the success of adults who are learning new skills. Our learners have demonstrated great commitment, and their efforts are rewarding for themselves, their families and their communities.” The Welsh in the Family Award, an award for Welsh learners who have increased the use of Welsh within the family, was awarded to Vicky Thomas and family of Maesymeillion, Llandysul. Vicky has been learning Welsh for five years. She, her husband, and their four young children moved to Ceredigion in August 2015. Vic...

In a ceremony held at Pembrokeshire College, Wards 11 and 12 won for their work promoting the Welsh language on their wards. This has included implementing the More Than Just Words framework, which aims to improve services for those who need or choose to receive their care in Welsh, through the use of magnets to identify Welsh speaking patients. Using these magnets enables staff to provide the’ active offer’ reminding all staff that they have a responsibility to recognise and accept responsibility to respond to language need as an integral element of care. Wards 11 and 12 staff also held a successful St David’s Day event to welcome new overseas doctors to the area and to introduce them to the Welsh culture. Together with the UHB’s Welsh language services team, they provided a taster session for all staff to learn some Welsh in order to speak to patients. Enfys Williams, Welsh Language Services Manager said: “We’re very proud as a Health Board to have had an opportunity to sponso...

The Welsh Department at Aberystwyth University is living again in the presence of one of its most distinguished members of staff. Thomas Gwynn Jones (1871- 1949) taught in the department for 34 years between his appointment as a lecturer in 1913 and his retirement in 1937. He was appointed Chair of Literature in 1919. Now, through the generosity of his grandson, Mr Emrys Wynn Jones, who served as registrar at the former University of Wales Aberystwyth, many of Professor Jones’s books, including copies of his own work, have been donated to the Department for the use of staff and students. Thanking Mr Jones for his gift, Dr Robin Chapman, acting head of the department, said: “Thomas Gwynn Jones was both a distinguished academic and a first-rate writer. The history of twentieth-century Welsh literature in many senses begins with him. “It is thrilling to hold his personal copies of work that I have read and taught to students throughout my career, many inscribed with his signature. ...

Author, former Education and Children’s Librarian for Dyfed and Assistant Director of Education at Ceredigion County Council, D Geraint Lewis, has been honoured as Fellow of Aberystwyth University. Originally from Ynys-y-bwl in Cwm Clydach, he was educated at Aberystwyth University and is the author of Geiriadur Cynradd Gomer, Y Llyfr Berfau, Pa Arddodiad?, Y Treigladur, and Geiriau Lletchwith. He has been the Honorary Secretary of the Welsh Books Council since 1986 and was the winner in 1996 of the Tir na n-Og award for his dictionary Geiriadur Gomer yr Ifanc. Mr Lewis was presented by Dr Mari Elin Jones, Director of the Centre for Welsh Language Services at Aberystwyth University, during the first of the 2014 graduation ceremonies which was held on Monday 14 July. Eleven Fellows are being honoured this week by Aberystwyth University during this year’s Graduation ceremonies which take place at the University’s Arts Centre from Monday 14 until Friday 18 July. The title of Fellow is...

Hywel Dda Health Board is hosting a series of events in the run up to St David’s Day to celebrate the use of Welsh language. The Health Board actively promotes the use of the Welsh language by staff, patients and visitors and wherever it is practically possible endeavours to provide a bilingual service. To help with this a new e-learning package has been developed for staff – the package has been created in two sections – the first on Welsh Language Awareness and the second part is the Language Lab to help staff learn Welsh. As part of the event they will be also promoting the bi-lingual skills strategy. The aim of the skills strategy is to work towards ensuring that the Health Board will have sufficient number of staff with the appropriate language skills to conduct a healthcare service to the public bilingually. During the road shows, staff will also be given the opportunity to find our about the Welsh Government Strategic Framework More than just words which Health Boards are expect...

'Give your Welsh a Go’ 'Rho gynnig ar dy Gymraeg' | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed Powys Police have launched the ‘Give your Welsh a Go’ internal campaign. Dyfed Powys Police values the use of the language as a skill in the workplace whatever the level of ability, from simple greetings to conducting whole meetings – but there are also a number of benefits to speaking Welsh in your personal and home life.

Jude Rogers: The Welsh language is too precious to be allowed to disappear - Commentators - Opinion - The Independent It rolls, it lilts, and it rasps. It begins in the back of the throat, turns around the mouth, then it sings. It is also the tongue of the country I come from . . . Jude Rogers discusses why Welsh is important in The Independent.

The committee responsible for the work of Aberystwyth University’s Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol met for the first time last week. Chaired by Dr Anwen Jones, this is an important development in the process of planning the University’s Welsh medium academic provision. Dr Anwen Jones is the Director of Learning and Teaching at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth and she was appointed as Chair of the Aberystwyth branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol in December 2011. Dr Jones has been involved in a number of projects which originate from the early days of establishing the College which include the establishment of the web-journal Gwreddon and establishing the cooperative modules in scripting. She is the author of the the National Theatres in Context Series (GPC 2007) and editor of Wil Sam, Dyn y Theatr (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2009). Dr Jones commented “It is a privilege and an opportunity to lead the branch during an exciting time in ...

Well done Jonathan Edwards - A Plaid Cymru MP has written angrily to the Home Secretary about a book review in a national newspaper that describes Welsh as an “appalling and moribund monkey language”. Jonathan Edwards, the MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, described comments made in the Daily Mail review by the Caerphilly-born writer Roger Lewis as “sick” and said they should not be tolerated. Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/08/16/mp-damns-disgraceful-slur-on-wales-monkey-language-91466-29241533/#ixzz1VGQTzEA6 MP blasts ‘monkey language’ attack on Welsh - Politics News - Politics - News - WalesOnline

The ‘Policy Statement regarding the Welsh language’ has been launched in Carmarthenshire. The launch was part of Gŵyl Hwyl Llandybie Fun Festival, Gŵyl Fwyd Castell Newydd Emlyn Food Festival and Cwm Gwendraeth’s Mabolgampau Meithrin Sports held in Pontyberem Park. The document was prepared by Mentrau Sir Gâr Partnership Group, which includes the Welsh Language Board, Carmarthenshire County Council, Menter Bro Dinefwr, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth and Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr. The group promotes, supports and ensures the use of the Welsh language in every aspect of life in Carmarthenshire. The vision is to see establishments and organisations working together and with people across the county, from all backgrounds, to promote the Welsh language. The Carmarthenshire Integrated Community Strategy Partnerships have committed to five aims of the document which are: • To increase the numbers and percentages who speak, understand, read and write Welsh • To increase the use of the Welsh language and...

Welsh learners can take advantage of a summer school at Ferryside before the new term starts. The course is being run by Carmarthenshire County Council from August 30 to September 2, from 9.30am to 4pm on all days. It is an opportunity for learners to revise before the regular community courses start the week commencing September 19, the course also provides a good starting point for new learners. There will be six groups at different levels. Group 1 is aimed at absolute beginners who haven't been on any course previously, and is ideal for anyone who needs extra support because it will give a good basic foundation ready for the end of September. Groups 2 and 3 are for Mynediad level. Groups 4 and 5 are aimed at Sylfaen level. Group 6 is for learners who have succeeded in learning Welsh to GCSE level and are hoping to progress on to higher levels in the autumn. A free crèche will be provided in partnership with Menter Cwm Gwendraeth. Children must be booked in advance. The cost...

Gall pobl sy'n dysgu Cymraeg fanteisio ar ysgol haf a gaiff ei chynnal yng Nglanyfferi cyn dechrau'r tymor newydd. Mae'r cwrs, sy'n cael ei redeg gan Gyngor Sir Caerfyrddin, yn para o 9.30am hyd 4.00pm bob dydd o 30 Awst i 2 Medi. Mae'n gyfle i ddysgwyr adolygu cyn bod y cyrsiau cymunedol rheolaidd yn cychwyn yn yr wythnos sy'n dechrau 19 Medi. Hefyd, mae'r cwrs yn fan cychwyn da ar gyfer dysgwyr newydd. Bydd chwe grŵp ar wahanol lefelau. Mae Grŵp 1 yn targedu dechreuwyr llwyr sydd heb fod ar gwrs o'r blaen. Mae'n gwrs delfrydol i unrhyw un sydd ag angen cymorth ychwanegol ac yn ddechreuad da, yn barod at ddiwedd Medi. Mae Grwpiau 2 a 3 yn rhai lefel Mynediad. Mae Grwpiau 4 a 5 yn targedu'r lefel Sylfaen. Mae Grŵp 6 ar gyfer dysgwyr sydd wedi llwyddo i ddysgu Cymraeg i lefel TGAU ac sy'n gobeithio mynd ymlaen i lefel uwch yn yr hydref. Darperir meithrinfa am ddim ar y cyd â Menter Cwm Gwendraeth. Rhaid trefnu lle i blant ymlaen llaw. £52 yw ...

In her first public engagement as Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth, Professor April McMahon welcomed more than 70 learners of Welsh from all corners of the World to the University on the opening day of the Cwrs Haf Awst 2011. The course, which is aimed at beginners and more experienced learners, is organised by the Mid Wales Welsh for Adults Centre at Aberystwyth University. It runs from 1 to 26 August and this year welcomes learners from America, Brittany, Poland, Germany, Australia, Japan and England, as well as Wales. Professor McMahon, who has been learning Welsh since March of this year, addressed learners at a special reception at 6.30 on Monday evening 1 August at Tamed Da on the Penglais campus. The evening included entertainment by the folk group Cerddcegin. Cwrs Haf Awst offers a full programme of social activity to enable learners to use their Welsh and get a taste of life and culture in the Aberystwyth area. The programme includes an evening to welcome the learners at St Mary...

Researchers claim to have found “the most Welsh town in Wales”. The rugby-loving town of Llanelli was awarded the title by phone directory firm 192.com based on the number of residents with traditionally Welsh surnames. Llanelli named as most Welsh town - Wales News - News - WalesOnline

Speaking Welsh may delay onset of Alzheimer’s - Wales News - News - WalesOnline Speakers of Welsh and English might have more than their bilingualism as an advantage over monolingual counterparts. Because scientists believe being bilingual – a state familiar to generations in Wales brought up on the likes of Sali Mali from their earliest days – exercises the brain and protects against Alzheimer’s disease.

Pontyberem’s community café ‘Caffi Cynnes’ has reopened following a make-over. The café, based next to the Menter Cwm Gwendraeth offices on Coalbrook Road, has been brought up to date with newly decorated walls and kitchen and serving areas. The menu has also had a revamp, and offers everything from baguettes, sandwiches and toasties to healthy salads and the more traditional cooked breakfast. The café is run by local Welsh-speaking staff, who provide freshly cooked food, made on the premises. It has become a regular meeting point for locals who like to meet up and socialise over a coffee and bite to eat. “It’s lovely to see the community spirit in the café,” said Meinir Griffiths of Menter Cwm Gwendraeth. “The café is local through and through – from the ladies who run it, to the food they cook, and the people that come to eat with us.” The café is run as a subsidiary of Menter Cwm Gwendraeth – a Welsh language organisation which encourages community development, sustainability and re...

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth has become the first Menter Iaith in Wales to win an Investors in People Award. The good news comes just a month before the Gwendraeth Valley-based Welsh language venture celebrates its 20th birthday. The Welsh Assembly Government’s Investors in People (IiP) standard is designed to help businesses improve their performance and results by making the most of their staff. It aims to improve staff management and development, and maximise employees' potential, enabling them to develop new skills. Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Director Deris Williams said that working with Investors in People was proving to be a real catalyst for positive change in the way the company works. She said: “We are developing a reputation as a ‘people company’ and every member of staff is given the opportunity to shape our future”. “We are the first Menter Iaith in Wales to be awarded Investors in People and I’m particularly pleased that it has come as we prepare to celebrate our 20th birthday.” ...

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 We...

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - ‘Peter Pan’ laureate Dewi outlines his fun agenda Dewi Pws is the new laureate.