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

A new monthly club for learners and Welsh speakers in Carmarthen to have the chance for a chat and to relax is being launched next week. Clwb Clecs Caerfyrddin is being jointly organised by Menter Iaith Gorllewin Sir Gâr, Dysgu Cymraeg Sir Gâr, and the county council. It will be held in Yr Atom, King Street, Carmarthen, on the last Wednesday of the month from 12.30-1.30pm. The dates for the club are March 29, April 26, May 31 and June 28. All welcome. Contact Gwawr or Siân on 01269 712934 or 01267 246861 for more information.

People all over Carmarthenshire and beyond are set to take part in Shwmae Su’mae day on Saturday. The Welsh language initiative Diwrnod Shwmae Day is an opportunity to have fun and share the language in the shop, leisure centre, at work and with friends by greeting people with a Shwmae, Su’mae, Shwdi or S’mai. Although the Shwmae Su’mae day falls on a Saturday this year, you can celebrate the day in the workplace by starting your conversations in Welsh on Friday instead. Executive board member for the Welsh Language, Cllr Mair Stephens said: “Shwmae Su’mae Day is a great opportunity to promote the Welsh language and encourage people to start conversations using Shwmae. Remember, there are Welsh lessons on every level available on our website. Don’t worry if the courses have already started you can join the group after a few weeks.” To mark the occasion in Carmarthen, there will be a quiz in Welsh in Carmarthen Football club on Saturday, October 15 at 8pm. It will be suitable for lear...

A new e-book by a Russian academic sheds new light on the early history of the Welsh language. Llawlyfr Hen Gymraeg (‘Old Welsh Handbook’) by Dr Alexander Falileyev is the first comprehensive description of Old Welsh to appear in the Welsh language. It is published by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and was launched at Aberystwyth University. Old Welsh refers to the period between the ninth century and the early 12th century in the history of the Welsh language. Although books on Old Welsh are already available in English, French and Russian, there were no Welsh books until the publication of this e-book by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Llawlyfr Hen Gymraeg provides the first opportunity for Welsh speakers to learn about some of the earliest known examples of texts in their language. Dr Alexander Falileyev, a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, is an expert on the Celtic languages. He has published extensively on the place names and personal names of ancient European Celts, and on the...

Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen is set to become the first official Welsh Medium secondary school in Carmarthenshire. Carmarthenshire Council's executive board discussed the issue at its meeting this week and endorsed the proposal to proceed with the statutory consultation process. It means every subject apart from English, including science and maths, will be taught through the medium of Welsh. An informal consultation with pupils, governors, staff, parents and prospective parents has been completed and has shown support for the move. Traditionally, all lessons apart from maths and science are taught in Welsh, and figures now reveal that most pupils have already chosen to learn these subjects in Welsh also. From years seven to 12/13 a total of 43 pupils learn maths through the medium of English, compared to 723 in Welsh. In science, almost twice as many pupils are taught in Welsh than English, with 509 and 274 with numbers increasing year on year from 48/58 in years 12/13 to 107/30 in...

Carmarthenshire County Council has agreed to proposals to promote the Welsh Language from a cross party working group formed last year. The group was set up by the council after the 2011 census results were published showing that the number of Welsh speakers in the county had declined dramatically between the 2001 and 2011 census. The Cross party working group of nine councillors received evidence from a wide cross section of people and organisations before agreeing on 73 recommendations covering education, planning, business, youth and community engagement. Go to Carmarthenshire County Council’s website for more information www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk and http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/english/welsh/pages/home.aspx

An important and unique historical collection of Welsh Bibles dating back as far as the middle of the 16th century is going on show at Carmarthen Library . The publication of these volumes has played a crucial role in ensuring the survival of Welsh as a living language over the last 400 years. Local residents and visitors to Carmarthen library will be able to view an exhibition which tells the story and traces the history of the Welsh Bible from the year 1567 to 1806. What many regard as a highlight is a first edition of the William Morgan Bible, published in 1588 and presented to Queen Elizabeth 1st. Morgan was a brilliant scholar who translated directly from the Hebrew and Greek originals. He gave the people of Wales a translation in their own tongue marked by a richness and breadth of vocabulary and a poetry which represents the language in its most elevated form. Where other Celtic languages fell into disuse, Welsh congregations had the benefit of listening week by week to majes...

A new Welsh Language Scheme has been published by Aberystwyth University. The University has also launched a short film to promote the use of Welsh and to provide background to the Scheme and its objectives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujwRcjOurTM . The University has operated a Welsh Language Scheme since 2003 and the revised Scheme reflects the structural changes that took place in light of the University adopting a new Institute structure in August 2013. Following the establishment of the Institutes, seven Directors responsible for Welsh language and Culture were appointed; an innovative move which means that the Welsh language has a champion in every Institute. Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Welsh Language and Culture and External Relations, said; “This is a time of much debate and development in the University's strategies in relation to the Welsh language, and the publication of this new language scheme is an important milestone. “Since the adoption of th...

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board have given their backing to proposals to promote the Welsh language from a cross party working group formed last year. The group was set up by the council after the 2011 census results were published showing that the number of Welsh speakers in the county had declined dramatically between the 2001 and 2011 census. Although there are still more Welsh speakers in Carmarthenshire than any other county in Wales, the decline in the number of Welsh speakers in the area was the biggest of any county in Wales during the decade between 2001 and 2011. The working group of nine councillors received evidence and comments from a wide cross section of people and organisations before agreeing on 73 recommendations covering education, planning, business, youth and community engagement. Chairperson of the working group, Cllr. Cefin Campbell said, “The future of the Welsh language is at a crossroad. The number of Welsh speakers in Carmarthenshire, and ...

Aberystwyth University's commitment to draw up an integrated strategic plan for promoting use of the Welsh language offers the chance to pioneer says Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan. The decision to produce an integrated plan to promote the Welsh language follows the publication of a report into the linguistic impact of moving the University’s dedicated Welsh accommodation from Pantycelyn to Fferm Penglais. The independent report by Iaith: the Welsh Centre for Language Planning concluded that the move would not have a negative impact on the use of Welsh by students, and the University should proceed with current plans to create a designated Welsh area as part of the development of student accommodation on Fferm Penglais. The report also included a recommendation to establish a new Welsh Centre at the heart of the main campus to promote Welsh activities among students and staff of the University and the wider community. The decision has been approved by...

Dyfed-Powys Police Force press release -  A total of 18 officers and staff from Ceredigion have recently completed the ‘Intensive Entry and Foundation Level Course’ delivered by the Mid-Wales Centre for Welsh for Adults. The course, aimed at new learners of the language, was held at Cardigan police station for two days each month over six months, and has provided a strong basis of Welsh language ability to build upon in the future. It is a priority for us to be able to provide a service to our customers in their choice of language, therefore this is an important step towards achieving that in Ceredigion. A particular highlight for the students was the opportunity to meet with Welsh speakers from the local community and to practise their conversational skills, which demonstrated how much had been achieved over the past six months. Course tutor, Mr Richard Vale said: “Over the past six months, the team has worked really hard, and they can now all hold a good basic conversati...

A new project called ‘ffrinDiaith.org’ was launched in the National Eisteddfod (in the Studio on the Maes) to help Welsh learners find Welsh-speaking friends. The original idea for the project came from Hywel Gwynfryn, and it is now being developed in partnership between the six Welsh for Adults Centres throughout Wales and the online course SaySomethinginWelsh.com. Learners and speakers can register at www.ffrinDiaith.org and contact each other to arrange regular informal sessions - in a cafe, in a community centre, or just down the pub! "This is a huge step forward for Welsh learners,’ says Siôn Meredith, Director of the Welsh for Adults Centre in mid-Wales. "One of the biggest challenges learners face is taking their Welsh out of the classroom and into the community. ffrinDiaith.org will help them get to know Welsh speakers as soon as they start learning, so they will have an immediate connection to the Welsh-speaking community that will grow and deepen as their own ...

Hywel Dda Health Board has won the most awards of any health board in the Welsh Language in Healthcare Awards 2013. The awards and one-day conference help to share best practice and ensure Welsh language provision is an important element of the care process across the country. The event also promotes the responsibility of health and care providers to actively offer a Welsh language service. The health board won four awards for its excellence in promoting Welsh language and giving patients a language choice. Hywel Dda Health Board had joint winners in the first category of the day – Work done with priority groups – Older People. Michelle Gerard Wilson and the orthopaedic elective team in Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli provides a pre and post operative bilingual patient centred care programme for hip and knee replacement patients. They won for recognising that they must deliver a bilingual patient centred care programme, which includes speaking to patients in their preferred language, ...

Welsh language campaigners have destroyed roadside signs and trespassed on the Evan-Evans brewery site to deface promotional banners promoting this weekend’s Llandeilo Jazz Festival, it is claimed. Jazz at Llandeilo 2013 is a sell-out and the West Wales market town is expecting more than 2,000 visitors for the festival. Jazz Festival promoter Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Evan-Evans brewery, said “No other brewer in Wales has done more to promote Welsh brewing and hospitality than me. “The reason we have not been able to brand the festival in Welsh is one of cost. “Last year, my company spent £15,000 getting Jazz in Llandeilo started for the benefit of the town as a whole. This year, we hoped other companies would step forward and support the festival but they have not, so we have had to scale back the level of promotional support. “This year, the festival is set to raise significant sums for the two primary schools, including Ysgol Teilo Sant in Llandeilo, to help pur...

Dr Cathryn Charnell-White has been appointed Head of the Welsh Department at Aberystwyth University. The appointment was confirmed by University Council and is central to the delivery of the University’s ambitious strategic plan. As Head of the Welsh Department, Dr Charnell-White will play a key role in facilitating collaborative research opportunities in the fields of Welsh and Celtic Studies as well as enhancing the student experience by contributing to the development of challenging new modules and student employability. Dr Cathryn Charnell-White is currently Research Fellow, at the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies and a graduate and former member of staff of the Welsh Department at Aberystwyth University. Speaking after the appointment Dr Charnell-White said: “I am pleased to be given this opportunity to lead the Department of Welsh at an exciting and competitive time for the development of Welsh language provision in Higher Education,” she said. “...

Hywel Dda Health Board is helping put the importance of a bilingual workforce on the UK map as it is shortlisted for a prestigious national human resources award. The Board has been shortlisted in the equality and diversity category at the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA) Excellence in HR Management Awards 2013. The winner will be announced following an awards ceremony on Thursday 27 June. The short-listing recognises that Hywel Dda is the first Health Board in Wales to develop a bilingual skills strategy as part of its Welsh Language Scheme. Director of Human Resources Janet Wilkinson explained: “Both the human resources directorate and the health board’s welsh language have worked extremely hard to develop the bilingual skills strategy, to raise awareness of it, and to support its implementation. We are therefore delighted to be shortlisted in these prestigious UK awards. “This strategy will identify the language skills of the current workforce to ensure we have enough...

A member of staff from Withybush Hospital has won Pembrokeshire Welsh Learner of the Year. Matthew Rempes, Undergraduate Training Co-ordinator, started learning Welsh 18 months ago after moving from Ohio, USA. He said: “I am delighted to get this award and hope it inspires others to start learning Welsh.” Enfys Williams, Welsh Language Officer for the health board, said: “Learning Welsh as an adult can be daunting but Matthew is a good example to encourage others to give it a go.” For more information on learning Welsh go to: www.learnwelshsouthwestwales.org or www.aber.ac.uk/welshforadults

Outline plans for a 289-house development in the Ammanford area have been approved by Carmarthenshire planners. A meeting of the county council planning committee discussed the application to develop land at Tirychen Farm, Dyffryn Road, Ammanford. This application was considered by the planning committee at its meeting last December when members resolved to refuse the application. Head of planning Eifion Bowen told the committee that an amended plan had now been submitted that sought to address the concerns expressed by members at December’s meeting. He said that the number of homes in the plan had been reduced by 47 from 336 and the area of land that extends beyond the confines of the sites’ existing allocation in the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) has now been omitted from the proposed development. He said: “With regard to the impact upon the Welsh Language, the site is allocated within the UDP as a housing site. As part of the UDP deliberations, approved by a Planning Inspector, the...

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...

Carmarthen’s leading theatre arts school is continuing with its successful Welsh language classes. Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen launched new bilingual classes for ‘early years’ pupils at the school on St David’s Day. “We wondered what the reaction would be,” said Stagecoach Carmarthen principal Liane Davies. “But we have been delighted with the response. The classes are a big hit and we are continuing them this term (the new term started recently). “We have plenty of resources as I am a fluent Welsh speaker, along with two of my early stages staff. “We were keen to test the opinion of our students and their mums and dads. Everyone seems very keen on the idea, so we are continuing to have a bilingual class for one of the early years classes for four to six-year-olds. “I am a passionate supporter of the Welsh language and think that everyone deserves the best possible start in life by being bilingual. “I’m very hopeful that Stagecoach, as a national organisation, will be consi...

Welsh learners have the chance to attend one last summer school to help them get a head start on classes in the autumn. It will be held in Canolfan Griffith Jones in St Clears and will run from August 28-31 from 9.30am to 4pm on all day. It is an opportunity for people to start learning, or to revise, before the regular community education courses start week commencing September 24. There will six groups at different levels. Group one is aimed at absolute beginners who have not been on any course previously. It is ideal for anyone who needs extra support at the beginning as it will give a good basic foundation ready. Groups two and three are for Mynediad level, groups four and five Sylfaen level, and group six for people who have succeeded in learning Welsh to GCSE level and are hoping to progress on to higher levels in the autumn. A children’s club will be provided in partnership with Menter Cwm Gwendraeth. Children must be booked in advance and the cost will be £5 per day. The c...