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.

Aberystwyth University has announced a new scholarship to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the settlement of a Welsh community in Patagonia this year. The scholarship celebrates the relationship between Aberystwyth and Esquel in the Chubut region of Patagonia. The scholarship is offered to one Welsh learner from Patagonia to attend the Welsh Summer Course held at Aberystwyth University from 3-28 August 2015. In 2014, there were 268 adults learning Welsh in Patagonia. The flagship Welsh Summer Course is attended by some 80 learners each year. The course provides new skills for Welsh learners at all levels, from beginners to experienced learners, to improve their Welsh skills, and to take part in a wide range of social and cultural activities in Welsh. The scholarship is sponsored by Aberystwyth University’s International Office. Ruth Owen Lewis, International Office Director, said: “The International Office is very pleased to support the scholarship this year. As we celebrate 150 ye...

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 ...

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

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...