Finalists named for 'Welsh Learner of the Year' contest
The four finalists are Rachel Bedwin, who lives in the Bangor area, Lucy Cowley who lives in Wrexham, Hammad Hassan Rind who lives in Cardiff, and Leanne Parry who lives in Prestatyn.
Lucy Cowley comes from Is-y-Coed, Wrecsam, the home of this year's Eisteddfod. Her grandfather was a refugee from Poland and her grandmother, a refugee from the Ukraine. Although she learnt some Welsh at school, she didn't feel that she was part of the Welsh-speaking community.
Lucy Cowley (Image: Eisteddfod Wales)
After graduating, she qualified as a primary teacher and began working at Holt School. She realised that she loved sharing her Welsh with the children and enrolled on several courses before starting to use Welsh resources in the classroom.
She set up a Welsh discussion group in Llangollen, which attracts people from diverse backgrounds, some are new learners and others are there to regain their confidence when speaking Welsh.
Leanne Parry returned to north Wales intending to reconnect with the language and raise her son bilingually, having studied Welsh up to GCSE second language standard at school.
Leanne works as a neurological physiotherapist at Glan Clwyd and Colwyn Bay hospitals, working with people with conditions such as MS and Parkinson's. The National Centre for Learning Welsh's health and care plan was key to her language journey; she took great advantage of the local health board's offer to learn Welsh, and in 2024, won the title of 'Betsi Cadwaladr Learner of the Year' at intermediate level.
Originally from Rhyl, Leanne lives in Prestatyn, where she regularly meets other learners to practice their Welsh.
The adjudicators for this year's competition are Steve Morris, Francesca Sciarrillo and Ian Gwyn Hughes, with the final round being held on the Eisteddfod Maes on Wednesday, August 6.
The judges said: 'It was a real pleasure to meet the new Welsh speakers who applied for this year's Learner of the Year competition.
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"They all said that learning Welsh has changed their lives, and has opened the door to a wealth of valuable experiences, and many new friends.
'Four came out on top from among the excellent candidates. Listening to their experiences of learning, using and enjoying the language was an inspiration, and we congratulate them, and all the candidates.'
The winner will be announced on the Pafiliwn stage on Wednesday, August 6, and will receive the Dysgwr y Flwyddyn Trophy donated by Spencer and Jeni Harris, and £300, donated by Ann Aubrey.
The other three finalists will receive £100.
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