Latest news with #LlŷnandEifionyddEisteddfod
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Welsh Learner of the Year named at Wrexham Eisteddfod
Lucy Cowley, who lives in Llangollen but is originally from Is-y-Coed, Wrexham, received the honour during a ceremony on the Pavilion stage on Wednesday, August 6. Ms Cowley said: "I'm very proud. "I never thought I'd win and to do that in Is-y-Coed is fantastic. "I'm very emotional, there's no word to describe how I feel. "Winning this means the world to me. "I live locally and work locally but I didn't feel like I fit in. "I speak with an English accent and I didn't speak Welsh. "People didn't understand why I was learning Welsh but I'm so glad I did." Her grandfather was a refugee from Poland, and her grandmother from Ukraine. Though she had some exposure to Welsh at school, she did not feel confident using it until later in life. A teacher at Holt School, Ms Cowley rediscovered her passion for the language through her work with children. She enrolled in Welsh courses and began incorporating the language into her teaching, eventually using Welsh resources in the classroom. She said she plans to continue her studies and hopes to start offering jewellery-making classes in Welsh. Ms Cowley said: "And we will have something to discuss in the next discussion group." She also set up a Welsh discussion group in Llangollen, which brings together people from diverse backgrounds—some new to the language, others hoping to regain confidence in speaking Welsh. The Learner of the Year Trophy was donated by Spencer and Jeni Harris, and Ms Cowley also received a £300 prize from Ann Aubrey. READ MORE: Montgomeryshire sisters win at Wrexham National Eisteddfod folk band competition The other three finalists were Rachel Bedwin from Bangor, Hammad Hassan Rind from Cardiff, and Leanne Parry from Prestatyn. The three other finalists received £100 in recognition of their achievements. The judges for this year's competition were Steve Morris, Francesca Sciarrillo, and Ian Gwyn Hughes. In addition to her work in education, Ms Cowley also designs jewellery and previously ran a stall at the Llŷn and Eifionydd Eisteddfod.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Welsh Learner of the Year announced at 2025 National Eisteddfod
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Welsh Learner of the Year has been confirmed at the 2025 National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. The award this year was presented to Lucy Cowley, who lives in Llangollen. She was honoured in a special ceremony on the Pavilion stage on Wednesday following a high-standard competition. Lucy is from Is-y-Coed, Wrexham, which is the home of this year's National Eisteddfod. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone Her grandfather was a refugee from Poland and her grandmother a refugee from Ukraine. Although she had some Welsh in school, she wasn't confident, but while working as a teacher at Holt School, she realised she loved sharing Welsh with the children. She went on to take courses and began using Welsh resources in the classroom. She has established a Welsh discussion group in Llangollen, which attracts a group of people from various backgrounds - some new learners and others looking to reconnect with their Welsh. She designs jewellery and brought a stall to the Llŷn and Eifionydd Eisteddfod. The judges of the competition were Steve Morris, Francesca Sciarrillo, and Ian Gwyn Hughes. They said the standard of competition was very high and it was difficult to choose the winner. The other three finalists were Rachel Bedwin, who lives in the Bangor area, Hammad Hassan Rind, who lives in Cardiff, and Leanne Parry, who lives in Prestatyn. Lucy received the Learner of the Year Trophy, donated by Spencer and Jeni Harris, and £300, donated by Ann Aubrey. The other three finalists each received £100. Lucy said after the ceremony that she was "in shock". She said: "I'm very proud. I never thought I'd win and to do that in Is-y-Coed is fantastic. I'm very emotional, there's no word to describe how I feel. "Winning this means the world to me. I live locally and work locally but I didn't feel like I fit in. I speak with an English accent and I didn't speak Welsh. People didn't understand why I was learning Welsh but I'm so glad I did." She added that she will carry on with Welsh lessons and hold jewellery lessons in the language. "And we will have something to discuss in the next discussion group," she said. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Welsh Learner of the Year announced at 2025 National Eisteddfod
The Welsh Learner of the Year has been confirmed at the 2025 National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. The award this year was presented to Lucy Cowley, who lives in Llangollen. She was honoured in a special ceremony on the Pavilion stage on Wednesday following a high-standard competition. Lucy is from Is-y-Coed, Wrexham, which is the home of this year's National Eisteddfod. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone Her grandfather was a refugee from Poland and her grandmother a refugee from Ukraine. Although she had some Welsh in school, she wasn't confident, but while working as a teacher at Holt School, she realised she loved sharing Welsh with the children. She went on to take courses and began using Welsh resources in the classroom. She has established a Welsh discussion group in Llangollen, which attracts a group of people from various backgrounds - some new learners and others looking to reconnect with their Welsh. She designs jewellery and brought a stall to the Llŷn and Eifionydd Eisteddfod. The judges of the competition were Steve Morris, Francesca Sciarrillo, and Ian Gwyn Hughes. They said the standard of competition was very high and it was difficult to choose the winner. The other three finalists were Rachel Bedwin, who lives in the Bangor area, Hammad Hassan Rind, who lives in Cardiff, and Leanne Parry, who lives in Prestatyn. Lucy received the Learner of the Year Trophy, donated by Spencer and Jeni Harris, and £300, donated by Ann Aubrey. The other three finalists each received £100. Lucy said after the ceremony that she was "in shock". She said: "I'm very proud. I never thought I'd win and to do that in Is-y-Coed is fantastic. I'm very emotional, there's no word to describe how I feel. "Winning this means the world to me. I live locally and work locally but I didn't feel like I fit in. I speak with an English accent and I didn't speak Welsh. People didn't understand why I was learning Welsh but I'm so glad I did." She added that she will carry on with Welsh lessons and hold jewellery lessons in the language. "And we will have something to discuss in the next discussion group," she said.
