Latest news with #LucyCowley
Leader Live
07-08-2025
- 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
06-08-2025
- 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
06-08-2025
- 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.
BBC News
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Welsh learner of the year announced at Wrexham National Eisteddfod
A school teacher has been named as the Welsh learner of the year at the National Eisteddfod. Lucy Cowley, originally from Wrexham, was honoured in a special ceremony on the Pavilion stage on Wednesday, bagging the top prize of £ Cowley said she was "emotional" winning the prize in the year the event is held in her home city, and specifically in Isycoed, where she grew learnt a small amount of Welsh in school, but it wasn't until she started teaching that she realised she loved sharing Welsh with her pupils."I'm very proud. I never thought I'd win," said the primary school accolade goes to someone who has shown dedication and progress to the Welsh language. Although Lucy lives and works in north Wales, she did not feel that she fitted in speaking Welsh. She said: "Winning this means the world to me. 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 enrolled on courses and incorporated more Welsh in the school where she works. She also established a Welsh discussion group in Llangollen, Denbighshire, where she now group attracts new learners and others who want to reconnect with the Celtic language. For Lucy, the learning will continue, and as a jewellery designer in her spare time, she hopes to give lessons on this subject in than 150,000 people are expected to attend the National Eisteddfod this week, with 6,000 competitors showcasing the best Welsh language art, music, drama and is held in north and south Wales on alternate years and it's the first time since 2011 that the eisteddfod has been held in the area.
North Wales Chronicle
22-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Finalists named for 'Welsh Learner of the Year' contest
The contest is organised by the National Eisteddfod and the National Centre for Learning Welsh. 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. MOST READ "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.
