Latest news with #WelshLanguage
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Language legacy hope as Wrexham hosts National Eisteddfod
TV and Hollywood actor Mark Lewis Jones said he hoped Wrexham playing host to a major cultural festival can "recharge the Welsh language and the Welsh culture from this area". He also praised the city's football club's owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney for embracing Welsh culture, saying the north east Wales border with England was considered by some as "'not as Welsh as other areas of Wales" where more people speak the Welsh language."I think there's a lack of confidence as a result of that," said Jones, who is a fluent speaker, and from Rhosllanerchrugog, in Wrexham said he hoped that could be addressed with Wrexham hosting the 2025 National Eisteddfod, with crowds of 150,000 expected this week. "This isn't a private do," said the actor, who has appeared in series such as The Crown, Game of Thrones, and is also known for roles in films such as Star Wars: Episode VIII."The doors are wide open to people of this area who... perhaps can't speak Welsh, or feel their Welsh isn't good enough, like I used to feel, and still can."Everybody's welcome." Jones has been made honorary president of week-long event, with 6,000 competitors showcasing the best Welsh language art, music, drama and literature. He said: "I just hope this is going to really... recharge the Welsh language and the Welsh culture from this area."Jones also praised Wrexham FC's Hollywood owners for helping to secure The Dragons' return to English football's second tier for the first time in 43 opening away game to Southampton in the Championship on Saturday comes after a third successive automatic promotion last the field, owners Reynolds and McElhenney have been promoting Welsh culture in their Disney series, Welcome to Wrexham. Plus, McElhenney has been learning the language. Jones said: "The area has had a huge boost from the football team, and the way that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have approached that, and being in Wrexham, being in Wales, and taking on the Welsh language and giving it a real boost... the whole area, not just Wrexham itself, is benefiting from that."He said he was "thrilled and very proud" that Isycoed in Wrexham was hosting the festival. It is the first time since 2011 that the eisteddfod, which runs until 9 August, has been held in the area."When all this is taken away and this becomes a field full of cattle again, I hope that what's lasting is that it will encourage people to pick up the Welsh language, and encourage people to go watch theatre in Welsh... watch Welsh films, and take part in the stuff that is around in this area."
Cambrian News
26-07-2025
- Health
- Cambrian News
Barmouth Town Council enhance beach accessibility with new wheelchair
Cllr Llio Elenid Owen, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Legal and the Welsh Language added: "Going to the beach is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery and nature of Gwynedd, not to mention sea air can be beneficial for mental health. It's extremely important everyone has a fair chance to enjoy all Abermaw beach has to offer, so I'm pleased this new wheelchair is making that experience more accessible to more people.
Business News Wales
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Business News Wales
Neath Port Talbot Reports Strong Progress in Promoting Welsh Language
Neath Port Talbot Council's Cabinet members have heard of good progress being made in promoting the use of Welsh across the county borough. This comes just weeks after Margam Country Park played host to the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, which saw a record-breaking number of registrations to compete. Both the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report and the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy Annual Report for 2024-2025 were presented to Cabinet. The reports detail how the council has complied with the Standards, and the activities and initiatives that took place during the year to promote the Welsh language and facilitate its use in the area. Cllr Simon Knoyle, Neath Port Talbot Council's Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, said: 'This council remains committed to promoting the Welsh language as a living, vibrant part of everyday life. I hope the reports demonstrate that our approach to implementing the Welsh language Standards and delivering on our Welsh Language Promotion Strategy is not just a legal requirement, but a genuine commitment. 'These reports highlight some significant progress during a busy and exciting year when we were preparing to welcome the Urdd Eisteddfod in May 2025. The Urdd was a huge success, and we anticipate that one if its legacies will be a significant boost for the Welsh language in our area. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to make the most of this.' Cabinet members were given annual updates on notable areas of progress during 2024/2025 which included: The launch of the council's new online, fully bilingual resident account platform, myNPT; The production and launch of 6 promotional videos to support the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. These promote the benefits of bilingualism and all aspects of Welsh-medium education for non-Welsh speaking parents. A decrease of 18 seconds in the average time taken to answer Welsh language telephone calls to the council compared to 2023-24. Support for national campaigns 'Diwrnod Shwmae Su'mae' and 'Defnyddia dy Gymraeg' to promote the Welsh language; Promotion of the 'Welsh Language in NPT' eLearning course to council employees, as a result, 2,859 had completed the course by 31st March 2025, an increase of 1,179 since the end of the previous year. Strengthening of the Welsh Language Standards content of the council's corporate induction training session for new employees which moved to a fully bilingual slide deck and expanding the Welsh Language content.
Sky News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
London Welsh language school secures funding - but long-term future still in doubt
A Welsh language school in London threatened with closure after Wales's government said it was removing financial support has secured funding to stay open for another year - but doubts remain around its future. Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain in Hanwell, Ealing, currently receives a grant of £90,000 per year from the Welsh government. It had previously announced the funding would come to an end next March, but it has now agreed to continue providing the grant until the end of the academic year in August 2026. Once the agreement comes to an end, the funding will go towards other projects aimed at achieving the Cardiff government's target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050. Lead teacher Emilia Davies told Sky News the update from the government was "very great relief for parents and for staff". She said the grant funding was vital for the future of the school. "As a school, and as a community, we do a lot of fundraising every year as it is because £90,000 doesn't cover the cost to run a school, so we already do a lot of fundraising," she said. "So it's not possible, I don't think, to raise that amount of money." 'Want to support us' There are 12 pupils currently registered at the fee-paying school, but with 20 children in its mother and toddler group, there is "hope that there is a future". That's according to Eleri Brady, who has worked at the school for over 30 years. "Historically, the school has always been up and down in numbers," she said. "We've built from... six, 35 years ago; we built up and up until there were 40 on the books 20 years later. "So that's the story of the school, the numbers going up and going down." While the school is pleased to hear the support from the government will continue for a further five months, Ms Brady would like to see the Cardiff government go further. "We'd like them to say that they would continue that £90,000 annually," she said. "We don't want it just to finish in August 2026. We'd love them to confirm that they want to support us. "There are many schools in London from different countries, and their home countries support those schools. We'd love Wales to do that for us." The Welsh government said it had confirmed funding for Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain for the "full 2025 academic year". "As is the case with most grant schemes, our funding to promote the Welsh language is typically subject to annual applications, and we are therefore unable to confirm long-term funding beyond that point," the spokesperson added.
Leader Live
23-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Wrexham event for student winners at Coleg Cambria sites
Coleg Cambria held its annual awards for Further and Higher Education (FE and HE) and Work-based Learning (WBL) and Adult and Community Learning (ACL) at its Yale site in Wrexham. Caroline Street, Cambria's deputy chief executive for People Experiences and Culture, and head of Welsh language Llinos Roberts hosted proceedings over two nights, joined by parents and carers and staff. Further and Higher Education winners. Special guests were award-winning motivational speaker, author, and mentor Jackson Ogunyemi (Action Jackson), and Kamal Ellis-Hyman, an entrepreneur passionate about empowering young people to unlock their full potential. Read more: There were also performances by Cor Coleg Cambria, who will be appearing at the upcoming National Eisteddfod. "What an incredible year it's been at Coleg Cambria! Congratulations to each and every one of you on your amazing achievements," said chief executive Yana Williams. Caroline Street, Cambria's deputy chief executive for People Experiences and Culture. "We're so proud of all you've accomplished, and we're especially grateful to your families and supporters for the vital role they've played along the way. "You truly embody the spirit of the college and your hard work, dedication, and passion shine through everything you do. It's a joy and an honour to celebrate your successes across such a wide variety of programmes." Entrepreneur Kamal Ellis-Hyman. The student awards celebrate achievement across all of Cambria's sites - Northop, Deeside, Llysfasi, and Bersham Road and Yale college in Wrexham. Among the winners were: • Deeside Sixth Student of the Year - Megan Astbury • Yale Sixth Student of the Year - Tegan Haskell • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Student of the Year - Haneen Alsaadi • HE Learner of the Year - Bryn Williams • Degree Apprenticeship Learner of the Year - Rebecca Dunnington Jackson Ogunyemi (Action Jackson). • Motor Vehicle Student of the Year - Rachel Taylor • Engineering Student of the Year - Cameron Daly • Independent Living Skills Student of the Year - Curtis Jones • Jobs Growth Wales+ Student of the Year - Preston Gray • Neurodiverse-centred Course Student of the Year - Julia Dymnicka • Llysfasi Land-based Student of the Year - Nichola Wright • Northop Technical Studies Student of the Year - Finn Jones • Tourism Student of the Year - Fabio Prior • Learner Experience Student of the Year - Lili Allen • Welsh Language Student of the Year - Magi Roberts • Charity Student of the Year - Jessica Howard • Leadership and Management Work-based Learner of the Year - Amy Evans • Childcare Work-based Learner of the Year - Maxine Read • Playwork Work-based Learner of the Year - Amanda Evans • Construction Trades Apprentice of the Year - Harry Griffiths • Welsh Language Apprentice of the Year - Laura Williams • Adult Learner of the Year - Jerin Koothamattathil George Ms Williams added: "Whether you've followed an apprenticeship, taken on A Levels, or pursued work-based learning, your journey is just beginning. "Whatever comes next, know we'll always be cheering you on and wishing you every success and happiness in the future." For more information and the full list of winners at the FE/HE and WBL/ACL ceremonies, visit the website:
