Latest news with #WelshLanguage
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In pictures: Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in rain and shine
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language. Young Urdd winner melts hearts with message to mam American's Eisteddfod trip to trace his heritage Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In pictures: Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in rain and shine
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language. Young Urdd winner melts hearts with message to mam American's Eisteddfod trip to trace his heritage Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages
5 days ago
- Politics
Pembrokeshire council deputy chief ‘unacceptable' words row
A SPECIAL Pembrokeshire council meeting which includes a motion of no confidence in its deputy leader is to take place next week. The notice of a motion of no confidence call, by Cllr Huw Murphy, leader of the Independent Group, has been backed by fellow members. It is centrally due to concerns by Cllr Murphy about Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller's comments made during an April Cabinet debate on The Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP), which led to a successful 'call-in' on that Cabinet decision by Cllr Murphy. In a heated discussion at a scrutiny committee prior to the matter going back to a special May Cabinet meeting, Cllr Murphy claimed Cllr Miller's comments showed 'a bias against the provision of Welsh Language education'. WESP is a ten-year plan, mandatory for all local authorities in Wales, that outlines how Welsh medium education will be developed within the authority. The WESP aims to increase the proportion of school year groups taught through the medium of Welsh and focuses on Year 1 learners. The plans also aim to contribute to the Welsh Government's goal of having 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050, as part of the 'Cymraeg 2050' initiative. Pembrokeshire County Council's schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee met on May 14 to consider the 'call-in', specifically an amendment by Cllr Miller to its previous recommendation to note a report. The scrutiny committee voted for Cabinet to consider removing an amendment: 'That the Director of Education be tasked with exploring how demand for Welsh language can be better captured. 'In particular this work should focus on disaggregating demand for Welsh Medium Education from other school choice considerations such as perceptions of learning outcomes, facility quality etc,' replacing it with: 'That the progress being made against the objectives set out in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, and Welsh Government's feedback to the Council's 2023/24 Annual Report, be noted.' Cllr Murphy's lengthy 'call-in' said: 'Some comments made by Cabinet appeared to display a degree of bias against the provision of Welsh Language education.' He quoted Cllr Miller from that meeting, in relation to Welsh medium Ysgol Caer Ellen: '…basically we've opened Caer Ellen and loads of people went there and therefore by definition they must want a Welsh Language education. 'I'm not sure how true that is, might be partly true, might be completely true but also it might not be. I know quite a few parents in that particular area obviously given my constituency in Neyland West and all of them that I know who send their children to Caer Ellen honestly couldn't give a toss whether it was Welsh or English, they're looking for a good school and so what they've got is a good school in Caer Ellen, great facilities, and so they're sending their kids there.' Cllr Murphy went on to say: 'Councillor Miller then continues and commented 'honestly the fact its Welsh medium has got nothing to do with anything so how do we differentiate those looking for a good school' and re-asserts this point where it appears that Cllr Miller by his comments does not think parents select Caer Ellen on the basis of providing Welsh education, rather that it's a 'good school' and requests data be collected to ascertain from parents why they choose Welsh Language education.' Cllr Murphy also raised concerns that some members of the Cabinet 'had little idea of the workings' of Fforwm Cymraeg, a committee which examines in greater detail the provision of Welsh language education in Pembrokeshire, and any data collection 'would be a clear indication that some Cabinet members do not believe parental choice in electing Welsh Language education'. At the May 14 meeting, Cllr Murphy said he had reported the matter to the Welsh Language Commissioner, who had shared his concerns, and was 'aghast what Pembrokeshire County Council recommended.' Cllr Miller responded saying there was no evidence members displayed a limited knowledge of WESP, and allegations that his comments displayed a degree of bias were 'entirely without merit,' standing by his words. 'It must be the case it is at least possible some parents are choosing Welsh medium schools other than because of the medium of Welsh. It's currently unknown; surely it's right the council seeks to understand the impact of other forces.' He said Cllr Murphy was 'trying to make something out of nothing,' in 'a naked attempt to create outrage, trying to paint some in this council as anti-Welsh,' adding: 'Cllr Murphy should be deeply ashamed of his actions over the last week in trying to create artificial division in the county of Pembrokeshire.' Cllr Murphy's call succeeded by seven votes to five, with the matter going to a May 21 extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's Cabinet. That May 21 meeting led to the council issuing a statement: 'Following Cabinet in April it became clear that there were some concerns about the council potentially capturing information on the school choices made only by those parents choosing a Welsh Medium Education. 'To allay those concerns, the Cabinet today determined to explore collecting the information on the school choices made by all parents, resolving as follows: That the Director of Education be tasked with exploring how the demand for school places can be better captured. 'In particular this work should focus on understanding the weight parents give to the different choice considerations, including: language preference; learning outcomes; quality of facilities; transport provision; ALN provision, etc. 'As the council continues to consider proposals to modernise the school estate we believe it's important we have the best possible information available to ensure we make informed decisions in the best interests of pupils and parents.' Following the lodging of a no-confidence call, a Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman has now said: 'Following a formal request submitted to the Presiding Member, an Extraordinary Meeting of Council will take place on Monday ,June 2, at 1pm. 'The purpose of the meeting will be to consider a Notice of Motion of no confidence in the Deputy Leader of Council. 'The agenda will be published in due course.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in pictures: Sun, rain and celebration
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Welsh language social media use 'limited' among young people
Young people's attitudes towards the Welsh language are "encouraging" but English is by far the main language used by teenagers on social media, a report has found.A large majority of Welsh children communicate mainly through English on social media even when speaking to other Welsh-speakers, according to the report set to be released at the Urdd Eisteddfod on survey of around 1600 youngsters found "limited" use of Welsh by children outside of school, but added it was more likely to be spoken in activities such as to the report, Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones said it highlighted "significant challenges... [but] also identifies opportunities". Cai Saunders attends English medium secondary school Treorchy Comprehensive in Rhondda Cynon Taf. He and his friends, who are studying Welsh, have a group chat where they practice before lessons and exams, the 16-year-old said, speaking from this year's Eisteddfod yr Urdd. "Sometimes we share things on Instagram or Facebook to show friends and family, but my friends who study A-level have set up a group chat so that we can talk in Welsh." Cerys, from Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed, near Newport, speaks Welsh with her said a lot of her friends went to English schools and used English outside of school because their family and parents "don't speak Welsh"."If there are more places where they are able to speak Welsh, I think more would speak Welsh," she Franklin from Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni on Anglesey said he usually mixed Welsh and English when talking with friends at said he liked to speak Welsh, adding: "I don't get a lot of time to speak [Welsh] with my friends." Cari Lovelock from Anglesey said she thought it was "important" that the younger generation use the Welsh language when socialising."We are the next generation who are going to promote the language and keep it alive so that we get things like the Eisteddfod and I think that is an important thing," she ap Llwyd Dafydd from Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, in Caerphilly county, said he speaks English with his friends because that is the home language for many of he speaks Welsh at home, he said: "We don't see any entertainment in Welsh, they're all in English, so it's not easy to speak Welsh with friends." 'Positive' attitude to Welsh language 1,600 children and young people - most of them between the ages of 11 and 16 - took part in the research for the report to the Welsh Language the main findings of the report was that the general use of Welsh by children and young people outside of school was "limited".But children are more likely to use the language in sporting activities, especially with coaches and leaders, it towards the Welsh language were also generally "positive", especially among those who were fluent and had learnt the language at the report found there was very little use of Welsh on social media, with the majority using English "because it is easier and reaches a wider audience".Around 80 percent of those who responded to the questionnaire said they use English every time or usually to communicate online, even with other Welsh fluent speakers were more likely to communicate directly through the language, with half saying they usually text in Welsh, or use both languages equally. According to the Welsh Language Commissioner, the information gathered will help inform the commissioner's future work, as well as others."Children and young people are vital to the future of the Welsh language. This wide-ranging research offers us an insight into the use of Welsh by young people," said Ms Gruffudd Jones."There is no doubt that the report highlights significant challenges particularly in the field of social media but it also identifies opportunities, in the area of sport for example, and I will prioritise creating and strengthening strategic partnerships in order to further develop those opportunities."Myfanwy Jones, director of Mentrau Iaith Cymru, a national organisation that supports a network of 22 local Welsh language initiatives, said there was a need to expand the opportunities to use the Welsh language outside of school."It is clear that there are a large number of respondents who do not use Welsh very often outside of school but are generally supportive of the Welsh language and wish to have more opportunities to use the language," she said. "As part of our remit, we are constantly looking for further opportunities to expand our community activities in order to offer opportunities for young people to use the Welsh language naturally. The report shows that this work is crucial and we will work with the commissioner and other partners to develop it further in the future."
