THE latest community news from Tywyn

Bilingualism

AN EVENING promoting biligualism has been hailed a success.

Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn is one of two schools in Wales selected to undertake a project to promote the Welsh Government’s initiative of creating one million Welsh speakers by the year 2050.

A ‘Vision-Sharing Evening’ was held on 30 January, to which all locals in the Dysynni area had been invited.

A crowd of over 120 business people, parents and interested Welsh learners and experts alike, enjoyed entertainment aimed at raising awareness and interest in the national language.

The emphasis was on encouraging bilingualism in the school and community through appreciation of local culture.

Guest speaker Mererid Hopwood, the first female poet to win the chair competition at the National Eisteddfod (2001), engaged the audience with a lively mix of facts regarding language. She was passionate in her lecture on the very many benefits of becoming bilingual.

She talked about ‘starting the journey’ to becoming bilingual and a new catch phrase (or hashtag for those techs amongst us) was born: “Get on the Bus”.

This followed Mererid’s enthusiastic call to speak even a few words or phrases, emphasising being bilingual did not necessitate being fluent in another language.

She said: “If you can ask for the bus to Llanelli, you are already on the bus, it’s a hard word to say!”

Côr Meibion Dysynni, who will be playing the royal Albert Hall this year, performed to great acclaim and were followed by pupils performing on the harp (Molly Aitken) in a group (Alys Griffiths, Archie Davies and Morgan Lumley) and on guitar (Ruby Parsons).

Local author, Manon Steffan Ros, also delivered a talk.

Manon spoke from the heart in her emotional message for everyone to engage with the language – “Give Welsh a Go” by trying in Welsh first.

The school has already provided Dysynni Hockey Club and Tywyn/Bryncrug with ‘key word’ cards, and are currently preparing some suitable ones for The Sandwich Shop, Aberdyfi, Travis Perkins and Talyllyn Railway.

History Society

AT A well-attended meeting, chaired by Liz Deakin, it was unanimously decided to form a history society covering Tywyn and communities in the area between the rivers Dyfi and Mawddach.

Prospective members were asked about the range of activities they would like the society to cover.

These would include talks by experts drawn from the local area and further afield, summer visits, the sharing of archives online and within meetings, quizzes, discussions and oral history.

The focus of interest would be the district area, but this would not exclude occasional topics and talks going much further afield.

It was agreed that the next meeting would include a group activity to choose places for town and district trails, a programme for the year chosen by the members and a quiz, as well as the election of officers.

Regular meetings will follow a monthly pattern, falling on the first Monday. The default location would be Tywyn Baptist Church and the next (inaugural) meeting would be on Monday, 5 March, starting at 7.30pm.

Older People’s Forum

The Winter Celebration organised by South Meirionnydd Older People’s Forum and sponsored by Age Cymru was held at Neuadd Pendre, Tywyn.

It turned out to be a resounding success, attended by over 50 people who thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon of food, music and dancing, with a raffle thrown in,

Chairman Arthur Caley said: “The Winter Celebration exceeded our own expectations, with a good turn out, but sadly many could not attend due to illness caused by the Influenza virus that prevails at the moment and other committments.”

Secretary George Buckley added: “The success of the event was thanks to the support of Age Cymru who donated a £150 grant towards the cost and it was suggested that we make it an annual event.”

Victoria Lloyd, Age Cymru’s chief executive said: “We’re pleased South Meirionnedd Older People’s Forum’s Buffet Lunch was a success due to our Spread the Warmth campaign organised to combat the loneliness in the long cold winter months.

“It’s important to look out for older people in the winter and we’re delighted we were able to assist in this very important work.”

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