Editor

I can write ‘Bible English’ but I am unable to write ‘Bible Welsh’.

When I was young and look at the education I received at New Quay primary school and Aberaeron secondary school, I ask why can’t both languages be taught to the same standard in 2021?

When I look back I wish I had been given the same opportunity to be educated in Welsh as I was in English at New Quay and Aberaeron between 1952 and1967. My mother always spoke to me in Welsh and my father in English.

At New Quay school I do not remember having one lesson in Welsh. In Aberaeron secondary, when I went from the modern to the grammar, I was given the choice of easy, medium or hard Welsh; I did not have to choose easy, medium or hard English.

I probably had two Welsh lessons a week; every other subject was in English. Because of having no Welsh at New Quay I was unable to enhance my Welsh at Aberaeron, as my ability in exams would be 10 out of 100. But it does affect my ability to write Welsh in comparison to English to this day. I know it is not too late.I will have to challenge myself to read the Welsh Bible.

Dai ‘Dogs’ Thomas Southgate, Aberystwyth

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