Welsh speakers and learners are being encouraged to celebrate the language online with the launch of the new online project pethaubychain.com this Friday (3rd September).
The founders of the initiative have designated Friday 3rd September as the day to encourage more people to take part in the Welsh language digital culture. On the website, they are asking people to pledge to do one small thing online on the day - from a video, to blogging, podcasts or e-poetry.
Rhodri ap Dyfrig, from Aberystwyth, one of the people behind the idea, said:
"We're too dependent on media that's fed to us in Welsh: the web is a chance for use to setup our own channels, stations and our own digital culture, on our own terms. If we want the Welsh language to grow and prosper then we've got to create an independent online Welsh language culture as well. By doing one of these small things, people can play an important part in dragging Welsh into the digital world."
"It's very important to see the Welsh language on the television and radio and the same thing is true of the web. We want to invite everyone who can speak Welsh or who's learning Welsh, old and young, men and women to take part. There's no need for previous experience. There are enough support and ideas available on the website."
Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg is supporting the initiative and encouraging its members to take part, Chair Menna Machreth said:
"This venture is fabulous. It's so important that Welsh flourishes on the web and in every aspect of our lives. By doing the little things, we can make big changes for our society and our language."
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg will launch a pilot scheme designed as a blueprint for the regeneration of Welsh-speaking communities toda.
The first copy of "Cynllun Adfywio Cymunedau Penllyn" (Regeneration Plan for the Communities of Penllyn) will be presented at Sioe Meirion near Harlech to Eifion Davies a representative of Partneriaeth Penllyn (the consortium of Community Councils in the Bala area). Cymdeithas hopes that other Welsh-speaking communities will then draw up their own regeneration plans.
In another Cymdeithas move to strengthen Welsh-speaking communities, Bryn Fon and other popular Welsh bands will show their support for the courageous struggle in Parc for the village school by playing at a Festival in the village on Bank Holiday Monday (30th August).
A Cardiff woman and her children refused to leave her car in a protest today (Tuesday 17th August) against the 'tokenistic' use of Welsh by south Wales police.
35 year old Lleucu Meinir, from Llanmaes Street, Grangetown had refused to pay two parking tickets because of the lack of Welsh used by the police in Cardiff, who have sent English-only correspondence to her. Her car had been clamped by the authorities and was due to be towed away and sold at auction. She refused to pay two parking tickets of £60, but refused to pay the fines because the police had filled out the forms in English only.
After five hours of protest this morning, Ms Meinir agreed to pay the fine after a police Superintendent offered to discuss the force's language policy. She will be presenting the bill for over £600 to Welsh Language Board officials today (2:30pm, 17 August) as they agreed to the police force's language policy.
Lleucu Meinir, a member of Welsh-language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented:
"South Wales Police treat Welsh in a completely tokenistic way, making life much more difficult for those who really want to use the language. I've had to fight over and over again to get a service in Welsh. In reality, they provide an English language service, with a fake bilingualism added on. The letters demanding payment of the fines were all English-only on bilingual paper, the Language Board shouldn't allow them to getaway with such a poor service. The whole episode demonstrates, once again, the need for a comprehensive Welsh language law which gives people the right to use Welsh in their everyday lives."
A senior all-party group of politicians have called for a significant strengthening of government plans for a Welsh language law in a landmark report today.
In its report, the committee argues that a 'clear and unambiguous' statement establishing official status for Welsh; a Language Commissioner more independent of Government; and more power for individuals need including in the legislation.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) reacted to the report claiming that 'shows clearly that the government plans broke the promises they made to the public' because of the absence of official status and Welsh language rights in the law, or Assembly Measure.
On official status for the language, something Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has campaigned for for decades and one of the coalition commitments, the committee report states:
"We have also considered and acknowledge the weight of evidence in favour of a clear and unambiguous statement about the Welsh language having official status in Wales. We agree with this view. We believe that ... the proposed Measure, as currently drafted, makes no change to the status of the language... It contains no declaration as to the status of the Welsh language. In our view such a declaration is necessary."
Cymdeithas has welcomed the Environment Minister's announcement of reforms to planning guidance, TAN6.
Dr Hywel Griffiths, Communities spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, said:
"For years the complex planning system has prevented young people from building houses on family land and have forced them to leave their communities. In communities where the market price [for houses] is completely out of reach on local wages, this will be one way of enabling young people to live and work in their communities. "
Menna Machreth, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, added:
"This policy needs to be fully implemented in areas like the National Park. The rural schools crisis in Gwynedd and Conwy has shown clearly the urgent need for policies to ensure that young families can stay in their communities. Hopefully these changes will be a step towards ensuring a sustainable future for our Welsh language communities."
Campaigners expressed their deep disappointment today after Gwynedd Council voted to continue with plans to close Ysgol y Parc, near Bala.
The councillors' decision follows an eighty-strong protest outside the council offices from those opposing the plans. mong the protestors were members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg who had treked seventy miles from Tryweryn to Caernarfon for five days to the protest. The organisation is campaigning to keep the school open and save money by federalising schools instead.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith will make a plea to Gwynedd Council to 'listen to local people' at the start of a 70-mile march from Tryweryn to Caernarfon to protest against the closure of Ysgol y Parc near Bala today (Sunday, 11th July).
The march will start from Tryweryn Dam at the end of a rally organised by the Ysgol y Parc Defence Committee. Cymdeithas supporters will walk the 70 miles visiting other threatened schools in Gwynedd and Conwy en route. They will march up and down Snowdon on their way to the crucial Council meeting in Caernarfon on Thursday afternoon (15th July) where councillors will vote on the future of Ysgol y Parc.
A new award scheme for companies who offer excellent Welsh language services will be launched by TV presenter Angharad Mair and members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg in Carmarthen today.
The initiative is a new direction for the society which has traditionally focused on campaigning against large corporations who provide no or very few bilingual services. Under the scheme, members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg will assess the standard of local firms services. Small companies who support local produce and provide a high standard of Welsh language service will be eligible for the awards.
Following the close vote in the Full Council (17-14) last week about the proposed closure of all schools in the Llandysul area and establishing a school for ages 3-19. Cymdeithas yr Iaith, have made one final plea to Ceredigion County Council's cabinet members before their meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 6/7/10).
Members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith will march 70 miles to deliver personally a Giant Postcard from Tryweryn to Gwynedd Councillors ahead of a crucial vote on the future of a school which is the focus of one of the most famous village comunities in Wales.
On Thursday 15th July the Full Council will be voting on a recommendation to close the Village School at Parc, near Bala, which was the birthplace of Merched y Wawr.
The previous Sunday, the Ysgol Parc Defence Committee will be holding a major rally "Tryweryn 2010" on the damn to remember the community whcih was destroyed by Liverpool Corporation and to warn that our own council are now threatening to destroy an adjacent Welsh-speaking community by taking away the school which forms part of a unique school/community partnership upon which the village thrives.
Cymdeithas members will be inviting all at the rally to sign a giant Tryweryn Postcard which will be addressed to Gwynedd Councillors. Following the rally, they will then begin a 70-mile march to deliver the postcard personally to Gwynedd councillors reaching Caernarfon for a rally outside the Council HQ at 1pm Thursday 15th.
"In view of this renewed threat to this and other Welsh-medium schools, we shall take to the road again. It fills us with sadness that it is now our own Council who seem willing to betray this Welsh-speaking community, and not a corporation from England who probably understood and cared little about the situation as happened half-a-century ago. Along the way, we shall be visiting other communities in Gwynedd and Conwy who are living in fear of losing their schools."
Following the decision of Ceredigion County Council's Education Scrutiny Committee this morning to not refer to the Full Council the decision to close all schools in the Llandysul area and establish a new 3-19 school, Cymdeithas yr Iaith (Welsh Language Society) has called for a protest outside and inside the Full Council meeting on Wednesday morning 30/6.
Angharad Clwyd, a parent at ysgol Llandysul and Dyfed Organiser for Cymdeithas yr Iaith said:
"It is disgraceful that not all County Councillors will have the opportunity to discuss such an unprecedented decision. This will be the first time any authority has decided to close all schools in an area. A decision that will have such a detremental impact on the communities of the area and on Dyffryn Teifi Secondary School itself. We call on supporters of these schools and communities to attend a protest outside the Full Council meeting on Wednesday morning (30/6) at 9.30am and we call all Councillors who support the communities here to raise their voice in protest inside the meeting."
Cymdeithas yr Iaith will also send an official complaint to the Education Minister, Leighton Andrews highlighting the completely undemocratic way this decision was made.
Angharad Clwyd added:
"Not only that the Full Council will not have the opportunity to discuss the matter but the education officials applied for funding to the Assembly for a 3-19 age-group school in May before the cabinet even met to discuss the matter. This makes complete nonsense of democracy."
Protestors will complain that bodies with anti-Welsh language policies will benefit from government plans for a new language law in Porthmadog today (Saturday 19th June).
The North Wales NHS Trust will come under heavy criticism for its failure to provide services in Welsh - concerns will also be expressed that not one of the body's directors speaks Welsh. In a recent report, European watchdog Comex criticised the NHS in Wales for failing to provide enough Welsh language services.
Poet Twm Morys and singer Ceri Cunnington will also address the protest. Mr Cunnington will be playing the role of the new Language Commissioner - a post to be created under the new language law - and will visit high street store Superdrug to audit its services in Welsh.
Criticising the Betsi Cadwaladr Trust, local campaigner Bethan Russell will say:
"The health trust's language scheme has been out for consultation recently, but in the plan, very worryingly, there are many examples where Welsh and English aren't treated equally."
"The flaws in the plan need to be fixed because there are so many examples of where it's noted that Welsh services will be provided 'where possible' and 'where suitable'. It's not good enough. It's much too easy for the health service to refuse a service in the medium of Welsh to patients, and do that with the support of a flawed language scheme."
Speaking ahead of the rally, Menna Machreth Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:
"The way the local health authority is behaving is disgraceful, so many local people speak Welsh. People are starting to realise that the government's plans for a new law aren't going to ensure a better service for people around the country. It will, however, give clear rights for companies and bodies to try to avoid providing any Welsh language services."
"The new Welsh language law could be weaker than the current situation. Any politician who votes for the law in its current form - without official status or rights for individual - doesn't deserve our support."
Protestors will complain that bodies with anti-Welsh language policies will benefit from government plans for a new language law in Porthmadog today (Saturday 19th June).
The North Wales NHS Trust will come under heavy criticism for its failure to provide services in Welsh - concerns will also be expressed that not one of the body's directors speaks Welsh. In a recent report, European watchdog Comex criticised the NHS in Wales for failing to provide enough Welsh language services.
Poet Twm Morys and singer Ceri Cunnington will also address the protest. Mr Cunnington will be playing the role of the new Language Commissioner - a post to be created under the new language law - and will visit high street store Superdrug to audit its services in Welsh.
Criticising the Betsi Cadwaladr Trust, local campaigner Bethan Russell will say:
"The health trust's language scheme has been out for consultation recently, but in the plan, very worryingly, there are many examples where Welsh and English aren't treated equally."
Cymdeithas yr Iaith have accused Conwy County Council of planning to turn living Welsh-speaking communities into "ghost villages" by planning to close six schools in the area.
Conwy's Draft version of their "Modernising Primary Schools" plan - which is the subject of public consultation until 10th September - recommends closing six Welsh-medium village schools - at Llangwm, Capel Garmon, Ysbyty Ifan, Penmachno, Rhydgaled and Llanfair Talhaiarn.
Cymdeithas Organiser in the North, Osian Jones, commented:
"This is another example of a Local Authority who do not have the vision to see schools as a way to regenerate our Welsh-speaking village communities. Instead Conwy seem intent on turning them into ghost-villages as part of their vision of a "modern" Wales. Conwy's officers have followed the bureaucratic instinct to centralise everything and to think in departmental terms without realising the effect of their decisions on other areas of work for the Authority. What is the point of having a Language Policy and a strategy for regenerating communities when another department of the Council actively seeks to turn Welsh-speaking communities into ghost villages ?"
Mr Jones added,
"There are also specific weaknesses in these draft proposals. The effect on the language of pupils in Capel Garmon would be disastrous, and pupils at schools such as Talhaiarn and Rhydgaled may well go to other schools rather than follow the recommendation of the
Council officers. We do however pay tribute to the Council in that they have organised a very thorough consultation process, and we urge everyone to take part. This draft will be discussed for three months, after which a final plan will be formed in the Autumn and only then will we move towards statutory proposals. Everyone should use the next three months to improve these plans and ensure that a "modern" Conwy includes thriving Welsh-medium schools and communities. We shall be arguing strongly for a federal Welsh-medium Ysgol Hiraethog which would maintain educational sites in all the villages and be a means of regenerating the villages as well as continuing to provide excellent education for the children."
Campaigners reacted with disappointment after Bangor University decided to recommend appointing a non-Welsh speaking head today (Friday 11th June).
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) argues that the University still has the chance to place a legal duty on the successful candidate to learn Welsh.
Over recent weeks, students, staff and campaign groups across north Wales have asked University officials to reverse their decision not to make speaking or learning Welsh a legal condition for the new vice-Chancellor of the college.
Fourteen major language groups have made a written plea for changes to the Assembly Government's Welsh language law plans. In an open letter to the Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones, the organisations and individuals - including teaching union UCAC, Friends of the Earth Cymru and language specialist Professor Colin Williams - argue:
"The language is facing threats from many directions: cuts in S4C's budget, the Assembly scrapping its bilingual record of proceedings, and the future of Welsh-medium education in the capital city. The lack of linguistic rights to, and official status for, Welsh, are central to these challenges."
"We welcome the Government's efforts to develop legislation to affirm the Welsh language's situation. However, since the publication of the draft Welsh Language Measure organisations, lawyers and specialists have been unanimous in their view that the Measure in its present form does not fulfil the Government's promises."
A crowd of young pirates will be making their way to the Ceredigion Council Pavilion as Cymdeithas yr Iaith take the battle for the future of Welsh-medium Village schools to the Urdd Eisteddfod field today (Monday May 31st).
Cymdeithas will potray Ceredigion Council officials as one-eyed pirates who have built their own expensive new safe havens in Aberystwyth and Aberaeron, with new council offices, and are now raiding the rural communities to steal local people's treasures, the village schools.
"Children are dressing up as one-eyed pirates to protest against the Ceredigion officers can see one answer only by closing as many as possible of our village schools and centralising education. This is a threat to at least 15 Welsh-medium village schools in Ceredigion and part of a problem which could threaten Welsh-speaking communities throughout our country."
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) has accused the First Minister of "leaving children in limbo" because of his decision to refuse Cardiff Council's bid to move Ysgol Treganna in Cardiff to a bigger building to meet growing demand.
Ffred Ffransis, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg education spokesperson, said:
"It's completely unfair that children have to suffer because of the inability of politicians to devise justice for those who want Welsh-medium education and communities. Everyone should come together with aim of ensuring a Welsh-medium school in every community of Cardiff so that in future there are no overcrowding pressures."
"It's disgraceful that so many non-Welsh speaking parents who want their children to receive Welsh language education are left in limbo as one tier of government argues with another. This situation is repeating itself in a number of other places in Wales - such as Rhydaman - as well."
Nia Williams, an Ysgol Treganna parent, added:
"We're furious. The school is more than over-crowded. With this decision, the Assembly is saying the current linguistic discrimination in Canton is justified. The resources and school buildings in Treganna are insufficient to meet children's educational needs."
Cymdeithas yr iaith is committed to supporting parents who want to secure and strengthen Welsh language education in all parts of Wales, whether in our rural villages or in our capital city.
An MP has called for improvements to the government's plans for a new Welsh language law in a speech to campaigners.
The comments follow concerns from linguistic experts, lawyers, and the Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas about the draft law. In a recently published open letter, thirteen lawyers argued:
"In our view, the Measure only partly meets the objectives outlined in the One Wales agreement. We fear the Measure will be less effective than it could be in terms of having a positive impact on the linguistic climate in Wales."
Campaigners held the rally to protest about weaknesses in the government plans, arguing it doesn't establish rights or official status for the language - along with concerns about the future of S4C.
A new independent report has concluded that village school closures in Wales are going ahead in the absence of sound cost information.
Hyb, the group which commissioned the research, said today at the report's launch that the information that is available suggests that school closures will result in little or no cost savings.
In response to Gwynedd Council's decision to close Ysgol y Parc, Ffred
Ffransis Cymdeithas yr Iaith's Education Spokesperson said:
"The solutions recommended by the current Gwynedd councillors are worse than those proposed by the previous leadership in Gwynedd and which were refused by the electorate in the last election. The previous administration had given an assurance on the future of Ysgol y Parc. Now we have a new leadership which wants to undermine a thriving Welsh-speaking community. Even Gwynedd County Council propose to follow a negative policy rather than creating innovative policies which would fully utilise the assets within our communities. This is the last ditch battle for the survival of our Welsh-speaking communities. I will be recommending to the Gwynedd region of Cymdeithas yr Iaith that we start a campaign of direct action to bring pressure to bear on Gwynedd
Council. "
Almost half of Welsh councils don't teach swimming in the Welsh language, even in places where large numbers of children receive Welsh-medium education, according to figures released by Welsh language campaigners today (Thursday 29th April).
In Carmarthenshire, the local authority admitted that less than one per cent of its swimming lessons - 10 out of 6,200 - were taught in Welsh in Rhydaman swimming pool last year, although 62% of the town's population and 50% of the county speak the language. In Powys, less than two per cent of lessons were in Welsh, in a county where over 20% speak it. One child in four is education through the medium of Welsh across the country.
Figures collated by language campaigning body Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) show that nine local authorities in Wales , including Cardiff Council, provide swiming lessons in English-onlyand six fail to keep records of whether lessons are provided in Welsh or not.
The Welsh Language Society has welcomed the Assembly Government's publication of its Welsh medium education strategy today (Tuesday 20th April).
The society emphasised that Welsh should be treated as an essential skill for every child; they also expressed concern about measuring demand for Welsh-medium education in areas where the majority of primary schools teach through the medium of Welsh already.
Ffred Ffransis, Chair of the Welsh Language Society's Education Group said:
"I do welcome the publication of this national strategy - which is the first in our nation's history. There are positive elements in the document, but we would have liked to see a recognition that Welsh should be treated as an essential educational skill - exactly like the ability to communicate in Enlgish or use IT effectively is treated as essential.
Members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith will be working for 'Boots' voluntarily between 12pm and 1pm on Thursday the 15th of April. Their work will be to distribute leaflets outside the shop notifying the customers that the company has no interest whatsoever in the Welsh language nor have they any understanding of the language as their main office is based in Nottingham, London.
Cymdeithas' version of Boots leaflet will state:
"Through our indifference, we ensure that our customers know the Welsh language is inferior through:
* ensuring that English is the de-facto language of every branch in Wales, which means that English is the language of all our seasonal marketing material and semi-permanent signs.
* that the Welsh language is virtually unseen and not used in our branches
* not giving our staff the opportunity to learn the Welsh language
* that all announcements over our instore tannoy systems are in English only.
It is a great relief to us that we have not been included in the new Welsh Language Measure that was drawn up by the Welsh Assembly Government. This means that we can continue to offer the least possible amount of Welsh language services in our branches in Wales. We offer pitiful services, to show we are culturally sensitive, and that you should be extremely grateful for them. Anyway, after all is said and done, everybody in Wales speaks English!
We hope that you continue to support your local Boots branch, and the general tokenism shown to the language in the private sector."
Language campaigners have welcomed an open letter from over a dozen lawyers calling for a stronger Welsh language law today (Thursday, 18 March).
In their letter the distinguished solicitors and barristers say: "We believe there needs to be a clear and unambiguous statement in law that the Welsh language is an official language in Wales in order to realise the government's objective. To date, no such statement has been made.."
The lawyers also state: "The Measure, as drafted, allows for standards to be imposed on bodies in relation to their provision of Welsh language services. However, despite planned sanctions for breaches, imposing standards in this way does not establish linguistic rights for individuals.
"In our view, the Measure only partly meets the objectives outlined in the One Wales agreement. We fear the Measure will be less effective than it could be in terms of having a positive impact on the linguistic climate in Wales."
Reacting to the letter, Menna Machreth, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society), commented:
"We welcome the fact that so many eminent solicitors and barristers have come forward to call for a stronger language measure. There is by now widespread consensus amongst linguistic experts and legal experts alike that the measure doesn't deliver the government's promises.
"It is extremely significant that experts in the field of law are calling into question the lack of a clear and unambiguous statement in the measure that the Welsh language has official status in Wales. It's also clear from their statement that the law wouldn't establish rights for people to see, hear and use the language.
"This public letter comes at a very important stage, and is indicative of the fact that the Welsh government could do much more to strengthen this measure for the sake of everyone in Wales. This letter will put a lot of pressure on them to reconsider their hollow claims that they are delivering their promises. It remains to be seen whether the Labour-Plaid Cymru administration have the political will to strengthen it."
The Assembly Government has 'broken its promises' and is trying to 'mislead the public' over its language law plans, the Welsh Language Society has claimed in an official complaint to the First Minister.
In a letter to Carwyn Jones, the campaigners will say the government was 'extremely misleading' in its statements about the language measure last Thursday. The group claim that the Assembly Government has misled the public by claiming that the measure leads to rights to bilingual services and gives Welsh official status.
In the coalition agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru the two parties promised to confirm "official status for both Welsh and English" and establish "linguistic rights", but the failure to deliver on its commitments to the people of Wales has enraged the society's members.
The group has also launched a petition at http://deiseb.cymdeithas.org which calls on the government to honour its promises.
Speaking following a review by Cymdeithas yr Iaith (The Welsh Language Society) of the plans, the society's Chair Menna Machreth said:
"Our members are very angry with this coalition government because they've broken their promises and tried to mislead the public. We understand that legal specialists have already started to express concerns about it. There are no rights in their plans and Welsh isn't given official status - they made two clear promises and they plan to break them. In fact, the only right in this law is a right for big companies and organisations to challenge any request for Welsh language services. Rights for business, but not for people. It's a complete disgrace. "
Radio Ceredigion has been sold to Town and Country Broadcasting by Tindle Newspaper Group. The company intends to close the studios in Aberystwyth and Felinfach and move to Narberth, home of Radio Pembrokeshire and Radio Carmarthenshire.
Angharad Clwyd, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Ceredigion said:
"It is of great concern to us a movement which has been campaigning over the last few years against the lack of Welsh language provision on Carmarthenshire Radio, to hear that the company has now bought Radio Ceredigion. Cymdeithas campaigned tirelessly against Carmarthenshire Radio including lobbying and protesting which culminated in the imprisonment of Gwenno Teifi in February 2006. Despite this the Welsh language provision of the company has deteriorated further in the nightly Welsh programme curtailed from 3 to 2 hours.
In response to Ceredigion County Council's proposed plans to close 6 primary schools in the Llandysul area and Dyffryn Teifi Secondary School and opening one 3-19 year old School, parents from 4 of the schools have drawn up petitions that will be presented outside the Council's Main Office at Penmorfa, Aberaeron today (Wednesday at 4pm).
Angharad Clwyd, Dyfed Organiser for Cymdeithas yr Iaith and a parent at Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul commented:
"There is strong opposition in this area to the County Council's plan to close the area's village schools and to create just one school for 3 - 19 year olds. The size of the opposition is obvious from the number of people who have signed these petitions, with over 200 parents and community members from Capel Cynon and Coed y Bryn and over 120 from Aberbanc having signed the petitions and over 100 parents signing the petition from Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul."
Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan failed to meet any Welsh language campaign groups during discussions about handing powers over the Welsh language to politicians in Cardiff, despite meeting several major businesses, recently released documents have revealed.
According to information released to Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society), in a series of 10 meetings to discuss the Assembly's bid for powers, the then Welsh Labour Leader met 11 companies and business associations including Tesco, BT, the CBI and British Gas, as well as the government-funded Welsh Language Board. But , despite requests from the Welsh Language Society, no meeting was held between the First Minister and any language campaigning body.
CONCERNS have been raised after the head of the government Human Rights watchdog said she had "no responsibility for the Welsh language'.
The new Equality and Human Rights Commissioner Ann Beynon told Golwg magazine: "The Equalities Commission has no responsibility for the Welsh language but we have always had positive discussions between the Commission and the [Welsh Language] Board."
The UN Convention on Human Rights and the UK Human Rights Act prohibit discrimination on language grounds. In 2007, steps by the Race Equality Commission, one of the Equality and Human Rights Commission predecessor bodies, played a key role in reversing travel company Thomas Cook's ban on its staff speaking Welsh.
Debbie from Debenhams will be coming to Carmarthen tomorrow (Wednesday 17th February), ahead of the official Easter opening of the grand new high street store in the town.
Debbie (whose part will be played by Llinos Roberts, a member of the Welsh Language Society) will address the people of Carmarthen at 2pm outside the market. She will then hand out leaflets in the town centre inviting people to the shop, and then deliver a love letter to Mark James the Chief Executive of Camarthenshire County Council.
Commenting on the Welsh language, Debbie will say:
"We were told at headquarters that you had your own cute little language called Welsh - I didn't know that it was so widely spoken.. very old apparently?ohh, I can hear it everywhere around me here. It's popular innit? Cymraeg it's called innit? Apparently, it's widely spoken in Carmarthenshire-more so than in any other county in Wales, but there we go - sooo many languages in this big world of ours. We do try to be sensitive to these little differences at Debenhams - we've got some ethical policies or whatever, but we're so lucky we've got the English language that everyone can understand - even you - yeah,and that's why were throwing in a little smattering of Welsh into our fab new store - just to keep you Welshies happy!. What? did I hear someone say that Welsh should have equal status to English? hey! Your'e having me on aint you? What? Welsh signs everywhere? Oh no my darlings, that wouldn't be possible - it would cost far,far too much! We only made 95.1 million pounds in profit last year wiv it being the recession and all, oh we are struggling babes!"
Language campaigners have expressed concerns about Bangor University's decision not to ask for a Welsh speaker or learner in a job advert for its next Vice Chancellor.
In the job advert for the role, the university states: "Candidates must be able to appreciate and work positively within the bilingual environment in which the University operates.", but there's no mention of the ability to speak or learn Welsh.
Vice Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society), Rhys Llwyd commented:
"It is important that the new Vice-Chancellor can speak Welsh; a positive attitude to the language is essential. The new person should also have knowledge and experience of working in the Welsh context and specifically in the field of developing Welsh medium education."
Members of the Welsh Language Society will call on politicians "to let the Welsh language live" as they gather in Cardiff Bay today (Wednesday, 10th February) as powers over the language are handed to the Assembly.
While the society is unhappy with the government's limited plans, they will mark the historical importance of the power shift. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) has been campaigning since 1999 for a new law to deliver official status, language rights and a commissioner with powers to promote equality.
Speaking ahead of the rally, Bethan Williams, Chair of the Language Act group of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:
"Our politicians should understand that with these new powers come the responsibility to make a law which will strengthen Welsh, a language which is a unique inheritance for everyone who lives in our country.
Leading Welsh language campaigners have warned that plans to close sixth forms in Rhondda Cynon Taf would "kill the Welsh language" in the county borough.
The Welsh Language Society has written to Education Minister and Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews asking him to block the council's wish to close schools and setup bilingual colleges instead. Under the plans, classes for 16 to 18 year olds at schools in Cymmer, Garth Olwg, Rhydywaun and Llanhari will close.
The society also warned that there would be 'strong protests' against the plans if the council and the Welsh Government didn't reconsider their options.
The Welsh Language Society has paid tribute to Hywel Teifi Edwards, who died yesterday, giving thanks for his enormous contribution to Welsh life.
Menna Machreth Jones, Chair of the Welsh Language Society, said:
"Everyone who shares the vision and values of Hywel Teifi will be greatly saddened by his passing, but at the same time we will remember and give thanks for his immense contribution to the life of the nation."
"He played a vital role in the political and cultural life of Wales, and we in Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg will miss him very much.
"He spoke in a large number of our rallies and public meetings. The last time he did so was at the the end of May outside the National Assembly, calling for a proper Welsh Language Act. Once again, he gave a brilliant and incisive address which was an inspiration to the crowd."
Less than 12% of Wales' top civil servants can speak Welsh, figures released to the Welsh Language Society show.
According to statistics released under the Freedom of Information Act, of the nearly three thousand staff who work in the Assembly Government's head office, in Cathays Park, Cardiff, just over three hundred speak Welsh - just over eleven percent. That's roughly half the level amongst the general Welsh population: the 2001 census recorded that over one in five could speak Welsh, more recent surveys put the figure closer to a quarter of the population.
The information also shows that the level of Welsh language learning in the Welsh civil service has halved in the last six years. In 2003, 7.5% of civil servants in the Welsh government were learning, by today, that figure had fallen to only 3%.
Commenting on the information released to Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society), the campaign group's chair, Menna Machreth Jones, said:
"These figures are disappointing. There are a few positive initiatives the Assembly government is taking to promote the Welsh language, but they're are clearly not enough. As the Equality and Human Rights Commission pointed out earlier this year, women are also underepresented at the top levels of power. There's clearly a wider equalities problem; I hope the Assembly government will agree to do something about the issue. At the moment, they're treating Welsh like an optional add-on rather than as an essential part of the government's work."
It seems that the County Council and consultants have set their sights on the centralised 3-19 year old super schools in the Llandysul and Tregaron areas and have placed the onus on parents and governors to justify other options. This could mean the closure of a large number of village schools and even Llandysul primary school itself.
Angharad Clwyd, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Ceredigion and a parent at Llandysul school said:
"It would be very ironic if the Welsh-Medium secondary school's Dyffryn Teifi and Tregaron, were responsible for destroying the very Welsh-peaking communities which has provided them with their pupils for the last generation. This should be a genuine analysis of all the options available including the more progressive option of a new-style federation between Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi and Ysgol Uwchradd Tregaron and the schools that feed
them. This would create a strong educational unit and yet maintain a presence in all the communities. It is the consultants responsibility to work out detailed implications of this as well as other models rather than expect unpaid parents and governors to do the work as was suggested in the public meeting."
A language campaigner sentenced to a month prison will warn of the 'death of Welsh as a community language' on his release from gaol today (Tuesday, 8th December).
Osian Jones, from Dyffryn Nantlle, was imprisoned after painting slogans on highstreet stores in north Wales in protest against their lack of services in Welsh. Ahead of his release, the campaigner warned that 'the next decade could see the destruction of Welsh as a community language', and urged companies and the government simply to 'let the language live'.
32 year-old Mr Jones, whose 28 day sentence is the longest handed down to a Welsh language activist since 1991, will be greeted by a crowd of supporters as he arrives at Bangor train station. Welsh Language Society members have marked the jailing with pickets and streets stalls all over Wales: five Aberystwyth university students went on a 24 hour hunger-strike as a show of support.
FIVE Aberystwyth university students are on hunger-strike for 24 hours today (Thursday 3rd December) as a show of support for a Welsh language campaigner who was jailed for protesting against the language policy of major high street stores in north Wales.
Osian Jones, from Dyffryn Nantlle, was last week sentenced to 28 days imprisonment for painting slogans on Boots and Superdrug stores in Caernarfon, Llangefni and Bangor in protest against their lack of Welsh services.
The students' fast is part of a series of events organised by members of the Welsh Language Society to raise awareness of the imprisonment and the lack of Welsh language services in the private sector.
18 year old Mair Evans, one of the five students who are fasting, said:
"We are doing this to show support for Osian. He's in prison because he stood up for the rights of everyone in Wales to see, hear and use the language. It's unfair that our legal system criminalises Osian. These companies should, at the very least, provide basic Welsh language services, the fact that they refuse makes protests like this inevitable."
Carmarthen shoppers will receive leaflets divulging the true attitude of Superdrug towards the Welsh language today Thursday 26/11. Members of Cymdeithas will be distributing leaflets outside the shop at 4pm with the words "The Health and Beauty retailer with an Unhelathy and Ugly attitude towards the Welsh Language ".
Members of Cymdeithas will also be picketing outside Boots in Llandysul on Monday 30th of November at 1pm. Distributing alternative Boots ADVANTAGE CARDS for free outside the shop. Turning Boots' slogan on its head, the Welsh Language Socety's alternative advantage cards will read "there are no points whatsoever for using Welsh".
The pickets have been organised in support Osian Jones who was jailed yesterday the 25th of November for 28 days, after he campaigned about the lack of Welsh language services provided by major highstreet stores in north Wales.
A Welsh language campaigner has been sent to prison for a month at a hearing in Caernarfon magistrates court today (Wednesday, 25th November), following his protest against major high street stores' lack of bilingual language services.
In April 2008, Osian Jones, from Dyffryn Nantlle, protested against big retailers in north Wales, including Boots and Superdrug, over their lack of basic services for customers in Welsh.
The action was part of the Welsh Language Society's campaign for a step-change in the private sector's treatment of the Welsh language. They are calling for a new Language Act to covering these retailers, in order for the language to be promoted and normalised in everyday life.
Speaking after the verdict, Menna Machreth Jones, Chair of the Welsh Language Society, said:
"Direct action is the last step in any campaign we run. Osian took this step because the people of Wales don't have the right to see and use the Welsh language. It's very sad that we're got a system which puts the profits of large multinational companies ahead of the right for everyone in Wales to enjoy the Welsh language. These companies who show extreme disregard for Welsh do not deserve compensation; they should be paying us for making the language invisible."
EARLY Christmas presents from the Welsh Language Society will greet Bangor shoppers today (Saturday, 14th November) as campaigners give away free Boots 'Advantage' cards in the town.
Turning Boots' slogan on its head, the Welsh Language Socety's alternative loyalty points cards will read "there are no points whatsoever for using Welsh". Boots will also benefit from new employees, provided by Cymdeithas, who will offer a bilingual service.
The protestors are holding a rally to support Osian Jones who's facing imprisonment after he campaigned about the lack of Welsh language services provided by major highstreet stores in north Wales.
Pwllheli Magistrates adjourned the hearing for another fortnight until November 25^th where it will be held at Caernarfon Magistrates Court In protest Osian Jones and his supporters stayed in the courtroom for an hour preventing court officials from continuing with their work, while another fifty supporters demonstrated outside shouting 'Hawliau Iaith (Language Rights)
Menna machreth Chair of Cymdeithas said:
"It's quite cruel and unjust that the Magistrates have adjourned this court case for another fortnight, even though they have decided on a custodial sentence. Their excuse was that they wished to contact Osian's employers, but he is employed by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg and we have no intention of withdrawing any fine from his salary. We will all be back in Caernarfon within a fortnight."
Tomorrow, Friday November 6th at 9.30 am, Osian Jones, North Wales organiser for Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg will be sentenced to a month in prison by Pwllheli Magistrates. The magistrates have already warned him that he faces imprisonment because of his refusal to pay fines for painting slogans on High Street stores as part of a Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg campaign for a comprehensive Welsh Language Measure. He has a £1,000 in fines and costs to pay for painting slogans on on Superdrug, Matelan, Boots and PC World stores in Bangor earlier this year.
Osian will be the second member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg to go to prison this year. Ffred Ffransis was imprisoned back in June for refusing to pay fines also imposed for his part in the campaign for a comprehensive Welsh Language Measure.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith have accused the Assembly Government of "running out of steam" following Rhodri Morgan's call yesterday for the closure of up to 170 schools due to empty places. In a message to the First Minister, Cymdeithas Education Spokesperson, Ffred Ffransis says that: "this tired old negative approach suggests that the Government is running out of steam."
He continued:
"Our Government should be reacting creatively to the financial crisis. There are a plethora of public agencies now who all have their own offices. Why not locate many of them within surplus places in schools where appropriate, and use the resources and extra capacity of schools to deliver a whole range of multiple services in rural and deprived areas? The only obstacle appears to be the blinkered approach to departmental budgets. We need truly holistic and joined-up thinking to develop schools creatively as community assets, saving money from other budgets in the process."
On Saturday the 24th of October, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg are to hold their General Meeting and Annual Rally in the Welsh Language Centre in Merthyr Tydfil, titled A Revolution in the Valleys. The General Meeting will begin at 10.30am and the Annual Rally at 2pm.
Menna Machreth, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith said,
"We were very pleased to receive a invitation by our members in Merthyr to hold our 2009 General Meeting in the town. Merthyr has played a key part in Welsh history, however, the emphasis of the meeting will be on the future not the past of the South East communities, hence the theme Revolution in the Valleys."
"We will be discussion many motions put forward including one regarding the housing development in Bodelwyddan a whether we should support communities' campaign against Tesco coming into their local area. We will also introduce Cymdeithas' new Communications Officer, Colin Nosworthy."
A deputation of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg activists who met Peter Hain the Wales Secretary said after the meeting that they were deeply disappointed and frustrated with the whole process. Menna Machreth (Chair of Cymdeithas) along with Bethan Williams and Ffred Ffransis had gone to the meeting to discuss the LCO on the Welsh language.
Menna Machreth, speaking on behalf of the deputation said:
"While we were given to understand that the LCO will be discussed on the floor of the House of Commons in December and the Privy Council in February we feel deeply disappointed and frustrated with the whole process and wonder whether the LCO is worth the paper it is written. This is because the LCO will have hardly any effect at all on the private sector and high street shops. There will be no obligation on most of the private sector to provide a bilingual service."
Menna added:
"On November 6^th this year Osian Jones will face a prison sentence for his part in the campaign for a stronger and more effective Language Act. His imprisonment should have signalled a closure on this campaign. But the LCO on offer seems to weak and ineffective that our direct action campaign for linguistic rights seems destined to continue, and we will see more and more people go to prison."
At 2 o'clock today (15.10.09) a deputation from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) will meet Peter Hain the Welsh Secretary in Cardiff to discuss the Welsh language LCO. The deputation from Cymdeithas will include Menna Machreth (Chair), Bethan Williams (leader of the language Act Campaign Group) and Ffred Ffransis (Cymdeithas Senate).
Speaking on behalf of the deputation Menna Machreth said:
"We will emphasise in our meeting that the long drawn out, laborious and complicated LCO system is completely unacceptable. We will also make the point that MPs in London have had far too much influence over the process and that the Welsh language is a matter that should be fully devolved to the National Assembly. Another bone of contention in our discussions today is the fact that only companies and bodies receiving over £400,000 of public money will be asked to provide Welsh language services. This threshold is far too high and should be deleted."
Menna Machreth added:
"The truth is that we have not moved on that much. Welsh speakers will still be second-class citizens in Wales. The LCO's failure to address the private sector is not it's only failure. What about the right to speak Welsh in the workplace or the right to Welsh medium education? It is a matter of bewilderment to us that a government that demanded that the private sector accepted the minimum wage and new laws concerning the rights of the disabled, but has failed to recognise that Welsh speakers have similar rights. Today we will be telling Peter Hain that there will be no linguistic truce in Wales until the LCO is strengthened. At the moment we have no idea what will be the outcome of our meeting but I am sure that we will have a lively and frank discussion."
Final draft Welsh Language LCO is an obstacle on the road to full linguistic rights
With the publication of the final draft of the Welsh language LCO, on the Welsh Language, Cymdeithas yr Iaith are disappointed that a 'socialist' Government has not acted to achieve equality for everyone in Wales who want to use the Welsh language and who wish to see the Welsh language a normal part of life in Wales.
Even though strong evidence was submitted in favour of devolving full powers in relation to the Welsh language to the Assembly Government by Cymdeithas yr Iaith, the Celebrating our Language group of organisations and the Catalonian Government, who have included the private sector within their language, as well as constructive reports from the scrutiny committees, the LCO published has insufficient powers.
Today Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg held a picket at the Plaid Cymru Conference at 'Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Saturday September 12.
The picket was held because the LCO on the Welsh language as it stands is an obstacle to full linguistic rights in Wales. It was also an opportunity for Cymdeithas to show its frustration because large High street shops such as Boots, Super drug and Tesco have not been included in the LCO.
