WELSH IN THE NEW YEAR!
Here’s a challenge for you! How far into the new year do you think you could go without speaking English? You could set yourself a few challenges. How long can you go without speaking English? How long can you go without watching an English TV programme? How long can you go before being tempted away from Radio Cymru? Are you able to do your shopping in Welsh? Are you able to avoid filling in any form in English for the whole year? How would your family react? Your neighbours? Your colleagues? Is it a crime to speak Welsh? Is it a crime against society to choose not only to speak Welsh but also to try to avoid speaking English as much as possible? Is it possible to live without English newspapers and to choose to read your community newspaper, Y Cymro, Golwg and other Welsh magazines? There are quite a few really, visit Siop y Bont to find out. So, instead of deciding to lose weight, smoke less, drink less and take more exercise – make a resolution to yourself to choose to speak Welsh. Ask for Welsh language forms, give S4C and Radio Cymru a chance, subscribe to the Welsh newspapers and make the most your Welsh speaking friends.

HOW MANY SPEAK WELSH?
More people are able to speak Welsh in Rhondda Cynon Taf than you’d think. 13.5% is the percentage of Welsh speakers according to the last census (2001) and the Assembly target of Iaith Pawb to increase this by 5% by the next census in 2011 means that the Assembly, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and the community are supposed to work towards seeing at least 18.5% speaking Welsh which is almost one person in every five in the county. In truth, it must be asked whether the Assembly takes the target seriously. Extra money was given to the mentrau in 2001, Welsh passports will be in circulation shortly according to the Government and, at present, research is being carried out into teaching Welsh to adults. Despite this, if we are serious we have to have extra, new Welsh medium schools opened in Rhondda Cynon Taf – when was the last time an extra Welsh medium school was opened here? We also have to get more adults learning Welsh now so that they will appear on the next census. As someone who has learnt the language I can confirm that many people can learn Welsh but it takes time to do so.

It also takes time for learners to gain enough confidence to say that they are able to speak Welsh. As a result of the 2001 census I asked the learners in our coffee mornings whether they had noted that they could speak Welsh in the Census. The answer 100% was no – they hadn’t. They could. They were speaking Welsh to me and answered the questions I’d put to them in Welsh using Welsh but no they didn’t want to say that they could speak Welsh and I discovered that this was because they feared that someone would test them!

It appears that 35,000 people in Rhondda Cynon Taf are able to speak Welsh according to the census but I believe that this figure is much higher in reality – come out to play, come out to speak Welsh – come out to make a difference.

MANY THANKS FOR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR WORK
Money is being received through collections and donations – many thanks to those who have made a contribution. Menter Iaith can claim tax contributions on these contributions if it is on a regular basis so contact our Financial Officer on 01443 226386 to discuss how best to help finance the work. Not everyone has to contribute their own money – it’s possible for you to help when doing your weekly shop in Tesco by joining our Tesco Voucher Scheme which means that a contribution is made to us every time you do your shopping. A number of people work very hard on this system on our behalf and we hope to substantially extend the scheme within the next few months. Individuals are able to join the scheme as well as other agencies or schools so that you can raise money towards other good causes as well as help us. Every penny counts and we’re very grateful for your contributions as well as those of our corporate financiers.

PROMOTING OUR SERVICES
Time and again I’m asked what Menter Iaith actually does. This is where the money goes.

What is Clwb Carco? – A Welsh language after school club for primary school children held every night in Aberdare, Abercynon, Bodringallt, Bronllwyn, Castellau, Dolau, Evan James, Heol y Celyn, Garth Olwg, Llanharan, Llynyforwyn, Llwyncelyn, Pontsion-norton, Rhydygrug, Talbot Green, Tonyrefail, Twynyrodyn, Ynyswen. What do they do? Sport, Arts & Crafts, Games, trips, swimming, McDonalds, Parties, Pop Idol Nights and more. Details on 01443 226386. The children receive an extra 2.5 hours of Welsh every day – 10 hours a day during the holidays.

What about bridging between learners & Welsh speakers? – Coffee mornings for all who wish to attend every week in Aberdare, Mountain Ash, Penrhiwceiber, Maerdy, Llantrisant, Llwynypia, Pontypridd, Tonypandy. What do they do? Well, talk and drink coffee of course and sometimes arrange all sorts of trips. Details 01685 877183. These adults receive an extra hour of Welsh every week.

What is CIC? The Valleys Welsh Language Youth Initiative provides Welsh language services to secondary school age youths through Welsh language clubs in the English medium schools – particularly St John the Baptist, Aberdare, & Mountain Ash Comprehensive and also Treorci, Tonypandy and Ferndale , XL Clubs for youths who attend Welsh medium secondary schools as well as social clubs such as dance, drama and sport. What do they do? Well, socialise using Welsh, arrange activities, trips and more. Details 01685 882299. These young adults receive at least 1-2 extra hours of Welsh every week.

What is the Valleys Welsh Language Business Association? A series of Welsh language business meetings for the 150 Welsh business workers in Rhondda Cynon Taf which are held in the Rhondda Cynon Taf offices in Abercynon every six weeks. What do they do? Discuss business of course whilst also listening to a variety of speakers on different subjects of interest as well as offer help and advice to others. A Starting New Businesses Course will be held in the new year contact Steffan Webb on 07976 167086 for more information.

What is the Welsh Language Voluntary Sector Organisations Forum? A series of meetings of Rhondda Cynon Taf Welsh Language community groups. This is arranged under the Communities First scheme in partnership with Interlink. Telephone 01685 877183 for details.

What is Parti Ponty? Well – you already know don’t you? An Annual Festival which is arranged in conjunction with BBC Radio Cymru, S4C, the Urdd and others on the first Saturday of the month every July. Community Translation Service? Holiday Playschemes? Co-ordination? Promoting the Welsh language? So much work and so little space in the paper. What is your opinion on all of this? Please see our feedback form.

No, I haven’t forgotten about Christmas – enjoy the parties and dinners – MERRY CHRISTMAS & A VERY WELSH NEW YEAR – REMEMBER !
Steffan Webb
Chief Executive
Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf