Mair Williams's blog

S4C (Sianel Pedwar Cymru) is a Welsh language public-service television broadcaster in Wales. It is aimed at a specifically Welsh speaking audience. At the Welsh National Eisteddfod, which is taking place this week, it has announced new programmes aimed at learners of the Welsh language and those seeking to improve their language skills. The title of the programmes will be Dal Ati (Go for it) and will start being broadcast from September 28.

Two members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) were both fined £90 at Aberystwyth Magistrates Court on Friday 1 August. Robin Farrar and Bethan Williams, chair and former chair of the movement were involved in the painting of slogans, including “Addysg Gymraeg i Bawb” (Welsh-medium education for all) at the offices of the Government of Wales in Aberystwyth in May this year. They made it clear that they would not pay the fine and that further non-violent actions would continue.

Yr Eiesteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru yw gŵyl flaenaf Cymru ac fe’i  chynhelir yn flynyddon yn ystod wythnos gyntaf mis Awst (The National Eisteddfod is Wales’ leading festival  held annually during the first week of August).

As reported in the Welsh newspaper the Daily Post, money donated in memory of the acclaimed Caernarfon poet Gerallt Lloyd Owen will go towards the campaign for Scottish independence.  Gerallt Lloyd Owen, from Llandwrog, Caernarfon, died on July 15 at the age of 69.

Mae agwedd y Llywodraeth Brydeinig tuag at annibyniaeth Yr Alban yn dystiolaeth fod yr agweddau trefedigaethol yn parhau tuag at y Celtiaid (The UK Government's Attitude on Scottish independence demonstrates the colonial attitudes that still prevail towards the Celtic peoples).

As reported in Wales On-line Welsh language protesters have set up an Occupy camp outside of the Senedd, the offices of the National Assembly for Wales. The action being undertaken by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg is part of a series of protests in support of government action to support the Welsh language. Robin Farrar, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, said: “I’m delighted to be here today – we want to live in Welsh and to see action to deliver that vision.

A report from Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws has pointed out concerns raised by Welsh speaking patients about healthcare services provided in their own language.  The report said that 90% agreed that Welsh speakers should have the right to express themselves in Welsh when dealing with health services wherever they live in Wales. This is after a wide disparity was found in different parts of the country when patients sought to access care in their own language. The report found that just 28% of Welsh speakers’ previous experiences with primary care were through the medium of Welsh.

Tŷ Cerdd Records proudly state: “a world of music to Wales and the music of Wales to the world”. The new record label is being officially launched today and their aim is to present and produce music by Welsh composers or performers based in Wales. All the money generated will be reinvested into Welsh music. They say: “The mission of Tŷ Cerdd – Music Centre Wales is to support, develop and promote the creation, performance and empowering experience of music, both in and of Wales.

The Urdd Eisteddfod was hailed as a success when a week of competition at Bala ended on Saturday. The annual six day celebration of Welsh culture held in Meirionnydd saw attendance for the week rise to 86,294 compared to last year’s 81,795. The Urdd Eisteddfod, which is dedicated to children and young people, is held in north and south Wales on alternate years and preparations are already underway for next year’s Urdd to be held in Caerphilly.

Congratulations to Jill Evans who has been re-elected to the European Parliament. Promising a strong voice for Wales in Europe, the Plaid Cymru MEP will campaign for jobs and economic development in Wales and vowed to continue to fight for equal status for the Welsh language in the European Union.