With only 50 days to go before the start of the Wrexham and District National Eisteddfod, the festival is offering practical help and support to companies and businesses keen to offer a warm Welsh welcome to visitors during the first week of August.
Starbucks is the first company in Wrexham to sign up for Welsh taster sessions for staff, to ensure that they can join in the festival vibe when the Eisteddfod comes to town. Hywel Wyn Edwards, Eisteddfod Organiser, says, “The Eisteddfod’s visit to Wrexham has been welcomed by everyone, whether they speak Welsh or not. Our aim is to provide taster sessions for staff in cafes, restaurants and hotels in the hope that they’ll continue to learn the language and offer a fuller and bilingual service in future.
“We would like to see other companies following Starbucks’ example , and organising taster sessions for their staff. The sessions are short and fun, and they will help staff to greet visitors bilingually and to chat in Welsh when serving people. Welsh speakers appreciate service in Welsh and this is an easy and effective way of creating a favourable impression during the Eisteddfod and in the future.”
The Eisteddfod’s work with adult Welsh learners is an integral part of the festival’s legacy across Wales, and this week, tickets for the Welsh Learner of the Year ceremony go on sale. This is the flagship competition for Welsh learners and which always attracts a high number of entries. This year’s ceremony is held at Wrexham’s Memorial Hall on Wednesday evening, 3 August, where the winner of the prize and a beautiful painting by Max Hamblen will be announced. The painting is given by David and Enfys Thomas of Wrexham. The four on the shortlist are Cat Dafydd from Caerphilly, Kay Holder from Dinas Powys, Neil Wyn Jones from the Wirral and Sarah Roberts from Bangor.
Eisteddfod goers will be able to meet the winner in Maes D on the Eisteddfod Maes the following day. Maes D is the activity hub for Welsh learners and those interested in learning the language on the Maes, and has a packed timetable of events and activities throughout the week, including help and advice for people wanting to fins out more about learning Welsh across Wales – and beyond. The timetable will be published on the Eisteddfod website – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – before the end of June and you can also volunteer as a steward in Maes D by completing an online application form.
If you’d like to organise taster sessions for your company or business, send an email to [email protected] or ring the office on 0845 4090 400. If you’d like to buy tickets for the Welsh Learner of the Year ceremony go to www.eisteddfod.org.uk or ring the Ticket Line on 0845 4090 800.
The Welsh Learner of the Year 2011 is organised in association with Croeso: beginners’ Welsh from the Open University – inspiring people to learn Welsh.
The Wrexham and District National Eisteddfod is held on land at Lower Berse Farm off Ruthin Road, Wrexham from 30 July – 6 August.
