On Saturday, after a long day of competing, organisers announced the names of the four individuals who have reached the final round in this year’s Welsh Learner of the Year competition.
Twenty one people competed for the coveted prize at this year’s Wrexham and District National Eisteddfod, with the competition attracting entrants from all over Wales and beyond..
The four who reached the final round are Cat Dafydd from Caerphilly, Kay Holder from Dinas Powys, Neil Wyn Jones from West Kirby and Sarah Roberts from Bangor.
Over a hundred and fifty people attended an activities-packed day held at Yale College in Wrexham, and included salsa dancing and bingo! Eisteddfod Organiser, Hywel Wyn Edwards, was very happy with this year’s competition and said, “The standard today has been extremely high, and we’ve had a very enjoyable day. The successful four were excellent, and will undoubtedly inspire many others to learn Welsh. Everyone’s experiences were so different and interesting, and all the competitors had their own reasons for wanting to learn Welsh.
“Today’s winners fully deserve to reach the final which will be held during the week of the Eisteddfod. We look forward to seeing them again, and we thank everyone who entered this year’s competition and those who took part in all the activities today.”
The Welsh Learner of the Year 2011 is organised in association with Croeso: beginners’ Welsh from the Open University – inspiring people to learn Welsh.
Rob Humphreys, Director of The OU in Wales, said, “We are pleased to sponsor this year’s Welsh Learner of the Year award, a celebration of adult learning by individuals from both home and abroad.
“The OU, as a global leader in the use of new technologies for learning, helps takes Wales to the world through ‘Croeso, our beginners’ Welsh’ module. Free taster materials from the course are available on iTunes and our OpenLearn website.
“Congratulations to all those that have competed so far, and best of luck to the shortlisted candidates.”
The final will be held on the Maes on Wednesday 3 August and the ceremony will be held that evening at Wrexham Memorial Hall. Tickets go on sale in June and will be available online at www.eisteddfod.org.uk and by ringing 0845 4090 800. The competition is part of the Wrexham and District National Eisteddfod held at Lower Berse Farm off Ruthin Road, Wrexham from 30 July – 6 August.
