OU Welsh module a great success

Nearly 400 students have joined the first year of the L196 module at the Open University. Almost half of these are in England- which when you consider the almost complete lack of official support is excellent news. With these the numbers of paid-up and enrolled students in England excedes 500 a year. There are some 12 classes in London and various others scattered around England. At University level the OU is the sole provider in England but several English based students take the "Gradd Allanol' Welsh degree modules externally each year.

Welsh is now official in the EU - but not in England

The European Council and the European Parliament have both given Welsh some degree of official status. The UK parliament in London still does not allow Welsh. It has allowed French!

Plaid MEP Jill Evans, who has campaigned for many years for official status for the Welsh language at European Union level, has welcomed today's first speech in Welsh at the EU Council of Ministers. (NOTE - see Timeline below).

Welsh Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones will speak Welsh at a ministerial meeting of the EU's Culture Council in Brussels on Thursday where interpretation will be provided into other languages.

Speaking ahead of the meeting the Plaid MEP said:

"I'm delighted that today the Welsh language is finally getting the same recognition as other European languages. I've been campaigning for official status for Welsh in Europe for many years. This is literally making history in Welsh.

"This is of huge symbolic importance and will raise the profile of Wales as a nation on the European stage. I congratulate Alun Ffred Jones and the One Wales Government for making it happen. I also want to thank all of the organisations and individuals in Wales who have given such strong support to this campaign.

"In spite of those who laughed at the idea, including then Prime Minister Tony Blair, and despite opposition from the other parties, we have come a long way. But this isn't the end of the story. I'm still pushing the European Parliament to adopt similar new rules for Welsh. The fact that other European bodies have done it shows that it is both possible and practical."
diwedd / ends

Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â:
For more information please contact:

David Bradley (01824-709700 / 07901-862907
Steven Cornelius (0032-228-41665 / 0032-473-560967

NOTES:

Jill Evans MEP represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament

Timeline for Gaining Co-Official Status for the Welsh Language in Europe
November 2004: Jill becomes first person to legally speak Welsh in European Parliament following rule changes led by her parliamentary group.
March 2005: called for EU Constitution to be translated into Welsh. Jill Evans and Elfyn Llwyd meet UK government to press case for recognition of Welsh language. Announcement marks the first step in winning co-official EU status.
June 2005: Spoke in Welsh in European Parliament during debate with Tony Blair during UK EU Presidency.
June 2005: Decision by Europe's Foreign Ministers on framework for co-official status for Catalan, Galician and Basque. Citizens can correspond with EU institutions in these languages and they can be spoken with interpretation in most of the institutions. Jill called on UK government to follow this example for Welsh.
August 2005: distributed language information packs, asking people to write to Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary, calling for Welsh to be given the same rights as Catalan, Basque and Galician.
September 2005: Jill and Hywel Williams MP hold meetings in Brussels as part of Plaid Cymru's campaign to improve the status of the Welsh language in the EU.
November 2005: UK presidency signs agreement for Catalan, Basque and Galician to be given co-official status, and so can be used in official meetings and correspondence.
June 2006: Welsh Assembly's European Affairs Committee announce they are to consider a proposal for limited use of Welsh in EU institutions.
July 2006: Jill writes to Rhodri Morgan asking him to follow Spain's example and ensure the UK government covers translating costs.
November 2006: Jill makes the case for co-official status to the Assembly's European Affairs Committee, by live video link from Brussels.
January 2007: EU Commissioner for multi-lingualism appointed
June 2007: Commitment to get co-official status for Welsh is in the One Wales coalition agreement, first put forward by Jill.
June 2008: Jill launches appeal asking organisations in Wales to write to President of the European Parliament, stating their support for the right to communicate with the Parliament in Welsh.
July 2008: Welsh made a co-official language in the EU Council.
September 2008: Jill meets with President of the European Parliament to discuss making Welsh co-official in Parliament.
November 2008: Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones to address Council in Welsh for the first time.

British not Celtic?

An interesting website with a good list of Welsh placenames throughout England and a reliable historical bias to Britishness instead of Celticness is:
http://www.truebrits.org/aberigine2.php
The argument is fair and not anticeltic in its flavour.
'The Linguistic Celts If French is a Romance language, then Welsh is a Brittonic one.
The linguistic Celts, unlike the historical ones, are centred around the ancient languages of Britain and Ireland. Brittonic is the earliest known language from the island of Britain, and Gaelic (or Goidelic) is the earliest known language from the island of Ireland. Both of these have since split into modern languages, in much the same way that Latin split into the Romance languages of Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and so on. Brittonic gave rise to Cymraeg (Welsh), Kernuak (Cornish) and Brezhoneg (Breton), while the original Gaelic language divided into Irish, Manx and Scottish Gaelic. '

from http://www.truebrits.org/historicalcelts.php

Even Welsh Quangos not in Welsh

Access to valuable, possibly life saving, information is via English only which for a Wales wide body in somewhat irritating, As always all new ventures add Welsh as an afterthought or only if someone complains - so much for the Bilingual Wales policy, by the way thanks for the cheques Rhodri!

Direct Gov (no translation)

In an attempt to get us all online Direct Gov gives all the links an e-citizen will ever need - lots in Welsh but still large omissions like this one.

Language of Science

Clearly Welsh speakers need not apply for government funding in the field of Science - perhaps a seperate research council system for Wales is needed.

Sat School 8th November to learn Welsh in London

Saturday 8th November five levels of class all for #25 at the London Welsh Centre in 157 Grays Inn Road (Calthorpe Arms) 9.30 - 5.00 includes coffee and biscuits. Come on the day. or book via "Theo at Anoeth"

www.anoeth.demon.co.uk/digwyddiadur.html
or via website
http://www.londonwelsh.org/

Equality for some but not for others

Heres a little search on two words Cymraeg and Gaidhlig, Welsh scores quite well, on some sites up to half of the static documents are in Welsh and even one or two updates. For Gaelic there is a complete absence in most cases or a very few, often well out of date, documents. Equality legislation is a powerful tool of government to effect social change. This social change agenda is Anglocentrric and includes the demolition of the two native cultures on this island. The failure to involve the autochthonous peoples in these major social processes speaks volumes. More provision has been made for Polish guest workers in the last years than for Gaelic!

It's just not Cricket

Cricket is all about fair play 'chwarae teg' about community, local teams, quality of life - so why is the Cricket Board of and England and Wales unable to provide any welsh content on its website (despite generous Welsh Government funding)- see picture this is what the link 'cymraeg' delivers, and unlike Rugby there is no independent Wales Cricket Board yet. Why indeed? In Wales cricket is quite popular even in Welsh villages - but the old school tie mob still rule cricket and they are the Unwelsh. Perhaps even more Unwelsh than the yachting club at Abersoch or the very minor, minor public schools we have!

Green Party - England and Wales

Greens care about community, local issues, quality of life - so why is the Green Party an England and Wales party, with Zero welsh content on its website - see picture this is what the link 'cymraeg' delivers, and unlike Scotland there is no independent Wales Green Party. Why indeed? In Wales they are essentially a student group - they come - they go and they are the Unwelsh. Perhaps even more Unwelsh than the Tories, UKIP and the BNP in Wales!

BBC Digital Radio

Welsh is a National language of the UK recognised under the European charter. Yet the BBC radio refuses to broadcast Radio Cymru on Digital Radio across the UK, it does however broadcast rubbish US channels and BBC radio Asian and Black channels.. Let us not pretend that the Digital franchise is a private company - it is under state direction. As choice increases the the logic of excluding Radio Cymru is to eliminate that choice outside Wlaes whilst offereing up more competeing channels within Wales - ie unfair. I wrote to BBC digital on the issue and here is the reply. Note no one is willing to be named - another feature of power without accountability. Since tha ANALOGUE signal often reached well into ENgland - reaching over 10,000,000 people then the DIGITAL switchover is undermining Welsh broadcasting.

BBC Digital Information [T2007102600CLS010Z2896316]
Show full header
Dear Petroc

Thank you for your e-mail. As Radio Cymru is not available across the board on analogue radio and is only broadcast in Wales, it is classified as a regional station - not National. You are welcome to continue to listen at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio. Thank you again for taking the time to contact the BBC.
Regards
BBC Digital Information

Welsh Walk in Richmond Park

Welsh Walk in Richmond Park ca 8 miles, meet entrance to Richmond station at 11 am Sat 21 June. ALL in Welsh, cyfle gwych i bractisio. These walks get no publicity from the Ramblers, or Cymdeithas Edward Llwyd. Whereas Lewisham Council has a full time walks organiser to get the unfit out walking - pretty expensive per walker.

Saturday School in Welsh in London

Saturday 14th June five levels of class all for #25 at the London Welsh Centre in 255 Grays Inn Road (Calthorpe Arms) 9.30 - 5.00 includes coffee and biscuits. Come on the day. or book via "Theo at Annoeth" (use google)

Rhestr o'r cyrff newydd fydd yn gorfod cydymffurfio â Deddf yr Iaith Gymraeg 1993.

Fifty seven new bodies will now have to conform with the Welsh language Act of 1993





THe most astounding thing is that it is now 15 year LATE. Many of these quangos were created after the `Act and completely ignored Welsh - what a feeble Law. All it took was the sweep of a biro by the Assembly Minister, but no Labour Minister had ink in the pen for 15 YEARS. A new language act will make Welsh core to Government in Wales and also not an "add-on" for England and Wales bodies.

The list is below (mainly Welsh Education and Training quangos


Awdurdod Gweithredu'r Gemau Olympaidd OLYMPICS

after a three year Campaign by Plaid Cymru London Branch

Cyngor Prydeinig After this blog had highlighted its miserable level of Welsh

Banc Lloegr After I had written letters - see Blog

UK Sport After numerous campaigns against the bloated sports beaurocracies lack of Welsh

Y Post Brenhinol Hundreds of complaints

Awdurdod y Diwydiant Diogelwch

Asiantaeth Gwella Plismona Cenedlaethol

Comisiwn Annibynnol Cwynion yr Heddlu
Comisiwn Cystadleuaeth
Comisiwn Datblygu Cynaliadwy
Comisiwn Etholiadol
Comisiwn Hapchwarae
Comisiwn y Loteri Genedlaethol
Cronfa Loteri Fawr
Cyllid Cymru
Cymdeithas Fferyllol Frenhinol Prydain Fawr
Cyngor Ceiropracteg Cyffredinol
Cyngor Defnyddwyr Dŵr
Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru
Cyngor Optegol Cyffredinol
Cyngor Osteopathig Cyffredinol

Cyngor Rhagoriaeth Rheoleiddiol Gofal Iechyd

FFORWM NESTA (Gwaddoliad Cenedlaethol dros Wyddoniaeth, Technoleg a'r Celfyddydau)
OFCOM
Sefydliad Datblygu Cymunedol
Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru
Tribiwnlys Anghenion Addysgol Arbennig Cymru

Uned Ddata Llywodraeth Leol
Y Rheoleiddiwr Pensiynau
Ymddiriedolaeth Arbed Ynni
Ymddiriedolaeth Carbon

Cynghorau Sgiliau Sector x 25
Cogent
Cyngor Sgiliau Gwasanaethau Ariannol
Diwydiannau Creadigol a Diwylliannol
Dysgu Gydol Oes
e-sgiliau
Go Skills
Improve
Lantra
Pobl yn 1af
Proskills
SEMTA
Sgiliau Adeiladu
Sgiliau ar gyfer Cyfiawnder
Sgiliau ar gyfer Gofal a Datblygu
Sgiliau ar gyfer Iechyd
Sgiliau ar gyfer Logisteg
Sgiliau Asset
Sgiliau Llywodraeth
Sgiliau Modurol
Sgiliau Ynni a Chyfleustodau
Skillfast
SkillsActive
Skillset
Skillsmart
Summit Skills

St Georges Day under Boris 2009

April 2008 - Trafalgar Square was full of Proud English People, a horse mounted St George rode around the square and flag bedecked taxis hooted their horns. This is the scene I saw as I crossed the square. However London Assembly ' feed my pigeons' Ken had failed to provide a Festival for this crowd. Too white, too working class by half. My Local pub in Lewisham put on food, Morris dancers and themed drinks all day, a small business celebrating with the community, and its a mixed race pub not a thuggish ghetto. Now that Ken is gone and a BNP member sits in county hall perhaps the political class will reflect on the consequences of ignoring Englands forgotten minority. ( And we are a minority in Lewisham).

Boris - what will St Georges Day 2009 be like?

CADW; Beth am Blant Alis?

Please email CADW the Welsh conservation body to help save Alices summer holiday house in Llandudno. Llandudno is the UKs best preserved Victorian resort and yet they may allow this fine piece of Alices life to be demolished. email CADW Cadw@Wales.gsi.gov.uk and the Conwy councils planning committe to voice your objections. By focusing the worlds attention we can save it. btw Plant Alis (Alices Children) is a Welsh idiom which refers to the "English" in general.
Email addressed to, cynllun.plan@conwy.gov.uk with ref to applications for demolition of Penmorfa, no's, 0/34325 and 0/34236. Or by letter to The Chief Planning Officer, Civic Offices, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL29 8AR.
Petroc is currently reading Alice in Breton (read it in Welsh, Spanish and English,)
Help Save Alice Liddell's Holiday Home

It has come to our notice that developers in Llandudno have requested permission to demolish Penmorfa - holiday home of the Liddell family. John Lawson-Reay, Chairman of the Llandudno Seaside Buildings Preservation Trust makes the following request:
"Penmorfa has for the past twelve months been shorn of
the later extensions while the developers have done nothing to protect it. There has been much concern, locally. Now a planning application has been made for the demolition of the house so that the developer can use the whole site for 29 luxury flats. It may be that the company had no real intention of retaining Penmorfa.
The site is in a conservation area which was extended a few years ago to include the hotel, thus to recognising the significance of the building. We have appealed to the Wales body for conservation, CADW, to list the building, but they say that there is no particular architectural merit in the house and that there are similar buildings in Llandudno. We seriously disagree. We understand that it is described as 'Pseudo-Gothic' contrasting with the other buildings in Llandudno which are 'Classical' in design.
However our concern is with its important historical associations which we consider to be of most significance. The fact that the house was built for his family by Dean Liddell and the fact that they used it for extended vacations over eleven years should surely be enough to protect it.
We are getting together a body of protestors locally but any objections from further afield could be crucial. Could you circulate your membership and ask them to email or write their objections to demolition to Conwy County Borough Council?
Email addressed to, cynllun.plan@conwy.gov.uk with ref to applications for demolition of Penmorfa, no's, 0/34325 and 0/34236. Or by letter to The Chief Planning Officer, Civic Offices, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL29 8AR.
We would want to emphasise the historical importance of Penmorfa as well as its uniqueness. There is much urgency required. We would appreciate any help."

The committe of the Lewis Carroll Society encourage you to support this cause and send an email (or preferably a letter) to the council. It seems incredible to us that this situation has been allowed to get this far.

Our Foreign Office?

The FCO funds (ariannu) over 2000 foreign students to come to the UK each year with its Chevening Scholarlships (ysgoloriaethau), which is great news. Here is my search (ymchwiliad) for 'Cymraeg' on the FCO website (wefan). No need for an in depth analysis here.

British Council Considers Welsh

If we are to believe this the British Council has at last woken up to its bilingual 'Britishness" role. We shall see.

Thank you for your interest in the work of British Council Wales.

I have forwarded your enquiry to our Communications Officer Suma
Krishnamurthy who will be able to tell you if a Welsh translation is
available on our work in Europe.

If a Welsh translation is currently unavailable, it would be possible to
provide you one within a reasonable time, allowing sufficient time for
translation.

If you would like to contact Suma Krishnamurthy personally you can do so
via email at suma.krishnamurthy@britishcouncil.org.

Kind regards,

Katherine

Katherine Snell
Customer Services Co-ordinator
British Council Wales ~ British Council Cymru
28 Park Place ~ 28 Plas y Parc
Cardiff ~ Caerdydd
CF10 3QE


-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: 05 March 2008 17:26
To: Wales.Enquiries
Subject: Welsh website

Oes na dudalenau Cymraeg yna, roeddwn yn chwilio am ddeunydd am eich
gwaith yn Ewrop a tu hwnt ond doedd dim deunydd o gwbl yn y gymraeg.

This message is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete it. The British Council accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by software viruses and you are advised to carry out a virus check on any attachments contained in this message.

The British Council is a registered charity 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). Our purpose is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to increase appreciation of the UK's creative ideas and achievements.

Welsh celebrate in London but not Rugby this time. March 1 2008.

St Davids Day in London - no thanks to Ken

While the Chinese Russians and even the Canadians benefit from my Council Taxes as uncle Ken gives out the money for Trafalgar Square bashes the Welsh get zero. We are, like the Gypsies, so discriminated against that we are unseen.

However the ICA provided two nights of celebration (dathliad)- called Wales uber Alles. On 29 February 2008 a night of Welsh bands, with Genod Droog, Radio Luxembourg , MC Mabon among the famous Welsh groups.
Genod Droog, six men - not 'naughty girls' as the name implies, are from Porthmadog; MC Mabon is realy a band; and Radio Luxembourg, from Aberystwyth are a cool psychedelic band.
This was followed by a second night on St Davids Day at the ICA, 1 Mar 2008 with Gruff Rhys (ex-Super Furry Animal) and Kerdd Dant plus a midnight screening of Gwaed ar y Sêr, a little-seen Welsh horror film in the ICA bar.

South London pub the Vauxhall Griffin also put on a free night of Welsh pop music, Ruth Madoc videos and produced a Welsh themed quiz. Free Welsh cakes and Daffodils made for a surreal evening. Well done Nia! There were of course more traditional meals and Harpist (telynydd) all over London but not a brass cent of public Funding from the Authorities (awdurdodau). It seems you need to be foreign (estron)to qualify.
Here's some pretty websites about the groups mentioned - enjoy (mwynhau) or try Theo Bruetons 'digwyddiadur' for regular listings of Londons Welsh activities. Just google it (googlio fe) or try http://www.anoeth.demon.co.uk/cyfall.html
www.myspace.com/genoddroog
www.myspace.com/radiolux
www.myspace.com/mcmabon


English and Welsh number plate campaign

Join the campaign to put pressure on the London Government to legalise the use of the Welsh and English flags on the number plates of vehicles.  
In 2001 the then Westminster Transport Minister promised that the UK Government would legislate to allow the use of national flags on cars.   Nearly seven years on the London Government has yet to act.
If you think that the people of Wales and England should be legally entitled to use our national flags as a symbol of our identity on the number pates of their vehicles. Show Gordon Brown that we’re English or Welsh and proud of it!
SIGN THE PETITION
If you think that the people of Wales and England should be legally entitled to use their national flags as a symbol of their identity on the number pates of their vehicles, join the campaign by signing the petition below.
http://www.numberplates.plaidcymru.org/content.php?nID=662;lID=1

Prince William learning Welsh

Some of you may have heard the rumours that Tywysog Gwilym was intending to learn Welsh for his official role (Prince William of Wales) This would be a very welcome move. There is a sense that Welsh speakers are more conservative than English speakers, more linked in to the History of our Island, certainly Loyalty, as seen by service in the forces, is 50% higher in Wales. One could be forgiven for believing that all Welsh speakers are raving antimonarchists after the Queen was refused entry to the opening ceremony for the National Library of Wales because of a few student protesters. The issue there however was one of Language not of pro or anti Royal. Of course the provision for Welsh Medium education within the University of Wales is so poor that William may find it hard to get a course anyway. He could always have a word with the Chancellor (his father).

A quick look at the royal.gov.uk website will show you some of the Queen and Charles' pages are available in Welsh (not all) but none of Williams or other members of the Family. This begs the question of why such key resources are not available in Welsh - can we really expect Welsh children doing royalty research projects to provide their own translations. The attitudes have changed and the absence of Welsh, whilst probably an oversight, can be read as a slight.

Bank of England supports Welsh

The Bank of England rep in Wales was recently encouraging business in Wales to use more Welsh, a nice gesture indeed. However apart from a few factsheets aimed at 9 year olds the 'central bank for the UK' has no Welsh on its website, clearly it needs all the money to buy Northern Rock. Does this body actually serve the Welsh people, does it serve the thousands of Welsh speakers in England? These old beurocratic attitudes - ignoring, delaying and fogging are not acceptable in the 21st century. I am awaiting a reply to my email...

On the issue of Blogio yn y Gymraeg Draig Wen reader rhys wynne said... "I wouldn't hold my breath for a Welsh version of Blogger, even though it's available in 40 languages now. If you're after a blogging service in Welsh try www.nireblog.com/cy
or www.cy.wordpress.com" thanks for that Rhys.

Campaign for dot Cym

The unused .cym for the Cayman Islands is by right ours for Wales/Cymru and for all Welsh language users around the world. The Cayman Islands, with just a few thousand people, very nice ones, actually have two .names .cym and .km - they use the .km in fact. Whereas cars all over Wales drive around with cym on the back oblivious to the existance of the Cayman Islands as a country.

Draig Wen

I have decided to continue the blog as DraigWen to ensure no confusion with the Pagan web-magazine WhiteDragon.org which is unconnected to our aims. I welcome the interest which Pagans show in things Celtic and hope it does lead them to explore Welsh language and culture and form a new silver thread in the tapestry of our culture. I also Welcome a Welsh speaking Archbishop of Canterbury and the growth of Welsh speaking muslim communities. All are welcome to use the Welsh language.

See DraigWen from here on.

Pwrpas y gwelog hwn yw i ganiatau y rhai sy'n chwilio dan 'White Dragon' dod o hyd i ddeunydd am y Gymraeg.

Blogger in Welsh

High time that Blogger was available in Welsh, certainly Welsh Wicipedia is amongst the strongest languages, and use of Welsh on the Web is exploding. Campaigns for a Welsh domain name .cym (cymru) are well advanced and .cy (cyprus) is being used by many people already. The Welsh Facebook campaign has 1000s of signatures and Welsh is definitely very active on facebook.
At some future date teh Welsh assembly will assume responsibility for regulating IT, businesses and services and at this point legal and social pressures for the inclusion and normalisation of Welsh will be strong.

White Dragon February 08 Draig Wen

Welcome to the Anglophone blog about the Welsh in England. Our rights and our role in the Emerging English state. The future role of the Welsh language as a core identity marker of Britishness, of deep Englishness and of a pluralistic and open England.
Croeso i Loegr.

Over 100.000 Welsh speakers live in England and this is increasing. Mobility between Wales and England is probably one of the highest inter-nation exchanges of population on the planet at over 100,000 per annum (50,000 each way) that's a million movements per decade - the effect on a nation of only 3 million is obvious.

Increasing visibility and status of Welsh in Wales means that England and Wales government agencies now need to provide bilingual services, increasing interconnectedness and the eWorld provide access in a way never before possible to Welsh language resources.

Of the two futures:
An independant England, Scotland and a Wales with a strong Cambrophone tendency. or;
A federal British state with a strong Cambrophone Wales.

Both of these will see a positive response to Welsh within England and some aspects of the Canadian French-English policy will occur. White Dragon will seek to ensure quality and sensitivity in these developments.

Why the symbolism? The White Dragon represents one of two legendary dragons that fought for supremacy, the Red Dragon of Wales and the White Dragon - Draig Wen of LLoegr (England). Both dragons are British and both are Cymry. The oldest poem of England was written in Welsh - about the battle of Catterick (Yorkshire), King Arthur was Welsh. the place names of England are richly speckled with Welsh words from Avon (river) to Penge (woods edge) from London (Llundain =Lughs city) to Carlisle (Caerliwelydd=Lughs fort on the wall). The legend has them locked in an embrace to the end of time.