News
Still loving the language
The Swansea-born actess,
Melanie Walters, of Gavin and Stacey fame, has been able to continue her study of the
Welsh language by attending Nant Gwrtheyrn, the national Welsh language residential centre. She came to the centre as a prize for winning the popular S4C TV programme,
cariad@iaith / love4language in 2011.
This takes her one step further to fulfilling her dream, as she said when she appeared on cariad@iaith / love4language, I feel as if there's a piece missing in me. My father's family all spoke fluent Welsh but it wasn't passed down to us children. This is a great opportunity to keep the language alive through the generations, to help and encourage my son to learn it and hopefully bring his children up with a 'cariad@iaith:love4language."
Melanie, who made numerous attempts to learn the language in the past, has thrown herself into the course with enthusiasm. She has chosen attend a course at the Intermediate level, which means that all the course is taught through the medium of Welsh. Mel thoroughly enjoyed her experience, as she says in her own words,
“You get an amazing experience here at Nant Gwrtheyrn. As soon as you arrive the peace and quiet and breath-taking views relax you. What better way to learn Welsh than to immerse yourself in an intensive course, whatever level, in such wonderful surroundings. Cwrs Canolradd is quite a challenge for me, but that’s not a bad thing. I know during the week at Fforest (cariad@iaith) I experienced a surge of understanding and that’s the joy of taking an intensive course here, with the excellent teachers, staff, clean homely accommodation, healthy walks and food and of course the views – all helping to make the experience so rewarding.
Many thanks to Nant Gwrtheyrn and cariad@iaith for helping to make the journey to speak Welsh fluently so enjoyable.”
March 2013
First Minister Carwyn Jones unveils Nant Gwrtheyrn centre
March 17th 2011 marked a historic date for Nant Gwrtheyrn as this former quarry village was officially
re-opened after a £5m renovation.
Nant Gwrtheyrn, which has been transformed into a Welsh Language Centre has undergone three years of transformation into a unique tourism hub, with four-star accommodation, a new road, function room and displays.
Speaking at the opening, Wales’
First Minister Carwyn Jones, said:
“
Nant Gwrtheyrn is a centre of national and international significance, as well as an important local employer. The new facilities will attract many more day visitors, tourists and local visitors for learning and to enjoy its unique location bringing greater economic benefits to the area.
“Nant Gwrtheyrn has provided a firm foundation for learning Welsh. The investment means that the business and its facilities can be sustained thanks to the marvellous renovation of the old cottages".
“I’m very glad that the Welsh Assembly Government was able to contribute £3.8m towards the renovation. What’s important is that Nant Gwrtheyrn is sustained throughout the year by a number of sources of income.”
Nant Gwrtheyrn Trust founder
Carl Clowes said:
“The rebirth of the village provides a much-needed boost for local employment and confidence. Significantly, we now have a local and national facility for Welsh learners and an attraction, second to none, for residential and day visitors.”