Cultural centre is a hive of activity for the Eisteddfod/Denu Eisteddfodwyr i ganol y dref

A former bank on the square in Llanrwst is now a hive of cultural activity as the town prepares to welcome the National Eisteddfod.

The iconic HSBC building is now home to MenterIaithConwy, a Community organisation set up 20 years ago to promote the Welsh language in Conwy county, who have recently completed the first phase of renovation work.

One of MenterIaithConwy’s main activities in their preparations for the Eisteddfod is their “Dewchi’r Dre” (Come to Town) campaign to ensure that the town itself becomes part of the Eisteddfod experience. In partnership with local businesses they have been co-coordinating a campaign to attract Eisteddfod visitors to the town.

Much of the plans are already in place, with musicians performing in several pubs in the town, and a full program of gigs will be held by CymdeithasyrIaith at the Eagles Hotel where a large marquee will be put up. There are also plans for live music on the square.

Meirion Davies, MenterIaithConwy chief executive says;

“We are confident that it will be an unforgettable week in the town. It is great that all the caravan sites are within easy walking distance of the town, so I hope that no Eisteddfod visitor will miss out on the atmosphere. Local businesses have worked hard to support the Eisteddfod and our hope is that they will benefit significantly from having the Eisteddfod here.”

‘Major step forward’

Moving to the former bank building has been described as a major step forward for MenterIaithConwy.

Meirion Davies explains;

“It is a more suitable centre for us to be able to expand our work and owning our own property will make us more sustainable in the longer term. Whilst we were fortunate in getting support from the EU’s RCDF to purchase the building, we will need more finance to re-develop the whole building.

In particular there is a spectacular hall on the top floor, and we will be consulting widely with local people as to what use they would like to see for it. It will require some work done to it before it is appropriate for public use, and we have to take things one step at a time. In the meantime, we hope to make more office space available to-let in the near future.”

As well as MenterIaithConwy, the former bank also serves as headquarters of MentrauIaith Cymru, an all-Wales organisation that co-ordinates the work of the various ‘MentrauIaith’, a translation company and an architect. In total, there are about 15 people working from the new offices, providing a welcome economic boost for the town centre.

Gorsedd honour for Daniela

 Among those working at the new centre is Daniela Schlick, originally from Saxony in eastern Germany, who has a special reason for looking forward to the Eisteddfod.

Daniela, who works on a MentrauIaith Cymru project to promote the use of the Welsh language in business, will be admitted to the Gorsedd of the Bards with a blue robe in the ceremony on Friday 9 August.

According to the National Eisteddfod, she has been honored in this way because of the way she sets “a brilliant example to everyone involved with the Welsh language”.

As well as speaking Welsh fluently – to the extent that she is indistinguishable from a native speaker – she also volunteers regularly to help those learning Welsh.

She had already reached the final round of the Eisteddfod’s Learner of the Year competition in 2017 only two years after coming to Wales from Germany.

Daniela says;

“Since moving to Wales, the Eisteddfod has played a key role in my journey as a Welsh learner. I first got involved with the Eisteddfod in Meifod four years ago a month and a half after moving to Wales, when I sang in a choir. The following year I took part in a recitation competition for learners, and then, two years ago, I reached the final round of the Welsh Learner of the Year.

I am really excited to see the Eisteddfod coming to Llanrwst during my first year of working in the town – I’m looking forward to a wonderful week. And receiving the honor will make the occasion truly special for me.”

It was back in 2006 when Daniela first took an interest in Welsh language and culture. She explains;

“A group of friends had rented a cottage near Cricieth for a fortnight that summer. I was amazed to hear so much Welsh spoken in the area, and I tried learning a few words and phrases. It was also the year when the world cup was in Germany, I came to Wales only a couple of weeks after that and I was amused to see local Welsh people supporting Germany and praising the atmosphere of the World Cup!”

A few years later Daniela decided that she wanted to learn more about the language and followed a Welsh course at a summer school in Bangor in 2013 and 2014.

MenterIaithConwy Chairman and Town Mayor Huw Prys Jones says;

“We are all delighted with Daniela’s success and well-deserved honor. It shows how accessible and inclusive Welsh language and culture can be for those who are willing to make the effort and commitment. It also shows the opportunities that open borders have brought about in Europe.

The last time the Eisteddfod came to Llanrwst, it would have been unthinkable for a citizen of eastern Germany – the DDR as it was then – to be able to live and work in Wales and contribute to our culture in this way. Whilst we celebrate the progress that has been achieved, let us also be on our guard against those who seek to turn the clock back.”

For more information Contact Meirion Davies (01492) 642357 meirion@miconwy.cymru

Denu Eisteddfodwyr i ganol y dref

Dewch i’r Dref i fwynhau awyrgylch bythgofiadwy a chefnogi busnesau lleol yr un pryd.

Dyna yw neges tîm o weithwyr a gwirfoddolwyr brwdfrydig sy’n gweithio o ganolfan ddiwylliannol newydd ar sgwâr Llanrwst.

Mae hen adeilad trawiadol banc HSBC yn y dref bellach yn gartref i Fenter Iaith Conwy, sydd wedi cychwyn ar ran gyntaf y gwaith o ail-ddatblygu ac addasu’r adeilad.

Ers iddynt symud eu swyddfeydd yno ddechrau’r flwyddyn, mae paratoi ar gyfer yr Eisteddfod wedi bod yn rhan ganolog o’u gwaith.

Un o’u prif amcanion yw sicrhau bod ymwelwyr â’r Eisteddfod yn cael profiad o’r dref a’r ardal, a bod canol y dref yn rhan o gyffro’r Ŵyl.

Y bwriad yw cau’r sgwâr i gerbydau, fel y bydd yn lle braf i gerdded ac oedi am sgwrs a phaned yno, ac bydd cerddoriaeth fyw o gaffi Contessa ar y gornel.

Bydd rhaglen lawn o gigs bob nos yng ngwesty’r Eryrod hefyd wedi eu trefnu gan Gymdeithas yr iaith, gyda phabell anferth yn cael ei gosod o’i flaen. Mae gardd y gwesty mewn lleoliad hyfryd uwchben yr afon gyda golygfa wych o’r bont a chaffi hynafol Tu Hwnt i’r Bont gerllaw.

Meddai Meirion Davies, prif swyddog Menter Iaith Conwy.;

“Rydan ni’n ffyddiog y bydd hi’n wythnos fythgofiadwy yn y dref. Rydan ni’n ffodus bod y meysydd carafannau i gyd o fewn pellter cerdded i’r dref, felly peidiwch â cholli’r cyfle i fwynhau’r awyrgylch. Mae busnesau lleol wedi gweithio’n galed i gefnogi’r Eisteddfod a’n gobaith ni ydi y byddan nhwythau hefyd yn elwa ar gael yr Eisteddfod yma.”

Bywyd newydd mewn hen adeilad

Mae hen adeilad y banc wedi bod yn fwrlwm o weithgarwch ers iddo ailagor fel canolfan i hybu’r iaith a’r diwylliant Cymraeg. Roedd llwyddo i brynu’r adeilad yn gam pwysig ymlaen i Fenter Iaith Conwy.

Esbonia Meirion Davies;

“Mae’n ganolfan fwy addas inni allu ehangu’n gwaith, a bydd bod yn berchen ein heidio ein hunain yn ein gwneud yn fwy cynaliadwy yn y tymor hir. Er inni fod yn ffodus o gael cymorth o Gronfa Datblygu Gwledig yr Undeb Ewropeaidd a Llywodraeth Cymru i brynu’r adeilad, mi fydd angen mwy o gyllid arnom i addasu ac ail-ddatblygu’r adeilad cyfan.”

“Mae neuadd hynod drawiadol ar lawr uchaf yr adeilad, ac mi fyddwn ni’n ymgynghori’n drylwyr efo pobl leol o ran y defnydd y bydden nhw’n hoffi’i weld yn cael ei wneud ohoni. Mi fydd angen tipyn o waith arni i’w gwneud yn addas i’r cyhoedd a rhaid inni gymryd pethau un cam ar y tro. Yn y cyfamser, mae croeso i bawb alw heibio yn ein swyddfa yn ystod wythnos yr Eisteddfod.”

Mae’r adeilad hefyd yn bencadlys cenedlaethol i Fentrau Iaith Cymru, corff sy’n hyrwyddo cydweithio rhwng y gwahanol fentrau iaith ledled Cymru, ac yn gartref i gwmni cyfieithu sydd wedi sefydlu gan Menter Iaith Conwy.

Rhwng pawb, mae tua 15 yn gweithio o’r adeilad, gan roi hwb economaidd sylweddol i ganol y dref.

Am fwy o wybodaeth cysylltwch efo Meirion Davies (01492) 642357 meirion@miconwy.cymru