Funding for a project to promote the Welsh language in Llanelli has been welcomed by Carmarthenshire councillors.
First Minister Carwyn Jones announced that the Canolfan 13 ‘Y Lle’ project will benefit from £70,000 from the Welsh Government’s Capital Investment Fund Bwrw Mlaen.
The council will work with third sector partners to develop a multi-purpose Welsh language centre.
The First Minister visited the premises in Old Castle Road which will be renovated as a centre to promote the Welsh language in Llanelli.
The centre, being developed by a social enterprise, will be home to a number of services, including a community café and bar facilities, offices, function rooms for events and meetings, youth clubs and a rehearsal / recording studio for young bands.
The First Minister said: “Encouraging people to use the Welsh Language in their daily lives and in their local communities is at the heart of our commitments within Bwrw Mlaen. The projects I am announcing today will create dynamic learning centres in our towns and communities and become real focal points for the language for people of all ages.
“Centres such as ‘Y Lle’ in Llanelli will play a key role in promoting the use of the language, offering opportunities for people to practice their Welsh and boost their confidence levels. “
Carmarthenshire’s Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “We welcome this funding which will enable us to work with partners and develop a centre dedicated to the promotion of Welsh as a living language which forms an important part of everyday life in our communities.
“I especially feel that education is critical in safeguarding the future of the language and our commitment to this is evident in the investment in Welsh medium schools, including the new Ysgol Ffwrnes which opened last week.”
Executive board member for the Welsh language Cllr Mair Stephens added: “Today’s announcement by the First Minister is very good news for the Welsh language in Carmarthenshire.
“As a Council, we aim to strengthen collaboration between local organisations. Together, we can deliver the recommendations agreed as part of the “Welsh language in Carmarthenshire” report, and turn the tide in terms of the 2011 Census results.”
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