This summer two of the North Wales’ Mentrau Iaith, in conjunction with an environmental partnership, will organise a series of field trips that will increase confidence of Welsh speakers to use more Welsh in their work in the environmental and outdoor sectors.
Between June and the end of September the Cwm Idwal Partnership, a partnership formed by the National Trust, Natural Resources Wales and Snowdonia National Park to protect and manage the valley, will host four field trips in Cwm Idwal on themes that include biodiversity, geology, place name history and aspects of tourism and management.
The trips are targeted at individuals who earn a living or volunteer in the outdoor or environmental sectors living in Conwy and Gwynedd.
Guto Roberts, Cwm Idwal Partnership Warden says “the outdoor and environmental sectors are growing, it is crucial that we ensure that there are enough people who work in those areas not only speak Welsh but also use it day by day in their work “. He goes on to explain “Cwm Idwal offers itself perfectly as an outdoor classroom that we can interpret all aspects of the landscape, plants, wildlife and the linguistic heritage of this part of Snowdonia for people working outdoors” he says.
The tours are promoted by Menter Iaith Conwy and Hunaniaith, the language initiative in Gwynedd. Ifan Llewelyn Jones, Hunaniaith Language Development Officer says “one of the aims of the mentrau iaith is to encourage more Welsh speakers to use the language in the workplace”; Meirion Davies, Chief Officer of Menter Iaith Conwy goes on to explain “Menter Iaith Conwy has worked for many years to increase the number of Welsh speakers earning a living in the outdoor sector. These trips will be great for those workers to develop the confidence, knowledge and desire to use Welsh in their work.”
Anyone who works, or volunteers in the outdoor or environmental sectors, and live in Gwynedd or Conwy can email Guto.Roberts@nationaltrust.org.uk
