Menter Brycheiniog a Maesyfed will be launching the Breconshire and Radnorshire Place Names booklet on Friday, June 1st, at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Builth Wells.
To welcome the Urdd Eisteddfod to the area in May, 2018 Menter Brycheiniog a Maesyfed have worked with Powys County Council to produce a useful and interesting booklet that takes a closer look at the history behind place names in the area.
From town, villages and farm names to mountains, lakes and streams – the information booklet will be of use to local residents of South Powys as well as to visitors of the area.
Bethan Price, Menter Brycheiniog a Maesyfed Co-ordinator says;
“For many residents of this area, the Welsh language is only visable in place names – and we’re very fortunate in the area to have a lot of interesting names! Place names can fuel interest in the Welsh language, and understanding is an important step in ensuring that traditional names are not changed into English. This booklet has also been an opportunity to identify some local stories and tales that will be of interest to local people and visitors. We are very grateful to the Council for their support in producing the booklet.”
Hard copies of the booklet will be available from the Menter and in County Council centres with a digital version available to download from the www.mentrauiaith.cymru website.
Myfanwy Alexander, Powys County Council Portfolio Holder for Learning and Welsh Language, says:
“I welcome this booklet as an opportunity to celebrate the Welsh heritage of our area, and I really hope that the information will stimulate interest among visitors and local residents – there’s a wealth of history to discover in Breconshire and Radnorshire. “
Several of the Welsh language initiatives have produced such brochures with Menter Bro Ogwr launching the Bridgend Borough Place Names Pocket Booklet during the Urdd Eisteddfod last year. Marged Rhys, Mentrau Iaith Cymru Development Officer, says:
“We’re delighted to be able to launch the place names booklet on the stand again this year. With the Urdd Eisteddfod a mobile festival, it’s nice to be able to pay attention to the hard work of a different language initiative every year. The booklet from Menter Brycheiniog a Maesyfed is a great resource for people from the area and beyond and is a great opportunity to celebrate the unique Welsh names that exist here in Wales. “