Welsh icon Cerys Matthews, pays Magi Ann a surprise visit
Magi Ann received a very special visitor during one of her Story and Song sessions this week (29th of August). Those attending the session were surprised to see Magi Ann being led into the session at Wrexham Library by famous singer Cerys Matthews. Cerys and the BBC cameras came to announce the good news, that the Magi Ann apps had won the Best Education Project in the 2017 National Lottery Awards.
The project will receive their National Lottery Award along with a £5,000 prize at a glittering Award Ceremony that will be broadcast on BBC One across Britain on the 27th of September.
These Awards are held annually and gives the British public the opportunity to vote for their favourite projects funded by the National Lottery. The Magi Ann apps reached the Awards short list out of 1,300 nominations, and were the only Welsh language project to reach the final round.
Gill Stephen, Menter Iaith Fflint a Wrecsam Chief Officer said:
“Because of their close involvement with local communities the Mentrau Iaith are in a unique position to be able to create suitable resources to meet the needs of the areas they work in. This award is a tribute to the local community here who have been an invaluable source of help and support throughout the project. I would like to thank everyone who voted for us and gave us the opportunity to introduce the Welsh language, which is an integral part of the lives of the people of Wales, to so many people across the other countries within the UK. ”
By today, the apps have been downloaded over 100,000 times and are popular recourses in schools and in homes across Wales. They are also used across the world, with families from Japan to Patagonia and from America to Sweden learning to read Welsh with Magi Ann and her friends.
Singer, songwriter, author, and broadcaster Cerys Matthews said:
“The Magi Ann apps are so much fun! They bring these beloved Welsh books to a new audience, helping parents and children learn Welsh together, making a big difference to learners across Wales and beyond.
“Many Welsh speakers have fond memories of the books, and now, thanks to these apps, anyone in the world can enjoy them.
“They fully deserve this National Lottery Award – National Lottery players should be very proud to have helped fund the magical Magi Ann.”