Menter Iaith Conwy, in collaboration with Abergele Town Council, is delighted to announce the success of our funding application. Significantly, this marks the first time that significant Section 106 funding has been used to support the Welsh language through the planning system in Wales
—an important step in securing the language’s future in the town. Menter Iaith Conwy has a network of local committees across the county. They have been established by the Menter’s Field Officers in order to work more closely with communities, empower them, and respond to their needs. A committee of local volunteers in Abergele has been collaborating with MIConwy to increase opportunities to use the Welsh language locally.
The State of the Welsh Language in Abergele
The situation of the Welsh language in Abergele reflects the broader challenges facing the language across Wales. With a significant rise in the town’s population over recent decades, the percentage of Welsh speakers has gradually declined. While the number of Welsh speakers has remained relatively stable since 1991, the town’s population growth has meant a lower proportion of speakers, creating challenges in maintaining Welsh as a vibrant part of daily life.
Research indicates that around 70% of a population needs to speak a language for it to sustain itself naturally. In Abergele, this figure is approximately 20%, placing Welsh in a vulnerable position. When fewer people use the language in the community, there are fewer opportunities to speak it naturally—affecting speaker confidence and limiting its transmission to new generations.
Why Are Welsh Language Activities Essential?
Regular activities provide Welsh speakers and learners with opportunities to use the language in social contexts, helping to keep Welsh relevant in everyday life. Events such as drama clubs, learner sessions, outdoor activities, and social evenings not only sustain the language but also strengthen community connections.
The new funding ensures expanded opportunities for Welsh language use in the community, creating additional events, activities, and initiatives to support speakers and learners in the area. Specifically, it will enable the recruitment of a Welsh Language Officer for Abergele and Pensarn, facilitating more focused efforts to strengthen the language’s presence in the town.
Meirion Davies, Chair of Menter Iaith Conwy, stated:
“This is a landmark moment for the future of the Welsh language in Abergele. With the support of Abergele Town Council and the new funding through Section 106, we can develop programmes and initiatives that will reinforce Welsh as a living language in our community.”
Spokesperson Name from Abergele Town Council added:
“We are proud to be part of this historic initiative. This is the first time funding from the planning system has been used to support Welsh, and we look forward to seeing the benefits of this new scheme for the people of Abergele.”
Delyth Phillips from Abergele Welsh Language Committee commented:
“This initiative gives a significant boost to our efforts to strengthen Welsh in the area. The funding will allow us to expand community activities, create more opportunities for Welsh speakers, and build a stronger network to support the language in Abergele.”
This initiative aligns with the Cymraeg 2050 strategy set by the Welsh Government—aiming to reach 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050 while increasing its everyday use within communities. Menter Iaith Conwy will continue working closely with the Town Council and local partners to ensure the funding benefits Abergele’s residents and the Welsh language.
For further information, please contact:
Meirion@miconwy.cymru or 07824 808238.