A Strategy for Promoting the Welsh Language 2016 2021
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A Strategy for
Promoting the Welsh Language
2016 – 20211. Context
“There is no doubt that Welsh is one of Europe’s most robust minority languages. Its
cultural influence and traditions remain relevant today and are embraced by new
generations learning and using the language. It is testament to the commitment of
Welsh speakers that it has survived alongside one of the world’s most influential
languages. Nevertheless, the situation of the Welsh language remains fragile.”
‘A Living Language: A Language for Living’
Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Strategy 2012-17
The Welsh language, as one of the oldest living languages in Europe is central to
Snowdonia’s cultural heritage. Throughout the centuries, Snowdonia has played a central
part in Wales’ most significant historical events, all the while the Welsh language has been
at the heart of the people and events of this area. Today, this corner of Wales has the
highest number of Welsh speakers in the land. Sadly, this does not mean that the
language is thriving, as the 2011 census showed us that numbers have declined.
As the primary language in many social and professional environments within the Park,
Welsh has been identified as a very special quality of Snowdonia National Park which the
authority has a duty to protect as well as promote through all aspects of its work. As a
special quality it has been included in the Snowdonia National Park Management Plan to
ensure that it continues to be a vibrant part of our everyday life.
It is no easy task to formulate a language strategy over the medium to long term. The
economic and social environment can change quite quickly, and with it changes to the
population. People moving in and out of the National Park can have a significant impact
on the number of Welsh speakers in the area. It is also extremely difficult to measure the
effect over the long term on the numbers of language speakers, due directly to the various
projects and work undertaken to promote the language. Although we recognise these
difficulties, this will not deter us in undertaking positive promotion of the language in all
aspects of our work, which anecdotally we know makes a difference.
As a National Park Authority with a specific remit, we are unlikely to have a direct influence
in some important areas where choice of language is important. However, by working
closely with partner organisations in the public sector, we can ensure that we share
resources and give support where it is needed to make the biggest impact, whilst at the
same time continue our everyday promotion of the Welsh language through various
aspects of our work.
One example of partnership working is Hunaniaith. The Authority is an active member of
some of the sub-groups of this body, which is led by Gwynedd Council and acts as the
‘Menter Iaith’ for Gwynedd. Through working in partnership, the aim is to strengthen the
Welsh language and make it the natural language in the home, in school, in the community
and in the workplace.This Strategy identifies priority areas in which the Authority can target its work, which is
based around areas identified in the Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Strategy. The
Strategy also explains how the Authority will undertake the huge task of trying to reach our
challenging target, which is:
‘Ensuring an increase of 2% of Snowdonia National Park’s population which can speak
Welsh by 2021’.
The challenge in front of us is enormous. However, our aim is to see the residents of
Snowdonia National Park Authority being part of thriving Welsh communities, where the
Welsh language is maintained and strengthened over the coming years.
2. Statistical Analysis
Following the last census in 2011, the planning policy service analysed the data for
Snowdonia National Park and identified the following major findings:
The number of Welsh speakers in the National Park fell 3.5%;
The number who could speak, read and write the language had fallen 4.8%;
The percentage decrease in the number of Welsh speakers in the National Park is
above the Welsh average, which is 2%;
89.5% of the total population aged between 3-15 in the National Park, can speak
Welsh. But only 48% of the people aged over 65 can speak the language;
Llanuwchllyn (78.6%) was the ward with the highest percentage of Welsh speakers.
Llangelynnin (54.6%) had the highest percentage of people on the ward with no
Welsh language skills; and
Compared to 2001 figures, there was an increase of 16.6% in the number of people
living in the National Park but had been born in England. In addition, there were
16.1% fewer people who lived in the National Park, who had born in Wales.
Table 1
Census 2011 Actual % SNPA % Wales
number
Total Population - (Age 3 and over) 24,959
No skills in Welsh 8,104 32.5% 73.3%
Can understand spoken Welsh only 1,861 7.5% 5.3%
Can speak but cannot read or write 1,334 5.3% 2.7%
Welsh
Can speak and read but cannot write 834 3.3% 1.5%
Welsh
Can speak, read and write Welsh 12,413 49.7% 14.6%
Other combination of skills in Welsh 413 1.7% 2.5%Table 1 presents the results of the 2011 Census for the Welsh language for Snowdonia
National Park. The relative percentages for the national level are also available in the
table.
The percentages of the population in the National Park who can speak Welsh, and speak,
read and write in Welsh is much higher than the national average. For example there are
39.6% more people who speak Welsh in the National Park than the national average.
Table 2 shows the comparison between the 2001 and 2011 census percentages for
Snowdonia National Park.
Table 2
Heading Actual % SNPA % SNPA
Number 2011 2001
2011
Total Population - (Age 3 and over) 24,959
No skills in Welsh 8,104 32.5% 30.2%
Can understand spoken Welsh only 1,861 7.5% 6.1%
Can speak but cannot read or write 1,334 5.3% 5.3%
Welsh
Can speak and read but cannot write 834 3.3% 2.3%
Welsh
Can speak, read and write Welsh 12,413 49.7% 54.5%
Other combination of skills in Welsh 413 1.7% 1.6%
The change in figures / percentages for the National Park is consistent with the trend seen
at the national level. There was a 3.5% decrease in the number of people who could speak
the language between 2001 and 2011 within the National Park. This percentage of
reduction is above the national average of 2%.
There was a significant change in the percentage of people who could speak, read and
write in Welsh, with a decrease of 4.8%.
There was a 2.3% increase in the percentage of people with no Welsh language skills
within the National Park. This meant that the figure had reached 32.5%.
Table 3
Census 2011 Actual % % %
number Gwynedd Conwy
SNPA
Total Population - (Age 3 24,959
and over)No skills in Welsh 8,104 32.5% 26.5% 60.6% Can understand spoken 1,861 7.5% 6.5% 9.5% Welsh only Can speak but cannot read or 1,334 5.3% 5.8% 4.1% write Welsh Can speak and read but 834 3.3% 3.4% 2.4% cannot write Welsh Can speak, read and write 12,413 49.7% 56.0% 20.6% Welsh Other combination of skills in 413 1.7% 1.5% 2.7% Welsh Table 3 shows the results of the Census for the National Park, and are compared with the results for Gwynedd and Conwy. It can be seen from the table that the percentage of people able to speak Welsh in the National Park is higher than Conwy (27.4%) but lower than the percentage for Gwynedd (65.4%). This trend is also true for the percentage of people who can speak, read and write Welsh. There are 6% more people with no Welsh language skills within the National Park compared to the percentage for Gwynedd. The figure for Conwy is very different with 28.1% more of the population with no Welsh skills in comparison with the National Park. The Welsh Language Profile Table 4 Heading Actual number Percentage Total Population - (Age 3 24,959 and over) Age 3 to 15 3,103 12.4% Age 16 to 64 15,362 61.5% Age 65 and over 6,494 26.0% Can speak Welsh age 3 14,626 and over Can speak Welsh: Age 3 to 2,776 11.1% 15 Can speak Welsh: Age 16 8,751 35.1% to 64
Can speak Welsh: Age 65 3,099 12.4%
and over
One or more skills in Welsh 16,855
age 3 and over
One or more skills in 2,934 11.8%
Welsh: Age 3 to 15
One or more skills in 10,320 41.3%
Welsh: Age 16 to 64
One or more skills in 3,601 14.4%
Welsh: Age 65 and over
Table 4 provides a more detailed analysis of Welsh speakers in the National Park in
accordance with age groups. It can be seen that the group aged between16-64 is the age
group where most of the population can speak Welsh, but again this is the group with the
largest number of people in it. When creating a new table, based on looking at how many
people within each category speak Welsh (e.g. how much of the total population aged 3-15
speak Welsh), the results are quite different.
Table 5
Category Actual number Percentage of the total
category population
Can speak Welsh: Age 3 to 2,776 89.5%
15
Can speak Welsh: Age 16 8,751 57.0%
to 64
Can speak Welsh: Age 65 3,099 48.0%
and over
By setting out the table like this it can be seen that in this age category, 3-15 is the highest
in terms of Welsh speakers at 89.5%. This also means that the age category '65 years and
over' is the one with the lowest percentage of Welsh speakers with 48.0%.
Analyzing the Reduction
At the national level the figures for Welsh speakers in Wales has fallen again according to
the 2011 census. In 1911 the figure for the number of people who could speak Welsh was
close to a million. The figure fell during the twentieth century until reaching a low of
504,000 in 1981. Figures increased slightly between 1981 and 2001 but fell again in the
most recent census in 2011.
At the national level the figures for Welsh speakers in 2011 was higher than that seen in
1991 of 18.7% and 508,000 people.
Between 2001 and 2011 there are visible differences in age groups in terms of speakingthe language at the national level. For example, there was an increase in the number of children (3-4) and adults (20-44) who could speak Welsh but a drop in every other age group. However there was a decrease in the number of people aged over 3 years old who could speak Welsh in almost every local authority, with the largest decreases in areas with a tradition of a high level of Welsh speakers. There are many possible reasons for this reduction. At the national level there have been a number of demographic changes over the years; changes which also applies to Snowdonia National Park level. According to the Welsh Government Statistical Bulletin, the reasons for the decline of the language at the national level includes fewer young children, increase in the migration among older adults, loss of older Welsh speakers, and some losing their Welsh language skills between the two censuses (e.g. some identified with Welsh language skills in 2001, not identified in 2011) Other data can be viewed in order to try to explain the trend as well, for example the age structure and country of birth / origin of the National Park’s population. There have also been changes in the patterns of age structure of the Park between 2001 and 2011. Table 6 Age group 2001 2011 0-4 5.3% 4.6% 20-29 4.1% 4.6% 30-44 18.8% 15.4% 45-59 22.4% 22.2% 60-64 6.9% 9.1% 65-74 11.2% 13.7% 75-84 7.3% 8.4% 85-89 1.8% 2.1% Mean age 43.2 46.0 Table 6 shows a lower population between the ages of 0 – 4 years within the National Park boundaries in 2011 compared to 2001, as well as a reduction of 2.4% in the population between the ages of 30 – 44 years. Another trend shown here is an increased percentage of the population between the ages of 60 - 64, 65 - 74, 75 - 84 and 85 - 89 by 2011.
Table 7 Country of Birth - Actual Number Percentage Snowdonia National Park 2011 Total 25,702 England 9,495 36.9% Northern Ireland 63 0.2% Scotland 183 0.7% Wales 15,237 59.3% United Kingdom (not 6 0.0% otherwise specified) Ireland 87 0.3% EU: Member countries in 141 0.5% March 2001 EU: Accession countries 73 0.3% April 2001 to March 2011 Other countries 417 1.6% If we compare the percentages shown in table 7 with the information from 2001, we can see that major changes have occurred. In the 2011 census, 16.6% more of the population had been born in England compared to the 2001 census. The percentage of people reported to have been born in Wales in 2011 has reduced since 2001. 16.1% fewer of the population of the Park are now born in Wales. Country of birth alone is not an indicator of migration and why the Welsh language has suffered, but it can serve as a useful insight to some of the reasons for this; it is also likely that more non-Welsh speakers have settled in the National Park since 2001. We can also look at migration patterns to explain the decrease in Welsh language skills within areas of Wales.
Total Migration 2010/2011 - (migration between Wales and the rest of the United
Kingdom)
Table 8
Area Migration Migration Migration Migration Migration
(Total) (20-24) (25-29) (45-64)
Inflow 57,120 13,830 6,630 7,970
Wales Outflow 54,590 15,510 8,070 5,870
Net + 2,530 - 1,670 - 1,450 + 2,100
Inflow 5,490 1,420 520 690
Gwynedd Outflow 5,580 2,060 750 600
Net - 100 - 650 - 230 + 90
Inflow 4,700 820 460 1,070
Conwy Outflow 4,030 610 440 620
Net + 670 + 210 + 20 + 450
At a national level, we can see that there is a higher inflow than outflow in Wales during
2010/2011. Despite this, more people between the ages of 20 - 24 and 25 - 29 are leaving
Wales to the United Kingdom, with more people between the ages of 45 - 64 years coming
in.
3. The Vision
The Vision for this Strategy is to see the Welsh language flourish in Snowdonia National
Park.
To fulfil this vision, work will need to focus on realising the following results:
An increase in the number of people speaking the language and using it daily within
the National Park;
More opportunities for people to use the Welsh language;
An increased awareness amongst National Park residents of the value of the
language, as part of our cultural identity as well as being a useful skill in modern
life; and
Stabilising the situation of the Welsh language in our communities.
To coincide with the vision, a challenging measurable target has been set for this Strategy:
‘Ensuring an increase of 2% of Snowdonia National Park’s population which can
speak Welsh by 2021’.This Strategy is based on 4 strategic areas identified by the Welsh Government as the key
areas to focus on:
Strategic Area 1: The Family
Aim: Encourage and support the use of Welsh within families.
Strategic Aim 2: Children and Young People
Aim: Increase the provision of activities through the Welsh language for children
and young people, and increase their awareness of the value of the language.
Strategic Aim 3: The Community
Aim: Strengthen the standing of the Welsh language within communities.
Strategic Aim 4: Welsh Language Services
Aim: Increase and improve Welsh language services for citizens.
4. The Strategic Areas
Strategic Area 1: The Family
Aim: Encourage and support the use of the Welsh
language amongst families
Result: An increase in the number of families using
Welsh as the main language with their children
Indicator: % of 4 year olds (school reception class),
who can speak Welsh
According to the report, ‘Increasing the number of communities where Welsh is the main
Language’ (Welsh Government, December 2013), the language profile of the community
and the status of the Welsh language within that community, can be important factors in
the context of language transfer. This is supported by the report ‘Impact Assessment: Twf
and Onwards’ (Bangor University, 2008) which suggests that there is a link between these
factors and the desire of parents to transfer the Welsh language.
Evidence shows that living in a home where everyone can speak Welsh increase the
opportunity that Welsh is used every day by two and a half times. Therefore, the home is a
vitally important social resource in linguistic terms. Language patterns between parents
and their children are established early on, and these established patterns continue
throughout the early years.Although the Authority has little direct influence over this area, we will continue to support
Hunaniaith with various projects and initiatives to target this group and which have the
ability to influence parents directly through for example midwives and health visitors and
other health professionals, and through early learning stages such as nurseries and play
groups.
In addition, the Authority will continue to have indirect influence over this group by
continuing to promote the Welsh language through our everyday activities, showing best
practice and normalising the use of Welsh and to highlight its value as a skill.
Strategic Area 2: Children and Young People
Aim: Increase the provision of Welsh medium activities
for children and young people and to increase their
awareness of the value of the language
Result: Children and young people using Welsh daily
and appreciating the value of the language
Indicator: Attendance numbers for Welsh language
activities for children and young people
Evidence gathered internationally suggests that the teenage years are crucial in
developing a favourable attitude towards a minority language and in determining the extent
to which an individual will use the language.
It can therefore be seen that using Welsh at school alone is not enough; the child or young
person needs to be supported at home and be encouraged to participate in wider social
and cultural activities through the medium of Welsh.
There is therefore a need to provide children and young people with a wide range of social
opportunities to use their Welsh outside school, so that they associate the language not
only with education, but also with leisure and cultural activities and, above all, with
pleasure and entertainment.
In responding to the consultation on the Welsh Government’s Language Strategy, a
number of respondents stated that providing practical opportunities for children and young
people to use Welsh was the best way of developing a feeling of value towards using the
language.
The Authority provides various different opportunities for children and young people to
participate in social and cultural as well as learning activities, many of which are outside
the formal setting of the classroom.One of the things we are to develop is the school visits programme, to ensure that every
school in Snowdonia receives at least one visit every two years by either the Education
Officers or wardens. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce conservation and the
environment and history and culture not only through the medium of Welsh, but by making
Welsh central to the development of the area and its culture.
Strategic Area 3: The Community
Aim: To strengthen the position of the Welsh language
in the community
Result: The number of communities where over 70%
of the population can speak Welsh will be maintained
Halt the increase in the number of communities where
less than 70% of the population are Welsh speakers
Indicator: The number of people who attend Welsh
medium events and activities
The density of the Welsh speaking population is key to the prosperity of the language and
this is reflected by community activity through the medium of Welsh. Community and
cultural activities that take place is a means to ensure the value of the language, as well as
creating the vital feeling of belonging to a community or area.
Organisations such as the Urdd, Young Farmers, Merched y Wawr, local Eisteddfodau
and a host of other local societies play a key role in supporting the Welsh language in
many communities. These organisations are responsible for developing local leaders and
for supporting volunteers, as well as offering vital social activities through the medium of
Welsh.
Despite this hive of activity in many communities within the National Park, it is clear that
inward and outward migration has a significant impact on the Welsh language and the
social networks that are maintained locally, with the impact at its worst, it seems, along the
Meirionnydd coast.
The Authority undertakes many activities and projects which are held through the medium
of Welsh, giving additional opportunities for people to socialise and participate through the
language. Numerous and various opportunities are available to volunteer with the
Authority, giving valuable opportunities to participate in these events through the medium
of Welsh. For example, we are expanding and developing our programme of guided walks
to attract more people to take part. Attending a guided walk is one of those activities
which gives a good opportunity for Welsh language speakers and learners to socialise
through the language, in addition to being an opportunity for non-welsh speaker to be
immersed in the language and to see it used naturally in everyday life.We are developing a framework to enable increased opportunities to volunteer with the
Authority. As part of this, one officer has been given the specific responsibility to co-
ordinate this work. We hope to convey the importance and the value of the Welsh
language to the Authority to the participants. Volunteer work is a good way of meeting
new people and to socialise in Welsh, in addition to being an excellent way for learners to
practice.
In addition, planning policies within the Eryri Local Development Plan are very important
for the long term future of the language. When new housing developments are proposed
within the National Park, impact assessments are required to ensure that the development
does not have the potential to negatively affect the Welsh language within that community.
In addition, policies on local affordable housing will also play a part on enabling young
people to be able to stay locally.
Strategic Area 4: Welsh Language Services
Aim: Promote and improve Welsh medium services
Result: The relevant language standards being
operated
The Welsh language given a central place in
collaborative work
Indicator: Compliance with Welsh language standards
The use of the services available through the medium of
Welsh
Extensive evidence suggests that a large proportion of the population of Wales are
supportive of services that are provided through the medium of Welsh. 90% of the
country’s Welsh-speakers believe that providing Welsh-medium services is vital in order to
ensure the survival of the language.
This view is supported by Grin (2002), who states that providing services is a way to
create opportunities to use the language, and that using Welsh in the workplace is
therefore a key element of promoting and encouraging the use of the Welsh language.
The Authority has for a number of years been able to conduct Welsh medium services
throughout all services (with a few exceptions). Currently 94% of the staff are fully fluent in
both Welsh and English. It is good to note that although substantial funding cuts have
meant restructuring and personnel changes over the last few years, this percentage has
not decreased, but has in fact increased slightly over this time.
This policy has meant that the Authority has done a lot to normalise Welsh language
services over the years, meaning that many residents of the National Park know that they
do not have to request services through the medium of Welsh, it is automatically available
to them. Although we know that nationally the availability of services does not necessarilyequate to more people taking advantage of those services, the opposite is true in
Snowdonia. Our experience is that residents make good use of our services through the
medium of Welsh.
5. The Action Areas
Action Areas
We will: Strategic Areas
1 Develop a Heritage Lottery Fund application based on The Community
recording the heritage and history of our peatlands
through the medium of Welsh and English; from recording Children and Young
names of species to equipment used over the centuries People
to manage peatlands, this will be an exciting project.
The project will be developed with local community
groups based around young people, which will hopefully
develop their interest in this field and give a valuable
opportunity for them to record local history and traditions
through the medium of Welsh.
2 Continue to attend local agricultural shows as well as the The Family
National Eisteddfod and Eisteddfod yr Urdd when they
are located within the National Park or surrounding Children and Young
counties. People
Various Welsh medium activities for children are The Community
arranged daily on the stand, whilst promotional and
awareness raising work is undertaken by our staff with
the visiting adults and young people.
3 To develop various activities through specific events and The Family
Open Days at Yr Ysgwrn, as the site development
continues over the next few years. Children and Young
People
Not only are these excellent opportunities for attending
Welsh medium events as a family, but to learn and The Community
appreciate local history and the culture of Snowdonia.
New volunteering opportunities have been created in the
fields of cleaning and cataloguing artefacts, and a
number of young people have taken part in various
volunteering activities thus far. These volunteering
opportunities give families, young people and children
valuable opportunities to use their Welsh and for learners
to practice.
We will be developing roles, policies and volunteering
packs as well as a training pack for the Ysgwrn by the
Autumn of 2016. During the next few months we will berecruiting and training volunteers to work on site, in
readiness for the reopening in Spring 2017.
4 To undertake a promotion campaign of Plas Tan y Bwlch The Family
courses and events to the local community.
The Community
Conduct an annual needs assessment of Welsh language
courses at Plas Tan y Bwlch, to enable continuous
development of new Welsh medium or bilingual courses
that can be marketed locally. From arts and crafts to
local history and culture, there is scope to develop this
area whilst encouraging local families to undertake Welsh
activities.
In addition to this, we will promote Welsh medium events
held at Plas Tan y Bwlch by marketing through local
advanced Welsh learners’ classes and courses, as a way
for Welsh learners to develop confidence and have
practical opportunities to use their Welsh, as well as to
get a taste of local Welsh culture.
5 Support a group of local Young Farmers to set Children and Young
themselves up as a training provider of rural skills through People
the medium of Welsh.
The Community
This work will involve supporting the group to become an
accredited body, to assist in training the trainers, and to Welsh Language
support courses which run on weekends, outside of Services
college / university term times etc., to encourage more
young people to attend these courses to develop their
skills. These courses such as hedge laying, dry stone
walling etc., are specialist and it’s important that these
skills are nurtured and developed locally.
Previously, the courses supported by the Authority have
had trainers bought in from North West England as there
were no local providers who were able to teach in this
area. By supporting this venture, we will not only be
supporting the local economy but enabling these skills to
be taught through the medium of Welsh.
6 To develop the guided walks programme as a way to The Family
offer further family activities through the medium of
Welsh. The Community
From walks for specific groups, such as people with
mental health issues or people with sight impairments to
more general topic specific walks offered by wardens –
these are all excellent opportunities to undertake a
physical activity whilst socialising and learning about localhistory and wildlife through the medium of Welsh or
bilingually.
These walks attract Welsh learners who are keen to
practice their Welsh within the group. Volunteers also
guide people with disabilities on a one to one basis on
certain walks. They are therefore great opportunities for
people who have moved into the area to volunteer,
socialise and make friends, from which they are
introduced to the Welsh language and can see first-hand
its importance in the local community, which will hopefully
encourage them to learn.
7 Develop the school visits programme so that schools are Children and Young
targeted more effectively. This enables us to arrange that People
every school within Snowdonia has a visit at least once
every two years. This programme enables Education
Officers and Wardens to go into schools within the Park
to hold various sessions on conservation and the
environment, protecting the park, biodiversity etc.
The sessions are usually through the medium of Welsh in
the majority of schools and bilingual in parts of the Park
where English is more prevalent. However, there is a
Welsh ethos to all the courses, and all the documents
and work sheets are bilingual.
8 Continue to develop residential courses for schools in Children and Young
Plas Tan y Bwlch, in order that further opportunities are People
created for children and young children to undertake
educational activities through the medium of Welsh out in
the field.
All the courses for primary schools are held through the
medium of Welsh, with the courses for secondary schools
in Wales either being conducted in Welsh or bilingually.
Courses for schools from England also have an element
of Welsh, and all the documentation and works sheets
are bilingual for everyone. This enables the Education
Officers to introduce Welsh as a natural part of local life in
Snowdonia to children from England.
9 Work with the Outdoor Partnership to offer a brand new Children and Young
scheme for young people. There will be places for 10 People
young people aged between 14 and 16 to take part in a
Young Rangers scheme for the opportunity to learn a
wide range of skills to prepare them to be future Park
rangers.
The scheme will run from Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig.The scheme will not only be a chance for the young
rangers to undertake the various activities through Welsh,
but also an opportunity to emphasise and demonstrate
the value of the language as a skill for these jobs.
10 Continue to run the Biodiversity Fair, which is an a Children and Young
annual educational tour around local schools with a People
specific theme, which this year is marine habitats.
This fair gives an opportunity for children and young
people to learn about biodiversity issues through the
medium of Welsh, introducing many to new terms in the
process. Working in a specific field through Welsh
inspires children to develop an interest in these issues
and to think about possible future careers. Through
doing this work in Welsh, they can also see the value of
their language in this field.
11 Continue to provide work experience placements for Children and Young
young people of various ages between 15 and 21 years People
old.
This will give individuals first-hand experience of working
through the medium of Welsh, seeing it used naturally
through all aspects of the Authority’s work. By showing
how valuable and essential the Welsh language is as a
skill to work in the Authority, this hopefully encourages
children and young people to study advanced subjects
through Welsh or to at least further develop their Welsh
language skills.
12 Safeguard against any negative impact on the Welsh The Community
language, by ensuring that policies in the Eryri Local
Development Plan and the accompanying Supplementary The Family
Planning Guidance are up to date and remain relevant.
That is, any significant proposed housing development
within the National Park will require a language impact
assessment. The forthcoming review of the LDP will
assess whether this policy and accompanying guidance
continues to be fit for purpose. In addition, all other
policies will be reviewed to ensure that there is no
potential for a possible negative effect on the Welsh
language.
13 Continue to attend the Bangor University’s Welsh Job Children and Young
Fair and the Fresher’s Fair at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor to People
highlight the value of the Welsh language as a skill for the
jobs within the Authority.To contact other Colleges in the area to arrange
attendance at their fairs and events to extend the
message further.
The jobs fair is not only for students of the University but
for 6th formers of local schools, which hopefully influences
what language is chosen to study advanced subjects.
The Fresher’s Fair is a valuable opportunity to highlight
possible career paths for new students.
14 Work with local businesses to develop the economic The Community
benefits of the Dark Skies Designation in Snowdonia.
This work involves encouraging local businesses to use Welsh Language
the designation to add value to their businesses. All Services
written materials are produced bilingually, with Welsh
medium seminar and events held across the Park.
As a National Park in the UK who has a Dark Skies
Designation and is also able to develop and promote this
work through Welsh, it creates a unique selling point for
local businesses.
By working in partnership with the Brecon Beacons and
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authorities on
producing information packs, website content etc., we
have ensured that all written materials are available in
Welsh, ensuring that businesses in the other 2 National
Parks have access to this, and can therefore take
advantage of this unique selling point for their
businesses.
15 Continue through the small community grant scheme to The Community
encourage and support local events which are activities in
which the Welsh language features prominently such as The Family
eisteddfodau, fairs, shows etc.
Children and Young
By providing this financial support, it enables such People
activities and events to go ahead, which are important
opportunities for people to socialise and interact through
the medium of Welsh.
16 Ensure that pre-requisite language conditions continue to The Community
be placed on grant applications from the sustainable
development fund. The newly formed Snowdonia Welsh Language
Partnership Forum, which has superseded the CAE Services
Panel, will be responsible for assessing and approving
these applications.
17 Ensure that although available funds are very limited, any The Community
applications for sponsorship from the Authority should
only be approved with language conditions attached, toensure that the Welsh language features prominently in
local events.
18 Develop a Volunteering Framework The Community
Over the last couple of years, we have significantly The Family
increased the opportunities to volunteer with the
Authority, through such things as the Volunteer Warden Welsh Language
Programme, gardening at Plas Tan y Bwlch, invasive Services
species control, woodland management and Yr Ysgwrn.
This work will be further developed by producing a
Volunteering Framework, which will formalise
arrangements and give a more definite structure to the
opportunities available.
Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity for people
to develop their skills, to socialise and meet new people,
to get involved and to boost confidence. Where
appropriate, the ability to speak Welsh will be required for
some volunteer work, in others the requirement to learn,
whilst there will be some tasks not requiring any specific
language skills. However, even in these circumstances,
the events will be led by Welsh speaking staff, and
learners or non-Welsh speakers will be immersed in the
language through the contact with others in the group.
19 Continue to ensure that equal status is given to the Welsh Welsh Language
language, through meetings, documents produced, public Services
communication and events etc, when the Authority works
in partnership with other bodies. This will be true for both
formal partnerships where Service Level Agreements are
in place, to less formal partnership working through
specific groups and events.
This will ensure that other bodies, who may not give
priority or general consideration to the Welsh language,
will be shown the importance of the equal status that
Welsh has, and how this works in practice.
20 Develop an internship programme for Welsh learners or Children and Young
Welsh speakers who are unconfident in communicating in People
the language to get valuable work experience with the
Authority over the summer holidays. The Community
Many college and university students come for work Welsh Language
placements annually, but they are not ready for the world Services
of work and have too little time with the Authority to get
in-depth valuable experience. By offering an internship
which is financially supported by a bursary it will give
young people the opportunity to get valuable workexperience and at the same time develop and increase
their confidence in using Welsh in the workplace. It will
also be beneficial for the Authority in the long run, as we
will be developing ‘work ready’ students who are ready to
apply for future posts.
We will develop this project and seek funding through a
lottery bid.
21 Continue to communicate with other public bodies in Welsh Language
Wales through the medium of Welsh. Services
Furthermore, we will continue to ask for copies of Welsh
language publications and consultation papers (and
complain), if they are not published at the same time as
English medium publications, or in some cases not at all.
22 A Heritage Lottery Fund application based on celebrating The Community
the landscape, history and communities of the Carneddau
has been submitted in Welsh, which is currently being
considered.
The project, which works in partnership with other bodies
and community groups will involve a lot of interpretation
work of the Carneddau which will be fully bilingual, but
with a strong emphasis on the Welsh language.
23 Continue to give financial support to the Geraint George Children and Young
Scholarship, along with the Urdd and Natural Resources People
Wales, to encourage young people to foster their
language skills through presenting work in any medium
on environmental issues affecting Wales.
Winners will benefit from mentoring and support from a
staff member of the Authority, to help develop their career
in the environmental field.
24 By the end of 2017, develop a set of SMART
performance measures to evaluate the impact of the
above projects / initiatives.You can also read
