Wirral woman discusses 'beneficial' nature of learning Welsh

Siân Davies spent 18 years in the Wirral, imagining life across the River Dee in north Wales.

She said: "I always felt like I had some sort of connection to Wales.

"I had a difficult childhood, so I would imagine being on a farm in Wales, with my family and loads of animals - it was a dream for me."

After leaving school to study the violin in Birmingham, Ms Davies met her husband, Ed Wadon, who hails from Wrexham.

The couple now live on a farm in Llannerch Banna (Penley) with their son, Robin Llŷr.

Ms Davies recently discovered her great-great-grandfather used to farm very close to their current home.

Ms Davies and Mr Madon met while she was studying violin in Birmingham (Image: National Centre for Learning Welsh) Ms Davies began learning Welsh before the Covid-19 lockdown with SaySomethingInWelsh, later joining an online class with Popeth Cymraeg.

Popeth Cymraeg provide Learn Welsh courses in north east Wales in partnership with Coleg Cambria, on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

She is now studying at the advanced level and has become a tutor, teaching two entry-level classes for beginners each week.

Ms Davies said: "I love teaching with Popeth Cymraeg, and I want to continue.

"I want to encourage other learners to keep going, as I have.

"I’ve learned Welsh, so others can do it too - it doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from.

"We need to speak Welsh to ensure the language stays alive in every corner of the country."

With the support of language initiatives Menter Iaith Fflint and Wrecsam, Ms Davies has established the Cymraeg Bro Maelor group.

She said: "I want to grow the Welsh culture and language in the area, and I’m keen to ensure the village children get more opportunities through Welsh.

"Learning Welsh has been so beneficial to me.

"It’s made a difference to my well-being, and I’ve made so many friends since starting to learn the language.

Ms Davies has established the Cymraeg Bro Maelor group to 'grow the Welsh culture and language' (Image: National Centre for learning Welsh) "The Welsh community, both speakers and learners alike, has been so welcoming and friendly since I started my journey to learn the language."

Her future plans include holding violin lessons for children in Welsh, increasing Welsh use in church, and starting a Welsh-language community newspaper.

Dona Lewis, chief executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: "It’s wonderful to hear how learning Welsh has enriched Siân’s life - huge congratulations to Siân on her language journey, and best wishes with the tutoring."