Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is delighted to mark Shwmae Day, an occasion where people across Wales greet each other with 'shwmae!' We eagerly anticipate our residents partaking in this joyous celebration of our cherished language. On October 15th, make sure to say 'shwmae' to everyone you meet!
The Council is thrilled to see a growing number of staff seizing the opportunity to learn Welsh, thanks to resources like Dysgu Cymraeg and Duolingo.
A shining beacon of this enthusiasm is Luisa Munro-Morris, who has made strides in her Duolingo journey. As the Director of Education, Luisa is committed to leading by example and has seamlessly woven the Welsh language into her daily life. She passionately states, "As Director of Education, I should be a role model for learning Welsh." Her dedication and newfound joy in learning Welsh, both at work and in her personal life, serve as a powerful inspiration to all her colleagues.
Andrew Parker, our Policy and Partnerships Service Manager, is on day 134 of his Duolingo streak. After considering learning Welsh for a while, he finds Duolingo an excellent resource. By practicing daily and sharing his progress with the team, he's inspired others to start learning too! He said “I have always wanted to improve my ability in Welsh, beyond the basic greetings, but always struggled to make time for the courses with my busy work and personal life. Duolingo, has allowed me to make good progress in a short time, by committing a little time day in, day out.”
One of our dedicated Contact Centre team members, who embarked on the Welsh learning journey alongside several colleagues, expressed her enthusiasm: "I am thrilled to learn Welsh not only to better assist our customers who prefer speaking in Welsh but also because, as a proud Welsh citizen, it's incredibly fulfilling to gain this knowledge. My tutor Barry from Dysgu Cymraeg is great!"
What’s happening in Blaenau Gwent on for Shwmae Day?
Pop in and say ‘Shwmae’ to Crystal Cafe and Kenny's Vinyl Lounge in Abertillery who will be celebrating all things Welsh, telling traditional Welsh stories, playing beautiful Welsh music and serving a selection of vegan Welsh Cakes!
Get cultural at the Wales’s oldest cinema, The Market Hall in Brynmawr will be screening Kevin Allen’s adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood, followed by a Q&A with Kevin himself!
The libraries will be hosting a variety of activities on the 15th October:
- All libraries (except Blaina) will be having a paper plate dragon craft activity – this will be available to do between 3-4:30pm, suitable for 3-11 year olds.
- Cwm and Brynmawr will be having a Welsh Teatime. Tea and Coffee will be available between 10-11am with Welsh cakes.
- Between 3:30-4:30pm Cwm library will be hosting a story time with Bethan and her dragon puppet Dewi suitable for children aged 3-7!
- Abertillery and Tredegar will have a Welsh language taster workshop – this will be 10-11am – a session for complete beginners to learn basic Welsh phrases/words and how to introduce yourself.
Ebbw Vale library will also be hosting a session to meet the author of The Green Lady of Caerphilly Castle on Saturday the 19th of October!
How will you be celebrating? Let us know by sending with pictures, videos or messages to cymraeg@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk, or use #shwmae24 #shwmaesumae24 on social media