Wrecsam..

I was over in Wrexham/Wrecsam on Thursday and thought I'd pop into 'Siop y Siswrn' to look for a present for my dads birthday as well as a Welsh language card.  My first proplem was finding the 'Masnach y Bobl/Peoples Market' which I remembered was the location of the Wrecsam branch of the chain of two...! 

It's many years since I was in the centre of the town and it's changed a lot, but I eventually came accross the Market on 'Stryd Caer'.   After a few minutes wandering round the indoor market I came across Siop y Siswrn in the far corner, and was presently suprised to find what looks like a 'proper shop' among the market stalls, with a fair selection of Welsh books, cards and inevitable Welsh souveniers.  After finding a suitable present and cards I picked up a copy of the 'Cwrs Sylfaen (foundation)' book, which follows on from Mynediad.  The first few units are really revision and extension of 'Cwrs Mynediad', so I'm looking forward to starting using this book as it seems a good transition, and hopefully will convince you of how much you already know!!  Buying the book sparked a conversation with the assistant who was interested to hear about the classes in Cilgwri.

Anyway if your in Wrecsam it's worth popping into this hidden corner of Cymreictod (Welshness) for a browse and chat (remember they're closed on Wednesdays, the Yr Wyddgrug/Mold branch being closed on Thurs).

Eisteddfod y Dysgwyr 2010

'Parti Cilgwri' yn mynd trwy eu pethau (Parti Cilgwri doing their stuff)

It was good to see so many from Cilgwri at the 'Eisteddfod y Dysgwyr' on Friday, I'll find out the reactions of those I didn't get a chance to talk to next week!  I would have to say it wasn't the ideal venue, partly because of the location of the bar and lack of seats towards the stage area.  This made it difficult for the performers and audience alike, and was made worse by the lack of effective PA.   Sion Aled made a good job of presenting the evening, keeping things going at a decent pace, and meaning most people stayed till the end.

Mike, Anne, Nigel (from 'Blwyddyn 2') and myself stepped up to the stage 'early doors' to perform 'Cofiwch am Dysgwyr Cilgwri' in the 'Cyd-adrodd' (group recitation) competition, being rewarded with 'equal' third for our efforts (where there 4 or 5 in the competition... can't remember!!).

After that I fumbled my way through the chords of 'Suo Gán' as accompaniment to Jill (my wife), who had bravely 'agreed' to perform the song - one she'd never heard of just a couple of days earlier. Despite a 'false start' and the odd wrong chord we got to the end and Jill came in third place.

Gwynne from 'blwyddyn 1' was rewarded with a second prize for her efforts in one of the 'gwaith cartref' competitions, so all in all Cilgwri was well represented!

Normally the 'sketch' competition' is a highlight of the Eisteddfod, but this year with only one entry it was a bit dissapointing, and we didn't get a repeat of last year where one of the participants ended up more or less dancing round our table, for reasons I can't remember!

Hopefully some more of 'Blwyddyn 1' may have been inspired to take part next year when it returns to Flintshire, We'll find out next week!

Nos yfory....

Rhag ofn bod unrhywun wedi anghofio, mi fydd Eisteddfod y Dysgwyr yn digwydd nos yfory (Ebrill 23ain).   Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at glywed perfformiad gan dysgwyr Cilgwri wrth rheswm, felly pob lwc i bawb!

In case anyone has forgotten,   the Learners Eisteddfod is happening tomorrow evening (April 23rd).  I'm looking forward to hearing a performance by learners from the Wirral -  naturally,  best of luck to everyone! 

Gavin, Stacey a Deano...

I've just been watching the episode of Gavin and Stacey (series 3, episode 3) where Smithy and 'the boys' are coming down to stay in Barry with Uncle Bryn.   There are quite a few bits of Welsh in this episode, as Deano, one of Smithy's mates has gone to the trouble of doing an intensive Welsh course before traveling down, to help him 'communicate' while down in Wales.  His opening greeting of  'Shwmae, Dean dwi, dwi'n hapus i fod yma yn y Barri' is met by a sea of blank faces, and a kindly 'We don't really speak Welsh round here' from Gwen, before Uncle Bryn appears saying 'Croeso i Gymru'!

Later on in a nightclub, undeterred Deano is trying out his Welsh to chat up one of the girls, who replies of course in English.  Deano replies  'Yng Nghymraeg os gwelwch yn dda'...   amhrisiadwy (priceless)!

Cyfarchion y Pasg - Easter Greetings

Dwi'n gobeithio bod pawb yn mwynhau gwyliau'r Pasg.  Dwi wedi cael y ffliw (wel annwyd drwg efallai!) ond dwi'n teimlo'n well heddiw diolch byth.

(I hope everyone is enjoying the Easter Holidays.  I've had the flu (well a bad cold maybe!), but I'm feeling better today thank goodness.)

Ive just been checking a bit of Easter vocab, some of  which I'd forgotten to be honest (that's the trouble with things that only happen once a year, it takes several years to remember them!),  it's interesting sometimes to see the names other languages use for familiar festivals, as it can throw a new light on the English names.

Dydd Iau Cablyd - Maundy Thursday  (cablyd coming via old Irish and Latin and refering to the cutting and shaving of hair and washing  of feet by monks to commemorate the Last Supper)

Dydd Gwener y Groglith -  Good Friday ( means 'friday of the hanging',  pretty direct I suppose!) 

Dydd Sul y Pasg - Easter Sunday

Dydd Llun y Pasg - Easter Monday

(The word 'Pasg' has its origins in the Hebrew 'Pesakh' meaning 'Passover'. The English name 'Easter' meanwhile probably derives from the pagan Goddess Eostre!) 

Dydd Iau Dyrchafael  -  Ascension Thursday

Y Sulgwyn  -  Whitsun (literally the white sunday)

Ta waeth, mwynhewch gweddill y gwyliau!  (anyway, enjoy the rest of the holidays!)