A WELSH language scheme which gives learners opportunities to speak and practice their Welsh has been relaunched in Cardigan.

The idea was first proposed some years ago by local artist Anne Cakebread.

Its purpose is to help put into practice the use of the Welsh language by those learning and using in day-to-day conversations.

Shops and service providers who are on-board throughout Cardigan will display a small poster denoting ‘Hapus i Siarad’.

“I was brought up in Cardiff and there was never Welsh around us at home,” Anne told the Tivyside. “When I took on Freda, a dog to re-home, I realised that she only understood commands in Welsh.”

This ‘lightbulb’ moment inspired her book ‘How To Teach Your Dog Welsh’ which – along with others in the series – has gone on to sell 50,000 copies.

“I like to think the book would encourage some small child to speak to their favourite soft toy in Welsh,” said Anne.

“I would love Cardigan to be a place where learners could perhaps stay and practice the language at Cardigan Castle before subsequently going into town to use it in local shops.”

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Cllr Clive Davies said the scheme had been revived following discussions with CERED, Ceredigion County Council’s Welsh language support and promotion team.

“It made sense that we should re-visit this and support the use of the language,” he said. “As a town we have a strong Welsh language presence and it’s another economic selling point for the shops and for the town.

“I’ve seen examples of Welsh learners from Cardiff staying over a weekend in the Cardigan area just to practice what they’ve learnt at home.

“Those attending classes to improve their Welsh are given cards and, by conversing or buying from a business with the poster through the signed card, are entered into a prize draw.”

Sirol Teifi, CERED Development Officer, said: “This scheme gives learners the opportunity to speak and practice their Welsh. It is also a way to see how alive the Welsh language is in Cardigan.”

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Grateful for the support of businesses backing the scheme, Cllr Davies is now seeking others to join the initiative.

“If you would like a poster to display let me know and we can arrange,” he added. “Let’s start a conversation in Welsh.”