Granny bids for language award (From Barry And District News)

Granny bids for language award

A DINAS Powys granny, who wanted to speak Welsh to her grandchildren, has made it to the final of this year's Welsh Learner of the Year competition.

Si,n Jenkins has reached the last four in the contest, and now travels to the National Eisteddfod in St David's, between August 3 and 10.

Born in Maesteg, Si,n was raised in Wolverhampton and has spent a large part of her life living in different parts of England.

She decided to learn Welsh when she returned to Dinas Powys with her husband John in 1997.

The prospect of becoming a grandmother was the main reason Si,n start learning the language, she wanted to be able to speak to her grandchildren in Welsh.

She said: "I think it's now time for me to put something back into the community. That's why I entered the Welsh Learner of the Year competition.

"It's important that people are encouraged to learn and use the language, and I believe the competition is an ideal way to do this."

Sarah Bullock, the Corporate Communications Manager for WPD, which delivers electricity to homes in South Wales, said: "We recognise the importance of the Welsh language playing a central part in Welsh activities like the National Eisteddfod.

"We are even more delighted to be sponsoring such a prestigious part of the overall event, and to be supporting the Welsh language in this way."

The aim of the competition is to highlight the achievements of Welsh learners, and put across in a positive way the benefits of learning Welsh, not only to other learners, but to a much wider public.

Si,n will find out whether she has won the title of Welsh Learner of the Year at an award ceremony in St David's on Wednesday which is during the Eisteddfod week, where Huw Evans of WPD will present the award.