You can't best Wales for spirit (From Barry And District News)

You can't best Wales for spirit

BARRY'S learning facilities have impressed a mature student so much that he travels from Somerset every week to study.

Seventy-five-year-old Michael Ford from Winscombe is following an A-level course in Welsh, run under the auspices of Cardiff University.

He had to change the venue when Cardiff University stopped offering an afternoon course.

The pensioner, who has deep roots in Barry, is so impressed with Palmerston Education Centre, he took up a computer course as well.

He said: "Naturally one has to come to Wales to learn Welsh.

And while there are many similar computer courses in Somerset, I make an additional journey to Palmerston as I enjoy the ambience and atmosphere of the place.

"The course tutor Paula is very helpful and sympathetic to an elderly student like myself.

I honestly thought that anyone outside the bracket of five to 35-years-old would be unable to understand a computer before coming here.

I would strongly recommend both the computer class and the centre to other not-so-young but eager learners."

The former French teacher is enjoying the challenge of learning another tongue.

He added: "My family left Barry in the 1920s. I was born in Hull and educated in Yorkshire.

The Welsh connection came from my maternal grandmother, who died when my mum was a child. I am now trying to resurrect the family language."

He added: "People ask why I don't move to Wales, as I spend so much time here. But I have a comfortable home and friends here.

So while I can still travel, I will. I've become quite good friends with the guards on the trains now."