Tag Archives: Bridgend

Place Names in Bridgend County Borough

Place names are part of our everyday lives and we are so familiar with seeing them on signs while traveling from one place to another, to hear them in everyday conversations or on the news, they almost go unseen and have turned into words with little context.

But, the sources of these names include linguistic, historical, geographical and cultural elements and the heritage of the area. This may be of great interest to people who visit the area, for example from abroad as they explore family history, or place names can be of interest for school pupils and can bring a more personal and different element to history and geography lessons.

 

With the Urdd Eisteddfod coming to the area in May this year, it’s a great opportunity to conduct such a project in collaboration with Cwmni2 and Reach to promote so many things in the area to visitors, walkers, history and camera clubs and especially schools and adults who are learning Welsh.

 

It is an opportunity to promote the language in the area and also, perhaps more importantly, an opportunity to remind everyone about the Welsh identity of the area. According to the 2011 census, 11% of the population can speak Welsh but the area has the historic privilege of having opened the third ever Welsh medium school in Wales (Tyderwen, in Nantyfyllon in 1948). And there are a host of other things to note in the booklet that will be launched at the Eisteddfod.

 

As part of the project, there will be activities for children and families, youth and adults. We are eager to see as many residents as possible participating in the project. If you would like to learn more about the project, come along on Wednesday, May 3rd 2017 to Tondu Cricket Club at 7pm. David Thomas and Amanda Jaine Evans will be giving a talk about the project. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

Bridgend County Borough Ambassadors

During Whitsun week 29 May – 3 June, the County Borough of Bridgend welcomes the whole of Wales, as the Urdd Eisteddfod opens its doors on an area of ​​Pencoed College to some 90,000 visitors over six days, and we want to give ‘ the warmest welcome possible for them! We are calling for Welsh speaking volunteers, who are passionate about our area to join our Bridgend Ambassadors, and receive training ready to offer hospitality and local information service to visitors of the festival.

A group of approximately twenty volunteers will be ambassadors for Bridgend. They will share a love for the area and will be interested in continuing to learn and share information about the culture, wildlife, history, art, and food in the county. They will engage with visitors to our area in many different ways, such as meeting and greeting at events, support groups to shape their visit, writing blogs, sharing local knowledge with families and generally doing what they can to raise the profile of the region. Being an Ambassador is a lot of fun and is very rewarding. Here’s what our current Ambassadors have to say:
“Just a word to say how valuable an experience the training as an ambassador was. Not only have we learned so much about the area, but we have also developed a small community of people who have a really strong common goal, which is to take every opportunity to promote our special part of Wales”

“Engaging in the Ambassadors program has been a wonderful way to learn about our heritage, music and local folklore, as well as enjoying some great tours of the leading visitor attractions, and a few secrets of the area as well.”

In addition, the benefits of being an ambassador include: • Access to a series of training and enjoyable excursions • self development • Networking with other people of like mind, and tourism businesses in the area • A sense of contributing to the community and the region in general, and the satisfaction that comes with it. • Free admission to events for those who volunteer at events • A certificate and identity card which so that you are recognized as an Ambassador of Bridgend.
Training is free and commitment of time is just two days. These days will be based on a workshop learning about the treasures of the region. The training will include information about the history, folklore, heritage, culture and natural delights of Bridgend County.

You will need to attend two training sessions, which are set out above, and be available to volunteer for at least one half-day session on the Eisteddfod field during Whitsun week. As Ambassadors of Bridgend, you can then participate in volunteer activities as they occur throughout the year. Ambassadors who volunteer at the Eisteddfod will receive free access to the area during their volunteer day, and can enjoy some of the performances of the 15,000 children under 25 who will compete in top cultural competitions such as singing, dancing, reciting and performing. At least two volunteer Ambassadors will work on each day of the festival. We are specifically looking for individuals who are able to converse in Welsh, and this training will be held in Welsh, with support materials offered in both English and Welsh.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Angharad on angharad@angharadwynne.com / 07786 256722.