Blog Post 'The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email'

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter ) Dear Supporter, ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2010 Cymuned's Annual Conference will be held on the 3rd of July this year, in Llanllyfni, Gwynedd. It will start at 10.30 am and finish by 3.30 pm.  If you register in advance, attendance is free. You can register by  replying to this email. There is an entrance charge of £5 if you choose not to register in advance. *** WAKESTOCK - EMPTY PROMISES? Since they started, the Wakestock festival in the Pwllheli area have said that they would promote local bands and the Welsh language. Despite that, the 'Welsh version' of their website is a bit of a joke - if you click on the Welsh flag (no, there's nothing else to suggest there's a Welsh version!), you get exactly the same website with a Welshmenu that takes you to English language pages. The phrase 'dog's dinner' comes to mind. One of our supporters who lives locally emailed the company to offer to help with the translation. He was refused pretty blunty to begin with, but when he got in touch with them again, they said they would accept his offer. Since that, he's heard nothing. If you think that a festival which makes so much money out of the beauty of Pen Llŷn should spend a few pence on translating their website (or even just accept a volunteer's offers!), you can email Wakestock at: info@wakestock.co.uk *** COMMUNITY GROUP AIMS TO REGENERATE CARDIGAN TOWN CENTRE http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid_wales/10208231.stm *** SAINSBURYS STILL SEEM TO THINK THAT WELSH DOESN'T EXIST Sainsburys are currently leafleting people in the Llanbedr Pont Steffan (Lampeter) area to promote a new store that will be opening there. Despite plenty of previous occasions when they have been told that using Welsh is polite in communities where a lot of people speak Welsh, the leaflets don't have a word of Welsh. Peter Evans has already emailed them to draw their attention to this, and to ask what their policies will be regarding employing local staff and using Welsh in the new store. If you'd like to ask them the same questions, and increase the chance they might take it seriously, you can email: customerservice@sainsburys.co.uk *** THREAT TO THE FUTURE OF HEDD WYN'S HOME The Lottery Heritage Fund and CADW have refused an appeal for funds to help keep the home of Hedd Wyn, one of the most famous of all Welsh chaired bards, open to visitors. The sums required are tiny compared to what they give to heritage sites in England.I f you would like to sign the petition calling on them to fund the appeal, please go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/heddwyns/petition.html *** NEW WEBSITE AND 2010 EISTEDDFOD Thank you to everyone who has offered to help test our new website, or to lend a hand in the Eisteddfod.We'll be getting in touch with you over the course of the next fortnight. In the meantime, if anyone else would like to help with either, we'd be glad to hear from you. Cofion cynnes, Aran on behalf of Cymuned's Executive Committee * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things."To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Are you a dreamer or a doer? Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help.Have a look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture to hear how to make things change. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter ) It's March, and where has the year gone? We've been hard at work preparing our brand new website, an exciting project designed to promote our work in the "Fro Gymraeg" and in wider Wales. We are now approaching the point where we will need your help. There's no need for any experience or technical knowledge, and it won't take lots of time - what we will need is people who are willing to use parts of the new site to ensure that it is easy to use, and does what we want it to do. If you are interested, contact us by answering this email. With the year rushing by, its time for us to turn our sights towards the Eisteddfod again. We are looking for volunteers to help on the stand, with the aim of having 2 people on the stand at any time. If you are interested, contact us at the office. Over the last few days, there has been a discussion on the Welsh media about the idea of a "Bro Gymraeg", after calls from the professor Christie Davies for the setting up of a Welsh only Area in North West Wales in order to ensure the continuation of the Welsh Language. It's difficult to say from the few details available whether the Professor's idea is a genuine attempt to preserve a Welsh-speaking heartland, or a conveniently remote corner in which to hide away those annoying Welsh speakers and their demands. You can see the original Week in Week out programme on the BBC's iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rl5hk/Week_In_Week_Out_A_broken_heart/) and hear discussion between Professor Davies and Aran Jones at http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/9/30/2122775/2010-03-16-GoodMorningWales-ChristieDavies-AranJones.mp3 Until next time, Iestyn * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things." To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Are you a dreamer or a doer? Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help. Have a look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture to hear how to make things change. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter ) Cardiff, the Assembly and YouGov Firstly, a word of cheer: Quiet campaigning by individuals works! The story comes from Cardiff, where Coop have been working to freshen the image of their Llandaf shop. This involved, amongst other things, getting rid of the old bilingual signs and replacing them with "easier to read" English-only versions. But, in the words of the shop manager, she received a "strong reaction" from shop customers that convinced her to return to bilingual signage. Yes, it is awful that we still have to "campaign" in the 21st century for something as basic as recognition for the language, but this story shows that it is possible to change some things by quiet words in the right ears! Which brings me neatly to an appeal for contributions! The Assembly's Heritage Department are starting the process of creating a new language strategy to replace "Iaith pawb" - the current blueprint for a bilingual Wales. They would like to hear the ideas and views of the public and relevant organisations to help them in their work. You may very well have your own ideas about the way forward to securing the Welsh's place as a vibrant community language, so now is the time for you to make them known in a way that can make a real difference. Perhaps you remember an earlier email telling of a language Board conference where one recommendation was to encourage public bodies in the 'Fro' to use Welsh as their internal language - This shows that the ideas of CyngorNi are already being considered. Its time for us to push our message to the Assembly in the most powerful way available- through the submissions of the electorate and others that love the country. Please contribute, so that we can develop a strategy that will turn the vision in Iaith Pawb of: "a truly bilingual Wales ...a country where people can choose to live their lives through the medium of either or both Welsh or English..." into reality. The consultation closes on the 29th January. Contributions by post to: The Welsh Language Unit, Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ Online at cymru.gov.uk/topics/welshlanguage Or by e-mail to cymraeg@cymru.gsi.gov.uk. It was interesting to see the YouGov opinion poll during the month, giving details of voting intentions in a general election and Assembly referendum. At the tail-end of the poll there was a question regarding the usage of Welsh showing that 42% of the population of Wales have some amount of Welsh (18% were fluent). This is excellent news until you read the following question. Even in the North, and the "West and Central" regions, less than 30% of the Welsh speakers used their Welsh "all or most of the time" in their own homes. Now, predictions of disaster cannot be made as a result of one poll, especially when the question was just for sorting statistics rather than an important element of the poll, but I think that supporters of the Welsh language are justified in worrying about this statistic. However important a new Welsh Language Act may be, I'm not sure that people who don't use Welsh in their own homes are going to be all that enthusiastic about a right to use Welsh in a bank or with a mobile phone company. Then again, promoting Welsh as the language of work amongst public bodies in the 'Fro Gymraeg' would certainly ease the pressures on people to use English on every occasion. Until next month! Iestyn * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things." To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Are you a dreamer or a doer? Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help. Have a look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture to hear how to make things change

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter ) The Eisteddfod week is coming to an end, and we are looking forward to a period just a tiny bit quieter after the frenetic preparations of stands and magazines. Firstly then, its great to report that Cymuned had the most successful Eisteddofd since Meifod, with donations coming in, and thousands signing the "Deffro'r Ddraig (Waking the Dragon)" petition against the plan to build houses in the North East of Wales for commuters to Chester and Liverpool. A huge thank you goes to the volunteers who worked on the stand during the week - for their hard work and their interesting company! The fine weather was a blessing, and it was especially encouraging to get signatures from some National Heavyweights, including Dafydd Iwan, Dafydd Wigley and Robin McBryde. It was great to meet more of our supporters and hear your stories and complaints - thanks to everyone who called in. Talking of the Deffro'r Ddraig petition, Pol, one of the organisers, has this to say: "We now have our Assembly petition on line. You can sign it by following the link from www.righttobewelsh.com. As well as signing on line people will also be able to sign on paper. We aim to get at least 100 000 names to show that this issue is a political timebomb. "Obviously to achieve this will not be easy but it is essential strategically that we achieve this objective. So can anyone who can help us to collect signatures or deliver leaflets with info about signing online please contact us as soon as possible? "We have a real opportunity in Wales here and now to begin a process of taking our country out from under the shadow and into a bright Welsh future. Through this wretched plan and the kind of thinking behind it WE can turn a corner that has taken hundreds of years to reach. It just takes all of us to see this chance and do our little bit." Words to stir the heart, so sign the petition now! For those of you not in the North East, who think that this issue doesn't affect them, think again! The tendrils of this particular plan go right the way into the Welsh heartlands of the North, and there are similar plans in the pipeline for the Mid Wales / Birmingham area and South Wales as well so the more people who sign the better to stop this official bit of colonisation. And finally, we've received an email from Pete who wrote to Sainsbury's about their publicity for the new store in Lampeter, a town that was, until recently, a bastion of the Welsh language in Dyfed. No prizes for guessing the subject matter - the total lack of Welsh in their flyers. I'm particularly keen on this little gem from his email: "The flyer," he says "was rather old fashioned in that it was a monolingual English pamphlet." - accusing someone's publicity department of being 'old-fashioned' is a sure-fire way of drawing attention to the failures of their campaign. Thank you Pete - please let us know of any reply you get. Until next time then! Iestyn * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things." To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter ) There is still time for you to contact us if you have any comments about the first issue of our members Magazine, or a letter or article about things that are happening in Wales at the moment - eLCOs and European elections for instance. We would love your input into our magazine, so don't be shy! The North Wales People's Council will be sharing our stand in Bala, as they campaign against the plans to include great chunks of North Wales into a Greater Merseyside style economic area. I will write in greater depth about these plans in another email (Carrie and the NWPC are still trying to get answers and clarifications about some of the more controversial points.) But just a taster, apparently the difference of the culture of North Wales to the rest of the area was originally noted as a threat to the plan, though no solution to this threat was noted... Anyway, a member of the NWPC has recorded a song for YouTube opposing the plan. You can view it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gLrYDSTCSM You will remember the article that I quoted from the Times last month. We have received a number of emails from people who responded to the it, including one from Rob. Here are some excerpts: "Just a quick email to say that I found the above article very amusing.I bet you ... need to try and increase your populatrity by belittling a country like Wales in order to try and progress your career. Well done you. ... we live in a great diverse green island. It's due to people like you, that it will be a broken Kingdom sooner than later. Try not to choke on that cigaretter of yours (or that stinking London smog) for too long now eh..." We'd love to know if anyone gets any responses to their emails! And finally, the executive committee is meeting next Saturday, 4th July, so contact us with anything that you think should be discussed. Until next month, then! Iestyn * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things." To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Are you a dreamer or a doer? Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help. Have a look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture to hear how to make things change. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter )

Between Eisteddfod preparations, we are currently working hard on a second edition of the Cymuned magazine, following a very good reception to the first edition last month. Those of you who are not members are able to subscribe or buy individual copies at www.eingwlad.com. If you have articles, letters or any other material that you think may be of interest to our readership, then by all means drop us a line.

Thanks to Omer for telling us about a strange contribution made at one of the All Wales Convention meetings recently. A gentleman apparently explained to the people there that as they had been born in Wales, they were all English anyway. Those attending the meeting seemed to disagree, and the Man with the Strange Ideas left shaking his head and sighing "Oh, what's the point"... It is unbelievable that such an attitude still exists in Britain, (let alone Wales) but it does show how easy it must be for some to move to the country knowing nothing about our Welshness, or even that it exists.

Thank you also to Siams who drew our attention to an article in the Sunday Times in which Daisy Waugh trundles out the tired old clichés as she talks of a property in Wales, and asks, ""What's actually wrong with (Wales)? Apart from the unpronounceable road signs, ... the rainfall ...and the slightly irritating devotion to a language only kept alive by government edict and European subsidies ... it's just the same as anywhere else in Britain, isn't it?"

But wait, before we complain too much about a columnist who's just trying to get a reaction, consider this: "There's not much we're allowed to snigger at in polite company ... yet somehow fat people and the whole of Wales slipped through the sensitivity net." Ms Waugh does indeed hit on a puzzling truth here, while doing her best to continue the tradition!

Lastly, Arfon Jones, a councilor in Wrexham, has asked us to publicise a petition on the Assembly's website to class MPs as public bodies under the Welsh Language Act 1993, following the refusal of Ian Lucas MP to use Welsh in his annual report. Follow this link, though you will have to register or sign in with the assembly system.

PETITION HERE

Until next month!

Iestyn
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things."

To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Are you a dreamer or a doer?

Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help.

Have a look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture

to hear how to make things change.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter )

As I mentioned in the last email, I am in Lannuon, Breizh (Britanny) this week, though it's not the sea breeze in my hair, but a whole lot of rain. It feels quite homely!

To keep the Breton theme going for a bit, I noticed an article in the local paper saying that the Breton Democratic Union hac written to the French Football Federation asking for them to play "Bro Gozh ma Zadou", (Land of my fathers), the Breton anthem, before the French Cup Final to be held in Paris next week. The game is between Rennes and Guingamp, two Breton teams. Considering the attitude of the French authorities towards the linguistic minorities within France, it will be interesting to see the Federations answer to this particular request.

Anyway, back in Wales, we held our AGM last Saturday. After a few difficult years, both financially and in terms of the perception of our direction, we heard some very positive reports regarding our future. Because of the restructuring that has happened over the last two years, the movement is now in a firm position, with the ability to fund our main campaigns from now on. For instance we have an idea or two for the promotion of CyngorNi.com that will certainly draw attention - but I shall give no details just now, because we are discussing with others first!

On a less happy note, Dewi, our treasurer, is giving up the position for personal reasons. One of the attributes of a good treasurer is the ability to carry out his work without others noticing, so with everything in its place, the tax man etc happy, we will wish Dewi all the best, and thank him for his conscientious work throughout the last year.

We have received a very positive response to the first issue of Ein Gwlad, with copies sent to all our monthly members, and to those who've ordered copies. We'd like to hear your views on the new magazine, so that we can improve it and adjust it to reflect your interests and taste, so contact us with your ideas and comments. if you haven't yet received a copy, we have ordered a few more copies than we needed, and will sell them on a first come first served basis.

We will have a double stand this year again at the Eisteddfod, and will be promoting the new movement "People's Council for North Wales", which has been founded in order to fight the official and public plans to subsume the North-East of Wales into a greater Merseyside. Although this isnt a 'Fro Gymraeg' matter at the moment, the plans talk of Conwy being a part of their 'North East Wales' plans, and various other phrases give the impression that the new economic area will expand westwards. More about this in future emails.

And finally, Seirian and her partner, who are members here in the South, have started to sell Owain Glyndwr Rygbi shirts on Ebay. If the shirt is a success, they hope to produce more items that pay homage to Wales's history. You can see the shirts at:-

Owain Glyndwr Rygbi shirts on Ebay

Best of luck to them in their enterprise.

Until next time

Iestyn * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things."

To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Are you a dreamer or a doer?

Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help.

Have a look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture

to hear how to make things change.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cofion cynnes/Warm regards,

Pwyllgor Gwaith Cymuned
(the Cymuned Executive Committee)

cymuned@cymuned.org
www.cymuned.org

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter )

Another month gone, and still things are moving on apace.

**The CyngorNi campaign was the subject of a fairly supportive article in Golwg after last on this visit to Llangefni, and the Daily Post has also taken some interest in the campaign. As we gather momentum, it will be good to see letters from our members (and other members of the public) starting to reach the newspapers so that they realise that there is a lot of interest and support for our viewpoint. We visited Llangefni again last Saturday, leafleting and answering people's questions by the Clock. Once again, we received no negative comments at all, with most people actively supporting our call.

It's surprising to us the number of people who have already heard of the campaign, despite not being members, nor being active in any supportive movements. Its obvious that yo oiur readers are spreading supportive rumours, and people are hearing about us in a positive and friendly way. Thank you and keep it up!

**We have received an email from our publishers (as I write) saying that they have dispatched the 'Ein Gwlad' magazine to us, so after a long wait (yes, I was a touch over confident in promising it to you in March) it is on its way to our members!

**In the magazine will be an invite to this year's AGM, in Ty Siamas, Dolgellau on 25th April. Entry will be by ticket only this year, so you will need to order in advance, either through returning the invite from the magazine, or by emailing us. A ticket will not cost anything, but we will need to know how many people are attending in order to provide enough refreshment and seating.

**A huge thank you goes to Theresa, one of our North American members. She and a few other members have produced a Welsh DVD for the American market. She says, "The DVD is 12 minutes long and contains a brief historical overview of Welsh history and important figures, primarily people of political importance. Kate Weishaar provides the narrative and Sian Williams the background music of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. The DVD includes a cover letter and a Sing4Wales card." The ability to reach a new audience in North America without expending valuable office / 'domestic' volunteer time could be a massive boost to Cymuned, and we look forward to seeing the results.

**Lastly, Aran and I have just launched a brand new on-line course for Welsh learners, which uses a technique which is totally new to the Welsh language, but is based on recent innovation in the language learning world. Of the first learners to enrol, a number have said that they are learning effectively and (most importantly) confidently. One even believes that he is talking more Welsh with his wife than he did after a year of evening courses. Many many of them are already recommending the course to their friends. So if you or any one that you know is looking to learn Welsh, Southern and Northern Welsh courses are available, free, on www.SaySomethingInWelsh.com

That's it for now. I shall be writing the next email from Lannion, Brittany, so with the sea breeze already blowing in the hair of my imagination...

Until next time

Iestyn

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things."

To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Are you a dreamer or a doer?

Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help.

Have a look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture

to hear how to make things change.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter )

It may be a little bit late to say it, but as this is the first email of 2009, a happy new year toyou!

** Cymuned's two main projects are motoring on - the first issue of 'Ein Gwlad' has been prepared and is just waiting for a final proof-read before production. I can promise an interesting and thought provoking magazine for our members

On CyngorNi, letters are being posted to the councillors in Ynys Mon, and the necessary aterials for the launch later this month have been received - watch this space closely!

**Talking of CyngorNi, I was in a Welsh Language Board conference, "Supporting Welsh Language Communities in Rural Wales - Economy, Housing and Planning" at the start of the week. It was very encouraging to hear support for the idea for Welsh-speaking workplaces in Welsh-speaking areas - the foundation stone of CyngorNi - coming out of the discussion groups, as well as changes to the planning system to protect the population of rural areas from the worst excesses of the housing market. Actually, during presentations on the subjects of planning, regeneration and population movement, it was easy at times to imagine that this was a Cymuned conference! But seriously, I will emphasise that this was open discussion rather than the formation of Language Board Policy, but there was enough evidence that the political landscape is changing, and that the Assembly is becoming even more friendly towards Cymuned's ideals. It will be interesting to see what policies do come from this conference.

**According to the Western Mail, Ceredigion council are considering setting up a fund which will provide loans for local small businesses, and maybe for first time home buyers. This is a very interesting idea for improving the ability of the local population to run their businesses and buy homes in their own communities, and Plaid Cymru's Adam Price has called for Wales's other councils to consider similar schemes. The full story is HERE.

**Lastly, some of you have obviously listened to our December appeal for more members, and have been talking to your friends about the email, because the numbers have increased much more than usual over the last month. Thank you very much, and welcome to our new readers! But remember, it was doubling the numbers that I talked about in December's email, so if you haven't told friends and acquaintances yet, do that without delay.

Until next time, then!

Iestyn

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things."

To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Are you a dreamer or a doer?

Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help.

Have a look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture

to hear how to make things change.

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter )

Here we are at the end of the year - and what an interesting year it's been!

From the point of view of the Welsh Speaking heartlands (the Fro), a number of encouraging policies have been adopted by the Government - the Welsh language is to be taken into account in the planning of regeneration projects in the Fro, for instance. Cymdeithas Cledwyn - the Welsh speaking 'wing' of the Labour Party - emphasised the importance of 'Bro Gymraeg' issues in future manifestos. The government have adopted elements of Cymuned policy, especially in Housing, and we have developed a useful relationship between us and the Assembly.

After May's elections, a number of our supporters are now councillors. From Anglesey to Monmouthshire, and Pembrokeshire to Wrexham, we have a voice in the policy and administration of the country's councils. And with some work on our internal structure we have released more money for campaigning.

We are in a strong position going into 2009, so what are our plans?

Firstly, the launch of the CyngorNi campaign. This is the campaign that will define our work in the Fro during 2009. If you want to do one thing in the new year to help the Fro, get in touch with is to ask what you can do for the campaign!

Secondly, the re-launch of 'Ein Gwlad - Ours Alone' - a quarterly magazine which will be free to our monthly members. We hope to produce a quality publication which will lead the debate on a wide range of subjects relevant to Wales and the Fro.

Thirdly, and partly on the back of the first two, we will be working to increase our active membership. At the moment we have a little under 2000 members. This is not enough! The unstinting work by an enthusiastic group of members has ensured our influence on politicians and national bodies, and raised our profile in the press. But many of you have taken it into your own hands to write to the press, to politicians, place stickers and talking about our policies to others, and this is proving to be the main strength of Cymuned. If each member spent one hour during 2009, writing emails or letters, or raising a petition, or supporting action / policy, this would correspond to about 4 hours a week of work for the whole year for every member of the Exec committee. Imagine if everyone was willing to write a letter a month to politicians. How many policies would be changed in answer to 2000 letters? This power is in your hands.

So - here is the New Year project. Tell 5 people about this email. If one of them subscribes, you have done your bit to double our supporter base! If more than one subscribes, then every extra one is a huge bonus...

One last thing - with the present economic situation, community action will be more important than ever as we try to protect our language and our communities. If you have ideas about things that you could be doing on a community level, get in touch so that we can publicise your ideas, raise awareness and give you as much help as possible.

Brilliant. We shall step into 2009, and wish you, and us, sweeping successes in everything that is important to us. Happy new year!

Forward!
Iestyn
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things."

To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Are you a dreamer or a doer?

Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help.

Have a look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture

to hear how to make things change.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter )

**Two very important results for our work in law courts during November. You may remember that I told you about Gwyneth Green, from Caernarfon, in a previous email. She was sacked by Siemens after they refused to allow her to speak in Welsh in a disciplinary hearing. Her case was heard in Abergele, and it was found that the company had discriminated against her according to race equality law (which includes language). This is an important result for the Welsh speaking Fro, and congratulations go to her solicitor, Tudor William of Wrexham, for his work on this case.

In another case, the small claims court found against our ex-treasurer, Edward Wynne Jones, who was claiming that he loaned £500 to Cymuned some time ago. The judge agreed that there was no evidence that the money given to us was a loan, especially as Edward Wynne Jones, who was our treasurer at that time, had not noted any loan in the annual accounts. It will be good to be able to concentrate on protecting and promoting the communities of the Fro without having to worry any more about our ex-treasurer's financial accusations.

**Thanks to those who wrote to the Guardian about their forthcoming article "Let's move to...Caernarfon". The article printed on Saturday 29th November, discussed the area's Welshness and the problems of holiday homes. Read the article HERE

**The protest outside the National Trust's AGM was a success for impact and publicity. More importantly, the members who voted showed a majority in favour of the motion to scrap the NT's housing development at Rhostyllen. Despite over 14 000 votes supporting our motion, though, it was overturned by the chairman's proxy vote.

Watch the AGM HERE The debate starts at about 1 hour 41 minutes. Keep an eye on the Chairman, Sir William Proby, as his own arguments are used against the development...

**Congratulation to Wales on beating Denmark and Australia! It was great to see Aaron Ramsey singing the anthem at the start of the Football game. This has become so rare that one of our members has written to the Football Association of Wales asking them to improve the situation. We'll see what reaction comes, but Alun Ffred Jones (Minister for Heritage and Sport) answered straight away to a copy of the letter, voicing his support, and hinting that he might speak with officers of the Association to find a way forward.

**We have had a message from the dotCym campaign:

"dotCym has arrived at an exceedingly important point in its development, and the time has come for everyone who wants to win .cym for Wales to show their support by becoming a member at www.dotCYM.org. The more people who join dotCYm, the more chance we have of winning support from ICANN (who decide who can have which domain names), and practical financial backing from the Assembly. Become a member now for just £2 a month - your support will help us to win an on-line Welsh identity. Come on - join now!"

**And finally, for those who signed the official Assembly on-line petition calling for a Welsh team in the 2012 Olympics, the petition committee have discussed it, and have decided to contact the International Olympic Committee in order to clarify the situation regarding National Teams for non-independent nations. Although campaigning for a Welsh Olympic team is nowhere near to being Cymuned policy, I have decided to follow the process for two reasons. Firstly, that so many of you signed the petition, and secondly in order to show a democratic process which will be useful to us as a movement, and also to you as Welsh voters. I hope that you will bear with me, even if you have no interest!

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporter's Email

Its been a busy month for us, with the preparatory work coming to a close for the CyngorNi campaign, (calling for Councils in the Fro Gymraeg to adopt Welsh as their internal language), and its launch approaching. We haven't received any replies yet from the councils that have received letters from us, which is disappointing in one way. However the absence of negative answers is a bonus, and gives us plenty of ammunition!

On the subject of CyngorNi, thanks to Gina for asking an important question. Gina is a strong supporter of our aims, but comments, "I wish to know where all of this will leave us non welsh speakers who...were not brought up speaking welsh, who do not have contact with Welsh speakers and have not been able to learn the language."

Firstly I apologise for not explaining this sooner - It never crossed my mind that Welsh language supporters might be nervous of this policy. I wonder if this is the big weakness of pro Welsh language campaigns, that Welsh-speakers often communicate and listen poorly to non Welsh-speakers.

We are calling for the policy only in areas where Welsh is a thriving community language, and where not speaking Welsh is a choice: In these areas there are many opportunities to learn, and
practice opportunities are everywhere. Of course, learning any language is still not easy, so the campaign calls on councils to provide free Welsh lessons (and everything else that a learner needs), during work time, to bring each worker's Welsh to fluency. Most vacancies will still be open to non Welsh-speakers, who will then learn Welsh as part of their work duties.

For those of you (and I would hazard a guess that I am talking about a majority here) who would like to be able to speak Welsh, imagine becoming totally fluent in 3 years, in work time! By the way, Gwynedd, because they have already adopted this policy, has the highest proportion of fluent Welsh learners in Wales.

Gina also writes that "there must be room for us all in Wales, with jobs for both Welsh speakers and non Welsh speakers." Here she hits the nail on the head - this is exactly what we are campaigning for.

Reminder: There is a protest outside the National Trust AGM on Saturday 1st November. For those who'd like to travel on the bus from Wrexham, it is leaving the Plas Coch pub (on the B&Q / Sainsbury Roundabout, near the Owain Glyndwr University) at 8am. People will meet outside the AGM in Liverpool at 9.30. For more details, or to book your place in the bus, email us (by replying to
this email).

A good example of London Press attitudes towards Wales in this week's Sunday People (thanks to John for this). Dave Kidd, this time, says: "Wales isn't a proper country anyway, the so-called
"Welsh language" is clearly just a series of weird noises used as a practical joke against the English, and Ramsey might as well admit he'd rather wear the three lions." We wonder if he's a little peeved that the Football Assosciation of Wales is still refusing to join the 'British' Olympic football team.

On that subject, readers of this email appear to have nearly doubled the number of signatures on the official Assembly petition calling for a Welsh team to take part in the 2012 Olympics. For those who haven't yet signed, the petition closes on the 31st October, so go to https://www.assemblywales.org/gethome/e-petitions/eform-sign-petition.htm

straight away!

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Here is a new development for the email. Each month, we aim to include an interview on an interesting subject, as a way to bring the viewpoints and ideas of our supporters (and others maybe, later on) to a wider audience. If you have ideas for a good interview, or if you would like to record one yourself, then get in touch so that we can organise it (or offer some interview / recording training if you have lots of friends with interesting ideas!). By the way, I must apologise for the quality of the October recording. I'm only just getting to grips with the technology myself!

Listen to the first voice clip, which talks about the importance of bringing up children with the welsh language, at :-
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=G_gtO&m=1f6WW8ku3.s3wL&b=CU2MD21o7LVrKhggfLb8cQ

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Two adverts to finish - It is now possible to join the new Dot Cym campaign, which aims to get the use of .cym for Welsh web pages. Go to http://www.dotcym.org/home/ for more information

If you are in Aberaeron, Aberystwyth or Machynlleth this week, pop into Ji-binc for their Half Term sale. More details to be had on http://www.ji-binc.com/
Until next time

Iestyn
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Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things."

To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant

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Are you a dreamer or a doer?

Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help.

Have a look at:

www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture

to hear how to make things change.

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Cofion cynnes/Warm regards,

Pwyllgor Gwaith Cymuned
(the Cymuned Executive Committee)

P.S. Stickers should not be put on public property.
Cymuned, 64 Stryd Fawr, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 5RR, CYMRU