Learn Welsh Gwent celebrates outstanding success at the 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony.

On Wednesday 29 November, Gwent Welsh for Adults learners, tutors and their guests were invited to our Awards Evening which was held Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel and Spa, Maesycwmmer.

The evening began with a hog roast where learners, tutors, guests and staff had the opportunity to practise their Cymraeg and catch up with friends, old and new.  The ceremony was presented by Geraint Wilson-Price, Director of Learn Welsh Gwent and special guest Welsh TV Presenter and Producer, Nia Parry.  The Winners were recognised for their outstanding achievements during 2022/23 and were presented with a certificate and book voucher.

Nominations forms were sent out in September and the response was outstanding, with almost 170 received in total!  Each entry was carefully considered by the WFA Awards Panel and winners were selected and contacted in October and invited to the ceremony.

The winning categories this year were:

Workplace

Exams

Tutor of the Year

1 to 1 learning

Social Media

Young Learner of the Year

New Welsh Speaker

Siarad Scheme

Supporting Learners

Special Award

Always with a story to tell, Nia Parry shared her experiences as a tutor and presenter with some of the most memorable being reunited with learners’ years after filming the popular Cariad @ Iaith series – A Welsh reality show where learners were filmed on a week’s intensive Welsh course. Some of the learners have since become fluent Welsh speakers and fully embraced the Welsh culture “that one week that changed their lives, forever” said Nia.  It took them down a different path and has created a ‘ripple effect’. Their children attend Welsh medium schools and they siarad Cymraeg with that stranger in the queue in Tesco who they’d noticed was wearing a ‘Cymraeg’ badge.  It’s so important that we do the little things every day!”

Closing the evening, Geraint wished learners well on their continued Welsh learning journey.  “It has been another exceptional year of achievement for Learn Welsh Gwent, highlighted by the winners of our Awards this evening. We are incredibly proud of you. Congratulations on your achievements!”