Ask Rhianydd Webb

Rhianydd Webb lives in Pontypridd and is learning Welsh with Learn Welsh Glamorgan, run by the University of South Wales on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.  

Rhianydd enjoys baking and decorating cakes, and has a company called Dragons and Daffodils.  She also organises cake-decorating workshops.  

Let’s catch up with Rhianydd about the business, and about learning Welsh:

When did your interest in cake decorating begin?
I was looking for a cake for my son’s first birthday, and there wasn’t much available.  And so I made a cake myself, and that’s when it all began.

The most difficult cake you’ve decorated?
In 2022, I had to make hundreds of wildflowers out of sugar paste.  The flowers were put on a cake to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.  The work took many weeks, but it was a special experience.

Why name the company Dragons and Daffodils?
When I was looking for a name for the business, I was working on a dragon-shaped cake, along with daffodils to put on another cake, so that’s why!

Why did you start learning Welsh?
When I was working at a stall at the Garth Olwg fair, near Pontypridd, I heard people speaking Welsh.  I felt sad that I had a Welsh name like Rhianydd, but couldn’t speak a word of the language.  I started with Duolingo in 2022, before following a Foundation level course with Learn Welsh Glamorgan.  Now, I’m learning at Intermediate level.

Do you use Welsh at work?

Yes, along with the cake-baking, I also work with Business Wales.  Therefore, I use Welsh at work every day, with the help of the team.

Do you want to work more through the medium of Welsh?
Definitely.  I’ve held one cake-decorating workshop in Welsh.  Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf organised the workshop – it was great!

Your hopes for the business in the future?
In the near future, I want to organise more bilingual cake-decorating workshops.

What’s the best thing about learning Welsh?
Without a doubt, joining the Welsh-speaking community.  It has opened many doors for me, and I’m very grateful for that.

You sing with a Welsh learners’ choir, Dysgwyr y Cymoedd – what’s the best thing about the choir?
Everyone in the choir is so supportive, I absolutely love singing with them.

Any advice for other Welsh learners?
You have to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible.  It’s never too late to start learning, and don’t worry about making mistakes – go for it!