Almost half of Welsh councils don't teach swimming in the Welsh language, even in places where large numbers of children receive Welsh-medium education, according to figures released by Welsh language campaigners today (Thursday 29th April).In Carmarthenshire, the local authority admitted that less than one per cent of its swimming lessons - 10 out of 6,200 - were taught in Welsh in Rhydaman swimming pool last year, although 62% of the town's population and 50% of the county speak the language. In Powys, less than two per cent of lessons were in Welsh, in a county where over 20% speak it.

Language campaigners have welcomed an open letter from over a dozen lawyers calling for a stronger Welsh language law today (Thursday, 18 March).In their letter the distinguished solicitors and barristers say: "We believe there needs to be a clear and unambiguous statement in law that the Welsh language is an official language in Wales in order to realise the government's objective. To date, no such statement has been made.."The lawyers also state: "The Measure, as drafted, allows for standards to be imposed on bodies in relation to their provision of Welsh language services.

In response to Ceredigion County Council's proposed plans to close 6 primary schools in the Llandysul area and Dyffryn Teifi Secondary School and opening one 3-19 year old School, parents from 4 of the schools have drawn up petitions that will be presented outside the Council's Main Office at Penmorfa, Aberaeron today (Wednesday at 4pm).Angharad Clwyd, Dyfed Organiser for Cymdeithas yr Iaith and a parent at Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul commented:"There is strong opposition in this area to the County Council's plan to close the area's village schools and to create just one school for 3 - 19 year

CONCERNS have been raised after the head of the government Human Rights watchdog said she had "no responsibility for the Welsh language'.The new Equality and Human Rights Commissioner Ann Beynon told Golwg magazine: "The Equalities Commission has no responsibility for the Welsh language but we have always had positive discussions between the Commission and the [Welsh Language] Board."The UN Convention on Human Rights and the UK Human Rights Act prohibit discrimination on language grounds.