Leading Cardiff Welsh speakers have hit out over Cardiff Council’s cuts to Welsh language services ahead of a major festival in the city. 

Among the signatories of the letter are the broadcaster Huw Llywelyn Davies, the Archdruid Jim Parc Nest, musician Heather Jones, author Lowri Haf Cooke, former Assembly Member Owen John Thomas, author Jon Gower, DJ Gareth Potter, and singer Gwyneth Glyn. The letter states: “It concerns us that the Council has adopted a position that does not build on the positive aspects of recent years and does not reflect the views of people towards the language....We therefore ask Cardiff Council to re-establish its grant to Tafwyl and reverse its cuts to Menter Caerdydd so that a firm foundation can be set for our unique language in the nation’s capital.”

The letter was co-ordinated by the Cardiff branch of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg following concerns about the cuts to the local ‘Menter Iaith’ and uncertainty over the future of Cardiff’s Welsh language festival Tafwyl which starts this Saturday (15th June). 

 

Euros ap Hywel, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s local field officer commented: "We’re grateful for the support of so many prominent people for our campaign against the cuts. Cardiff Council has targeted the Welsh language for cuts, by abolishing the grant for the only Welsh language festival in the city. Tafwyl has been treated badly by Cardiff Council: its budget was cut completely. There needs to be certainty over the years to come. The budget of the city’s only Menter Iaith has also been cut by ten percent. We’re calling for Cardiff Council to reconsider these cuts, and put the language at the heart of all they do.”

The local branch of Cymdeithas yr Iaith sent a letter to the cabinet member responsible for the Welsh language, Huw Thomas, back in February, asking questions about the cuts. But although officers asked for a response over five times, they have still received no response.  Mr Ap Hywel added: “Huw Thomas’ failure to respond to our letter shows the Welsh language isn’t a priority for the Council. If he’s not willing to be polite enough to respond to letters about the situation, how can people trust the Council?”