Having received a letter from the National Botanic Garden of Wales some of our local members and supporters have been to 'plant' the Welsh language and call for the Garden to root itself in the local language.
A fortnight ago a disagreement arose when it became clear that the Garden was breaking its own language policy by displaying English language signs to promote events at the Garden, sending out correspondence in English only and failing to have a fully bilingual website.
Amy Jones, Vice Chair of Cydmeithas yr Iaith in Carmarthenshire said:
"In a recent letter we raised concerns about the Garden's attitude towards the language, that they were dismissive and bordering on offensive. The response to that letter does little to convince us that anything is about change. By planting flowers with our calls - that the Garden keeps to its language scheme and say that it will move, over time, to work internally in Welsh; we are doing something positive to encourage the Garden and draw attention to the need for it to give full consideration to the language.
"Putting up Welsh signs or sending bilingual letters shouldn't be something that's done if there's time or resources - it should happen naturally. There has been considerable strength of feeling about the situation, and although Rosetta Plummer, Director of the Garden, has apologised for causing that and recognised that they have not thought about the Welsh there is nothing definite that suggests things will change. It is clear that the Garden considers the Welsh language as something separate, which is a common attitude among organisations, and is very easy excuse. As Carmarthenshire County Council has made a commitment to work towards becoming an organisation that works in Welsh there is no reason why Welsh Garden could not do the same thing gradually.”
Cymdeithas yr Iaith has already called on Carmarthenshire County Council and the Welsh Government to hold back public funding of the Garden until it shows commitment to adhering to its language scheme. They are waiting a response from the Government, but Carmarthenshire County Council was already discussing their financial contribution to the Garden.
Amy Jones added:
"If both organisations said that they are seriously considering withholding funding to the Garden it would give a clear sign that they take their responsibility, as financial contributors, towards the Welsh language seriously. We hope it wont come to that, of course, and that the Welsh language, like our bulbs, will flourish and bloom."
The story in the press:
Welsh language prtoest over English only signs in National Botanic Garden - South Wales Evening Post 26/04/15