“Welsh language communities are vital” - that was Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s message as around 200 campaigners gathered in Bala to speak out over the Census results this morning.

The rally comes days ahead of the release of further Census statistics about the condition of the Welsh language. According to the statistics already released, there were twenty thousand fewer Welsh speakers in Wales down to 19% of the population from almost 21% a decade ago - and there were falls in all the counties in the West and North of the country. The Welsh Government had a target of increasing the number of speakers by 5% to over a quarter of the population.

School pupil Joseff Owen, Assembly Member Llyr Huws Gruffydd, Sian Howys a Dilwyn Morgan addressed the demonstration. Sian Howys, Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s rights spokeswoman commented:

"It’s vital communities where there are a high percentage of Welsh speakers are protected and that local and Welsh Government implement policies in favour of the language in the fields of the economy, education, housing and planning. We will be looking at the Census figures in terms of the percentage of speakers at an individual community level very carefully and calling for specific plans. 70% is the percentage of speakers which denotes where Welsh is the language of the community -  the fall from one decade to the other in the number of those communities is shocking - it’s nothing less than completely irresponsible negligence by those in power in our country. Cymdeithas yr Iaith will campaign for Welsh language sustainable communities as a matter of priority together with the right for all in Wales to live in Welsh."

The Assembly Member for the north of Wales Llyr Huws Gruffydd said:

“Sustaining a living, community language is not child’s play because we live next door to one of the most powerful cultures in the world. We need to learn lessons from towns like Bala, areas like Penllyn, which have kept the language alive while areas to the West have declined.

“We also need to learn from the successes of languages like Basque and Catalan – which are on the rise because of the help of governments and also the relative economic strength of those countries. That’s why the Welsh Government must give a proper economic boost to the Welsh language areas. If it’s possible to create enterprise zones in specific areas of Wales with millions of pounds of support, it’s essential to offer specific economic support in Welsh language areas. Without jobs, without enterprises, without work there will be not end to the flow from the Welsh language areas and that creates hopelessness. In order for the language to thrive there must be work and hope.”

Robin Farrar, National Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg added:

“There’s no point sitting back and accepting the Census results: with positive campaigning and political will, we can change our fate and that of our Welsh language communities. The language and its communities cannot afford more of the same from Government or organisations in Wales more widely."

“It’s time for bravery and new ideas from our politicians. If the Welsh Government accepts this is a crisis that requires an urgent response, then there’s hope. We believe it’s the wish of an increasing number of people in Wales to live in a country where we can all live our lives in Welsh; we also understand that ensuring the strength of Welsh language communities is the only way to realise that vision. What’s needed now is the political will to match the ambition of people around the country.”

On Saturday February 2 in Aberystwyth, the last in the series of rallies responsing to the Census will be held, 50 years to the day since Cymdeithas yr Iaith held their first protest on Pont Trefechan in the town.