Bill E.

Hello. I’m new here and keen to learn Welsh – again. I spent my seven years of secondary education in Tywyn. I have an O-Level in Welsh (for English speakers) from 1973. A very long time ago. My ‘Welshness’ comes from my father’s side only. His family were from South Wales (Bridgend and Penarth), but I have no idea at all about relatives prior to my grandparents. I am trying to find out more. My father retired to live near Cardigan and I have aunts / uncles / cousins in the area around New Quay. Although I left Tywyn in 1975, I have been back frequently to Snowdonia / Eryri – walking, climbing, cycling, etc. I retired from full-time paid employment at age 66 last November 2022 and am now making a big effort to get reaquainted with my Welsh heritage. Learning the language (again) is part of that plan. I intend to sign up soon to a course with the Open University and have enrolled on a course run by Nant Gwrtheyrn – online right now, but I hope to attend some of their residential courses too in the future. I have also joined the Snowdonia Society / Cymdeithas Eryri and will be doing some volunteer work with them this year. Additionally, I have been fortunate to be accepted on to the Curlew LIFE Project and will be doing some volunteer work with them at Ysbyty Ifan and Hiraethog.

All-in-all, I am excited to be starting this journey towards a greater understanding of Wales and Welsh and I look forward to participating.