Menter Iaith Conwy and Communities First in Pen Llyn have been running a Welsh Language Surfing Club on Ynys Mon and Pen Llyn for young people from both areas including Conwy.
This year we decided to venture into a different environment, which was the mountains and more importantly the beautiful white stuff that falls on them; snow! Through financial assistance from Awards for All, which is a grant from the Big Lottery Fund, and Community Chest from Sports Council Wales, we succeeded in adding snowboarding to the clubs list of activities. We also received practical help from Simon who works for the Outdoor Partnership. We received a lot of expert advice and help from “Menai Ski and Outdoor” shop in Menai Bridge, to get all the necessary equipment.
This week 14 young people from Ynys Mon and Conwy tried snowboarding for the first time. The session was held at John Nike Ski Slope, Llandudno.
Bedwyr ap Gwyn from Menter Iaith Conwy said;
“It’s important that these kind of opportunities are available through the medium of Welsh, along with all other outdoor adventure activities, as there is a great shortage of Welsh speaking staff in the outdoor industry. We hope that between the surfing and snowboarding we can sustain a vibrant club”
The club will be meeting consistently throughout the year. For more information phone or email Bedwyr ap Gwyn; 01492 642357. bedwyr@menteriaithconwy.cymru247.net.

Mentrau Iaith Cymru
Annual General Meeting

Canolfan Merched y Wawr, Aberystwyth
11.00am, 29 January 2010

Mentrau Iaith Cymru had stands at the Royal Welsh and the Bala National Eisteddfod to provide information about the Menter Iaith.

Mentrau Iaith Cymru has published a new leaflet listing all Welsh language Menter Iaith in Wales. The leaflet was launched at the Urdd Eisteddfod with Ceri Morgan from the Executive Committe of MIC and Sian Lewis, Menter Caerdydd.

Menter Iaith Sir Y Fflint and Urdd Gobaith Cymru want to get Flintshire rocking at Y Ffin music festival! North east Wales’s answer to Glastonbury is coming to Holywell. On July 24th Tower Gardens will play host to some of the biggest names in Welsh music.
The Welsh Language Initiative and the country’s biggest youth movement are bringing a musical Mardi Gras to Holywell to promote Welsh rock, blues, pop and punk bands. Derwyddon Dr Gonzo, Racehorses, Masters in France, Yucatan and Brigyn are among the bands entertaining the crowds at the FREE festival. The full line up, along with other details, is available at www.yffin.co.uk.

The Welsh language Battle of the Bands organised by BBC Radio Cymru C2 and Mentrau Iaith Cymru will be held in Spring 2010.

A number o Menter Iaith are organising festivals in all parts of Wales over a weekend or a week to promote the Welsh language and have fun!
Amongst the festivals are:
Tafwyl yn Nghaerdydd Tafwyl

Bedroc ym Merthyr

Gwyl Cefni Ynys Môn

Gŵyl Bro Dinefwr

A conference to discuss Menter Patagonia will be held on 3 June at Canolfan Merched y Wawr, Aberystwyth.