New concerns over the survival of Welsh in Dinbych
By Adam Johnson
CONCERN is growing over the survival of the Welsh language in a Vale of Clwyd town.
Denbigh Town Council tabled an urgent discussion over the future of Welsh culture this week.
The move comes after concerns over a fall in Welsh taught at Denbigh High School and an incident alleged to involve a town centre pub.
The council discussed the incident which is alleged to involve two Welsh speakers being ejected from a Denbigh public house by the landlord for speaking the Welsh language on the premises.
The pair were believed to be warned to stop speaking their first language or be removed from the premises.
"A licensed premises in Denbigh last week ejected two people for speaking Welsh, I am sure a number of you know about that. My personal opinion is it's absolutely ludicrous," said Denbigh mayor Colin Hughes.
Cllr Ian Davies claimed the incident amounted to 'blatant racism' in the town.
He said: "This is 21st century Wales. When two men cannot go to a local pub and speak their own language over their favourite tipple then this amounts to blatant racism. Denbigh is still very much an historic Welsh town full of vibrant culture and heritage. Why should it be spoilt by a licensee intent on barring the Welsh language?"
Denbigh High School has come under the spotlight after former deputy head teacher Einir Owen claimed the education site was depriving pupils
of the skills to live in a bi-lingual culture.
The school issued a statement revealing that the level of Welsh taught was greater than any other English medium school in the county, but there had been a slight reduction in the teaching of Welsh at Key Stage Four due to budget pressures.
Cllr Hughes called for every effort to be made to help youngsters learn Welsh to encourage them to stay and work in the area
"We do want to equip our children to stay around here, otherwise they will go over the border," he said.
But Cllr Emrys Williams called for the council not to be quick in criticising the school's reduction in Welsh teaching on the back of budget pressures.
He added: "Cllr Raymond Bartley and myself are governors of that school, there has been some changes in Welsh teaching. I can't condemn them but I think we should be saying we are a bit concerned as a town council."
Last Updated: 16 May 2007
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