As part of the National Center for Learning Welsh’s wider Work Welsh scheme, Nant Gwrtheyrn Welsh Language Center is responsible for providing the residential Use – Work Welsh courses.
 
These are fully funded five-day residential courses with food, accommodation and learning resources included. The main aim of the courses is to build confidence in using Welsh on a daily basis and at work.  The courses are based at Nant Gwrtheyrn and Cardigan Castle.
 
They are available to any sector, and to any individual working in Wales - even if they are self-employed.
 
The courses are offered at Intermediate, Higher or Higher-Proficiency level.  Any individual from any background are welcome, whether they have regularly attended Welsh for Adults courses or have learnt Welsh in school but haven’t used much of it since.  As long as they have enough spoken Welsh to hold a conversation, they are welcome.  We will assess all individuals who are interested over the phone and the tutor can then decide which level best suits them.
 
This is an invaluable opportunity to spend five days in a stunning location being immersed in the Welsh language and Welsh culture. You can view the timetable by following this link https://learnwelsh.cymru/work-welsh/residential-courses/.  We will release the dates from October 2019 to March 2020 during the next month or two.
 
A large number of employers in Wales have already taken the opportunity to send their staff on these courses. In 2017-18, 94% of employees who were on a Use – Work Welsh course ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that they were more confident in their Welsh skills as a result of the course.  In 2018-19, 96.9% stated that they ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that they were more confident in their Welsh skills as a result of the course. In 2018-19, 99.6% stated that they were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the tutor who taught their course.
 
Here are some quotes from last year's attendees:
 
‘The experience was like a working holiday because I worked and I enjoyed it at the same time’
 
‘I hope I get a chance to come back '
 
‘Excellent and enthusiastic tutor '
 
If you are interested in sending members of staff on these courses, please contact Nant Gwrtheyrn on 01758750334 or email mared@nantgwrtheyrn.org.

​The current Visit Wales Tourism Strategy ‘Partnership for Growth’ is coming to an end and Visit Wales are seeking opinion from tourism businesses in order to shape the next National Tourism Strategy.

To start the process, Visit Wales have launched a wider conversation about tourism in Wales which has started with ‘10 Questions - Let's Shape the Future’ which identifies some of the big future challenges for Wales.

This includes 10 big questions about how to develop ‘Priorities for the Visitor Economy’ over the summer. We would be grateful if you could give this some thought and complete the survey (link below):
 
The deadline is 31st May 2019
 
We also encourage you send feedback to val@mwtcymru.co.uk as she will also be replying to Visit Wales on behalf of MWT.

>>ANSWER VISIT WALES 10 QUESTIONS HERE

​Fantastic news for S3 Advertising Agency who are in the running for Content Strategy of The Year for the work they did with us last summer on #RealMidWales.  They're up against some huge brands including Virgin Holidays, Wella Professionals,  Age UK Mobility, and many more. Good Luck, S3! We'll keep our fingers crossed for the awards ceremony in June.

You can download the Mid Wales Visual Signature Guide which S3 produced for #RealMidWales on our website. It can be used by all and is a template for taking distinctive Mid Wales photographs/video. The style was developed by working with the Visit Wales marketing team to ensure that the Mid Wales signature compliments the 'Wales Brand', so by working together we can make a bigger impact online.

In the first of a new series of blog articles called #MWTBehindTheScenes, our MWT Chief Exec Val Hawkins gives us a run-down on just some of the work we've been doing recently to support, represent and lobby for your best interests.

Following our Mid Wales Tourism Conference in February at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, Val attended an event organised by Visit Britain which brought together a consultative group of industry experts at the Celtic Manor to discuss the UK tourism sector deal.

Into March, MWT met with the new Visit Wales Head of Marketing to discuss promotion of the Mid Wales region. We also represented Mid Wales at the Mid Wales Tourism Forum in Newtown, and at the Mid Wales Business Network meeting organised by MWMG and Business Wales. Towards the end of the month, Val attended the Visit Wales Tourism Summit at The Metropole where discussions centred on shaping future priorities for tourism and the wider visitor economy in Wales when the tourism strategy for Wales comes to an end in 2020.

In April MWT met with Aberystwyth University to discuss the possibility of a research and GIS mapping project to help promote the region. We also met with the team behind freetobook, an online booking software provider, to negotiate a reduced rate for MWT members who wish to use the system.

Discussions were also had with MWT web developers about an ongoing programme of enhancements to our Visit Mid Wales website that we have in the pipeline. At the end of the month Val attended a Visit Wales meeting in Swansea to discuss the new TIPF funded ‘This is #RealMidWales’ project which we have successfully secured funding for - more exciting news and updates to follow about this.

It’s also been great to host WASCO (the Wales Association of Self Catering Operators), and The Wales Association of Self Catering Agents who have both held meetings in our board room at our offices in Machynlleth recently.

Last but not least, into May, Val will be representing Mid Wales at the Senedd in Cardiff at the launch event for Wales Tourism Week, and will also attending the reception in Westminster.
​
So it’s a busy time! We hope this gives you a flavour of some of the work we do that you don’t necessarily get to hear about - we’ll endeavour to keep you up to date. If you have any questions about our representational role, please contact val@mwtcymru.co.uk
​

The UK's National Cycle Museum, in the Automobile Palace, Llandrindod Wells, will be having an Open Day on Tuesday 14th May 2019 from 10am-8pm.

All members of MWT, (with a companion if desired), are very welcome to a free visit and refreshments.

The museum is one of the leading world museums for cycle history, which spans over the last 200 years. Cycles from 1818 -2018 are displayed. Many items of cycle memorabilia on display also. Find out how gentlemen mounted a Penny Farthing and why ladies were frowned upon if they attempted to ride them. Enjoy a free guided tour.

It would be appreciated, but it's not compulsory, if you could let Freda the curator, know if you are able to attend. The contact details are curator@cyclemuseum.org.uk or phone 01597 825531 on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between 10am-4pm.