​Railway’s Welsh Offer approval and Eisteddfod participation

'Lilla' engine from the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways will be on display at the Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod.

The Ffestiniog and Eryri Railway is celebrating receiving the stamp of approval from the Welsh Language Commissioner.
 
The Welsh Offer, the commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones’ official recognition, is given to organisations that have collaborated to plan ambitious Welsh language provision.
 
The Ffestiniog Railway is the world's oldest narrow gauge railway with almost 200 years of history. Its historic trains take customers on a journey full of wonderful views from the harbour at Porthmadog to the slate quarry town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
 
The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK's longest heritage railway and runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon, past the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and the village of Beddgelert, then through the Aberglaslyn Pass and on to Porthmadog.
 
Osian Hughes, Ffestiniog Railway’s marketing lead, said: "We are delighted to receive the approval of the Welsh Offer from the commissioner's office. This is an extremely significant achievement for the railway and we are determined to continue to improve and develop our Welsh Offer further.
 
“There is a strong Welsh culture in the area we work in and, as an organisation, we value the language and culture of Wales. The Welsh Offer makes us more relevant and helps us display pride in the Welsh language."
 
Efa Gruffudd Jones said: "It's nice to see that the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways are being ambitious with the Welsh language services they offer. We are very proud that they dedicate themselves to ensuring that the Welsh language is seen and used every day by the staff and with their customers.
 
“The Welsh Offer is a great opportunity for organisations of all kinds to raise awareness of their Welsh language services. This will lead to an increase in the use of services and enable more people to live in Welsh.”
 
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways will be present at the Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod with their 'Lilla' engine and carriages on display at the Boduan site from August 5-12.
 
More information about the Welsh Offer is available at: https://www.welshlanguagecommissioner.wales/businesses-and-charities/cynnig-cymraeg .