PROJECTS to boost the use of the Welsh language in the Vale of Glamorgan will be taking place next week.

Last December, Wales’ First Minister announced an additional £3.6 million of financial support to help promote the Welsh language across Wales during 2015-16, which means that Menter Bro Morgannwg’s income for this financial year has doubled to £60,000.

One of the projects funded by this new income from Welsh Government will be a new programme of leisure and recreational activities for primary aged children during school holidays.

Menter Bro Morgannwg’s primary aim is to increase the social use of the Welsh language in the Vale, and create opportunities for the county’s people to use the language outside school and work hours.

There has been a significant increase in the demand for Welsh medium education in the Vale of Glamorgan over the last decades, with seven Welsh medium primary school in the county by now.

It is crucial that children are given the opportunity to attend leisure and interest activities and to socialise through the medium of Welsh during school holiday periods.

This new Holiday Activities programme will commence during Whitsun half term, with something for children of all ages – including a clay workshop, surfing trip to Porthcawl, sewing workshop and a cooking workshop.

The response has already been very positive, and we look forward to further developing this service over the next year.

Siân Lewis – chief executive, Menter Bro Morgannwg said: “Our strong partnership with Welsh Government is an important way of ensuring that the Welsh language is accessible to children during school hours. We are glad that, with this new funding from Welsh Government, we have been able to create a new and exciting programme of Welsh-medium activities and workshops for children in the Vale of Glamorgan during school holidays. The hope will be to develop the programme further over the next year.”

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “We want to encourage people to have the confidence to use the Welsh language in their daily lives and in their local communities. The significant package of funding I announced last December will help achieve that.

"Already we are seeing new and exciting projects being developed such as Menter Bro Morgannwg’s that will boost the opportunities and activities available at grassroot level.”