Campaigners ‘bemused’ by Welsh language centre’s rescue plans rejection

Campaigners have said they cannot understand the decision by the managers of a Welsh language centre to reject revamp plans and decide to sell it instead.

The trustees of Tŷ’r Cymry say they recognize the cultural importance of the building but that it has fallen into disrepair, and there is no longer enough financial support available to continue running it.

The building on Gordon Road, Roath, was given to the community in 1936 by Lewis Williams, a farmer from the Vale of Glamorgan, as a place from which to promote the Welsh language and promote an enhanced constitutional status for Wales.

The building has been home to a number of organizations since its inception – including the National Union of Teachers Wales, the Urdd, Plaid Cymru, Cylch Meithrin Tŷ’r Cymry and Cymdeithas yr Iaith.

The latter is now calling on the trustees to save the historic house as a Welsh language centre.

“It is extremely disappointing that those who are currently managing the building are intent on selling it off,” Steve Blundell, Chair of the local branch of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, commented.

“We just cannot understand it. An enthusiastic group has been meeting for months to develop plans to restore the house, inviting the current committee to engage.

“We organised a well-attended public event, and there was clear consensus at the meeting that Tŷ’r Cymry should continue and that a new group should be given the opportunity to maximise its potential. Surely they should be given a chance to give the place a new lease of life?

“There is no doubt that the number of Welsh-medium social settings in Cardiff has decreased over recent years. The value of such spaces is far greater than just their monetary value.

“We will continue to fight to protect and rejuvenate this valuable resource for the Welsh language, especially one with such an inspiring history.”