22 January 2016

Some 2,000 youngsters in Gwynedd went wild for the Welsh language this week as part of S4C's Sioe Arbennig Tag a Rimbojam.

From 18 to 20 January, almost 2,000 primary school children enjoyed a show with S4C presenters Mari Lovgreen and Owain Gwynedd from the show Tag and DJ Sâl from Ysbyty Hospital.

Also there was Mistar Urdd, Anni Llŷn, Bardd Plant Cymru (Children's Poet Laureate) and the young band Storm from Llanuwchllyn, who appeared on S4C's #Fi. The shows were held in Caernarfon, Dolgellau and Morfa Bychan and presenter Mari Lovgreen can still hear the children's laughter ringing in her ears!

Mari, who’s originally from Caernarfon says; "What a fun three days we had in Gwynedd! I was almost deafened by the singing and laughter! I hope everyone had as much fun as I did, and if you want more, remember to tune in to Tag on S4C every Tuesday and Friday afternoon."

The Sioe Arbennig Tag a Rimbojam show was part of Gwynedd Council's Welsh Language Charter which aims to inspire every child in Gwynedd to use the Welsh language in their everyday lives – and that was certainly achieved.

Gwenan Ellis Jones, Welsh Language Charter Co-ordinator, Gwynedd Council, says; "The Sioe Arbennig Tag a Rimbojam show was a huge success and we're grateful to S4C for organising the events and to the Urdd and Bardd Plant Cymru for their support. Giving children fun and positive experiences in Welsh has a positive influence on their attitudes towards the language, and each child left the show having completely enjoyed the experience and with an enthusiasm for the Welsh language."

Encouraging everyone to use the Welsh language is an integral part of the S4C. Sioned Wyn Roberts, S4C's Children's Content Commissioner, says that securing a wide and varied service for children on S4C is vital for the future of the Welsh language.

Sioned Wyn Roberts says, "Every time I see children enjoying an S4C show it lifts my spirit. One of the S4C's main attributes is placing the Welsh language at the heart of people's lives, and without the programmes, apps, shows and digital content on the S+ website, which are all part of the Stwnsh service, the opportunities for children to engage with the Welsh language would be vastly reduced. Sioe Arbennig Tag a Rimbojam certainly made an impression on the youngsters, and that's exactly what we need."

Urdd Chief Executive, Sioned Hughes says; "It was a pleasure to see so many children singing the Urdd's Rimbojam songs at the top of their voices. It was also an excellent opportunity to promote the activities that S4C and the Urdd offer in the Welsh language – from the Stwnsh programmes to the Bardd Plant Cymru scheme, and the Urdd's numerous after-school clubs and Eisteddfodau. It would be great to see the tour extended nationally to show the rest of Wales how much fun you can have in the Welsh language!"

Anni Llŷn, Bardd Plant Cymru says; "The success of this excellent tour is proof that literature belongs to everyone, is current and can offer lots of fun for children. Through the partnership between Literature Wales, S4C, Welsh Book Council, Yr Urdd and the Welsh Government, the Bardd Plant Cymru project can reach thousands of children across Wales, and allows them to enjoy the best of Welsh literature."

Ends