Powys farmer is finalist in Welsh learner of the year

Chosen from 30 learners - the highest number ever - from across Wales and beyond, the National Eisteddfod said Roland, from Llidiartywaun, near Llanidloes, is among the top four finalists nominated for the award because of his "extraordinary" effort to learn Welsh, speaking the language daily with family, in the community and at work.

"It’s brilliant to be honest," Roland said. "I’m quite chuffed to be selected because there are excellent learners. I’ve been blown away by how much and how quickly they’ve learnt it.

He added: “People’s faces light up when you speak Welsh. Everyone knows it takes time to learn a language, but they give you respect straight way because they know the work you must have put in to do it.”

Roland started learning Welsh after meeting his wife, Fflur, and realising how important the language is to her and her family who come from Cemmaes, near Machynlleth. Roland and Fflur have three young children, and Welsh is the family language.

Roland said: "I wanted to learn Welsh to be able to bring up a family in Welsh. When we had our first child Mabon that’s when I knuckled down. I haven’t spoken a word of English to Mabon since he was born.”

The baritone tree surgeon performs with Welsh language theatre company, Cwmni Theatr Maldwyn, and has just finished touring Wales playing one of the main roles in the show 'Y Mab Darogan'.

“My wife’s family have been trying to persuade me to compete for a few years but I didn’t think I was good enough. But this year I did a solo part in the Mab Darogan and a lot of people said I had to compete. If I didn’t do it now, then I would never do it.”

He added: “I would say the 2015 Eisteddfod in Meifod was part of the turning point. stayed for the whole week, but my dad wasn’t too happy because of the silage but I was loving every minute of it.

“I remember thinking to myself that when the Eisteddfod comes back to Montgomeryshire, I want to be a fluent Welsh speaker, so I really knuckled down from there.

“I would say I’m not a fluent Welsh speaker, but I am able to hold conversations in Welsh which is way different to what it used to be from an E in GCSE."

Roland attended Welsh lessons, spent a week at Nant Gwrtheyrn, and studied Duolingo and Say Something in Welsh early every morning before going to work.

“If you can make it part of your life it will be so much easier. You learn without trying,” he said.

“I am not a linguist at all. I was useless at French and Welsh at school but don’t let one way of learning put you off because there are so many ways of learning which are bound to suit everyone.

“It’s a shame there aren’t more Welsh medium schools in the area because there are a lot of children missing out the chance to speak Welsh because it does open doors in many ways.

“People shouldn’t be afraid to put their children through Welsh medium schools because they will learn much easier than you will ever imagine.

“I didn’t think when I started learning Welsh it would have any benefits for me in the farming world, but it’s had loads of benefits for me. I travel around meeting famers all over Wales and when you speak Welsh to them it makes a massive difference to them.”

The winner will be announced on the Pafiliwn Mawr stage on August 9, and will receive the Dysgwr y Flwyddyn Trophy and £300, donated by Pwllheli Town Council.  The other three finalists will receive £100, again donated by Pwllheli Town Council.