Emma Chappell is the Welsh Learner of the Year

It was a great pleasure to hear that Emma Chappell who attended Welsh for Adults classes at Bangor University and also works at the University in The Management Centre, is the Welsh Learner of the Year at the Anglesey National Eisteddfod this year. 

She was honoured in a special ceremony on Wednesday evening at Llangefni’s Tre Ysgawen Hall, following an excellent competition.  The adjudicators were Jenny Pye, R Alun Charles and Nia Roberts.

Emma Chappell was born in Cambridge and brought up in Royston, Hertfordshire, but now lives in Deiniolen, Gwynedd.  She and her partner, Arwel, have two sons, Deion and Guto, who speak Welsh and attend the local school.  Emma decided to learn Welsh after meeting her partner.  She knew that the language and his national identity were very important to him, so she decided to learn the language.  She lived in Warrington at the time, and was lucky to find an evening class in the town.  She then moved to Wales and immediately enrolled in a Welsh class.

Emma uses Welsh at work in Bangor University everyday, with customers, students, staff and contractors, and is also part of the Welsh language action group and has helped other members of staff with their Welsh.  Welsh is also the language of the home and her community life in the village, where Emma plays an active role.

Emma said, “I’d like to develop my Welsh at home and at work.  I know as the children will get older there’ll be more situations where it’s important I know what’s going on.  I hope I can inspire people to learn Welsh and live their lives in the language. I'd also like to say thank you to the Welsh for Adults and Canolfan Bedwyr tutors for their support over the years."

Emma received a trophy, donated by Rhian and Harri Pritchard, Cemaes, and £300 (Bangor University Welsh for Adults).  The unique troph was designed and created by Emma Smith and Naomi Williams, who were both Art and Design students at Bangor’s Coleg Menai.

Publication date: 10 August 2017