Celebrating Oswestry's ‘unique bilingual culture’ on St Dwynwen’s Day
North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has marked St Dwynwen’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate the Oswestry area’s unique bilingual heritage, after a visit to Welsh language Siop Cwlwm on Bailey Street.
Siop Cwlwm is an independent family business, specialising in books, cards, music and gifts. Shop owner Lowri Roberts is a keen advocate for the Welsh language and its heritage in Oswestry and the Welsh Marches, helping children in the area learn Welsh and access Welsh medium education.
The MP visited as part of a tour of high street businesses in the town, and has praised the work done by the shop’s team to preserve and promote Oswestry’s bilingual heritage.
Lowri Roberts, Owner of Siop Cwlwm, said, “At Siop Cwlwm we’re passionate about promoting the Welsh culture that has existed in Oswestry since the birth of the town. A key example is St Dwynwen’s Day on the 25th January, this is the Welsh equivalent of Valentines Day. Our selection of St Dwynwen Day cards and gifts are always in demand.
“With its border location, for countless years Oswestry has been the shopping and cultural hub for many Welsh towns and villages. There is also an established and strong Welsh community within the town.
“The demand for Welsh medium education is on the increase for Oswestry children, which will be key to protecting and developing Oswestry’s unique and historical bilingual culture.”
Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, added, “The market towns across North Shropshire have an incredibly rich heritage, with the mix of Welsh and English history we have in Oswestry serving as just one of many examples.
“Many residents have told me of their memories of hearing Welsh on market day, and how the town acted as a real hub of trade for the Welsh Marches countryside stretching over the border into Montgomeryshire and Clwyd.
“It is great to hear that the St Dwynwen’s Day cards are flying off the shelf at Siop Cwlwm – a real testament to how important and well-received the work being done to keep that history alive is.”
“Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus!”