Community

Number of Welsh speakers falls for second year running

Published

1 month ago

April 24, 2026

THE NUMBER of Welsh speakers living in Wales has fallen for the second year in a row, according to the latest annual population survey.

Figures published on Wednesday (Apr 22) show that 844,300 people aged three and over were able to speak Welsh in the year ending December 31, 2025.

That represents 27.3% of the population.

The figure is down from 896,300, or 29.2%, in the year ending December 31, 2023.

Despite the recent fall, the overall trend since 2010 remains upward. In March 2010, the survey recorded 731,000 Welsh speakers in Wales, equivalent to 25.2% of the population.

The Welsh Government said the latest data showed that the number of Welsh speakers had “declined in general over the past two years”, but added that the longer-term picture since 2010 was still one of growth.

However, officials have also urged caution when interpreting the figures.

The Annual Population Survey has seen falling sample sizes in recent years, and the estimates have not been reweighted to the latest population estimates. As a result, the Office for Statistics Regulation has agreed that the figures should no longer be treated as accredited official statistics for the time being.

The Welsh Government says the census remains the key source for measuring the number of Welsh speakers in Wales.

According to census data, the number of Welsh speakers was 582,400 in 2001, 562,000 in 2011, and 538,300 in 2021.

Cardiff had the highest estimated number of Welsh speakers in the 2025 survey, with 96,800, followed by Gwynedd with 91,300 and Carmarthenshire with 88,100.

The lowest estimated numbers were in Blaenau Gwent, with 8,200, and Merthyr Tydfil, with 10,200.

Gwynedd had the highest estimated percentage of Welsh speakers, at 74.7%, followed by Anglesey at 63.5%.

The lowest percentages were recorded in Blaenau Gwent, at 12.1%, and Bridgend, at 15.5%.

Children and young people aged three to fifteen remain the age group most likely to speak Welsh, with 48.8%, or 237,900, reporting that they could do so.

But the percentage of children and young people able to speak Welsh has generally fallen since the start of 2019.

The survey also found that 14.5% of people aged three and over, around 448,800 people, said they spoke Welsh daily.

A further 4.9%, or 151,200 people, said they spoke Welsh weekly, while 6.5%, or 200,400 people, said they spoke it less often.

Around 43,500 people said they could speak Welsh but never did so.

The figures also showed that 31.5% of people could understand spoken Welsh, 24.9% could read Welsh, and 22.3% could write in Welsh.

Community

Duck race draws crowds to Cresswell Quay

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN ANNUAL Rotary duck race and pig roast brought crowds to Cresswell Quay on Friday (May 29), with organisers hailing the evening a success.

The event, organised by Narberth and Whitland Rotary, saw yellow ducks released onto the water as spectators gathered along the quay to watch the race unfold.

Perfect conditions

ORGANISERS said the tide and weather “could not have been better” for the popular community event.

Families enjoyed a relaxed evening of entertainment, food and fundraising, with Bat-A-Rat proving popular with youngsters while adults enjoyed a pig roast, with pork provided by Tom at Andrew Rees Butchers.

Live music from Jack Castle added to the atmosphere as people gathered at the riverside venue.

***Rotary fun: Crowds gathered at Cresswell Quay for the annual Narberth and Whitland Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast***

Thanks to supporters

JOHN Sleigh, of Narberth and Whitland Rotary, thanked everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

He said: “What a fantastic evening. The tide and weather could not have been better for the annual Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast at Cresswell Quay.

“We thank you all for being there and making the event such a success.”

Community

Crisis response dogs launched to support people through trauma and distress

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW project using specially trained dogs to support people during moments of trauma, grief and crisis has been launched by Cariad Pet Therapy.

The volunteer-led Crisis Response Dogs project aims to provide comfort, emotional support and compassionate human contact to people experiencing distress, loss or heightened stress.

The dogs and their trained handlers will be able to support people in hospitals, schools, emergency response settings, wellbeing events, relief centres and community support environments.

Cariad Pet Therapy says the project is designed to offer a calm and non-judgmental presence at times when people may be struggling to cope.

Volunteers involved in the scheme have undertaken a bespoke training programme, including accredited Mental Health First Aid, Emotional First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practice, Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Dynamic Risk Assessment, Dog Welfare, Crisis Awareness, and training in psychological responses to trauma and distress.

The project is also working with emergency management and resilience partners, including the South Wales Local Resilience Forum, to support communities during emergencies, major incidents and recovery situations.

As part of its development, volunteers have attended specialist seminars on suicide prevention, the human-animal relationship, emergency planning and resilience.

Robert Thomas, Crisis Response Dogs lead for the project, said: “We have already witnessed the incredible impact these dogs can have on people facing difficult moments.

“Sometimes a calm presence, a conversation, or simply the comfort of a dog can make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.”

The project has received funding from The National Lottery.

For more information about Crisis Response Dogs, or to request a deployment, contact Robert Thomas on 01437 609985 or visit www.crisisresponsedogs.co.uk.

Crisis response dogs: Cariad Pet Therapy has launched a new project to support people during trauma, grief and distress across Wales (Pics: Cariad Pet Therapy).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.