Residents at Estuary Gardens care home in Deeside are celebrating St David’s Day by sharing memories and reflections on the Welsh language and its importance in their lives.
The national day of Wales has inspired residents to talk about their upbringing, family traditions, and the comfort that hearing Welsh still brings them today.
For Megan Jones (96) Welsh was her first language and recalls learning it at home from her parents. Megan said,
“I grew up speaking the Welsh language and was only taught English when I started school at the age of four. My earliest memory of speaking Welsh is with my grandmother when I was about three years old.
“I remember being teased at school for speaking Welsh, but now, it feels wonderful to hear the Welsh language still today – it makes me feel like I’m at home.”
She also reflected on the language’s wider significance. “Welsh is one of the very oldest languages and we have lots of unique poetry. I think it’s still important to the Deeside community because it’s our language, even if it’s only important to a few,”
Mair Popplewell (92) also shared fond memories of learning Welsh from her parents, with many of her earliest experiences centred around the Welsh chapel. “Hearing Welsh spoken today makes me feel happy and safe and makes me think of family.”
Mair enjoys keeping the language alive in everyday conversation. “I like to ask people, ‘Sut dach chi?’” she added. Mair believes passing the language on is essential. “It’s important for younger generations to learn Welsh at home and in schools because it allows the language to live on.”
Rachael Jones-Brown, the Customer Relations Manager at Estuary Gardens, said “At Estuary Gardens, we believe it’s so important to celebrate our residents’ histories and the things that matter most to them.
“St David’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to honour their memories, our culture, and the Welsh language, which holds a special place in so many of their lives. Sharing these stories brings our community closer and keeps these traditions alive.”
To celebrate St Davids Day, Estuary Gardens will be taking in live music from Rhian Carys Jones, crafting their own daffodils, and enjoying classic Welsh dishes.
To find out more about living at Estuary Gardens, call 01512 942 619, email [email protected], or visit the Estuary Gardens website.
Estuary Gardens is designed to make a positive impact on everyone who lives in and visits the home. With 66 ensuite bedrooms, extensive communal spaces, and landscaped gardens, Estuary Gardens offers an all-inclusive, ‘Crystal Clear’ care package – no hidden extras and no surprise bills.
