Social opportunities for local Welsh learners have been sparse

For the first time in more than a century the language is undergoing a revival in Radnorshire.

There has been a call to set up a language initiative to follow in the footsteps of similar schemes set up in recent years in Montgomeryshire and Brecknock.

Menter schemes promote the language by raising its profile, changing attitudes, and helping people to meet and talk in Welsh.

There is a lack of social opportunities for people to use Welsh Geraint Roberts, Menter Brycheiniog

The area was the only one of Powys' three shires with an increase in Welsh speakers in the 2001 census.

Numbers have gone up from 8.3 % in 1991 to 14.3%.

"The increase in Welsh-speakers in Radnorshire reflects the number of children speaking Welsh in the shire and the increase in interest in the language among adults," said Geraint Roberts of Menter Brycheiniog, the Brecknock language initiative.

"There is a lack of social opportunities for people to use Welsh so it is vitally important that a language initiative is set up to provide a focus for these activities.

Research carried out by the Welsh Language Board has revealed the benefits gained by Welsh learners who use the language informally as part of their normal social lives.

Menter Brycheiniog could be involved in the new initiative

A number of attempts to establish Welsh-medium activities outside school hours in Radnorshire have failed.

But there have now been calls from the people of Radnorshire who believe a language initiative would dramatically increase Welsh language provision for people.

T Alun Evans, a former assistant director of education for Powys and a long-time supporter of the Welsh language in Radnorshire, said: "A lot of Welsh language organisations such as Ysgolion Meithrin already exist in Radnorshire so it is a natural progression to set up an initiative."

A public meeting in Llandrindod Wells earlier this summer resulted in language board officers recommending that Menter Brycheiniog, as an existing body, should put in a bid to establish a Menter in Radnorshire, jointly with Menter Brycheiniog.