To ask if Haverfordwest is a Welsh speaking area?

[NorthFaceEiger]

The reason I ask is I know someone who was offered s very good job there and they, very surprisingly to me, turned the excellent job offer down.

I’m just curious to know more about the place…

I don’t believe so, no, but maybe the person just didn’t want to live in or near Haverfordwest?

Thanks for your reply. The person in question was a Welsh speaker from rural Carmarthenshire

Reminds me of HCP jobs advertised in some of Wales in the 80s. Ad in English, in the national trade paper; you'd turn up and they'd begin the interview in Welsh... resentfully switching to English 🤣

I don't believe so but depending on where the person you know currently lives it's potentially a very long way away. Might that be the reason?

No, I wouldn’t say so but it can be a tricky journey to other parts of wales, let alone the wider uk. Lovely surrounding area but I would imagine its location might be offputting to some.

Sorry, cross posted with your update!

Could be the reason - the person I know lived just outside Carmarthen town itself but the Swansea side of Carmarthen iyswim

Yes, I see what you mean

Haverfordwest is not particularly‘Welsh’ certainly nowhere near as much so as Carmarthenshire.

The journey from slightly east of Carmarthen to Haverfordwest would take around 50 minutes I’d say.

Totally normal in many parts of the UK but less common around here.

I live near Haverfordwest. Pembrokeshire is not known for having a high number of Welsh speakers, but obviously some do. I would imagine being Welsh speaking would be an advantage if your friend had been offered a post in local government for example. Does she use the language in her current job?

Sure, but that doesn’t mean anything. I mean, I’ve had jobs in more than one language, and turned down ‘good’ jobs more than once because they didn’t feel like a good match at interview. I’m not sure why you’re focusing on the location?

I’m just surprised she turned it down because it was a

FAB JOB in every way

If she’d turned down exactly the same job in Great Yarmouth, for instance, I’d be equally surprised.

The language spoken isn’t to do with why she turned down the job - but given the fact she turned down SUCH a good job in this town - I’m curious to know more about it.

I’ve got relatives in both Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire - and they’re very split in terms of whether they speak Welsh or not. South West Wales language-wise IS like a box of chocolates - you never know which one you’re gonna get !

Yes I’ve got relatives in Tenby/Saundersfoot and they’re not Welsh speaking

Yes she spoke Welsh in her main job as it was in Cardiff - and being the capital - there is some Welsh spoken there

You get more Welsh speakers in the northern coastal part of Pembrokeshire bordering on Ceredigion and the more rural central parts.

Ah thanks - that’s interesting

The only Pembrokeshire relatives I have love in Saundersfoot/Lamphey etc

But what constitutes a ‘fab job’ is pretty subjective. It could be well-paid and appealing on paper, but once you’ve interviewed, it’s clear the ethos wouldn’t be a good match, or you don’t like the workplace vibe or the colleagues you’d be working closely with , or it’s insufficiently flexible as regards hours or WFH/office, or the promotion prospects are slim etc etc.

Yes very good point - and location could be seen as too remote etc ..

Haverfordwest isn't a Welsh speaking area - but it would depend on the job.

For example Haverfordwest has a Welsh Language School so any job there would be Welsh speaking. Some LA jobs may involve liaising with the north of the county which is predominantly Welsh speaking.

Ah thank you! My Pembrokeshire relatives are more from Saundersfoot/Pembroke etc

The journey from Swansea side of Carmarthen could be about an hour a day. Some may find that off putting.

Ah thank you. Especially as there’s motorway

I always thought Pembrokeshire is known as "Little England beyond Wales" due to it lack of native Welsh speakers.

I also remember reading in a book the line "You speak Welsh like a native. Of Pembrokeshire."

🤣 yes that’s what my family called it !

It is, or was. I remember my mother in law (husband is from Pembs) saying she'd been on a day trip to "the Welsh parts" 😄

She'd be cancelled today!