Aberystwyth - is there anybody out there?!

[ProdigalCrunch]

Hello there!

I've recently moved back to old Aber town after living all over England for the past 12 years.

I'm working part time, but would really like to have a social life too!

If anyone fancies joining me for a paned sometime then let me know (feel free to PM me too). It'd be really nice just to have a natter and put the world to rights

Bump

Bump

Optimistic in the face of futility bump :)

Hi Prodigal
What is a paned?! I'm in Cardigan which is a bit further down the hill, don't know how to do smiley faces, sorry!

Hi MrsB! A paned is a cuppa :)

Good to know there is some life in mid Wales!

Yes, I live close to Aber.

Hello HorseandAnkles :)

As you can see, there don't seem to be many of us!

I'll be back in Aber soon - can't wait!

Have PMed you, Horse.

Oo lovely, i thought i was the only one this far west.. MrsBmumof3 (if youre still around) i'm 10 minutes away from you, DS2 goes to the crap school in Cardigan.

We almost have enough for a proper meet up

Waves Hello everyone!

I'm just up the road near Mach. I'd be up for an Aber meet-up, especially if it could involve cake :)

Hi Farmers,

Horse and I are meeting for coffee in Aber on Monday morning if you'd like to come along. (See the other thread in the Friendship Bench - PM me if you're interested.)

waving shyly

We might be moving to Wales (as you can may be tell) - to Ceredigion/Pembrokeshire area. I'm afraid we are English as they come, and the move is related to Husband's work. Is there anyone in a similar position? We have 2 kids, 9 (nearly 10) and 7 - feeling slightly overwhelmed about working out how to get them into schools when they haven't spoken any welsh before. Does anyone have any advice?

Hello mightbe :)

My advice? Don't panic! I'm a welshie but dh isn't, and all my dcs started school in England with no welsh. When we moved back to ceredigion I did make the decision to put them in the more English schools (they still do lots of welsh, but not quite as much). So far they love it (it's been a year and a half now). Ds is a teen and does it as a second language at school, ds2 and dd are both in primary school and come home singing in welsh etc.

I would say research the schools and find out how much of the curriculum is done in which language. You may choose to go to a really welsh school, I think you'd be amazed at how quickly children pick up a language when completely immersed. They usually do additional classes in welsh to give them a grounding in the language.

If they do decide to stay in Wales as adults, being able to speak the language does really help when looking for work.

I really love being back here, and there has been lots of support.

Don't let the language scare you. Either way I know many welshies who are fluent, and many who speak welsh less than I speak my stunted gcse French.

I would start my phoning schools and asking how they do things.

I hope it all goes well

Thank you Prodigal - I have started phoning schools and it's much more helpful than reading scary stuff on the internet... I think you're right that once they are immersed they will be fine - in fact I know my DD will be fine, but I'm a little more worried about DS who is older and will have SATS/tests next school yr when he's in Yr6. All the schools I've spoken to so far seem very supportive and helpful though, so I am sure it will be fine. I'll be learning alongside them, not that that will be much use to them...

I really hope it goes ahead - should know in the next couple of weeks.

That's all very positive. One other thing about Wales, we don't have SATs. There is still testing, but we got rid of them a few years ago. I'm not a fan of SATs so this was good news for me, I think it means the results of year 6 are more reflective of a child's actual ability rather than how well they do tests.

I'm glad phoning round has been positive. Online you'll only hear the scare stories. There is lots of support available. I know the dcs' school run basic free welsh classes for the parents, so that they feel confident in helping their dcs with their welsh reading etc.

Hi Prodigal,

thanks again - and sorry for the silence - have been away etc (half term). It's looking far more likely to be happening, and I'm glad I've done some research already. Looks like the kids will get a term in an intensive language centre near Aberaeron if we go to Ceredigion, which is the most likely.

I know it's the wrong time of year, but there's a shop near the harbour in Aberaeron that does the most amazing honey icecream.

Anyway, that's great, it's a daunting thing to go somewhere new. But it is a lovely part of the world. Any more questions, give me a shout. And Pob Lwc! (Good luck!) :)

:-)

Do you have any info/knowlegde of New Quay primary? It;s all systems go...

Hello everyone :)
Mightbemovingtowales: most of the schools round here are bilingual (unless they specify being a 'Welsh' school) so your children will probably do some things in English and some in Welsh. The fact that you're so willing to learn the language should pretty much guarantee you support/help with it wherever you go :)

As far as New Quay primary goes, I think it has a far higher number of English-speaking kids than some of the other local ones, so I'm sure your little ones will be fine :)

I live near Aberaeron and can vouch for the honey ice cream ;) The Harbourmaster also does lovely food (and cocktails!)

Good luck with everything :D

Hello mightbe and Rhihaf!

I don't know anything about New Quay I'm afraid, but it sounds like Rhi does. Great stuff! Just throw yourself into everything and enjoy it.

And don't forget that we take St David's day (March 3rd) very seriously there will be dressing up for the dcs.

Oh and yes, the cocktails (and food) are excellent.

Good luck with the move :)