|
|
A Llangadog man will be travelling to Patagonia next year to revisit the area where he learnt Welsh 37 years ago. This will be part of Rhobert ap Steffan’s venture to raise money for Mencap Cymru in memory of his hero, the late Gwynfor Evans. Rhobert intends to join a walking trek led by the famous naturalist Iolo Williams through the southern Andes in October 2008. It will mean walking around 12 miles a day for a week over very difficult terrain in the Los Glaciers national park in southern Argentina. Rhobert’s aim is to raise at least £3,500 for Mencap Cymru, a charity that helps make a difference to the lives of adults and children with learning difficulties. Afterwards, Rhobert intends staying on in “Y Wladfa” (the Welsh-speaking area of Patagonia) to conduct research into the history of the Tehuelche tribe, the indigenous Indians of Chubut province. “I will be there as a kind of unofficial Welsh ambassador and will try to help strengthen the ties between Y Wladfa and the ‘Old Country’” he said. “I spent a year in Y Wladfa in order to learn Welsh. I worked in a saw mill near Trelew and on a big “estancia” (ranch) near Trefelin at the foot of the Andes in Cwm Hyfryd. I spoke Welsh within a few months – I had no choice as almost no one spoke English!” “I’m doing this for Mencap who give wonderful support to people with learning difficulties but who need more financial resources. I’m also making the effort in memory of Gwynfor Evans – the man who had the greatest influence on my life as a Welshman and, in my opinion, on contemporary Welsh politics and the future of our language”. To sponsor the venture go to: www.justgiving.com/rhobert
Rhobert Writes: "Fundraising is going really well at the moment. During February I gave a talk to the Cydweli Rotary Club and was awarded a £500 sponsorhip by David Gravell of Cydweli Renault. His family has had long connections with Patagonia and his father had been there 13 times! Also I received £500 from HSBC who match-funded a pig roast held on my behalf in Cilycwm. Here's me pictured with Llandeilo's branch manager Ceridwen Lewis. I received a generous £100 from Llandovery Tyres and have been pledged a further £500 by local contractors Tir na nOg. I propose to start serious mountain training during April when the 40 of us going on the trek will have our first get together." Link to Rhobert's Mencap Cymru Blog - www.rhobertmencap.blogspot.com
Ashley Drake, Director of the University of Wales Press, has given Rhobert a copy of the newly published Encyclopaedia of Wales, in Welsh, to present to the people of Patagonia from the people of Wales. It will be kept in the Welsh Museum and Library in Gaiman, Chubut Province, which lies in the middle of Y Wladfa, the Welsh heartland of Argentina. The encyclopaedia will be signed by First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones in a special ceremony on behalf of the people of Wales at 12am on Tuesday, April 1st at the Senedd building in Cardiff.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
