My Proudest Moment!

So, yesterday the plaque for Harold Lowe was unveiled. I started my campaign for it two years ago, and to see it unveiled on such a fitting day – the 100th anniversary of the ship’s sinking – was perfect. It was a lovely ceremony and I’m very grateful to everyone who turned up – lots of people took the time to attend which was wonderful – but, more than anything, to Captain John Lowe, Harold Lowe’s grandson, who nearly brought me to tears by asking me to help him unveil the plaque. It was a wonderful ceremony and there seemed to be a few people struggling to remain dry-eyed! The choir were there singing Welsh hymns including “for those in peril on the sea”, the army and RAF cadets were there, as were members of Harold Lowe’s family and local dignitaries and press.

Ioan Gruffydd was invited but was unable to attend, but he sent a wonderful letter which was read out at the ceremony to everyone – and I was presented with a copy of the letter in a frame which will take pride of place in my bedroom 🙂 in short, it really was a wonderful day and a fitting tribute to a true hero, and I can honestly say that it was my proudest moment was seeing everyone crowding around the plaque, wanting to look at it, read it and take pictures of it. I was so moved by the number of people who came up to me and thanked me, but the truth is I couldn’t have done it on my own, it needed the support of local people to make it happen, and the people of Barmouth and the surrounding area were overwhelming with their support, and it was clear to see that everyone agreed that Barmouth needed something to commemorate such a great man.

If you’re ever in Snowdonia, come down to Barmouth and visit the harbour, and take a moment to come and see the plaque. I hope you will be inspired to learn more about the local hero we are all so very proud of.

Maddy-o is a radio star?

Well, not exactly. And apologies for that awful, truly terrible title.

I’m not exactly a radio star. I’ve had my first taste of being in a radio studio and it’s really cool! I’ve been recording an interview for a program BBC Radio Cymru are doing on the Titanic (what with the centenary approaching and my campaign for a memorial in Barmouth having received some attention recently), and it meant I had to speak in Welsh. It was a challenge for me – at first, it felt slightly like my Welsh GCSE speaking and listening exam, an experience I hoped to never have to repeat – but when I relaxed and settled in, it seemed to go quite well.

I’m, technically, a Welsh learner. Yes, I’ve been learning since I was three and a half, but never speaking Welsh at home – and only speaking it sporadically at school, i.e since the age of seven I’ve only spoken it during Welsh language lessons, which weren’t exactly frequent either at primary or secondary schools. I’ll never speak it as well as people who’ve lived here all their life and speak it at home, but I am fluent, and was considered to be first-language – i.e on a par with those who speak it at home with their parents – at secondary school.

I think the main problem is that I haven’t spoken it for a while, other than the odd snippet thrown here and there in conversation, and used on Facebook. I think a lot of people hear my accent and assume I can’t speak Welsh – it still seems fairly strong, especially when I do speak Welsh – when really, I’m fluent, but sometimes it just doesn’t flow as well as other people’s seems to – there are certain words I struggle with because of the pronunciation and others, where they’re easily confused with others and I get confused.

Still, I’m fairly pleased with how I did today, and when I find out when it airs, I shall let you all know – although, if you don’t speak Welsh, you probably won’t understand it, but at least you get to hear my voice! And my (doubtful) Welsh abilities! So, all in all, a good day. Let’s see what tomorrow – the dreaded results day and UBER evening drama rehearsal – brings.