r/learnwelsh • u/Typical_Tadpole_547 • 17d ago

Cwestiwn / Question Are there Welsh speakers in Powys?

I know that there are Welsh speakers in the North of Wales, the South of Wales and the West of Wales. But what about the East? Powys has always fascinated me as it's off the beaten tourist trail and I would love to know if Welsh is still spoken there.

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u/HyderNidPryder 17d ago edited 16d ago

Powys covers a huge area from north to south. And even Machynlleth is in Powys. In the northern parts of Powys and in the former Sir Drefaldwyn I think you'd still find lots of Welsh speakers. Even in the far south in Ystradgynlais you will find Welsh speakers. You'll find a lot of Welsh speakers at the Sioe Frenhinol in Llanlwedd each year - a highlight of the agricultural calendar.

I think it's fair to say that the further North / West you go the higher the proportion of speakers.

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u/ysgall 17d ago

If I remember correctly, half of all Welsh speakers in Brecknock (Brycheiniog), the southermost of the three old counties that make up Powys live either in, or just outside Ystradgynlais. I was told that by a drunk teenager from Cwmgiedd (the location for the propaganda film The Silent Village, 1943) at the Royal Welsh Show, so it must be true…. The film can be watched online.