Spotlight on…Mary Lewis
Monday, October 15, 2018
Leader of Cylch Ti a Fi (‘You and Me Group’), Penllergaer, Swansea
HOW DID YOU COME TO SET UP THE CYLCH?
As secretary of the local Cylch Ti a Fi, a parent and toddler group, I attended a county meeting of Mudiad Meithrin, an early years organisation running over 500 Cylch Meithrin, or Welsh-language playgroups. The chairperson asked me whether I would be interested in opening a new Cylch Ti a Fi in the village. We opened on St David’s Day 1988 in the local church hall. We also started Cylch Meithrin sessions for children over two.
WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN CHANGE?
More families are coming through the doors from non-Welsh-speaking backgrounds as they see the advantages of their children being bilingual. There is now a large choice of Welsh-language children’s programmes on S4C, which helps families learning Welsh, along with children’s books from Mudiad Meithrin’s online shop.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING AT THE CYLCH?
Welcoming new mothers and their precious bundles, often with an older sibling, is exciting and a privilege. I feel so happy that they have chosen our playgroup to start that journey. My aim is for each child to develop bilingually into a happy, confident person.
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE THE CYLCH’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY?
It was a very exciting milestone and full of surprises. I found a selection of old photos for the next generation to see how it was in the old days. Mudiad Meithrin’s chief executive paid a special visit and a talented mother made me a cake saying ‘Penblwydd Hapus Anti Mary’, or ‘Happy Birthday Auntie Mary’, as I am known.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CYLCH?
Unfortunately Cylch Meithrin Penllergaer faced challenges and recently closed, but I continue to provide two sessions a week of Cylch Ti a Fi.
