Hi
I’m in Gosport and was wondering if there were any other Welsh learners (or Welsh speakers) in the area interested in meeting up to practice? I noticed a few other posts from learners in Hampshire but they haven’t been updated in a while, so I thought I’d start a new one.
I’m just reaching the end of Level 1, so can string a few sentences together but still have a long way to go before I’m fluent. If you’re interested, let me know and hopefully we can get a group together.
Anthony
Hey Anthony - I’m in the same boat, loving learning the beautiful language but sadly never actually used it yet,…though I did go to Tafwyl and sang my heart out with the kids at the front! - Spent a while trying to learn by myself then found ssiw.
I’m useless with tech so haven’t even sorted the slack business out me be you could help me with that?
Sounds like we in a similar stage with ssiw…
I’m in Bournemouth which isn’t all that far away me be we could meet Halfway?
Pob lwc efo popeth
Cariad mawr
I can’t believe I’d never heard of the Tafwyl - I actually had to look it up. Sounds like you had a great time. I went to my first National Eisteddfod this year - it was in Ponty, so I had to.
I was delighted to finally use some Welsh - it’s taken long enough, considering I was in a Welsh speaking hall of residence at university and had a Welsh-speaking housemate in my final year.
I might be able to help with Slack but I’m no expert. I’ve only just signed up myself and haven’t really used it yet. There doesn’t appear to be much activity on there from what I can see.
I guess halfway would be somewhere in the New Forest. There are definitely worse places to meet. Hopefully we can catch up sometime soon.
It depends which Slack group you’re looking at. The Welsh Speaking Practice (WSP) Slack group is open to anyone and run by the participants rather than anyone from SSi. We just administer the invitations to make sure people join by request and try to keep scammers out.
The other Slack group is SSiW Community Chat and anyone paying a subscription is entitled to join it. If you register in the structured 6 Minutes a Day course you automatically get sent an invitation, but currently anyone else needs to request one. They can do that by emailing admin@saysomethingin.com
That group is much more active and it’s where you can take part in group chats lead by a tutor over Zoom.
Thanks, I’ll have a look at the Community Chat group.
Hi Anthony
I’ve just seen your message after not visiting this website for a while.
I live in Hampshire and am at Beginners level of the Learn Welsh courses.
It would be great to meet up with someone else and try using my small amount of Welsh in conversation. I am in Winchester, so not too far from Gosport. As you suggest above, maybe there is a convenient halfway point to meet up, or even try to put together a small group.
Hope to hear from you,
Best regards
Peter
Hi Peter
It would be good to get a small group together. If anyone else shows any interest, we can start nailing down the where and when. Failing that, I’m happy to meet up one to one somewhere that’s convenient for both of us.
I’m putting a note in this week’s newsletter, so hopefully that will find a few more for you 
Many thanks, diolch yn fawr.
Hi Vicky,
I’m between Romsey and Salisbury and kind of at intermediate level, but haven’t had much practice for the past year. Would love to meet up to see how it goes.
Cofion gorau
Val
So, no one in east Hampshire 
? Looks like Peter could be in luck - so far Winchester is looking pretty central, and it’s easy to get to for most people. Unless we get a sudden influx of people from Havant or Portsmouth, I’d say that Winchester would be a good place for a meetup. It’s a nice city and I think there’s something poetic about meeting up to speak Welsh in the ancient Anglo-Saxon capital.
Hi 
I am in Andover and happy to travel to meet up with a group in a dafarn ne cafe for Welsh chat and learning together. I am chatting falteringly, but I am determined to stick at it and speak as much as possible! My husband has just started, so potentially there are two of us!
Gwych!
It looks like we could have about 5-6 people interested in meeting up. If we could get everyone together, that would be amazing, although I know that getting more than two people in the same place at the same time can be like herding cats (I wonder if there’s a Welsh version of that saying?)
Winchester seems to be a good central point to meet - perhaps @Peter_J can suggest somewhere? I can be reasonably flexible in terms of availability, although weekdays and evenings are usually easier.
If we can agree a venue and narrow down some dates, we’ll be well our way to organising our first meet up and using our Welsh in person.
Anthony
Many apologies for this very late response to your kind reply, and also the other messages. I remain very interested in meeting up to practise my small amount of learner’s Welsh. There is a cafe/restaurant here in Winchester called the Open House Deli where there’s space to sit round a table. It’s used by other groups too as they’re relaxed there about people staying and chatting over a coffee. Would Wednesday mid-morning be convenient? I know some people may be working so Saturday morning could be an alternative. Again, so sorry to miss your replies till now.
Not sure how many of you may be on Facebook, but this discussion is happening there too. If you join forces, you could get quite a crowd together!
I’m not on Facebook myself but I have a feeling that @Peter_J knows the person organising this. Hopefully, we can sort something out between us.
So, a couple of us are meeting up at 10am on Monday, September 9th at the Open House Deli in Winchester. It will be a relaxed, informal chat over a cup of coffee (or whatever takes your fancy) and a chance to practice as much or as little Welsh as you’re comfortable with.
Anyone who wants to come along is welcome, whether you’re a brand new learner or a fluent Welsh speaker.
Since we’ve had interest from people in different locations, the plan is to rotate venues for subsequent meetings.
Address and directions for the Open House Deli:
Open House Deli, 4a Middle Brook St, Winchester SO23 8AQ
Hi,
I’m so glad you’re getting the meet ups going, sorry I haven’t been in touch, been on my jollies to the glorious Bannau Brycheiniog no phone signal or internet but waking up to pen Y fan and all the beautiful falls has been so refreshing…
Needless to say I’m behind on my homework and still need to get using what I’ve learnt.
I’m afraid can’t make this meet but hope it all goes well and you have a lot of fun.
Pob lwc
No problem. Sounds wonderful. I was in that part of the world myself a few weeks ago, although it already feels like forever ago.
Our next meetup is 10am on Monday September 16th at the Old Forge Tea Room in Hambledon.
Sorry I missed this - are the meet ups always on a Monday? I’m in Alresford near Winchester but am not able to do Mondays