Home > Communities and Areas > Bala and Penllyn

Bala and Penllyn

This area is one of our priority areas as an Initiative, we held a community workshop in Bala in March 2024 and that will be a basis for our plans in the area, jointly with local organisations and individuals.

It is a priority area as it includes some of Gwynedd's most Welsh areas, recent influx means that there is anecdotal evidence that the use of the Welsh language is deteriorating in Bala and its surrounding areas. However, some things work there, such as more Welsh community activities than many areas, therefore we also need to learn from this area to duplicate in other areas.

Communities within the area

Frongoch, Glan yr Afon, Llandderfel, Llanfor, Llangower, Llanuwchllyn, Llanycil, Llidiardau, Parc, Rhosygwaliau, Rhyd Uchaf, Sarnau, Y Bala.

Area officer contact details

Waiting to appoint an officer, in the meantime e-mail post@menteriaithgwynedd.llyw.cymru

Bala/ Penllyn Catchment Area Census Results 2021

People over 3 years old who can speak Welsh: 73.1% (reduction of 2.7% since 2011)

The greatest change in the 10 years between 2011 and 2021 was the substantial reduction seen in Bala town, down from 78.5% in 2011 to 72.5% in 2021. The nearby parishes of Llanuwchllyn and Llanycil, however, have strongly held their ground with over 80%. There is linguistic robustness to the area and significance beyond its borders because Penllyn is a stronghold of the Welsh language in mid-Wales. The town is within commuting reach to jobs in the north-east, which helps to maintain Welsh speakers in the area but also attracts non-Welsh speakers to live and commute in the same manner.

Menter Iaith Gwynedd Plan for Bala/ Penllyn Catchment Area: (PDF coming soon)