Gadewch i ni ddathlu'r iaith Gymraeg (that means 'Let's celebrate the Welsh language')

In Victorian Britain, the speaking of Welsh in schools was discouraged and some brave speakers were actually punished.

By the mid-20th Century, many first-language Welsh speakers - the grandparents of 40 and 50-somethings today - were "forced" to switch from their mother tongue at school, to learn in English instead.

But those dark days for Welsh culture are now being brushed aside by an ambitious push to almost double the number of Welsh speakers by 2050.

First Minister Carwyn Jones this week used the National Eisteddfod to declare his aim to make the Welsh language a vibrant, living part of communities.

That means more emphasis on the language in schools across the Shropshire border, along with higher profile cultural events.

"We are a proudly bilingual nation," said Mr Jones.

"We are confident the discussion we are launching will continue to help us grow the language so it thrives as a vibrant, living part of our communities."

Mr Jones said the key areas for action to improve the use of Welsh in every day life, include the workplace, family, schools and the planning process.

And he cited a growing demand for Welsh-medium education as "a reason to be positive".

Lowri Roberts, a freelance translator who was born in Oswestry and runs a shop called Siop Cwlwm in the town market and online, thinks Mr Jones should promote the Welsh language on both sides of the border.

The 35-year-old, who went to Llanfyllin High School, which has been a popular choice for Welsh speakers living in the Oswestry/Shrewsbury area for many years, said: "The chance to learn Welsh should be extended across the border to Oswestry – which has been part of Wales in the past – and across the whole of Britain.

"We're stuck in limbo – more people speak Welsh in Oswestry than in any other town in England but it is getting harder not easier to obtain Welsh-medium education and to get any business support.

"Half a million people speak Welsh around the world but devolution means there is only support to Welsh speakers in Wales. I visited the Eisteddfod in Monmouthshire and saw all the posters advertising the push.

"But living on the border, we are in a unique position; we are stuck in limbo."

Meanwhile, Welsh Language in Agriculture will be the theme at the Eisteddfod on Friday.

Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) managing director Alan Davies says: "Every effort must be made to motivate young people to speak Welsh and give them plenty of opportunity to use the language in their workplace.

"Welsh-speaking further education students from rural areas of Wales, in fact all of our young people, must be given every opportunity to return to jobs and homes in their own communities, to help preserve the language but also to provide them with the opportunity to contribute to our rural economy."

This year has been a progressive one for schools in Mid Wales that are embracing the Welsh language which is proving a draw for parents with Welsh roots living in England and in Wales.

A new £6 million Welsh language primary school Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd was opened in Newtown in the spring by Penri Roberts - a past winner of the National Eisteddfod Crown for his poetry.

Headteacher, Sian Davies said the opening was an "exciting, historical and memorable occasion".

"We have 185 pupils but we are built to take 300, covering a catchment area of the whole of the Severn Valley, for anyone who wishes to receive full Welsh-medium education," she says.

"We are fortunate to have pre-school and parents and toddlers under the same roof.

"We are holding Welsh classes every Wednesday night and will expand these in September."

And earlier this year, Powys County Council cabinet met to discuss plans for a new 420-pupil English language school to be built near Welshpool High School.

It would also see a 120-pupil Welsh language school open in the town - possibly at the site currently home to Ysgol Maesydre in a total investment estimated at £12.75m.

And the hosting of Powys Eisteddfod 2016 at Park Hall in Oswestry this summer to celebrate the market town's Welsh roots was a great boost for the language, according to organisers.