Welsh language books donated to Oswestry library
More than 100 Welsh language books have been donated to Oswestry library for the Welsh-speaking community in the area.
Siop Cwlwm the only Welsh book shop outside Wales is based in Oswestry Market.
Lowri Roberts, co-owner of the shop said the donation of unsold books enabled the family-run bookshop to increase display space for brand new books and contribute to a valuable community benefit.
She said Oswestry’s situation being geographically in England but home, and the local town, for a substantial Welsh-speaking population, initiatives and funding available to libraries in Wales to increase their Welsh language titles, weren't available to Oswestry Library.
“We’ll continue to work with Oswestry Library and other local companies to develop this project which will benefit the local Welsh community and promote the language for our future generations, celebrating and strengthening the unique bilingual culture that exists in Oswestry," she said.
Siobhan Shaw, branch manager of Oswestry Library, said: "We are enormously grateful for this generous donation from Siop Cwlwm to enrich the Welsh language provision at the library and to support the local community. It has been wonderful to see the books enjoyed by our Welsh-speaking patrons, and even by those who are learning the language and want to practice. The whole collection is available for free loan to anyone with a Shropshire Library card."
