Village welcomes Polish families

Villagers from west Wales are welcoming their new Polish neighbours with a series of events to welcome them to their Welsh-speaking community.

The parish of Llanfihangel-ar-arth in Carmarthenshire is holding a series of events to celebrate both Welsh and Polish cultures.

A number of families from Poland have moved into the area and the locals want to make them feel at home.

Poles living in areas like Llanybydder and Aberystwyth were invited.

We're proud that our community is setting a new trend in rural Wales Meinir Ffransis

There will be a welcoming tea featuring Welsh and Polish foods, mini Welsh language courses held in Polish and a "international" Wales and Poland football match.

Even organiser Meinir Ffransis said how the event was aimed at welcoming local Polish families into the Welsh-speaking community which exists in the area.

"We're trying to welcome them and encourage them to become part of our local community," she said.

"We always need new blood and young people and we welcome the Polish newcomers to join with us.

"We've had four Polish families move into Llanfihangel alone and there are many more households like it across the whole area.

"There has been a very good response from the Polish community and we look forward to a lively day.

"We're proud that our community is setting a new trend in rural Wales and we're hoping it will be the first of many more events of this kind."