Lucy Cowley wins Learner of the Year at the National Eisteddfod of Wales

Congratulations to Lucy Cowley from Llangollen on winning the Learner of the Year Trophy at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Wrexham 2025.

Lucy Cowley with Councillor Emrys Wynne

Lucy was brought up a stone's throw away in the village of Is-y-coed, on the outskirts of Wrexham. She was one of four finalists for this year's Learner of the Year.

Lucy lives in Llangollen and is a teacher at Holt Primary School. She dedicated herself to learning Welsh in 2019 and she now joins other new Welsh speakers at Gales wine bar, Llangollen every two weeks. The group discusses and organises visits, gigs and trips, and that over a glass of wine!

Leanne Parry from Prestatyn was also shortlisted for the trophy, along with Rachel Bedwin from Bangor and Hammad Hassan Rind, who lives in Cardiff.

Lucy's Welsh tutor was Non ap Emlyn, has described Lucy's development in Welsh as "amazing":  "She came in 2019 with little Welsh. She was very enthusiastic ... and devoted herself to every task excellently, with a lot of humour and she has improved and improved and is now fluent. For her, Welsh is more than a language, it's a way of life and she wants to share that with other people.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for the Welsh language, said: "Lucy's success in mastering the Welsh language confirms that reaching the goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050, although challenging, is possible as we gain more new Welsh speakers.

"Congratulating Lucy and other learners of the Welsh language on their successes, we must thank their tutors who have guided them on their exciting language journey."