In an effort to enhance Welsh language provision in leisure facilities across the region, Freedom Leisure, a leading charitable not-for-profit leisure trust, is delighted to announce the addition of Welsh language swimming lessons to its timetables.

With their Learn to Swim programme already teaching over 12,000 students each week across Wales, this expansion is expected to appeal to the numerous Welsh speakers in the county.

Councillor David Selby, Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, expressed his support for this initiative, stating, "The Welsh language should be at the centre of everything we do, and encouraging its wider use in the community is a vital step to ensuring the language thrives. Providing Welsh language swimming is a great step forward."

Denise Hazelwood, General Manager of Freedom Leisure, eagerly looks forward to the launch of these new lessons.

"We can't wait to start delivering our Welsh Language Swimming Lessons across Powys," she said.

"We have excellent relationships with our Welsh language schools in the area who use our pools, and this enhances our after-school provision further. Our colleagues are ready to go, and we are sure places will be booked up quickly, so don't miss out."

Maldwyn Leisure Centre in Newtown will be the first to introduce these brand-new lessons starting on Wednesday, February 6, 2023.

The timetable for the lessons is as follows:

• Tuesday 16:00-16:00 Wave 1
• Tuesday 16.30-17:00 Wave 2
• Tuesday 17:00-17:30 Wave 3
• Tuesday 17.30-18:00 Wave 4

Bookings are open now and can be made by visiting the Maldwyn Leisure Centre, calling 01686 628771, or visiting their website at https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/maldwyn-leisure-centre/latest-news/welsh-speaking-swimming-lessons/ .