Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is a large village and community on the island of Anglesey in Wales, situated on the Menai Strait next to the Britannia Bridge and across the strait from Bangor. This village has the longest place name in Europe and one of the longest place names in the world. The short form of the village’s name is Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, also spelled Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll. It is commonly known as Llanfair PG or Llanfairpwll.

According to the 2001 census, the population of the community is 3, 040, 76% of whom speak Welsh fluently; the highest percentage of speakers is in the 10–14 age group, where 97.1% are able to speak Welsh. It is the fifth largest settlement on the island by population.

Visitors stop at the railway station to be photographed next to the station sign, visit the nearby Visitors’ Centre, or have ‘passports’ stamped at a local shop. Another tourist attraction is the nearby Marquess of Anglesey’s Column, which at a height of 27 metres (89 ft) offers views over Anglesey and the Menai Strait. Designed by Thomas Harrison, the monument celebrates the heroism of Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey at the Battle of Waterloo.

HOW TO SAY THE NAME:

LLAN – FAIR – PWLL – GWYN – GYLL – GO – GER – YCH – WYRN – DROB – WLL – LLAN – TY – SILIO – GO – GO – GOCH

LLAN – To start off with, pronounce this section as you would do the Scottish word “clan”.
Then listen to the sound recording above taking particular notice of how the “ll” is pronounced. It is difficult to explain in words and is more easily learnt by oral example, but we will have a go here anyway. Lie your tongue flat in your mouth so that the tip is firmly touching the bridge behind your front teeth. Keeping the tip of your tongue in place, try and touch your back teeth with the sides of your tongue – now breathe out forcing the air to run strongly over the back of your tongue. This will cause a vibrating noise near your back teeth. Again, keeping the tongue in position, gently change the shape of your tongue until the sound becomes more controlled. This is the “ll” sound you are looking for. Listen to the sound file above and keep on practising.
FAIR – Simply pronounce this section as you would the english word “fire”, (not like you would expect to pronounce the word “fair” in english!) and change the “f” for a “v”.
PWLL – Now you have been practising your “ll” sound this will be a little easier to explain. The “pw” section is pronounced like the “pu” in the english word “put”. Now add the “ll” on the end as described above. Now listen to the sound file again!
GWYN – You may have heard the Welsh name “Gwyn”, well this is pronounced in exactly the same way. Just say the english word “win” and put a “g” in front of it. (pronounce the “g” as you would in the word “gone”). Easy.
GYLL – This is a bit more tricky. First say the english word “gil” (as associated with fish!”). Then change the “l” (as in “let”) to “ll” as explained above. Listen to the sound file again.
GO – Looks easy doesn’t it – it is! Pronounce it as you would the “go” in “gone”
GER – Simply say the word “care” but change the “c” for a “g”.
YCH – Like the pronunciation of “ll”, this is another tricky section to explain. Think of something you don’t like and say “yuck”. Now take the “y” from the beginning to leave “uck”. Now change the “ck” to “ch” as pronounced in the Scottish word “loch”.
WYRN – This looks more complicated that it is. Just say the english word “win”.
DROB – First say the english word “draw” and then add a “b” on the end. Easy.
WLL – You’ve learnt this already. It’s pronounced the same as “pwll” above but without the “p”.
LLAN – Again, this is exactly the same as the “llan” at the beginning of this section.
TY – Simply pronounce this section as you would the “t” in “twig”.
SILIO – Just say “silly – o”. The “o” is pronounced as in “cot”.
GO – As above.
GO – As above.
GOCH – We’re almost there. Simply say “go” as above, put the “ch” after it and that’s it! Put it all together and keep on practising. Now there is only one question remaining …

So, what exactly does it mean?

2010

Source: Wikipedia

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Coastal Wales has been named the “best region on Earth” to visit next year by a travel guide.

The Wales Coast Path, which passes St Justinians in Pembrokeshire, will open in full in May 2012

The nation’s coastline is highlighted in the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2012 guide to the best places to go over the next 12 months.

Next May, Wales will become the first country in the world to offer tourists a formal trail right around its coast.

The Welsh Government said the recogition of the coastal path was “fantastic news”.

The book, in it seventh year, highlights 10 countries, 10 regions and 10 cities handpicked by the publisher’s travel experts as the best places to visit.

“How better to truly appreciate the shape – and soul – of a nation?” the annual guide asks of the coastal path.

It states: “What a wonderful thing: to walk the entire length of a country’s coastline, to trace its every nook, cranny, cliff-face, indent and estuary.

“Well, in 2012 Wales will become the only country in the world where you can do just that.

“The All Wales Coast Path (AWCP) will squiggle continuously from Chepstow in the south to near Queensferry in the north – via dramatic serrations, sandy bays and domineering castles – making 1, 377km of shore accessible.”

‘Royal stamp’

Lonely Planet’s Tom Hall explained: “These are some of Lonely Planet’s must-see spots for 2012, either because they have something special going on next year, there’s a lot of buzz about the place, or because we are tipping it as an up-and-coming spot that you should visit, before the crowds get there.”

He continued: “As well as the novel ability to walk its entire coastline, the region comes out top because of its wildlife, great surf, castles and fantastic spots such as Barafundle Bay and St Davids.

“Now that Wills and Kate have set up home in the area it has also received the Royal stamp of approval.”

Wales Coast Path project manager, Sue Rice, of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) said she was “really excited” at the news.

“We hope that the path will encourage not only visitors to Wales, but also locals to enjoy the health benefits of outdoor recreation, ” she said.

“The local authorities along the path have all put in so much effort to make this happen. Their dedication and hard work on the ground has enabled the project to take shape. We look forward to seeing it open next spring.”

Environment Minster, John Griffiths, said the recognition of the Wales Coast Path was “fantastic news”.

“When it opens the path will provide a real boost to local economies around Wales’ coastline, ” he said.

The path is due to officially open on 5 May 2012.

Of the approx 870-mile (1400km) long path, some 838 miles (1350km) have already been completed, said CCW.

‘Safe and practical’

The Path has been developed by the Welsh government and CCW, along with 16 local authorities and two national parks.

In addition to £2m a year funding from the Welsh government and the coastal local authorities, the project has received nearly £4m in four years of European funding.

CCW said improvements to the quality and alignment of the route will continue during 2012 and 2013 to ensure that the path follows the Welsh coastline as close as it is safe and practical.

Over time, the Wales Coast Path is expected to lead to the creation of circular coastal routes as links to inland towns and villages are improved, it said.

28 Oct 2011

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15482233

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