Kimel Community Cafe to turns Welsh in time for St David’s Day
A CHANCE to celebrate all things Welsh is coming to Wokingham over the coming days.
Welsh people living in Berkshire may be keen to celebrate their roots as Cymru citizens, while Welsh-curious residents can discover more about our neighbouring country.
It’s all thanks to Wales Week Berkshire, and its organiser, Nellie Williams, is working hard to build up a Welsh community, and to support Welsh language speakers across the royal county.
The Wales Week Berkshire Facebook page and pop-up events are designed to support this aim.
She tolf Wokingham.Today: “Our community is for all Welsh people living in Berkshire, and indeed, for anyone that loves Wales.
“We’ve found Welsh speakers dotted around the county, keen to speak in their first language, and learners who want to become more proficient.
“And I recently met someone whose grandmother had dementia and had regressed back to her mother tongue, only to have issues with communication, as she had forgotten every single word of English.
“To be isolated like this must be bewildering, and if I had known, I could have found her a Welsh speaker.
Ms Williams has been asked where people can buy Welsh produce and goods, and has begun compiling a list.
She asks people to let her know about items in Berkshire they are aware of, and can direct producers to a business keen to develop a Welsh presence in Berkshire.
She also highlights Welsh events in the borough, which this year include a dog walk followed by Welsh rarebit at The Prince pub, Crowthorne, on Wednesday, February 21.
And in Wokingham, a cafe that employs neurodivergent young staff members, is devoting its menu to the nation’s dishes.
Kimelcafe’s Welsh menu can be tasted on St David’s Day.
Nic Lander, owner of the cafe said: “We hold regular themed supper club nights, and this month’s event fell neatly on St David’s Day.
“My wife is Welsh, and has been chatting with the Welsh Society. She’s been keen for me to do something, and this felt like the perfect fit.”
The cafe will be serving Welsh rarebit followed by cawl, a traditional lamb and vegetable stew, and a dessert of warm bara brith fruit cake with ice cream.
“These events normally sell out,” said Mr Lander.
“It’s become a favourite evening out for some of our local older diners, who find they can walk to the cafe easily.
“It’s a real community event, with a bring your own bottle opportunity.”
But don’t expect staff to wear daffodils and leeks.
“It’s not really good for health and safety reasons to be wearing food,” Mr Lander said.
“But there will be lots of gorgeous yellow daffodils on the tables.”
■ To enjoy a St David’s Day meal at Kimelcafe, Evendons Lane, on Friday, March 1, email Paula at: events@kimelcafe.com
■ To book to join the dog walk and Welsh rarebit event at The Prince, visit: www.greeneking. co.uk/pubs/berkshire/prince
■ For more information, visit: www.kimelcafe.com or find Wales Week Berkshire on Facebook.