A new, free business networking event will be taking place in Newport on 29 November but with a twist. The event, organised jointly by RDP Lawyers and the Cymraeg Byd Busnes project, will be a chance for professional people to socialise and make business connections through the medium of Welsh.

The event is the brainchild of legal 500 Langstone-based law firm RDP, who have a number of Welsh speakers on their staff. They had come across other Welsh-speaking professionals in the area, and saw a need that wasn’t yet being catered for.

Local officer for the Cymraeg Byd Busnes project, Sara Peacock, said:

“When RDP suggested the evening I thought it was a great idea. In my work supporting small businesses, I have met Welsh-speakers all over the area in lots of different sectors – both people brought up in the language and others, like me, who have learnt it later in life. We’re all looking for more opportunities to be able to speak the language and with this evening people can be doing business at the same time.”

The venue chosen for the event is Tiny Rebel’s funky city-centre bar to make it as convenient as possible for people to drop in for an after-work drink.

RDP Law Director Sioned Thomas said, “We are so pleased to have the opportunity to hold this night of networking to promote the language locally. As a company, the ability to communicate and offer a bilingual service to our clients as well as our peers is crucial, and it is a privilege to be involved in an event that will hopefully raise the profile of the Welsh language in South East Wales.”