Social networking bilingually

Welsh speakers in Wrexham can now follow tweets bilingually after Wrexham Council launched Twitter pages in both English and Welsh.

The pages offer residents the opportunity to keep up to date with information including the latest job vacancies and news. Residents can also keep an eye on food hygiene inspections by being informed about the latest scores.

They have also launched bilingual Council Facebook pages alongside their latest campaign for this year's Christmas events giving everyone a chance to see what’s on in the lead up to Christmas.

The council also has a presence on Flickr, and is encouraging everyone to post their snaps of Wrexham County Borough.

There's already quite a selection of photographs of local scenes and officers have been so impressed they are considering using the site to choose a photo for either the Council's Christmas card or even the front page of the residents magazine Connect.

The council started using social networking sites in July when it promoted its summer events on Facebook. The page proved popular and it was decided to increase the information available and, of course, give Welsh speakers the opportunity to access the information in Welsh in line with the Council's Welsh Language Policy.

Councillor Rodney Skelland, Lead Member for Regeneration and Corporate Governance, said:

"Wrexham Council is committed to promoting the Welsh language and to improving access to its services. We have to look at all possible means of communicating and use all avenues available to us. The move to social networking shows how we are willing to use less traditional routes to ensure we reach as many people as possible.

Dave Hylands, Chief Information Systems Officer, said:

"We have a duty to ensure that all residents can access our services. Our presence on Facebook and Twitter compliments our web site and allows a bigger audience to find out what's going on in Wrexham. We are also looking at using the images from Flickr in future Council publications and the website."

For more information about Social Networking at Wrexham Council, please see wrexham.gov.uk/socialnetworking.