Friday 29 June 2007

The Gentrification of Wales

Every society has its turn-coats. There are a number of factors which conspire to turn an individual away from his native soil, his community and his roots, and migrate to another region, identifying himself with another set of values which are essentially foreign to his upbringing. There are those who are prepared to sell their country down the river, and who pursue ambition to the detriment of their own native kin. We will not name names but we may look back into both recent and past history to find examples of this perfidy. We have all come across those who are prepared to give up their culture, their language and doubtlessly their very soul, and adopt the values of a different breed, possibly in a bid to improve their status in life or for monetary gain.

We do not judge them or begrudge them but we know them for what they are. They have, wittingly or unwittingly, contributed to the gentrification of Wales. We see this phenomenon most starkly in the eastern counties of the nation. In my youth I noticed that Monmouthshire was included with England in many maps and atlases, and there were towns and villages in the border counties which had Welsh names (Clun for example), and isolated areas where Welsh was spoken. There was a steady erosion of Welsh native culture which spread slowly from the east resulting in an Anglicisation of the population, and had it not been for the Welsh Bible and the stubborn clinging to the language and native traditions it would have conquered Wales from end to end. This danger was highlighted fifty years ago in the writings of Islwyn Ffowc Elis. In his book “Wythnos Yn Ghymru Fydd” he warned of the inexorable creeping Anglicisation of Wales, and how Wales might be destined to become merely a western province of England, and suffer a fate worse than death!

As we have recently observed, in the programmes on television presented by Huw Edwards on the London Welsh, these absconding Welsh men and women have made their huge contribution to the capital of the union, the centre of power, and we also note the fact of their gentrification and adoption of values quite alien to those of their native land. We see them today, with their titles and their medals and their chains of office, making pronouncements on the land of their birth, attempting to perpetuate the illusion that we British are the builders of Empire and natural born rulers of the world. The reality is of course that, at least here in Wales, we are now in the act of restoration, working together towards a renewal of timeless values and a proud and ancient heritage, and are remaking a nation which once was, and will be, known to many as

CYMRU FYDD

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I am so shocked to read this awful opinion.
I am a parent whose children are Welsh speaking, went to welsh speaking schools and after University had to find employment out of Wales. Like so many other good welsh people. They would love to return to Wales, to bring up their children in Wales but there are few opportunities offered for highly qualified people.

Now you say if they did come back their higher standard of living will put them in the "gentry" class? They would be mortified to hear that!

Believe me Alan, they love Wales, still speak Welsh every day and they support Plaid.

I am afraid you have lost touch with the grass roots while you were away. You keep treading on very sensitive toes and it is to put it bluntly, offensive.

We Welsh are proud of our education, we want and succeed in getting the best for our children through the Welsh language. And our children thrive and take their talents all over the world. When they return to Wales we should welcome them and not attack their hard earned better standard of living!

I can smell communist envy and bitterness in your blog. That's not something I have ever seen in Plaid ever.

Charlie Marks said...

Communist envy? What a slander, both against Alan and communists.

Anonymous said...

Alan's slanders continue on Betsan's blog wherein he questions my loyalty to Wales and seeks to silence me for differing with his opinion.

He further suggests that I, as a Welshman born and bred, move away as I don't agree with his Nationalistic diatribe.

This concept of eugenics reminds me of another National Socialist Party that many of our countrymen fought and died to eliminate.

Has the normal Nationalistic Nastiness developed into Nazism?

I wonder?

Your patriotic pal.

johnny.

Unknown said...

Sorry to say johnny and anon have both missed the point and emphasis of my posting. Either I am not sufficiently clear or thet are greatly misinterpreting my remarks.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I'm missing the point at all.

I've just read your latest "opinion" and it's still in the same hateful style.

I've been an activist for a long time, not in mainstream politics, and I've often come across those who use their well tuned talent to "write" to abuse the very cause we are fighting for. Unfortunately the media latch on to them because of their well written articles regardless of any concerns of the movement they purport to represent.

Unknown said...

Unfortunately, anon. your preconceptions affect your judgement in my opinion. Why not approach everything with an open mind and you will see that there is no hate, and none intended, only controversial views, and any conflict comes from within?

Anonymous said...

alanindyfed said...
"Unfortunately, anon. your preconceptions affect your judgement in my opinion. Why not approach everything with an open mind and you will see that there is no hate, and none intended, only controversial views, and any conflict comes from within? "

So you are also familiar with the techniques of brain washing?

There is something wrong with us if we do not agree with you?

Your blogs are not representative of a modern political party in wales. You remind me of the way cults work. Hate is always behind things like that.

Unknown said...

No hate, no brainwashing.
Again you are bringing your own psychological states into a discussion on a serious matter, which you treat with bias and prejudice.
You are of course entitled to your views, but don't expect me to agree with them.

Anonymous said...

alanindyfed said...
"No hate, no brainwashing.
Again you are bringing your own psychological states into a discussion on a serious matter, which you treat with bias and prejudice."

I do know what I am talking about and I can see what you are doing by reflecting your actions on my character. I have no bias, no prejudice, my concern is the manner you are operating within a political party. You can already see the mayhem you have caused, which if I am right is just what you desired. I hope Plaid lloks into who and what you are very soon.

Unknown said...

I will ignore your biased remarks, but I do like to know who I'm talking to "anonymous".