> > Ian, > > Well spoken. I agree with the majority of what you have to say. However, the > fact that I am Welsh does not make me any the less British. I will always be > Welsh first, with British coming second. There are a number of points that you > make that I have some difficulty with. I've never really considered myself British.... > > To start with, as a Geology graduate I can tell you that once a coal mine is > closed down it is virtually impossible to re-open due to flooding and various > other geological reasons. This is the reason why some pits were moth-balled > rather than completely closed down. As far as the electronics industry in > the south goes, well I'm from the north, so forgive me for not jumping up > and down with joy because of the economic miracle being created in the > valleys, the picture is rather more bleak in the North (I wouldn't be working > here if there were decent jobs to be had at home). I come from the Valleys so I do know about the problems of reopening coal mines...I'd imagine all the tunnels are now flooded for collapsed (ask people from the Merthyr Vale where a number of houses are suffering from subsidence caused by the abandoned mines). The really sad thing is with some investment all those geology problems could be overcome in the LONG term, unfortunately the present government are only capable of SHORT term decisions and thinking...I can sympathise with you on the ground of few jobs in the North, here in the South there are similar problems especially in the Valley regions...most of the work has been created in De Morgannwg/South Glamorgan. > > As for setting up the senedd in Caerdydd. In Brazil they moved the capital > to an economically less well off area to promote economic growth. If we ever > got the chance we could try the same. Good point, maybe with Caerdydd remaining the Capital with the Senedd in the North? > > I currently work as a software consultant working on EC research projects. > Wherever I go I try to promote Wales and the Welsh language. Recently I was > at the World Travel Market show at Earl's Court in London. Bwrdd Croeso Cymru > were there, but were represented only by English speaking Welsh. The only > Welsh that featured was the Bwrdd Croeso Cymru sign above their stand. Bwrdd Croeso Cymru DO NOT FEATURE TOO HIGHLY IN MY OPINIONS..I'd like to say more on this but the things I'd end up saying would be libellous ;-) > > Finally, I'm afraid that like it or not Ireland is part of the British > Isles. The word British is not synonimous with the word English. The > people of these islands were British long before the English ever came on > the scene. The Celts of Britain were Brythonic, not Welsh, Scotish, Cornish > etc. Never forget that Wales is a term of Anglo-Saxon origin > (Waleas = foreigner). Be proud of being Welsh, but never be ashamed of being > British. Of the British ISLES yes, but not part of Britain the country. I object to the use of the word British when applied to British==English, I suppose I cold reach a compromise and call myself Brythionic (or maybe Silurian) you being a geologist should realise the naming of certain rocks after Welsh tribes. > hwyl Ian -- |----------------------------------------------|----------------------------| | external mail to: ijo@uk.ac.bton.unix | Iechyd da i bawb ar y Net | | or ijo@unix.bton.ac.uk for rest of World | o Brifysgol Brighton | |----------------------------------------------|----------------------------| use "disclaimer"; fun text t:string list = [];