SIR,

In response to 'Children facing Welsh catch-up' (Beacon 10th October), you say you recently moved to the area of Redbrook but not from where.

The school your children attend is an English speaking school so Welsh will not be tought as its use is only understood in certain parts of Wales.

You should also be aware that the King of England Henry V was born in Monmouth and that Monmouthshire has changed hands several times over hundreds of years.

I believe around 94 per cent of people in Monmouthshire do not speak Welsh or indeed seek to do so, although we class ourselves as Welsh. You do not have to go to church to be a Christian.

Maybe you can enlighten the English-speaking Welsh people as to the cost of having signs, documents etc in Welsh as well as English, especially as those who speak Welsh also speak English, because after asking the Welsh Assembly and Government they have no idea how much of our money they spend on bilingualism.

I have visited many countries in my life and Wales is the only country where a small number of citizens who can speak English will change language in front of you.

Do you really want your children to have that attitude?

Councillor RW Bradley

(Monmouth)