MADAM,
I refer to Letters Extra and the opposing views of MIM Johns and Glyn Jones over the fate of Monmouth(shire).
Certainly, there can be no doubt that administratively, like it or not, Monmouth(shire) is definitely part of Wales but it is the origins of the names that hold the historical key and Wales is Saxon for a slightly larger area that then included Herefordshire and that part of Gloucestershire as lies west of the Severn, i.e., the Forest of Dean. The same area had previously been given the name Cambria by the Romans on account that they (Cambrians) were the last Britons (Celts) to hold out against them. Monmouth, meanwhile, is Norman and came almost a millennium later.
Therefore, the Welsh were originally Celtic Britons and on this basis Herefordshire and the Forest of Dean have just as much right to be Welsh as say Swansea or Bangor have but being a proud Forester I have no inclination to become a Taffy but am quite content to be British - after Forest, of course.
The point I am tying to make is that nationalistic ideology is in danger of getting out of hand. The place for this kind of pride should be in the heart and on the sports' field but not forced down anyone's throat by political agenda.
I personally think most of Monmouth would rather see the potholes mended than have their hard earned cash squandered on trying to make them more Welsh than they really care to be? After all a good deal of them were born at Dilke (Cinderford) anyway!
But, of course, as is usual the vociferous minority always tend to rule the day.
Mike Jones,
Redbrook