SIR,

I was disappointed with Mr RW Bradley's lack of understanding in his recent letter to you, including his mis-spelling of Owain Glyndwr, concerning the Welsh language.

Does he not realise that this ancient tongue, along with Gaelic, Gallic and Cornish, was spoken in these isles long before the Anglo Saxons brought us the English language from western Europe, and that, in reality, English is the only 'foreign' native language spoken on these shores.

Mr Bradley is correct when he says that the majority speak English in Wales, Monmouthshire being the most 'English' of our counties, but Welsh speaking is on the increase after nearly dying out in the 60s, thanks to a positive approach by successive governments and long before the Welsh Assembly was in existence.

I was pleasantly surprised recently, when in a Cardiff pub, to hear the customers speaking Welsh as a matter of course. The British Isles, of which I am a proud product, is made up of four different countries and numerous islands with very rich cultures. The British would not be the British without any of them. This is why I believe that the Scots should not leave the union, and that, in an ever dangerous world, we British should stick together.

Therefore I would call on all people with Mr Bradley's views, to strive to be more tolerant, and to embrace the amazing diverse cultures of these great islands, of which I, for one, am very proud. This should include the ancient Celtic languages, which must be preserved.

P Young

(Chepstow)

SIR,

Every week we read with interest the views of our communities on a range of diverse and interesting topics in the Beacon. This last week I have been flabbergasted at the letter sent in by Mr Bradley which quite frankly leaves him with a choice.

While I understand that there is an issue of high cost with regards to producing bilingual literature, it could be said that we also receive superfluous amounts of unnecessary literature in English from various bodies and government departments with unnecessary implications of cost possibly to our council tax.

Rather, I would suggest a solution, as opposed to claiming that "the (Welsh) language is not needed or wanted in Monmouthshire or many other parts of Wales," Mr Bradley suspects wrongly.

I live in Monmouthshire, I am not a first language Welsh speaker but do try to use some Welsh, along with friends and colleagues socially and in work, where Welsh is very much a thriving language.

A number of our students choose to learn through the medium of Welsh, which suggests there are many Welsh speaking families and communities in Monmouthshire, which is contrary to Mr Bradley's claim that we are a 'non- Welsh speaking county'.

The Welsh language is, by its name and definition, the native language of this country, as French is in France, and it is not about fanaticism or obsession. It is very sad that it is perceived that way by Mr Bradley.

A solution might be that when we register for council tax we choose the language medium in which we would like our correspondence so receipt of bilingual (with an i not a y) literature will not be necessary.

On the note of choice, Mr Bradley is not forced to live in Wales and Monmouthshire is the nearest county to the quickest escape route over the Severn bridge should he prefer to leave. I hope not, there is much to be proud of in Wales: the countryside, the people, the rugby and the Welsh National anthem to say the least.

Mrs Boulton

(Monmouthshire)

SIR,

My thanks to J Thomas, B Davies and JW Roberts for their excellent and knowledgeable replies to Mr Bradley's outburst.

I only wish to add one comment: similar vitriol was expounded almost 150 years ago, and I quote from the Editorial in The Times on 8th September 1866.

"The Welsh language is the curse of Wales. Its prevalence and the ignorance of English have excluded, and even now exclude the Welsh people from the civilization, the improvement and the material prosperity of their English neighbours. Their antiquated and semi-barbarous language in short, shrouds them in darkness. If Wales, and the Welsh are thoroughly to share the material prosperity, and we will add, the culture and morality of England, they must forget their isolated language and learn to speak English and nothing else. For all purposes, Welsh is a dead language."

That misguided gentleman must have turned in his grave a few times.

Phyl Croudace

(Wyesham)