Family of four, son aged 1 and daughter aged 5 from the west midlands.
2006-07-24 21:15:55 · 14 answers · asked by Roodi 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
until very recently gwent was the most anglicised of welsh counties (especially the south eastern corner that used to be monmouthshire) and being english probably gave you a small social cachet relative to actual natives.
i lived in the cwmbran area 1962-64 - though i had grown up in the taff valley. the other children at school used to tease me for being able to pronounce 'croesyceiliog' correctly.
these days there is a bit more welsh pride in gwent (the manic street preachers come from blackwood) and the language has undergone a considerable revival but coming from the west midlands you will feel no more out of place than you would if you moved to yorkshire or the dales (and considerably more at home than you would be likely to feel most places in (say) surrey). nobody will expect you to understand welsh (though you will need to get used to bilingual roadsigns) or eat laverbread - and you'll probably find that the beer is a lot better than you're used to.
if your children grow up here they will learn some welsh at school, and if you are offered places at a welsh-medium school you should consider it carefully. the welsh language in itself is not a lot of use outside wales, but children who learn a second language young (any language) find it easier to learn other languages later in life, and teachers at welsh-medium schools tend to be more motivated (and hence better teachers).
2006-07-24 21:29:06 · answer #1 · answered by synopsis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It all depends on you attitude to be honest. If you go there acting as if you're all superior because you're English you will not be very welcome! If however you try to accept Welsh customs and show you are a decent family then it should be fine!
We hate it when English people come into a village or town and try to change it or prevent it from developing.
You're children will be learning Welsh in school so it might be worth you setting an example by learning Welsh too so that you can help them and can practice with them out and about too.
You're also pretty close to England and I don't think you'll find a town in Wales with noe English people in it. Be careful though when it comes to Rugby and the Six Nations!
I hope you Wales, its a fantastic country!
2006-07-24 21:27:24 · answer #2 · answered by ehc11 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister married a Welshman and moved to the heart of Snowdonia. She is now a really active member of the local community and whenever we visit the locals are always really friendly. The Welsh aren't as scary as they seem and contrary to popular belief they don't just speak in their own language to intimidate tourists. They are a proud nation but also accepting, especially as a lot of regions rely on tourism.
As long as you don't hide yourselves away and are friendly I'm sure you'll be fine. Also, knowing Gwent, I would imagine there will probably be other English families in the area too. Your kids will be speaking Cymraig in no time!
2006-07-24 21:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it'll be fine!
it's more mixed in gwent than you might think.
do try and send your kids to a welsh medium school - it's a little bit better and you'll realise that you've moved country.
welsh classes for you and your other half might be a nice way to make friends with like minded types.
get cadw membership and visit all our fab castles.
i'm a bit jealous, being stuck in flat east anglia. oh, the hiraeth!
2006-07-25 10:01:58 · answer #4 · answered by sd5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gwent is a very 'English' bit of Wales so you should have no problem, especially as you are moving there to live.
2006-07-24 21:26:27 · answer #5 · answered by Martin G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not a question of how the welsh people accept you and your family, it is a question of how you accept them.
Always in life one has to love themselves and their family and others and all sentient beings.
To be accepted by all (as your question asks) is not something you need to know. To burden your mind with such concerns prior to adventure will for sure reduce the capacity to accept each moment for what it is, thus missing LIFE.
Have a good journey and I hope that you find what you are seeking.
http://www.conrad-burt.me.uk
2006-07-24 21:35:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may need to make an offering of a sheep, to be welcomed into the fold. Otherwise, its lovely is Gwent but..
2006-07-24 21:19:55 · answer #7 · answered by super_star 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With broken beer bottles and pitchforks.
Only joking you'll be fine. The welsh are not that scary once you get to know them.
2006-07-24 21:28:00 · answer #8 · answered by loki_mcbedlam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have several welsh friends and have found them to be warm and friendly and I am a scouser.
2006-07-24 21:20:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some farmers might wanna take a shot on you passing their land, others will welcome you and invite you to dinner.
There's at least one landowner there, who originated from The Netherlands. I know he's nice and will accept you, as long as you're not a criminal...
2006-07-24 21:18:08 · answer #10 · answered by · 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋