Drakeford resists calls for law to protect historic place names
Chris Haines – ICNN Senedd reporter
The Welsh Government has rejected calls for a new law to protect historic place names, arguing goodwill and current initiatives are already working.
Favouring persuasion rather than enforcement, Mark Drakeford unveiled a four-point plan including guidance for councils and a tool for the public to record historic names.
The former first minister pointed to research showing properties in Wales are at least three times more likely to be renamed from English to Welsh than vice versa.
He told the Senedd his approach was driven by the same anxieties that motivated past campaigns, saying: “The same concern lay behind the research commissioned by this government, research on current trends in relation to changes to place names in Wales.”
Prof Drakeford added that the Welsh Government would commission further research on “topographical” names given to the natural landscape and geographical features.
‘Smorgasbord’
In a statement on September 30, Prof Drakeford acknowledged a passionate campaign for legal protections led by former Plaid Cymru Senedd member Dai Lloyd.
Dr Lloyd introduced a bill aimed at reversing a trend of historic place names in the Welsh language being lost but his draft law was voted down at the first stage in 2017.
The retired GP said at the time: “The rich smorgasbord of our history is going down the tube and we’re standing idly by, either doing nothing or lamely saying, ‘Duw [God], let’s have a bit of guidance, is it?’
“No, it is not on. We’re talking about the history of a nation here – pride in the history of that nation – pride that deserves to be enshrined in law.”
Tuesday’s statement highlighted cross-party support for protecting place names but clear differences of opinion remain on whether goodwill was enough without new legislation.
‘Gaining ground’
Tom Giffard, for the Conservatives, supported the commitment to retain Wales’ cultural heritage by promoting Welsh place names. But he stressed the need to strike a balance by respecting the rights of property owners or communities who prefer English names.
The former teaching assistant in a Welsh-medium school also raised practical questions about how public contributions would be verified and how young people would be engaged.
In response, Prof Drakeford said the government respects people’s individual choices and does not want to pursue legislation because “we’re gaining ground without doing that”.
Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan welcomed the work but challenged the refusal to legislate, arguing for legal protection for historic names rather than relying on community campaigns.
Her party colleague Siân Gwenllian said relying on “goodwill alone” was insufficient in the current political climate and legislating is the only way to truly safeguard names.
‘Egregious example’
A different note of caution came from Labour backbencher Lee Waters.
While praising practical steps like the “crowdsourcing” tool, the former minister questioned the headline statistic about the rise in Welsh names.
Mr Waters asked whether this represented a growth in authentic local names or the loss of heritage to “charming folksy names” with no real connection to an area.
He raised the “egregious example” of Llyn Bochlwyd in Eryri being called Lake Australia – warning the ancient Welsh name is at risk of being replaced by an informal nickname.
The debate also touched on practical issues, with Conservative Gareth Davies expressing concerns about inconsistent road signage as he called for more harmony between councils.
In response, Prof Drakeford clarified that the law requires any new street signs to be bilingual, with Welsh appearing first.
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No surprise there really is there. Just another display of usual servility, cowardice, by the British nationalist Labour party. However there is a deeper question here isn’t there – namely why are these names being eroded in the first place anyway? It’s happening because of a broader demographic and language shifft. Which further begs the question – what’s the point saving the names if our population increasingly don’t understand their meaning, or can’t pronounce them? Are we content for the Wales of the future to be merely a museum?
Language is a living history book. The real question is why would anyone want to erase history.
Indeed Bertie. It’s called cutural philistinism.
In some cases the history is embarrassing for those that don’t like to see themselves as immigrants from Germania.
..or even further east. Where did all those Angles, Saxons and Jutes originate? Ynys Prydain is a far nicer place, and the big factor in so few of them wanting to go back to their land of origin. Perhaps that genius Fartage can provide a detailed answer as he seems to know so much about mass movements of peoples.
Before Germania? Africa I guess like everyone else.
Nice to see Welsh Labour and Minister Mark Drakeford protecting Wales placename heritage. Not! So only “good will” suffices. Very naive from a seasoned politician. Good will is not good enough Mr Drakeford Who can recall another former First Minister Carwyn Jones repealing a law passed in the Senedd protecting the sanctity of devolution. I can. The Continuity – or LDEU – Bill seeks to transfer EU Law in areas already devolved to Wales into Welsh law on the day the UK leaves the EU. Carwyn Jones was sweet talked by PM Theresa May, who reassured him that Welsh devolution… Read more »
Mark Drakeford states that the law requires street signs to be bilingual with Welsh appearing first. This law is worse than useless because everyone knows that with bilingual street signs the vast majority of the population will favour the English version and never use the Welsh version. The Welsh version may as well not be there.
Ermm… isn’t that the reason why Welsh is on top? Not just because that’s where it ought to be out of historical respect/dignity – but also in recognition of its by now very much weakened profile in Welsh society? I.e., it needs every help it can get yes?
They should be Welsh-only – it’s the only way in which Welsh street names will be used.
I get your point.
They should have legislated but also where placenames are English from the beginning that too should have been noted and recorded – for example in Pembrokeshire and parts of the Borders.
No placenames were ‘English from the beginning’ in the British Isles Evan. Just saying… 😉 😉
He’s right. If you get people to respect the language and culture then they are more likely to keep the Welsh placenames
You think grovelling, appeasment, being nice, will save Wales do you? Please explain further? How has that approach ever worked for any of the excluded minority groups?
Well if there own laws an policy’s to protect Nationaly designated Quiet Areas, are not been adhered to, well In my opinion all very sad a stand still government, seems to be the way http://www.facebook.com/savekilveyhill
Not the first time for this to happen. They stood against measures to safeguard Welsh placenames and historic house names in the past. Unionist party. What do you expect?