Group Tutorial - Thursday 5th March 2015 - Living in Wales

I have a natural affinity with the land of Cymru/Cambria (Wales), having been born within its current boundaries (in the South), but spending the greater part of my manifested life outside of them.  I returned "home" so to speak, upon leaving the Armed Forces in November 2004, and re-settling in the North, and admittedly, with no current knowledge of the Mother Tongue. This is something I would also wish to address upon the conclusion of my current course of studies, as it is actually a wish of mine to eventually finally settle in an area where, to not have knowledge of it, would be arrogant and ignorant of the areas' deep and colourful heritage and culture (Anglesey - Mam Cymru - Mother of Wales - Druid's Island).  Living within the borderlands of Wales is significantly different to that of life within the interior.  The Welsh language and culture here are sadly non-existent and, on a day to day basis it would be passable to be living in a suburb of Liverpool (Day doo dat doh don't day doh)!

The British Isles have been in a state of conflict since time immormorium.  However, rather than a clashing of Clans' and Armies on a battlefield, we now have processes in place going by the name of "Devolution" (including Scotland and Ireland), and it is important to recognise it as a process rather than an event.  Time is the Great Healer and this process can only be achieved accordingly within it. The in-effective and in-appropriate governance of the extremities of the British Isles by Westminster (not "The English)", has been clearly recognised for some time, and is now thankfully being addressed in a peaceful and civil manner within the framework of this process.  Such matters being handed over to local governance (Cardiff) include Education and Health, areas which are key to the positive sustainment and further positive development of any region, but also understandably exclude such matters as Defence (let not history ever repeat itself again).  We should continue to endeavor to be good neighbours with our common interests at heart instead?

Brief Overview of Welsh History and the Devolution Process

c. 940 Welsh laws are brought together as one code under Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good)

1282 The Edwardian conquest of Wales and the end of government by native Welsh princes

1400 Owain Glyndwr’s revolt starts and for a short time establishes an embryonic Welsh state. Parliaments are held at Harlech and Machynlleth

1536 The Acts of Union, making Wales a part of England but providing for parliamentary seats for MPs from Wales

1881 The passing of the Sunday Closing Act 1881 – the first specific law for Wales

1907 Welsh department of the Board of Education created

1920 The Church in Wales becomes an independent body, separate from the state

1951 Post of Minister of State for Wales created

1964 Welsh Office established along with a cabinet post of Secretary of State for Wales

1979 First proposals for a Welsh Assembly turned down in a referendum

1997 Wales votes in favour of creating a National Assembly for Wales in a referendum

1999 First elections held; the National Assembly starts work; Government of Wales Act 1998 comes into force

2007 Government of Wales Act 2006 comes into force; the National Assembly and Welsh Government are formally separated and the National Assembly gains powers to make laws for Wales in defined areas

2011 Wales votes in favour of giving the National Assembly further law making powers