Cornish solidarity with Welsh people!

Discard Trago Mills 'clutter' and embrace indigenous languages!

Call to boycott Trago Mills.

Trago Mills boss says Welsh language signs are 'visual clutter' and Welsh medium education is damaging

Wales On Line report: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/trago-mills-boss-says-welsh-14843187

In a letter to the Welsh Language Commissioner, chairman of Trago Mills, Bruce Robertson, called the signs "visual clutter".

Mr Robertson said he would not "pander to minorities".

In the letter, Mr Robertson also criticises Welsh medium education, saying: "I also harbour misgivings upon the challenge to the educational system that teaching another language will pose, certainly if the existing standard of literacy is indicative, 'furniture' last week only being spelt by an employee as 'fernicher': forgive my ignorance but for all I know that may be the correct spelling ....in Welsh!"

Despite committing in the letter to erect bilingual signage, the signs at Trago Mills' Merthyr Tydfil store are currently in English only.

But Trago Mills chairman Bruce Robertson told BBC Wales: "I have never ever heard it spoken, and I frequent stores, I frequent restaurants, I frequent bars and I have many friends in the valley just across the road where I've spent much time across not 22 but actually 30 years, and in all honesty, frankly, I've never heard it spoken.

"With all due respect to Welsh speakers, with all due respect to local people, I have no lack of respect for them, that's why I've invested £68m into having a presence in Wales and creating 380 jobs.

"I'm unlikely to, as I say respectfully, to pander to minorities when trying to do the best for the majority."

The Welsh Language Commissioner, Meri Huws, said: "Research certifies that customers - from all over Wales - appreciate seeing businesses using Welsh.

"The statistics for the Welsh language are sound, with 80% agreeing that using the language shows respect for the community and 86% agree that it shows respect for the Welsh culture.

"We have proposed helping Trago Mills to develop the use of the language, and this motion is still standing."

Wyn Williams, chair of the local branch of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, said: "It demonstrates a complete disrespect for our country as well as our unique national language.

"They also reflect imperialistic attitudes that belong in the far distant past.

"The comments about education are completely ignorant - experts are clear that Welsh-medium education means pupils become fluent in both Welsh and in English.

"There are tens of thousands of Welsh speakers in the area the store serves, and it's insulting to them."

Merthyr Tydfil has the second lowest number of Welsh speakers out of all 22 local authorities at 8.9%, although 27% of 10-14 year olds do speak the language.

Trago Mills has a store near Liskeard in Cornwall. Liskeard is called Lyskerrys in Cornish meaning 'the court of Kerwyd'.

Perhaps Mr Robertson finds that insulting as well?

The first Trago Mills, is named after a nearby farm, Trago, a Cornish language name: Treyagu 1277, "Jacob's farm".

Perhaps Ukipper Mr Robertson should rename his stores, and adjust his advertising: "Forage at Farage's" sounds the part!

Perhaps Mr Robertson needs to do some research to find out which languages were in use in these islands first?

Cymru am byth! Kernow bys vyken!