Comments on: We need more Welsh stories

By: john davies

john davies — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:54:25 +0000

Nothing mentioned in series that the Welsh were the original Britons who lived all over England and Wales, Welsh was spoken all over England and Wales until the Anglo/Saxons drove the Welsh westward to what is now Wales, Cornwall and south west Scotland

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By: Hilary

Hilary — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:09:49 +0000

Brilliant series, as an English woman who lived for many happy years in Wales, it has been a marvellous opportunity to see and learn so much about Wales, as in England we seldom hear of Wales on the BBC. However, I was curious to hear Aberystwyth University described as being the oldest university in Wales when St. David’s in Lampeter dates back to 1822. It really would be lovely if more programmes from BBC Wales could be broadcast on the English BBC channels.

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By: david humphries

david humphries — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 20:06:38 +0000

An excellent series but perhaps should have been called ‘The history of South Wales’. Having been born in Flintshire 63 years ago and having lived in England for the past 42 years I can’t understand why little was mentioned of the historical and industrial wealth of North Wales. Flintshire was the only other county after Glamorgan providing industrial wealth and growth to Wales. Very little was said of this!

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By: John Jones

John Jones — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:13:00 +0000

I have enjoyed Huw’s commentary immensely. Tonight was of particular interest. I am age 83, and my father ( A Llanelly man ) always told me that my Great Grandfather Daffyd Jones was a leader of the Rebeccah Riots, and he was arrested and sentenced to ten years deportation. I am so proud of the guy, but I know so little about him, so if you can tell me anything more about this great ,man, or tell me where I could possibly obtain more info. on him, I would be delighted. Tonight, KI just bowed my head in thankfulness for all those who fought and suffered and died so that we could enjoy the standard of living we enjoy today………….not to mention the right to vote. Thank you B.B.C., and thank you Huw Edwards for your first class presentation. John J. Jones/ Plymouth, Devon

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By: Darran Smith

Darran Smith — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 20:14:35 +0000

Thoroughly enjoying the series and Huws presenting.

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By: Olwyn Bevan

Olwyn Bevan — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 05:08:34 +0000

Just finished watching the Story of Wales. My Welsh speaking grandmother emigrated from the South Wales coal fields in 1908 to Australia. I have her diary and letters she received fom her family in Wales over the next 40 years. This is the first programme I’ve seen that gave me an understanding of my Welsh heritage. We never hear anything about Wales in Australia except for the Welsh rugby team and denigrating jokes about the Welsh in English TV shows. So thank you. I’m very grateful to have been enriched through watching The Story of Wales.

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By: Ken Ebenezer

Ken Ebenezer — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 02:03:30 +0000

Just watched the last episode of “The Story of Wales”, and I have to say that in the main I thoroughly enjoyed the series. But there’s a big BUT why did you not cover some of the most important parts of Welsh History? For example the Welsh revival of 1904 which had a tremendous impact on the Welsh people at the time. There were other earlier Revivals that also impacted, not only Wales but other countries as well. So why did you avoid mentioning these significant events in Welsh history? Also where was any mention of Dylan Thomas and other Welsh identities who did so much to bring Wales to the attention of the World. I don’t recall seeing any Welsh ladies in their Welsh costumes that too had a part to play in some of the conflicts the Welsh had with invading forces. If you are going to tell the history of a country why neglect certain areas that were an important part of its history?

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By: Huw Edwards

Huw Edwards — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:09:51 +0000

Thanks Iain. Logic??? So… in your cosy ‘collective’ view of the world, the story of Wales is ‘…one that mythologises the unity of those who happen to live on the Western side of a largely symbolic border.’ And you accuse others of propaganda? You’re having a laugh. It’s 2012, for God’s sake.

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By: Iain Scott

Iain Scott — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:53:25 +0000

Another superficial, simplistic, sentimental production from the BBC Wales nationalist propaganda unit..
I’ve just watched another BBC Wales report considering a Wrexham – Deeside – Chester city region. Eyebrows were raised that the possibility of such a cross border economic entity might threaten the “identity” of those on the Welsh side. The report acknowledged that border crossings were occuring more than ever these days – Really! And even referenced “The Story of Wales” by explaining that cross border activity was now more about commerce than killings! It is 2012 for Gods sake.

Welsh History is utterly fascinating but it’s a pity that every opportunity is taken to undermine a pro-British context. One might be forgiven for thinking that there were no coal mines in England or that when ordinary Welsh people were suffering at the hands of a British Parliament the vast majority of English people were not suffering aswell. Their collective struggle is one that unites but the propaganda unit isn’t interested in a history that unites, only one that mythologises the unity of those who happen to live on the Western side of a largely symbolic border.

Huw leaves us with the proclaimation that “we are an ancient people”. Who is Huw – those people that now happen to live on the Western side of the border? Does that mean that those on the other side of a border are not ancient? Are you trying to assume some form of racial or ethnic entity for people living within the current Welsh border? Any serious British History would rip that to shreds. We are a mongrel nation who share a very small island as he well knows. Then Huw asks the million dollar question – he’s been leading up to it for quite some time and here we go – “So, are we Welsh or British?” Errr both, Huw. I was particularly disappointed that in the first episode we are informed about the strange spiral markings at Paviland, Barclodiad y Gawres and Bryn Celli Ddu. Huw tells us that these markings are similar to burial chambers in Orkney and Ireland. Very true but of course he misses one out – the only burial chamber displaying these markings in the whole of what is now England – the Calderstones in Liverpool. Proof that the links between Liverpool and North Wales go back 30,000 years!

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By: David Lloyd Owen

David Lloyd Owen — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:15:33 +0000

It is good to get comments from those who really know what is going on regarding the programme, which is part of the pleasure of a small and increasingly open nation.

I have one huge complaint. Six episodes? I’d rather have sixteen or sixty! There is so much to say and so much that needs to be said that it is almost a teaser.

If it encourages people to reappraise their pasts and see what has happened to Wales, especially when compared with the previous TV exercises, this has to be a very good thing.

Many thanks for these programmes. They are not ends in themselves, but beginnings for wider enquiry.

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