I’m sorry, but this blog sends no message of merry Christmas to the scouts and guides of Wales.
A couple of days ago I slated them for their monoglot English publicity for their Christmas post service.
Their ignoring of the Welsh language was totally inexcusable – and so different from the status (inadequate though it often is) that other voluntary organisations afford the Welsh language.
At the time, I thought the entire service was run centrally, from HQ in east London. In other words, same publicity posters everywhere.
But I’ve just received two cards through this service, one from the Caerffili service, and the other from Cardiff and the Vale.
To my surprise, the stamp which each card carried was radically different. Even the number of words carried was different. All in English, of course.
So the argument about centralism is not true. Which makes it even more obvious that the scout is a propaganda organisation for the English and for England itself.
What is the legend carried on stamps issued in Caernarfon and Aberystwyth ? Or Llanelli ? English, you can be sure.
I only hope someone can prove me wrong. But I don’t think so.
Comments
Oh for goodness sake! Are you serious? The Scouts’ Christmas Postal Service is run on a local basis wherein stamps are affixed to cards and local Scouts, with their local knowledge, deliver them.
I’m afraid that only the most small minded of linguistic bigots could suggest that the Scouts go to all the added expense of printing the stamps in Welsh. They’re trying to raise money, not waste it.
Your opening sentence says it all:
“I’m sorry, but this blog sends no message of merry Christmas to the scouts and guides of Wales.”
And there’s me thinking that Christmas is the Season of Goodwill to ALL.
This is clearly not the case in your little world of linguistic fascism.
Your emboldened paragraph is beyond belief:
“So the argument about centralism is not true. Which makes it even more obvious that the scout is a propaganda organisation for the English and for England itself.”
I would suggest that you have taken leave of your senses by suggesting such a ridiculous thing and that your paranoia is bordering on the delusional.
As the Scouts emphasise a loyalty to God, The Queen and Great Britain, I suppose you would now suggest that Welsh Scouts break away and offer their loyalty to the Welsh Language and Nationalism.
So, in order to bring a little balance to these festivities, I humbly offer you, on behalf of the Scouts and all other folks of a magnanimous disposition, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
BOO!
Did I make you jump?
Many thanks for your Christmas greetings. I wish the same in return.
I wish to point out that elements in the Scouts possess inadequate links to the communities of which they are part.
Of course, perhaps we could blame the Urdd for this. In some ways, the two organisations are quite similar. Which means that individuals inclined more towards Wales end up in the Urdd – which means they are unable to influence the other grouping. Similarly for those who incline towards England.
The problem I face is that I sometimes feel that the scouting movement is far too anglo-centric. Indeed, does the movement really exist beyond the bounds of the empire…
“As the Scouts emphasise a loyalty to God, The Queen and Great Britain, I suppose you would now suggest that Welsh Scouts break away and offer their loyalty to the Welsh Language and Nationalism.”
That’s a very good idea.
C.P. said
“”"In some ways, the two organisations are quite similar.”"”
Hardly! The Scouts have an entirely different ethos surrounding good works for others and loyalty to the UK as a whole whereas the Urdd is more focussed on Welsh ‘cultural’ and linguistic issues an have a distinctly quasi-political standpoint. In a nutshell, the Scouts look outward, the Urdd looks inward.
Dai said…..
“”"That’s a very good idea.”"”
And makes my point for me.
Many thanks.
Dream on.
I suggest we send the scouts back to South Africa, where they were conceived. Perhaps also to Southern Rhodesia. They’re a colonialist organisation – until they prove otherwise.
Mr Betts, this is a very misconceived post. The Scouts and Guides are an outward looking organisation, fostering a high moral ethos in their members. I have nothing but admiration for the fine people who give so freely of their time to help instil sound values in young people.
Why then do they seem to ignore Wales ?
A few years ago I came across what I thought was a list of badges which their young members could win. One seemed to possess an obvious reference to language and Wales. But a story in the Daily Mail – admittedly perhaps not the best of sources – claimed to list all the badges available to members, and I found nothing remotely applicable.
Perhaps the Scouts might like to answer. But I doubt they really bother about Wales – in comparison to England.
Mr Betts, they don’t ignore Wales. They have a thriving organisation here, and their members proudly display the Red Dragon.
They do admittedly pledge allegiance to the Queen, which would probably not attract your nationalist approval, but most people do approve of the monarchy and the Union anyway.
Please don’t be unfair to this excellent organisation. If more young people became scouts and guides, there would be a lot less violence and anti-social behaviour on our streets. The world would be a much pleasanter place.