Independent tropical Wales
Posted by:
Matt Appleby (---.server.ntl.com)
Date: July 24, 2002 11:54PM
<HTML>As a disgruntled student of English lit, who, having my enjoyment of reading
sapped out of me elected to change to linguistics ,managed eventually to recover my love of reading for its own sake, these books are a delight.
I saw the interview on breakfast tv and by the magic of amazon have
thoroughly enjoyed both books. I was (admittedly nationalistically)
initially drawn by the idea of a socialist republic of Wales. Having grown
up shopping in John Frost Square it wasn't too much of a leap.
I've lived under the cloud of knowing that if only my Pontypool ancestors
hadn't got stuck into every pub on the way to Newport and arrived late it
may have been different. We used to drink in one of the pubs that was
locally famous for being on the road to the Chartists' downfall.
While not a cottage burner, there will always be a part of me that wonders
'what if'. The 'benefits' of a Welsh education in history tend to knock the
collective confidence.
My reason for writing is to bring up the goat major to all who know anything of the history of Wales and the Crimea.
If you're ever in Cardiff, pop into the Goat Major pub, my local. While the
official story is somewhat different, the urbane myth has it that a goat,
taken along as fast food, woke up a sleepy watchman in the Crimea and saved
the regiment. Ever since, the regiment has been given a goat from the royal
household.
Siverhorned and leading the band, it has become an icon for Welsh rugby
supporters and Welshmen everywhere. Just wondered if the goat might fit
somewhere in future instalments. The truth is far too silly to remain in the
realms of non-fiction.</HTML>