We learnt today that trouble is brewing in the Welsh hillsides.
It seems that residents of the Welsh village of Varteg are up in arms over plans by Welsh language campaigners to re-name the place.
Apparently there is no letter V in the Welsh language as the sound is produced by the single letter F – making the new name Y Farteg.
One inhabitant said, “Everyone will be laughing at us and coming to get photographed next to the street signs.”
Whilst another resident added, “Can you imagine the bus going past and some naughty schoolboy shouting: ‘Are you are going to Fart Egg’? It is just a bad joke.”
Many road signs in Wales show place names in both Welsh and English, however, some Welsh sounding places have had their names anglicised – before eventually reverting back to their proper and more traditional spelling.
So if Y Farteg was adopted it would not replace Varteg – as both names would appear on local signs.
A spokesperson for the local council in Torfaen, said that changing the name to Farteg would be “inappropriate”.
But the village could still have its name changed to Y Farteg and locals are now being consulted about this.
Meanwhile back in this neck of the woods, Margaret Mills told us all about a woman from Wathamstowe who it seems was nicknamed, THE ICE CREAM QUEEN.
The lady in question was a lady who’s real name was Agnes Bertha Marshall who it seems had invented a machine powered by liquid nitrogen for making ice cream.
If you missed what Margaret told me today, you can listen again here: –
I very much look forward to having the pleasure of your company again next week,
Scott