A holiday home company has faced fury after it changed the Welsh language name to ‘Sandy Retreat’.
The developers boast that they have ‘renamed’ a holiday home from Welsh to a strange English name on the island of Anglesey.
The title was formerly known as Gwel-yr-Wyddfa – roughly translated as ‘Snowdon Scene’. Mount Snowdon, known as Wyddfa in Wales, overlooks the area.
They said: ‘We’ve renamed our property Gwel-yr-Wyddfa!
‘It’s now called 9 Sandy Retreat – for 8 guests, pet friendly and in the beautiful village of Llanfaelog. Are you ready to make a reservation? ‘
Anglesey Homes has re-named the Gwel-yr-Wfddfa estate overlooking Mount Snowdon in North Wales. Company changed its name to more English-friendly Sandy Retreat
The decision was criticized by Plaid’s local Rhun ap Iorwerth member Cymru Welsh Senedd, who called it ‘shocking disrespect’
The title was formerly known as Gwel-yr-Wyddfa – roughly translated as ‘Snowdon Scene’. Mount Snowdon, known as Wyddfa in Wales, overlooks the area
Mount Snowdon, pictured, is called Wfddfa in Welsh. The Anglesey area has a large Welsh-speaking population
But the decision was criticized by local Rhun ap Iorwerth member Plaid Cymru Welsh Senedd, who called it ‘shocking disrespect’.
He tweeted about the company: ‘Hi Anglesey Homes. Maybe you can explain what’s going on here.
‘This is the property at 9 Gwel yr Wyddfa, which you have now changed to 9 Sandy Retreat, right? Is removing Welsh language/culture part of your business plan? ‘
Indignant locals took to social media to protest. Sion Meredith said: ‘Why change the name, and brag about it? It’s wrong, but also short-sighted.
‘More and more discerning tourists are interested in Wales. Our language and culture is what attracts them to Wales. How about doing the right thing? Reverse your decision. ‘
Lowri Llewelyn commented: ‘Extremely disrespectful to the Welsh community that live here all year round – yet another developer is prioritizing those who come down to the ‘island’ for just a few weeks in the summer. “
Indignant locals took to social media to protest. Sion Meredith said: ‘Why change the name, and brag about it? Wrong but short-sighted ‘
Richard Martin wrote: ‘Embarrass people. This is not a good idea, it’s a bad idea’
Richard Martin wrote: ‘Embarrass people. This is not a good idea, it is a bad idea. ‘
Angharad Walters said: ‘Not a good-looking man.’
Lisa Parry added: ‘I really don’t understand why you would do this. Disrespect aside, a lot of Brits I know are now refusing to put cottages in Wales with English names because they think they’ve been altered and they hate it too.
‘We will be booking with you soon. And now we won’t. ‘
The detached home is described on the company’s website as: ‘A newly built estate on a new site, just outside Rhosneigr on the Isle of Anglesey, is 9 Gwel-y-Wyddfa, a detached and modern residence. Great for a family or large group looking to explore Anglesey’s coastline. ‘
The company has previously caused controversy in North Wales for appearing to market the property to second home owners, not locals.
Anglesey Homes said the owner of the home decided to add a name before renting it out.
A spokesman said: ‘The property’s owners have decided to independently attach a plaque to their home, ‘Sandy Retreat’,” it added.
Anglesey Homes said in a statement: “They feel their home is a retreat – as owners, they, like anyone else, are entitled to place a placard on their property.
‘But this has nothing to do with the address of the development and the road is proudly named and will remain named Gwel Yr Wyddfa.’
