A picturesque Welsh beach community is at the centre of an anti-English tempest amid claims Plaid Cymru councillors want to prevent English families from moving into its houses.
Councillors on the island of Anglesey have claimed people living in council houses in England have swapped homes via Facebook so they can move to picturesque Aberffraw.
They also said it has led to empty homes in the tourist village, known for its long sandy beach, and could have a devastating effect on the Welsh language.
The claims have shocked numerous residents who have criticised the councillors for whipping up anti-English feeling and insist the claims are ‘nonsense’.
However, others have admitted there is resentment towards the English in the area.
Dog walker Emlyn Jones, 58, said: ‘There is anti-English feeling because there are too many second homes here.
‘It doesn’t feel like you’re in Wales anymore as there are so many English here.
‘A lot of Welsh people can’t afford to buy houses where they’re from, as the English have come in with more money.
‘They have pushed up the prices. I agree with what the councillors have said, but I don’t think anything will change.
‘We don’t want more English people here.’
Other residents rubbished the councillors’ claims that council houses have been swapped between England and Wales, but admit there are anti-English feelings.
Mother-of-one Jean Owen, 64, said: ‘You do get people in the village complaining about there being too many English here.
‘They say things like: “The English are taking over”.
‘People grumble about them, but it’s generally just the nationalists.
‘I don’t agree with what these councillors are saying.
‘I think it’s disgusting they are trying to cause divisions with the English.
‘It’s all a load of rubbish – they’re taking nonsense.
‘I know a lady who swapped her house for someone living here, but she was from a different part of Wales.
‘She was living in an isolated area, was lonely – now she’s come here, she goes to coffee mornings and things and is a lot happier.
‘I don’t know of any English who have come here after swapping council houses with locals.
‘These councillors don’t have any common sense.’
Councillor Arfon Wyn told a recent meeting of Anglesey County Council: ‘There are a lot of homes still empty in Aberffraw, that are meant to be rented out to people who really need homes.
‘One thing that concerns me is that people in the nice areas on the coast, so to speak, can swap homes with people in towns in England on Facebook.
‘I know it is something to do with the government, unfortunately, but there are also homes that have been empty for quite a while in Aberffraw.
‘We have had a few enquiries about this from the public and people in the area.
‘These two things concern me, especially in my area, where there are nice places to retire to, and so on; the impact on the Welsh language can be significant.’
A council house or housing association tenant can exchange homes with other social tenants through the mutual exchange scheme.
If Aberffraw has vacant council houses, why aren’t the locals offered them?
Anywhere else, and this would be labelled racist. Imagine if English councillors argued that a Welsh family should be prevented from residing in England, and just because the Welsh were born there, it doesn’t mean they own the island.
There are, unfortunately, too many people who like to cause trouble. Enough is going on in this world without a silly little squabble like this. They need to give their heads a little wobble.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 