Abergele pub's name change from Welsh to English criticised

Pen-y-Bont still features on the pub, but an English name is now more prominent

A decision to change the name of a pub from Welsh to English has been criticised by some local people.

Pen-y-Bont in Abergele, Conwy, was relaunched on St David's Day after refurbishment, with what some called a "slapdash translation" of its name.

The Bridge Head is now displayed prominently on signs, with its Welsh-language name appearing in smaller writing below.

The BBC has contacted the owners to respond.

"It disparages the Welsh language... this is some kind of slapdash translation, which is unacceptable," said local Dylan Rhys Jones.

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"You have the English translation in big letters and the Welsh name in small letters underneath."I don't see the reason why they need to change the name."

Gareth Bolton, who also lives nearby, said the decision to "rebrand the pub" had attracted a lot of attention from local residents on social media.

Llyn Tegid will only be known by its Welsh name, rather than Lake Bala

He said he was in favour of empty buildings being brought back to life but not "mindlessly changing names from Welsh to English".

He pointed to another example - Y Gwindy being changed to The Winery, adding: "At the end of the 19th century, Abergele had 16 pubs, all of them with an English name apart from Pen-Y-Bont and the Gwindy.

"The names of these institutions are woven into local culture, identity and history."The savage act of erasing our language is atrocious."

Language use has divided opinion, with some saying that where names are similar - such as Treorci/Treorchy or Caerffili/Caerphilly - the Welsh version only could be used.

Some national parks have also moved to use Welsh names only, such as Eryri and Bannau Brycheiniog - formerly known as Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons respectively.

In Eryri, Llyn Tegid has sometimes been known as Lake Bala, and Llyn Bochlwyd as Lake Australia.

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