The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Neston to become part of Wales?

The transfer of control from Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council to Cheshire West and Chester Council was today thrown into doubt by a section of local residents who have petitioned both Parliament and the Welsh Assembly, demanding a controversial change to the local political map.

In an interview yesterday, ‘WANT’ figurehead, local resident Margaret Hillman, declared  that “The suggestion might ruffle the feathers of a few die-hard Nestonians but the proposal makes complete sense when you think about it.

“For years locals have been bemoaning an abuse of funds and lack of attention from EPNBC and this is the perfect time to intercede – before we end up in the same boat with CWAC.

“The practical and financial benefits of Welsh annexation are many – Free Prescriptions, Free Hospital Parking, Reduced Higher Education Tuition Fees and so on – plus taking the opportunity to break free of the yoke of local English Councils."

Bizarre as it may seem, the proposal for the switch to Welsh contol is not without precedent. WANT’s crusade was inspired by the residents of Piacenza, Italy, who only last year successfully campaigned to switch allegiance from the region of Emilia-Romagna to Lombardy.

WANT consulted with the Deputy Regional Administrator of Milan, Olaf Pirlo (cousin of World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo, who many residents may recognise as an influential member of the AC Milan team that defeated Liverpool FC in the 2007 Champions League Final) who advised the group on how to draft a formal proposal to submit to government.

Olaf Pirlo, with Cousin Andrea at the recent Milan derby.

Copies of the official document were delivered similtaneously via courier this morning to both Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the First Minister of Wales the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan.

“The very least we hope to achieve is a referendum on the issue” said Ms. Hillman today. “We are confident that the people of Neston will support the motion and look forward to a prosperous future sharing the Celtic Heritage and Traditions of Wales.”

Despite initial opposition the city of Piacenza has thrived under the administrative and cultural influence of Milan’s administration and WANT’s supporters wish to emulate the success story in Neston.

Neston residents are invited to post their views on this controversial proposal below.

More local news stories.

Sign up for our Newsletter.

Report this article as inappropriate

Comments

... --- ...

At 00:32 on 1st April 2009, ... --- ... commented:

This is great news ! I have already ordered my "Welsh for Dummies" book online and a 5" x 3" Welsh Red Dragon to display on the house.

It also saves us massive disappointments as we don't have to support the damn English cricket team anymore. In the morning I will book myself on an "advanced Rugby" course !

To be honest I thought something unusual was happening - all the Give Way signs around Chester High Road have been taken down tonight and changed to "ILDIWCH" ... and I noticed a sign down from the high road by the rec centre now says "Neston Ysgol" which I assume has someting to do with the school ?

Times are certainly changing for Neston !

One word of caution - apparently there is still a bye law in Chester - if you are Welsh and caught in the city walls after Midnight on Friday then you can be run through with a lance or something. Its never effected us before but be careful from now on when having a night out in Chester !

Nos da ... Editior !

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Alan S

At 09:11 on 1st April 2009, Alan S commented:

The penny has finally dropped regards the sudden outbreak of Daffodils about Neston - obviously part of Ms. Hillman's campaign - they're everywhere.

I can cope with the dual language sine-age about town - I guess we'll just have to get used to seeing "Dim Parcio" over the next 18 months.

Does my wife get to wear a lovely, tall hat?

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Robin H

At 12:19 on 1st April 2009, Robin H commented:

Well, maybe there's something in it. Audlem has been campaigning to become Welsh for some time now and attracted a lot of publicity as a result. What strikes me is that it's a lot easier to travel to Wales from here than it is to other places in Western Cheshire, we get a lot of visitors from Wales and a lot of people from round here work in Wales. Why not, I say!

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Gwilym a

At 21:15 on 1st April 2009, Gwilym a commented:

This story is causing quite a lot of comment here in Wales, most of it positive, I'm sure you will be delighted to hear. Upon becoming part of Wales, Neston would need a Welsh version of its name. Could I suggest 'Trenyth'? Literally, this means 'Nest-town' - can you see what I've done there?

We'd love to welcome Neston into the fold, but it only seems fair that we should offer something to England in return. It would be a wrench, but we would be prepared to offer the people of Cheshire the charming seaside resort of Rhyl as part of the deal. As the birthplace of both Nerys Hughes and Ruth Ellis, Rhyl is clearly a town to be reckoned with.

Trenyth, croeso i Gymru.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.