READERS have been getting in touch with us to offer their views as the Welsh name for a Flintshire village has officially been recognised by the county council.

As of this week, the village of New Brighton is now also officially recognised as Pentre Cythrel.

This change was made after Flintshire councillors voted in favour of adopting the Welsh place name.

The residents there can now choose to use either Pentre Cythrel or New Brighton as their address.

This decision was made following a proposal in 2018 to consider 'Pentre Cythraul' as the Welsh form of New Brighton.

However, following objections to ‘Cythraul’ due to its meaning of ‘devil’ or ‘demon’ in some parts of Wales, the Welsh Language Commissioner suggested the alternative Pentre Cythrel which better reflects local pronunciation.

This week, readers have been offering their views.

Ian Walker said: "I think all Anglicised place names in Wales should be changed to their Welsh equivalents."

Susie Wynne told us: "I think it’s great, it annoys me so much when people say Soughton instead of Sychdyn!"

TOP STORIES 

Julian McGregor added: "Interesting name!!!"

David Reeves said: "Wales is the country we live in, so Welsh is our language. It's a welcome change, but been too long coming."

Sally Magrath said: "Devil town! Nice!"

Pete Shurmer wrote: "Devil Village? Is there an historic reason for this name?"

Despite it's Devil-ish links, the original name of 'Pentre Cythraul' is believed to have reportedly derived from the name 'Catherall' after Josiah Catherall - owner of the Argoed Colliery - had constructed a row of miners cottages in the village in around 1861.

Pentre Cythraul (translated as "Devil's village") was most likely a colloquialism on the Catherall family name, and Welsh authors recorded this as the derivation as early as 1902.

Others got in touch to argue that there are far more pressing issues that the council should be focusing on.

Glenys Roberts said: "What a waste of time and money. What about the real issues that are affecting us all on a daily basis? Our money needs to be spent on essential services not petty things like this!"

Jane Evans agreed, adding: "As a resident of New Brighton I really can't understand what the issue is, why waste time and money for something that is already in place? If you choose Welsh language on for example your driving licence, it comes through as Pentre Cythrel. With FCC in £38m debt, I can think of better things they need to be spending their time and money (to change the signs) on."