First – Something to be Proud of

Cardiff Castle
The Norman Keep

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Home From Active Service in Afghanistan

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Regimental Band

The Regiment Marches Through the City Centre

The Royal Welsh Parade in Front of the Castle
to Receive Their Service Medals

And the Castle Looks on

When you see the young people of the armed services it makes you
proud to be British. And by the word British I include those people
from Eire and the Commonwealth Countries who have travelled
countless miles and faced God knows what problems to throw their
lot in with our people. These young ones, all of them, have opted
for discipline, service and selfless comradeship. I salute them. 

I salute the people of Britain too. I’ve watched on many occasions
as they turn out to cheer and clap their home coming heroes.


About – Cardiff Castle
Parts of the walls that surround the grounds date back to Roman
times. And the Keep is Norman. There are guided tours and it’s a
good place to spend a day.

Then it’s Back to Reality - Contrast

It’s ironic, but when we were going to  watch the heroes of the
Royal Welsh march though the city centre we passed this Gypsy
beggar woman, sitting on a doorstep, hand outstretched, asking
for alms. She couldn’t speak English so I guess that she’s
Romanian or something. She looked it. I’ve seen Romanian
Gypsies in action in Greece. They don’t work. The young women
sit begging on the streets. Usually they are nursing a baby and
when they see you coming they give it a pinch to make it cry.
It’s a good pitch; goes for the heartstrings. The middle aged
women go round the young women collecting their takings and 
entering the results in a book. I’ve not just heard this – I’ve
seen it  in action. While this is going on the young men are
mingling with the tourists, picking pockets. And, at the same
time, the children are going round cafe’s and food stalls,
begging for leftovers. Again, I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
It’s a family business and it works. These guys are experts.
And the middle aged men? They don’t do anything.
They’re the bosses. They’re above all this work nonsense.
So what’s it all about?
What is a Romanian Gypsy woman who can’t speak English
doing, sitting begging in a town in Britain? I mean what
contribution is she making? Surely everyone who goes
to a new country goes to make a contribution. And surely
every country that lets a newcomer in, expects them in to make
a contribution. It’s all about personal pride and responsibility.
If someone wants to beg, they should stay in their own country
and beg. That’s basic common sense and decency.