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What Is 'Welshness'?

As Wales enters a new era of making laws for itself, reporter Selma Chalabi dips her toes in to the waters of national identity and asks what it means to be Welsh.

Last updated: 17 July 2011

In order to test the waters, Selma talks to people connected to the community of Senghenydd at the tip of the Aber Valley, North of Caerphilly.

In the 2009 adult population survey, almost 80% of people in Senghenydd and the rest of Caerphilly County Borough, identified themselves as Welsh.

Yet prior to the Universal Colliery setting up, this community didn't exist. It's thus a community that is used to absorbing and uniting outsiders under the dragon.

Councillor John Roberts is from a small slate Welsh speaking quarrying community in North Wales.

He lives down the road from Senghenydd, and represents the Aber Valley on the County Council. He's still on a "learning curve", adapting to his host community.

Dave Brunton married his wife Lesley almost four decades ago. He's originally from Hereford, but now lives in the area, and works at the youth drop-in centre in Senghenydd.

He experienced a huge culture shock when he moved to Wales, but he now feels Welsh by nature.

Yet when it comes to sport, he still shouts for England. The playing field divides his children too. His daughter Laurie is happy to support both Wales and England, whilst his son Wayne, who grew up playing rugby in the area, sees himself as purely Welsh.

The programme explores major national identity markers such as language, sport, and character - and asks what the future of 'Welshness' is.

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