Gareth - I'll disagree for once. Could you please post your facts & figures - Nigel makes bloody good points (apart from the 'usual Imperialism' remark) that you fail to even slightly disprove in your brief reply. Bilinguistic ability (practically a given amongst Welsh or Scots Gaelic speakers) is a compelling argument against blindly accepting your earlier 'doomsaying'. Please provide more evidence (or stop being so gloomy, yer miserable Welsh sod! ;) And also explain Betteshanger, if you would be so kind!). Thanks

Malcolm Douglas - well said, sir!

Allan Dennehy - Likewise, well expressed. There's far too much ideology in education, & it doesn't matter whether it's right- or left- wing driven. I'm something of a fan of Edward de Bono. I believe the main thrust of the education system ought to be teaching people (of any age) how to think, not simply stuffing them full of 'facts' so they can satisfy the latest fad in league tables... I never learnt to think in school, & 20 years later, I can scarcely remember a fact that I was taught at the time. It doesn't say much for what we're supposed to be trying to achieve, does it?

Strupag - I'm English. Nevertheless, I'm rooting for you. Long may local traditions, local culture, & local dialect/language (regardless of the geographical width of 'local') survive. Now if only I were allowed to be proud of being English, & had a reliable body of lore that I could fall back on, without being accused of being a racist bastard... :(