Wales - what goes wrong

The Times carries an obituary today of R K S Wood a world authority on plant pathology. Wood was born in the Rhondda and loved to sing along with the Welsh anthem when Wales were playing rugby. Like so many, however, he lived most of his life in England. When he decided to apply to study at Imperial in London his school was none too helpful. The news that he had won a place to study botany at Imperial did not thrill his mother. “Wales not good enough for you, Ronald?” she asked. He never forgave his school for trying to limit his horizons and later refused to return as an honoured old boy at prize-giving. No wonder he quickly lost his Welsh accent once he got to London.
The Welsh may not like having a huge and brilliant neighbour always cramping our style but it is surely better to get used to it and show more grace.

Not that Wood himself was much better. On one occasion, seeing waiters bearing salvers filled with flutes of champagne at a smart reception, he insisted on loudly ordering brown ale. He believed that his general rudeness to those in positions of influence was the reason why he was never honoured by the state for his work. The Times article also describes him complaining to his son about a restaurant meal with a leg of lamb at £14! You can take the boy out of the valleys ....