0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Boundaries are there to be pushed.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10- I'm Gareth Potter, - a DJ and actor by profession.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- My parents didn't speak Welsh.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16- I've always been aware - of linguistic boundaries.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- This series is about a real, - geographical boundary.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26- I want to understand the - borderlands' history and culture...
0:00:27 > 0:00:29- ..and meet people who live here.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34- Does living on a border - create its own unique identity?
0:00:34 > 0:00:38- Come with me - on a journey to find out.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46- My journey has taken me - from Holywell...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- ..to Hendre, Chester and Saltney.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- This week, - I begin in North-East Wales.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- The present day border follows - the River Dee past Wrexham...
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- ..then heads east, - to include English Maelor in Wales.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06- The border and river - part company near Bangor-On-Dee...
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- ..and meet up again near Erbistock.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14- The river then follows the River - Ceiriog through Bont-Y-Blew.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20- Then it flows south, passing - near today's starting point...
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- ..the town of Chirk.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- I'm meeting Aled Lewis Evans - at Chirk Castle.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- He's an author - who lives on the border.
0:01:31 > 0:01:31- Good morning, sir.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32- Good morning, sir.- - Bore da!
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- He's written - extensively about the area.
0:01:35 > 0:01:36- Good morning.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38- He knows his history too.
0:01:39 > 0:01:39- Welcome to Chirk Castle.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- Welcome to Chirk Castle.- - It's an amazing place.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- It is.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- It's in a strategic position.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- Offa's Dyke is practically - on the doorstep.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52- But there was a gap in Offa's Dyke.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- A castle was needed - to defend the border properly.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01- There has been a castle - on the site for centuries.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03- Yes.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06- Its role was to defend the border.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- The Ceiriog Valley - and river is nearby.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- There was a gap in the dyke.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17- It was called Castell Crogen - in the age of the Welsh princes.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22- The Battle Of Crogen - took place nearby, in Chirk.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- There's a housing estate - on the site now.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- What was the Battle Of Crogen?
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- It was a battle - between Henry II's forces...
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- ..and the Welsh, - in Owain Gwynedd's day.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Higher up the Ceiriog Valley...
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- ..there's an interesting - name, Ffordd Saeson.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- That was the road - the English had to take...
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- ..when they surrendered - to the Welsh on that occasion.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56- So the Welsh built - the original castle on this site.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- It was called Castell Crogen.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- It was a kind of sub-castle - to Powys's headquarters...
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- ..Castell Dinas Bran, - near Llangollen.
0:03:10 > 0:03:11- I see.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- At that time, it was part of Cantref - Y Waun, Chirk's original name.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24- How did the local people - regard this castle?
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- In those days, - it was a Welsh castle.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- But after the death - of Llywelyn The Last...
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- ..the castle fell into the hands - of one of Edward I's barons.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44- The Welsh might have regarded - the place differently after that.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50- So the castle was a base to subdue - the Welsh for many centuries.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- It was bought by a member - of the Myddleton family in 1593...
0:03:55 > 0:03:59- ..one of the East India - Company's founders.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00- He was very wealthy.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- The castle was damaged - during the English Civil War.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- Much of it was rebuilt - in the 17th century.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- The building is now - owned by the National Trust.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20- There's a very interesting - feature in the castle grounds.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25- The gates were made by the Davies - brothers of Bersham, near Wrexham.
0:04:25 > 0:04:31- There are other local examples, - but this is the most notable.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- It's the original white ironwork.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- The gates are amazing.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- You haven't been to Chirk before.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42- Never.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43- Never.- - Mm.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- I have a surprise, - so you can see the area better.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48- Fantastic.
0:04:49 > 0:04:49- Will you come with me?
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- Will you come with me?- - Of course.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- Chirk is called - the Gateway To Wales.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- The small town is part - of Wrexham County Borough.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- Shropshire is to the south.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- There were coal mines here...
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- ..some of the oldest in North Wales.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11- But they're closed now.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17- The local industries today - are factories and tourism.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25- Aled wants me to sample another - of Chirk's attractions, the canal.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28- Great!
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- This was a branch of the - Shropshire Union Canal originally.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38- It was designed by the famous - William Jessop and Thomas Telford.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- It was at its busiest 150 years ago, - transporting coal, lime and iron.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- But its industrial days - ended in the 1930s.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- This part of the canal - is now a World Heritage Site.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- It's very beautiful.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- It's a fine way to see the area.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- Will we cross the border?
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- Yes, quite soon now.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- After passing Chirk, - the border is very near.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- You mentioned the border.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- For me, the border - is less obvious here...
0:06:21 > 0:06:25- ..than it is between - Chester and Wrexham.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- The border is more - black and white there.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- Nearby Oswestry is a town - in England, but it feels Welsh.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- There are Welsh names - even in England...
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- ..like Bronygarth and Weston Rhyn.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- The geographical border doesn't - follow the linguistic border.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46- So the border is more blurred.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- So the border is more blurred.- - Yes, to some extent.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- But it's a remarkable area.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- Llywarch Hen lived here - in the 6th century.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- His story was told in Canu Heledd, - written in the 9th century.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07- Theatr Maldwyn presented a show, - "Heledd", based on the story.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- There's a song in it, - "Eryr Pengwern".
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- It's thought that - Pengwern is Shrewsbury.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- There's also Gwrygon, Wrekin...
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- ..and Y Dref Wen, - as in Tecwyn Ifan's song.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- Those place names - are all in this area...
0:07:27 > 0:07:32- ..like Whittington and other - places between here and Shrewsbury.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- The area is teeming with history.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- I think Lloyd George called it - "a little bit of Heaven."
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- And it is marvellous, - in every season.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- How far are we from the border?
0:07:49 > 0:07:54- In this shaded part, - Chirk is on our left.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- We'll reach a tunnel soon...
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- ..a relic of the industrial age.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Then we reach - Telford's second aqueduct.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- That's the border, - and the River Ceiriog.
0:08:16 > 0:08:22- Do the local people have - certain characteristics?
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- In every age...
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- ..I think border people - are open to new ideas.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35- They had to adapt - to changing circumstances.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- Towns tend to receive - new ideas first.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45- Border people are the first to hear - about new, contemporary ideas...
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- ..perhaps religious or social ideas.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- Here's the tunnel.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55- This is rather special.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- You can see light at the far end!
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- It's a relic - of the Industrial Revolution.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- All the trade and industry - went through this small tunnel.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- It will get cold now.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- It will get cold now.- - Yes. One feels it immediately.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- Was it after this place...
0:09:23 > 0:09:28- ..that one of the most popular - 1990s bands took its name?
0:09:28 > 0:09:29- Maybe!
0:09:29 > 0:09:30- You mean Tynal Tywyll?
0:09:30 > 0:09:31- You mean Tynal Tywyll?- - Of course.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Ian Morris, Nathan and the boys.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- Almost immediately - after leaving the cold tunnel...
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- ..we're part of one - of the area's most beautiful scenes.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- We cross the Chirk Aqueduct.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- It was designed by Telford - and took five years to build.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- We're 70 feet above ground.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01- The bridge's exterior masonry - conceals a cast iron structure.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- Travelling on the aqueduct, - we cross the border to England.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- How do the people - of Chirk see themselves?
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Are they Welsh or English, - or something else?
0:10:18 > 0:10:24- I think border people in North-East - Wales as a whole and Wrexham too...
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- ..see themselves as Welsh...
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- ..but maybe as non-Welsh - speaking Welsh people.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- The language isn't necessarily - part of their identity.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- But increasingly, - with Welsh medium education...
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- ..the language is part - of their lives too.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- I think border people vary.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50- I remember doing a project - with schoolchildren in Saltney.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56- Some of them said, "We play football - in England, we shop in Wales."
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- It was totally natural for them.
0:11:00 > 0:11:01- It does vary.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- Some people are very - aware of the border.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- But for others, it might not - be such an important factor.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12- I'm certainly aware of it - each time I cross it.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- I've enjoyed - today's journey. Thanks.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20- Thank you.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- It's been excellent. I've really - enjoyed this boat journey.
0:11:25 > 0:11:31- It's been a huge eye-opener to - the culture and beauty of the place.
0:11:31 > 0:11:32- Yes.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Have you thought - where you're going next?
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- No. Where do you recommend?
0:11:40 > 0:11:46- From here, it's a natural step, - and it isn't far, to Oswestry.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- The town is in England, - but has strong Welsh links...
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- ..in names, people, everything.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- So it's Oswestry next.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- Thanks. I look forward to visiting - England's most Welsh town!
0:12:01 > 0:12:02- Yes!
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- In part two, we meet - the people of Oswestry.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08- Why do you say that?
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- And we sample - horseracing, of a sort.
0:12:12 > 0:12:12- .
0:12:19 > 0:12:19- Subtitles
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- I'm on a journey - along the Wales-England borderlands.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- I've been through Chirk.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- I've crossed the border on my way - to Oswestry, or Soswallt to friends.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- I start 1000 feet above sea level...
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- ..on Cyrn-Y-Bwch hill.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- It's the site of an old racecourse.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- Between 1700 and 1848...
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- ..it was popular meeting place - for the Welsh and English.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- They'd come here - to get drunk, race and bet.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- This was the grandstand.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- There's not much to see now.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Imagine the excitement - witnessed here.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- It's peaceful today...
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- ..a place for nature and wildlife...
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- ..and ramblers.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Offa's Dyke runs through the site.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- The area is so flat...
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- ..it was a natural racecourse.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- Look carefully - and you can see the track.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- The racehorses always - crossed Offa's Dyke.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- There's no racing here today.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50- It's time I visited what's known - as England's most Welsh town.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- Oswestry has been here - for almost 1000 years.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- It takes its name - from an even older hill fort.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- Oswald, a seventh century king, - was killed here in battle.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- The town has been seized and claimed - by the Welsh and English many times.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- It was once known as Hot Village...
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- ..because Glyndwr burned - it so many times.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19- It's market day.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- Despite being in England - since the Acts Of Union...
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- ..we still feel it belongs to Wales.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- It's the closest town - to many Welsh communities.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- Borders don't count - when it comes to shopping.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- Hello.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43- Hello.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- I'm in a town in England.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Why is there a Welsh shop here?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Good question. - You're not the first to ask.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- Even though Oswestry is in England, - it's a very Welsh town.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- It has been ever since I remember.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- Before we opened five years ago...
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- ..we had to go to Wrexham - or Welshpool to buy Welsh goods.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- Mam and I decided - to open a Welsh shop.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- Welsh speakers run a number - of local businesses.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- But there wasn't a Welsh shop.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22- You live and work in Oswestry.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- How is it such a Welsh town?
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- The town has always been very Welsh.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- It had a bardic tradition - in the Middle Ages.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- The Poets Of The Nobility - would come and go.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- People from mid-Wales shop here...
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- ..especially on Wednesdays - for the market.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- People from Mid Wales retire here.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- My family lived in Penybontfawr.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- We came here to shop - or visit the dentist.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- We didn't realize - we crossed the border.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- It was all our area. - This was the nearest town.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- We didn't notice - it was another country.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- Do people feel Welsh or English?
0:16:07 > 0:16:12- Even though the majority - of the people don't speak Welsh...
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- ..they call themselves Welsh.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- When Wales plays England in rugby, - most support Wales.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22- Interesting.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- As a visitor...
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- ..I get the impression...
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- ..Oswestry is comfortable - with its border location.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- In the 1970s...
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- ..there were heated debates - about which country it belonged to.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- There was even - talk of holding a referendum...
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- ..to give people the choice.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- This is what some said.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- Do you consider yourselves - English or Welsh?
0:16:51 > 0:16:52- English.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58- Welsh! I've lived in Essex and - I've lived in Somerset and London.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- I was evacuated here during the war. - My two girls married two Welsh boys.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- The only grandsons - I've got are Welsh.
0:17:06 > 0:17:07- Do you live in Oswestry?
0:17:07 > 0:17:08- Do you live in Oswestry?- - Yes.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- What do you think about Oswestry - being returned to Wales?
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- I don't think that's necessary.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- I don't think that's necessary.- - You'd be against it.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18- Oswestry is Wales.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- It hasn't been since - the Act Of Union.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- Maybe, but it's only - what was stolen from us.
0:17:25 > 0:17:25- You ignore that.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- You ignore that.- - Of course we do! Absolutely.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- They're very proud to be Welsh.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- You live in Oswestry, in England.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34- You live in Oswestry, in England.- - Is it?
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- There was a mixed reaction - back then.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- How will people react - to the same question today?
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- Can I ask you, do you feel - more English or more Welsh?
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- English.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- Excuse me, sir. Can I ask you, - do you feel English or Welsh?
0:17:55 > 0:17:56- English.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Why do you say that?
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- Why do you say that?- - I was born in England.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- English. I moved into the area.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- Can I ask you a question on camera?
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- Can I ask you a question on camera?- - I feel English.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08- English.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- English.- - Do you feel English or Welsh?
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- Welsh, I guess. We're on the border.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- The Welsh are here!
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- I don't know. We're in a hurry - to get our coach.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- Do you feel English - or do you feel Welsh?
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- I am Welsh, born and bred.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26- I am Welsh, born and bred.- - Do you speak Welsh?
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- Yes. Am I on the television?
0:18:30 > 0:18:31- I feel Welsh, personally.
0:18:31 > 0:18:32- I feel Welsh, personally.- - Why do you say that?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- I was born in Wales - and my mum's Welsh.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- I feel more Welsh, we're by Wales.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- There's a lot of Welsh influence.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- The football team and all that.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43- The football team and all that.- - English.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- Why do you say that?
0:18:46 > 0:18:47- I don't speak Welsh.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- I don't speak Welsh.- - That's great, thank you.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- How Welsh is Oswestry?
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- Um... it's both Welsh and English.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03- For an English town, - does Oswestry have a Welsh feel?
0:19:04 > 0:19:09- Definitely, particularly on market - days when the farmers come in.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- The thing is, - I've lived in Crewe, for instance.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- If I said, "I'm going to Wales." - It's 40 miles away.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- Here, people don't say - they're going to Wales.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- They say - they're going to Aberystwyth.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- It's another extension - of where we live.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- The border isn't defined - because we live so close.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31- Do you understand that?
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- Do you understand that?- - Of course.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38- It's quite a similar reaction, - still the same mixture.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- English is the main language spoken, - although Welsh is heard.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- I move on to nearby Whittington...
0:19:48 > 0:19:53- ..to meet someone who was raised - in England in a Welsh speaking home.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- On the whole, - it felt completely natural to her.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- I'm Welsh.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- Because I was born and raised - in England...
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- ..I see Wales differently.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- I studied Welsh in university.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- I think I was the only one - from England on my course.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- I'm a Welsh teacher now. - So, I'm Welsh!
0:20:22 > 0:20:27- Are there other - Welsh speaking families here?
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- There's a Welsh club, - Clwb Cymraeg Croesoswallt.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- Not many people my age speak Welsh.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41- When I was younger, my friends were - English, until I started school.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43- Where did you go to school?
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- Where did you go to school?- - Llansilin, then Llanfyllin.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- I have three brothers. - We were in the Welsh stream there.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52- There was a lot of travelling.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- There was a lot of travelling.- - Yes.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- How long did it take - to go to school?
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- We travelled to Oswestry - to catch the bus.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- An hour, all in all.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- Our circle of friends - lived further away.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17- It was a big ask for my parents - to drive us to meet our friends.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23- We were members of Aelwyd Penllys, - Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- It was a big decision - to send us so far to school!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Are you consciously aware...
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- ..that you're crossing a border...
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- ..or have the local people - forgotten about it?
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- We tend to forget about it.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- But we know - when we're crossing the border.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- People around here - are very aware of it.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54- How?
0:21:54 > 0:22:00- Their attitude towards the Welsh - language and culture has improved.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05- They're more aware of what an - eisteddfod is and what we celebrate.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10- There is more interest - in finding out about it.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- Are people who live on the border...
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- ..or near the border...
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- ..different from people - who live further west?
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- Possibly.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- It's because...
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- ..they are surrounded - by the English language.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- The children I teach don't think - their Welsh is as good...
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- ..as children - who live in West Wales.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- It's the influence of another - language, so close to them.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- I've loved visiting the area.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- It's been brilliant. Thank you.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56- You're welcome.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- My journey from Chirk to Oswestry - was an eye-opener.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Next week, we start in Welshpool.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- And I go to a part of Wales - I've never visited before.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:28 > 0:23:28- .