People from Wales on social media have been reacting to the renaming of England's coastal path. On Monday, the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra UK) announced that the England Coast Path would now be referred to as King Charles III England Coast Path.
In a statement published on the same day, Defra UK explained that it was the UK Government's attempt to leave "a lasting legacy for people and nature with the renaming of the England Coast Path to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III". They added that the name change was also a nod to King Charles III, the former Prince of Wales, who had a "deep love and concern for England’s wildlife, natural and rural places".
The Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey added: "The King is a dedicated champion of nature in our country. He spearheaded efforts to move to more environmentally friendly farming techniques and through his Prince’s Foundation has sought to highlight how education can foster responsible stewardship towards the planet and the natural environment. The Coronation marks the beginning of a new chapter in our national story and it’s fitting that nature and the public will benefit from these lasting commemorations for years to come."
Read more: Rishi Sunak says he will keep calling Bannau Brycheiniog by its English name
It comes a few weeks after Bannau Brycheiniog National Park announced it would be using its Welsh language name to reflect how it was 'shaped by Welsh people and Welsh culture'. Although a lot of people have supported the change, the decision also received some strongly-worded opposition including from the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said that he would continue to use the national park's English name - the Brecon Beacons.
In an interview with the BBC last week, he said he imagined "most people" would stick with the English version of the name, adding that he was a "big supporter of the Welsh language and Welsh culture." The Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, also also made his position on the park's name clear.
"I think we should always celebrate the Welsh language and Welsh culture," he said, "because that's our identity. But I think when you have such a known area across the globe, and a brand that is known, and the principal town of the park is called Brecon, I think you're dismantling something that is held very dearly by many people.
"This isn't about saying that we shouldn't use the Welsh language or the Welsh name in this particular instance, but to actually discard the name and reference that people have had for many generations for this beautiful area of mid Wales, I think will actually act as an economic deterrent for people looking to go to that area and living in that area."
People from Wales have now had their say on the name change to England's coastal path, with many seemingly mocking the attitude of those that opposed the Welsh-only name use for Bannau Brycheiniog in Wales. On Twitter, Gareth Morgan responded with: "Woke nonsense gone mad! Very difficult for Welsh people to pronounce. I'll be keeping on calling it the coast path thank you very much."
Richard Martin mockingly described it as "woke madness". They added: "What about the businesses in these areas that have invested in their brand! People will always use the old name! What a waste of money! Where was the consultation?! How are visitors meant to know how to pronounce “III”?!"
While others were quick to point out the hypocrisy of the situation. Jack Henry tweeted: "When [England] changes a name: 'What an absolutely wonderful idea!' When [Wales] changes a name: 'What wokery! That’s is impossible to spell. What a waste of money. You need half a pint of phlegm!' Got it yet? See the difference?".
One Twitter user called Michael Scanlan is on MAB responded with: "Talk me through how doing this is fine but reverting the Brecon Beacons to their historic name of Bannau Brycheiniog is not." While Otto English said: "There was uproar in some circles last year when Snowden [sic] was renamed Yr Wyddfa... after a public consultation. No public consultation here. The government have simply renamed the English Coast path after King Charles".
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