New Brighton is known locally as Pentre Cythraul in Welsh but has now been recognised despite requests from residents, although some are put off by its English translation
A long-running debate over the Welsh form of a village’s “Devil” name is hoped to be settled soon.
New Brighton, near Mold, is known locally in Welsh as Pentre Cythraul, but the place-name has never been formally recognised. In 2019, a bid was launched by residents to have it included on an official list of names published by the Welsh Language Commissioner.
However, concerns were raised by some villagers as Pentre Cythraul roughly translates as “The Devil’s Village” in English. Claire Homard, Flintshire Council’s chief officer for education and youth, said in a report this was due to the negative connotations associated with Pentre Cythraul, NorthWaleslive reported.
She said: “The commissioner has indicated support for the use of an official Welsh form of New Brighton, but prefers Pentre Cythrel, as the name is an oral development of ‘Catherall’ and reflects how the name is pronounced locally.
“Using ‘cythraul’ would be a further step away from the original colloquial name. Local residents who use the Welsh name Pentre Cythraul are supportive of the panel’s suggestion of Pentre Cythrel. The Welsh name Pentre Cythrel will also address the objections raised in the consultation and the negative association of Pentre Cythraul (Devil’s Village).”
Pentre Cythraul has been used locally as the Welsh form of New Brighton for many years and is included on driving licences issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). It also features on several signs in the village, including one attached to New Brighton Community Centre.
Councillors in Flintshire will be asked this week to support commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones’s suggestion for it to be known as Pentre Cythrel in future.
Ms Homard said the Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) would need to be updated to reflect any changes and notify bodies such as Ordnance Survey and Royal Mail.
She added: “Formally recognising a Welsh form of New Brighton will support the council’s Welsh language promotion strategy by raising the visibility of the language. It also ensures Welsh is treated equal to English. Adopting a Welsh name would not incur any additional costs as signage can be changed as and when it is renewed.”
Members of Flintshire’s corporate resources scrutiny committee will be asked to approve the new Welsh name for New Brighton at a meeting on Thursday. It will then go to the council’s cabinet for a final decision, before the commissioner can be informed to include it on the official list of place-names
