I am delighted to be in Wales. It is an amazing place. The national anthem sung by rugby fans already makes the hairs of the back of my neck stand on end. The poetry and the passion of the people I am now living amongst give me confidence and hope; and yet I am present saddened to be English (drist i fod yn Saesneg).

I was with a local head teacher yesterday (nothing changes). That head teacher must have in their late 40s. They recounted a story of their father being caned in school for daring to speak welsh. I have experienced much silence over the last 24 hours, wondering how one culture can dare to lord it over another.

Wales is an amazing place, and the welcome has been quite wonderful. I trust in time, I will be able to be proud to be English in this amazing place, but for now I can only commit myself to honouring the resilient and proud cultures of those around me; saddened that those who came before me did not always act well.