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So
what's it all about then...
People
from Wales have always travelled to far flung places and for many different
reasons, look at the Welsh in Patagonia, where to this day the language
is still used, and what about the Williams's and Davies's in the phone
directories of Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand... in fact everywhere.
You wouldn't have to look to far back to see that many of these people
had origins back in Wales. In days gone by when the world was a far
bigger place and a relative living in Melbourne may as well have been
living on Jupiter, it was more difficult for expats to be in touch with
their roots. Now in 2003 the Welsh who have travelled and settled in
these 'far flung' places need not lose their Welshness. Communication
is now so much easier and we really have got to thank the internet for
this. What on earth did we used to do without it? and this is where
this site comes in.
The worldwidewelsh website is intended to be a place where you can 'touch
base' (as our expats in America say) with life back in Wales and also
share experiences with the many thousands of you who have travelled
away for whatever reasons (take a look at our existing members to see
that reasons are many and varied) and so that you can remain in a Welsh
community in a 21st century kind of way even though you are living in
outer Mongolia (actually we haven't got a member their yet! but if you
are reading this and do live in this particular neck of the woods then
please join us or Timbuctoo for that matter!). It is our intention that
this website is mainly run by expats in that we are the 'connecting
point' for you to gather at. So hop on board all you Welsh!!
how
do I join and what does it cost?
Joining
the WorldWideWelsh
is very simple and you'll be a member for life, as long as you are not
found wearing an English Football/Rugby top or singing 'swing low sweet
chariot', in which case you'll be named and shamed and instantly banished!
(I'm sorry but we've got to have some rules and regulations) Anyway
when we receive your details you will be listed in your particular area
on our map, and also you will have your own page! oh... and it doesn't
cost anything and never will!
it's
early days yet...
We
are in our infancy so it is important to get as many of you expats on-board
as possible, and we've got big plans for the future! in the meantime
whilst we 'Evolve' please use the message board as it should be very
busy - but isn't! - ask a question, make a point, tell a joke, make
an observation etc.. etc. this area of the site is where you can all
come together and share what it is to be living away from Wales in 2003.
On the 5th of May the issues being discussed are Wrexham's Promotion
- Welsh recipes - Wales to win the Rugby World Cup! - Cardiff City (have
they blown it) AND YOUR QUESTION OR MESSAGE
IS... and remember it's not only about sport any Welsh related
subject should be up for discussion - make sure you have your say..
is
it going to get all commercial?
The site is run as a Labour of love at the moment, I may get sponsors
and things in the future - whatever will be will be. Nevertheless
I promise I won't go down the road of annoying pop up screens that tell
you that you've just won 50 grand or a holiday home in Trecco Bay! If
you will allow me one plug though and that is the souvenirs
are mine (as seen in David Morgans - if you are familiar with the Welsh
Harrods) so if you fancy something Welsh on your key-ring, fridge or
car then please look here first (end of advertisement).
I
hope you enjoy your visit, join us and we'll talk again via the message
board...
cheers
for now - Paul
W W W
P R O G R E S S . . .
Oak
Trees from Acorns grow
as someone wise who was making slow progress
once said!
Yes
indeed folks the worldwidewelsh site is growing - in terms of the above
phrase we have got some roots a nice clump of lush leaves, we are soaking
up the sun and with plentiful rain! and an enormous amount of space
we are getting bigger and stronger by the day - get the picture..
2nd
May 2003
I'm
not quite sure which of our members lives furthest from Wales presumably
a member living in New Zealand. Today however we welcome our first European
member, would that be up in the land of the midnight sun or perhaps
way down South (and across a lot) in Turkey? Actually it's a little
closer to home than that in a place you may or may not have heard of
ENGLAND! yes indeed word has travelled in cyber space a coupla laps
around venus and then across Offas Dyke! If we receive an application
from any Welsh expat then we do so with open arms.
Numbers
elsewhere are also growing in all other global regions (we Welsh are
everywhere) and it seems that the most likely place you may hear someone
enquiring.. "who's coats that jacket" would be New South Wales,
no wonder the WRU are struggling to fill the Millennium Stadium they
should have built it in Wollongong! Any way this is all great stuff
and as numbers grow so does my determination, to make this the
Welsh Expats Site however it is still early days so please bear
with me (after all Sam Hammam reckons it'll take Cardiff City 20yrs
to get into the premiership, us hardened City fans say nonsense Sam
it'll take a lot longer than that! only joking Bluebirds Down Under
site
).
Another
positive thing that is starting to happen is involvement in the message
board. At this stage of our evolution I can't emphasize the importance
of this enough, it is the living breathing hub of a successful site
of this nature that is all about people.. Welsh people to be more specific.
We are a warm, humorous and chatty bunch so if you haven't said your
bit then please do, or respond to someone elses comments or tell a joke
I haven't heard an Englisman Scottishman Welshman joke for ages! (I
know I rattle on about this but, well someones got to eh.)
PLEASE
KEEP AN EYE ON THIS PAGE WHERE I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON HOW WE ARE
DOING I'm going to upload it now and finish my 4 pack of Stellas..
Have a great weekend one and all - and
Cymru am Byth! - Paul
10th
June 2003
and all is well, in fact all is bl***y marvelous
as we now have our own theme song! now how many sites can boast
that! and even more importantly - it's pure class and is the sole creation
of one of our very own worldwidewelsh.
So if you haven't yet had the pleasure then please do so now
. and don't forget checkout the maestro
Generally things are moving in the right direction
and whilst not exactly busy, the chat room is at least starting to be
used. The message board also is getting busier and I know this site
is a success when the message board is getting 50+ posts a day. At the
moment I would say we were around the 5 a day mark - if you are reading
this and are a regular message board contributor then many thanks! if
you are not then please post a message and see who responds! it's surprising
how you will get to know others on the message board or in the chat
room. Oh and it's all good natured stuff and that doesn't mean you can't
make a serious point but we won't let the area become a nasty place,
with insults, bad language or bitterness you know what I mean. Ok enough
from me let's see how things are in a month but above all keep it worldwidewelsh!
- Paul
11th
February 2004
Still here and growing as
we approach our first birthday I am glad to report that we are getting
bigger on a daily basis. It's difficult to know what makes a truly succesful
website but one thing that makes a difference is that it doesn't stagnate.
I like to think that we are not guilty of that. Theres nothing worse
than visiting a site that was last updated sometime in November 1999!
This site whilst run as a 'labour of love' is updated every day. Whether
it be a new joke or a link to a news story that is topical 'back home'.
The only way we will continue to grow is to try and keep the site fresh,
interesting and fun. Also we very much rely on 'audience participation'
and it gives me great pleasure that the message board is pretty busy
at the moment - so if you haven't yet, then please post a message on
our extremely friendly message board. As we approach the all important
1 year old, I hope that all our regular visitors keep popping in and
that we continue to attract more Welsh expats who also become 'regulars'
. With the six nations about to kick off it would be great if the famous
tournament stirs up interest in events from Wales for the many proud
Welsh folk who no longer reside here and we therefore attract even more
visitors. However please be aware we are pro all that is Welsh and are
not only interested in sporting issues. OK as usual I'm starting to
prattle on so I'll be back reporting here in about 6 months when I'm
confident that we will be absolutely buzzing with activity! Cheers for
now - Paul
- Cardiff
18th
March 2005 - (blimey that was a long six months! see above)
It's grand slam eve and the excitement/anticipation
is reaching fever pitch!! this all seems to have a positive effect for
this website as our visitor numbers have never been so good and the
message board is getting busier by the day! even the chat room is starting
to be used!! So a Welsh Grand Slam that we are all praying for could
mark a real breakthrough for this website. One of the reasons for a
lot of recent visitors are the screensavers that are available via the
front page - I intend doing more and more of them. Whilst I am pleased
that the message board is getting busier we are still just scratching
the surface and until we're getting 100's of messages every day then
I'll keep trying to promote it! I also intend introducing a Welsh language
chat room which will give the very many welsh expats who speak the language
the opportunity to use it. hopefully on a daily basis. OK that's it
for now it's a very big day tomorrow not only because of the massive
Wales v Ireland match but also apparently this website will be getting
a significant mention in the South Wales Echo!! Cheers
for now - Paul
- Cardiff
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