Harpist 'banned' from bank in racist Welsh language sign row

A renowned harpist claims he has been banned from a bank in Aberystwyth after criticising the lack of priority given to the Welsh language on a sign. Robin Huw Bowen is angry about a sign in the HSBC branch which has the English word Welcome in big letters but the Welsh ‘Croeso’ in small letters. He feels the sign is racist as it treats the Welsh language in the same way as foreign languages, including French and Spanish, which are also on the sign in small letters.



He has called for HSBC customers to complain to the bank to ensure the sign gives priority to the Welsh language. Mr Bowen, of Capel Seion, said: “The ‘battle for the language’ has been won, we are told. Why then do businesses and bodies still refuse to respect our language here in Wales in the 21st century? This sign is actually in a branch of the ‘world’s local bank’ here on our doorstep in Aberystwyth, treating our national language as foreign.

“I believe this is basically racist, the bank consider Wales to be no more than a part of England. The bank has now banned me as I have made a rather noisy, public fuss every time I have complained, but many, many of my friends, both Welsh and English-speaking agree with my stance that the sign is racist and an affront to all of us in Wales.” Mr Bowen, who is recognised internationally as a leading exponent of the Welsh Triple Harp, uses HSBC to pay enrolment fees for the Society of the Traditional Instruments of Wales.



A HSBC spokesperson said: "We work hard to provide Welsh language services and have a close relationship with the Welsh Language Commissioner to help inform how we best communicate with our customers. We have shared Mr Bowen's concern about our welcome sign with our own Welsh language team as we take feedback seriously and will make sure it is fully considered. We are sorry Mr Bowen found the sign upsetting but due to his behaviour we had to ask him to leave our branch as it became too disruptive for our customers. We did not take this decision lightly and it is always the last resort."