Gŵyl Dydd Glyndŵr Day Abercraf

Another excellent Gŵyl Dydd Glyndŵr took place at Abercraf last weekend and again, Tywysog Owain ruled the weather providing us with a wonderfully sunny and warm weekend. I didn't think it would be possible for this event to get better but, it did! The weather was great, as was the food and real ales and both children, parents and everyone else had a wonderful time. (See pics)

The music throughout the weekend was varied and extremely entertaining and, to everyone's delight, the band ,Lazarus and the Lambs' had composed an Owain Glyndŵr song especially for this 'Sleeping Giant festival and had everybody in the audience dancing and singing to the chorus on several occasions throughout the weekend. This song is to be recorded, more news on this very soon.

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Congratulations to the Sleeping Giant foundation for another successful weekend. This was the fifth year for this event to be held - and if the area did not know about Owain Glyndŵr before, they certainly do now! The SGF and all the volunteers from surrounding communities who have worked really hard for this festival have done him proud and may the Gŵyl go from strength to strength. I have said it before, and i will say it again. It is really ironic that the best Gŵyl Glyndŵr is held in an area that has little direct Glyndŵr associated history whilst the places that have a strong associated Glyndŵr history choose to ignore its potential! Come on the rest of Wales! It will be the 660 anniversary of Glyndŵr's birth in 2014, giving you plenty of time to get organised. We would like to set up a national committee of organising groups from every part of Cymru for this so, if you want to see a Glyndŵr event in your community in 2014 - or before - why wait? contact me.

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At last, some very exiting news! An 'epic' Owain Glyndŵr film is in the pipeline, more news on this to follow soon.

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This has nothing to do with Glyndŵr but it's a gig to raise money towards the Urdd Eisteddfod 2010 so, as far as we're concerned, its all a part of Glyndŵr's cause. Steve Eaves and his band are to perform at the Rygby Club, Aberystwyth at 7.30pm on the 9th of October. Tickets are £12 which includes a curry. Please support if you can.

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Siân

MYNYDD HYDDGEN/NANT Y MOCH WIND TURBINES SHALL NOT PASS! A Look into the future and how a major protest is probable?

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See below: Our Tarian Glyndŵr photo story of our '16 Medi Dydd Glyndŵr Day of Action' at the entrance to Swansea Docks. Such could be viewed as a symbolic gesture but that was not the only purpose. The main purpose of the action was to reconnoiter and suss out logistics for future minor and major protests for now that we know that turbines are being imported into Wales via the docks and then systematically moved out to various windmill plantation sites throughout the land, we suggest that picket protests should be organised for whenever such occurs. We will support such but feel it is up to the locally concerned Anti - Windmill Groups to call for such action. If however the Hyddgen/Nantymoch plantation gets the go ahead and Turbines start to be moved in from Swansea docks to that site, we will take a lead role in calling for national protest from Swansea to Hyddgen/Nantymoch. However, until that time, we will await on any one's call to action as and when and where ever such is needed?

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So,what was achieved by our 'Day of Action'? Well, in the main, we displayed that we are prepared to protest but also, photos we took (see below) show the way in to the docks off Fabian Way. Look out for the McDonalds on the left whilst the Docks is to the right on the mini roundabout. Photos also illustrate that there is plenty of space along the side of the roadway to the Docks for 100's of demonstrators to line up with placards plus loads of fences to hang banners on with slogans. Hopefully, others have started to go out and look out for good protest picket, banners and placard locations en route to Hyddgen.

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In medieval times a flag turned up side down signified surrender or death or both, thus I conclude by saying NO SURRENDER! The TURBINES SHALL NOT PASS! But please, this stand can only work if all groups and individuals take our proposal serious - and in haste. We detect that there much individual action but not group solidarity action going on when unity and solidarity must be the order of the day, Devided You Fall - United We Stand! If one united movement is an impossibility, could not, at the least, a central national liaision and coordination council be established? along with one blog/website by which info may be passed on. Such is important and needs to be done with much urgency as we are getting e-mails from dozens of anti - windmill sources on a daily basis, and if, as us, people are involved in much else, then the windmill info may go by unread or put on a shelf, even accidently deleted. It is in everyone's interest that such a council or an activist who can be counted on, or, anti windmill groups on a rotating responsibility ''takes charge'' of info sort out and distribution.

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Please accept this advice with the best interest of all Anti - Windmill campaigners at heart. Last but not least, face reality that, sooner or later, there will be needed volunteers prepared to carry out non - violant direct action as in the form of passive resistance such as 'sit downs' or 'sit ins' so, the matter of support groups need to be considered to support activists, pay fines or whatever, but most of all, please remember, standing alone is no option, as those against us will pick you off 'one by one'.
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Siân.

WHITHER CENEDL GLYNDŴR - The Confident Nation.

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16 'Dydd Glyndŵr' September 2009 Statement.
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Whither Cenedl Glyndŵr – More than just a confident Nation!
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Embassy Glyndŵr awaits eagerly the forthcoming statement on a 'Welsh Heritage Strategy' scheduled to be issued this month by the Minister of Welsh Heritage Alun Ffred Jones. We are aware of his interest in the history of Glyndŵr, noting his visit in July, with representatives of Cadw, to Canolfan Senedd-Dŷ Glyndŵr Machynlleth, Capel Pennal and Cefn Caer – National Repository of restored national treasure ‘Coron Glyndr’.

(Pic opposite: The Minister of heritage being shown 'Coron Glyndŵr by its Custodian Elfyn Rowlands of Cefn Caer)
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Having read preliminary discussion documents concerned with the forthcoming statement, I welcome much proposed therein. I have noted also, that the Minister of Heritage states in various media releases publicising this forthcoming statement, that he believes Wales to be now a more ‘’confident nation’’. Embassy Glyndŵr strongly believes that Wales would show itself to be more the 'confident nation' if the Minister of Heritage was to announce, on 16 Medi 2009, that this day, 16 Medi, would be officially declared a 'national day' - ‘Dydd Glyndŵr’ and that henceforth, the Glyndŵr flag would be officially flown on all public buildings at request of the Welsh Assembly.

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Of course, Wales would become more than just a ‘confident nation’, if the Welsh Assembly were to follow the example of Bolivia concerning the native Indian flag and declare the Glyndŵr flag to have equal status with Y Ddraig Goch, and that it will be flown, throughout the year, side by side, with that flag on all public buildings. I can hear you all say now, "dream on Siân" but i live in hope!

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In association with the above, Embassy Glyndŵr must state that we believe, that the removal of Welsh Assembly Government jobs from Machynlleth to Aberystwyth is not only a devastating blow to employment in Machynlleth but demotes the status of the town, as 'Prif Ddinas Tywysog Owain Glyndŵr'. Hopefully, the WAG will reverse this decision and not only restore these jobs to Machynlleth but also create more WAG jobs in the town, so providing much more solid foundations for the restoration of Glyndŵr’s 1404 Parliament in his capital once more; such is as inevitable as will be the re-establishment of Cenedl Glyndŵr one day.
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Also associated with the aforementioned Heritage statement, is the matter of the involvement of the Civic Trust who have not only taken over responsibility of 'on going developments' associated with this Heritage Statement, but are taking aboard more than just a pastoral interest in the advancement of a ‘Heritage Network’ to take over the work of the Heritage Environment Group (HEG) and Treftadaeth 08 and 09 conferences. Bearing in mind the Civic Trust's annual September Heritage ‘Open Days’, It concerns me that such a body, along with the National Trust, RCAHMW and CADW, all with their emphasis on the "built heritage" allows other 'historical heritage' to be made of little priority, not least concerning medieval Wales and Hanes Glyndŵr as associated with the month of September 1400.

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On the other hand, the Minister of Heritage is, it seems, very much concerned with this 'peoples history' as much as the 'built heritage'. Thus to rectify the above, we call upon the Minister to declare September: Mis Medi - Mis Glyndŵr – Mis Hanes Cymru with 16 Medi also, annually, recognised as a 'National History (and Identity day)'. I envison such to be on similar lines to the well established 'Black History Month' and there is no reason why such broadening of 'heritage' matters cannot work in a parallel way to the Civic Trust’s Heritage ‘Open Days’. Not only would such a move make sense but it would also act as guarantee that whatever the new Heritage Statement says and whatever developments follow on the work of HEG, our national ‘Sense of Nation’ history will not be in second 'non priority' position or even, forgotten.

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Of course, Pobl Glyndŵr and other Welsh History enthusiasts do not have to wait for official approval for a 'Mis Medi - Mis Glyndŵr – Mis Hanes Cymru' designationary statement from the Minister and WAG, you can just make it happen in any number of ways. Quite simply, organise Welsh History events and activities, such as exhibitions, in your communities for the month of September - but focused on Glyndŵr history on 16 Medi, and make the week following, a 'Wythnos Glyndŵr Week'.

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At the end of the day, no matter what the Minister of Heritage says, and no matter how much the WAG may nod towards "nation building", If they are afraid and avoid all the time the use of ‘’sense of place’’ and ‘sense of nation’ and if they focus on the word ‘’bro’’ at the expense of ‘cenedl’ then they're deceiving everyone including themselves. The problem is, of course, that so many of the 'so called' professionals and civil servants involved in our 'Welsh Heritage Industry' are often ex – 'English Heritage' employees or heirs of the 'Festival of Castles' mentality, as far from Postcolonial thinking as you can get! Whatever, one cannot really trust in what they might say but, it will be very interesting indeed to see if the Cadw marriage with the Arts Council of Wales to deliver a Welsh contribution to the British Cultural Olympiad will be very much witness to a 'real' cultural revolution or just more of the same of the "cultural soft sell" of the 'arty farty brigade' and 'rose tinted' soft ‘’cultural nationalism’’.
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A sure way of seeing if these people are serious, is to see if they are all up for a major push promotion for a huge national commemoration and celebration of the 660th anniversary of Owain Glyndŵr's birthday (1354) throughout 2014. Despite all their "national sound bites", this year, CADW & Co totally forgot to mark the 600th Anniversary of the fall of Harlech Castle (1409) and instead of Glyndŵr themed events at that Castle, just fed us more of the Shakespeare 'virus' that brings on the Shakespeare fever that keeps the Welsh mind struck useless by cerebral colonialism.

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So, can they be trusted to advance the 660th Commemoration? Well you can try badgering the entire Welsh Heritage Industry and WAG but, at the same time, its just as well that you rally to Embassy Glyndŵr to ensure something is done. We have 4 years to organise and raise funds from everywhere to do it - and do it well - and in style! this time together in the greatest ever show of patriotic unity and solidarity.

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*Note: much more information on this in due course
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Towards the above end, Embassy Glyndŵr has already been working on a major commemorative Initiative to go beyond what we achieved in 2000 and 2004 re commemorating 1400 and 1404. Please inform asap of your interest in being involved, be you a national professional 'heritage' Interest body, an organisation, society or individual. We shall, in due course, invite one and all to a major conference to discuss and develop such a commemorative programme that can be applied on a community and national level. .

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I shall set up a 'Geni Glyndŵr 660 Commemoration blog in time, to provide further information and to post ideas and proposals for concrete projects and initiatives but first, over the weeks ahead - through Mis Medi - Mis Glyndŵr – Mis Hanes Cymru, lets all badger WAG, CADW & CO to deliver on this as well, lets see if they are up to making Wales a really ''confident nation'' in 2014, or, the alternative is, that they might back peddle to come up with a commemoration of Azincourt 1415 – 2014, Henry IV and Shakespeare and all that; God Forbid!

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Siân Ifan.

RECLAIM GLYNDWR FROM THE BNP! If Possible Go To Corwen On 16 Medi 2009 'DYDD GLYNDWR'.

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It has been drawn to our attention that the BNP have produced a T-Shirt with a picture of Corwen's new Owain Glyndŵr statue on it along with the slogan "British By Birth but Welsh by the Grace of God". (See Denbighshire Free Press 10/9/09) Well, there's a contradiction in terms for you! They're obviously using these T shirts as part of their recruiting drive in Wales so, beware as there is just the possibility that they may turn up in Corwen on 'Dydd Glyndŵr', as they once threatened to do at an Abergele Commemoration but, the threat of many more nationalists turning up put them off making an appearence there so, if you're not busy on an anti windmill protest (see previous posts) on Dydd Glyndŵr, please make every effort to get to Corwen to put the BNP off from making a potential propaganda appearance and using Glyndŵr for it. Let's deliver the message to them loud and clear...GLYNDŴR WAS A WELSH WARRIOR FIGHTING FOR WELSH INDEPENDENCE, NOT A BRIT!

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Also, the Peoples Council of North Wales will be at Corwen on Dydd Glyndŵr. They are running a campaign against further colonialization of Cymru so, going to Corwen on Dydd Glyndŵr will not be in vain, even if the BNP do not show, as you can support this worthy campaign.

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Balchder Cymru is organizing a walk up to Caerdrewyn on Saturday the 19th. I'll post more info on this if I get any? for those that would like to join the walk.

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Other Glyndŵr events and activities: Don't forget that the Abercraf Gŵyl Glyndŵr is on this weekend 18th, 19th and 20th. (See earlier post for full details) I will be there with a Llysgenhadaeth stall so, if you are coming to the event, come and see me to say hello.

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Look out for my annual Dydd Glyndŵr message - as this year's message will be about campaigning for September to be designated as a 'MIS GLYNDŴR-MIS HANES CYMRU.

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If you know of any other Dydd Glyndŵr events taking place anywhere, let me know asap and I'll post up details.

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Siân

4: TARIAN GLYNDWR - NO TURBINES ON HYDDGEN - PROTEST TRIAL RUN.

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Update: I've just had this message which will help to clarify a few points re the Nant y Moch site..

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Dear Siân,

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Planning permission has not been granted yet. Airtricity are aiming to submit the applications by the end of the year, but will probably (hopefully), be delayed. The fact that this trial run has been postponed is a good sign, the more delay the better our chances of fighting this ill-conceived project. It is not the police who want a trial run, it is Dulas, Airtricity's consultants. The police are clearly not happy with any of the transports. In Powys they have brought out a report to say that they will be unable to cope with all the planned turbine transports. That is the reason why they are now planning to bring the Nant-y-moch turbines in from Swansea instead of Ellesmere.Again: I should be grateful if you know of any Welsh speaking residents in the villages around the wind farm area who might be willing to help us in our campaign to raise awareness the impact this development will have, but I shall be away for the coming fortnight, so anyone interested could contact either Carol Swales or Ann West at the Cambrian Mountains Society.Diolch and best wishes,Wyck

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CERRIG CYFAMOD GLYNDŴR will be within this Turbine Plantation,

see info link below:

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Latest News
24 February 2009, Nant-y-moch Wind Turbines, The Welsh Assembly's TAN 8 document identified the Nant-y-moch area as suitable for wind turbines. ...www.ceredigionramblers.org.uk/.../Latest%20News.htm - Cached - Similar
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The Welsh Assembly's TAN 8 document identified the Nant-y-moch area as suitable for wind turbines. A map from the developers has recently become available indicating their "Nant-y-moch Preliminary Layout". It shows over 100 turbines covering an area which extends from just outside Talybont in the west and well into Powys in the east, and from Cwm Einion (known to many as Artists’ Valley!) in the north to Llyn Craigypistyll (the source of Aberystwyth’s water) in the south. It includes the site of Cerrig Cyfammod Glyndŵr where Owen Glyndŵr is reputed to have “held parley, and made his covenant” and is close to the probable site of Glyndŵr’s famous victory in the Battle of Hyddgen. The developers have ignored the recommendations produced by ARUP consultants working on behalf of Ceredigion Council who concluded: "It is recommended in accordance with the study brief that the TAN 8 SSA boundary is … refined to remove the environmentally worst performing areas and any additional land not needed to deliver the TAN 8 indicative capacities". This recommendation would have significantly reduced the area originally proposed by the Assembly, but the developers are now proposing to extend it - to go beyond not only ARUP but also beyond the original SSA boundary.If these proposals are implemented they will have massive implications for the Group's walking programme.
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Update 14 Sept 09: Information recieved that Dulas (Airtricity's Consultants) are not now going to hold a trial run on the 16 Medi 2009 between Abertawe Docks and Hyddgen. However, we suggest Anti Windmill Activists go ahead with their own trial run, keeping in mind that to be fore informed is to be fore-armed, I mean, with information and not with swords and bows as Glyndŵr would have used to sort this matter out.

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Aitricity and it's Machynleth based agents, DULAS LTD are now stating that the Nant y Moch scheme does not impinge on Glyndŵr's Hyddgen Battlefield, how do they know that? as the battle was very much a running fight as Glyndŵr as his warriors smashed their way through encirclement, this means the battle could have been quite scattered over wide area. However, as can be seen see from the above statement taken from the Ramblers website, the Turbine Plantation will impinge on Cerrig Cyfamod Glyndŵr so, that's good enough to sustain our keen interest. On 16 Medi, we shall make a token symbolic stand at the entrance to Swansea dock. are there any Pobl Glyndŵr out there who can, at the least, make a symbolic stand at Glyndŵr's Covenant Stones, ideal time and place to pledge a covenant for all to make a stand together against this planned invasion to desecrate our great heritage in the landscape.

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.1. The trial run has been postponed. The police want more time to prepare. 2. The proposed turbines will be 145m (475 ft?) high: more than 1.5x Big Ben. The blades alone will be 45m which is 2m more than the full height of Mynydd Gorddu wind farm!3.

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Embassy Glyndŵr Position Statement.

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Our campaign is not about just defending Battlefields but Heritage in the Landscape plus of course we oppose these turbines anyway. Re our present protest, I accept the turbine invasion/trial run is off, but other turbines are coming in via Swansea Docks regualrly to deliver to turbine plantations throug hout the land. So a symbolic token protest there will not be a bad thing, and in general, I have stated the usefulness of our own trial run to collect info in advance regards seeking out potential picketing, placard and poster propaganda points en route.

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Hence, we shall move into action when called upon to do so by any anti - windmill action groups or campaigns, but think it a must to have more 'all groups' unity and solidarity, at least via some sort of nationally representative liaison & coordination body. However, all please note, for the next 2/3 months, I shall be very busy with another kind of Heritage Campaign, but in answer to another letter, yes, we are in favour of a National Demonstration at the Assembly, perhaps on 21 September when the AM's return for the Autumn session, but I will leave others to call for such and generally organise and publicise.

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SEE BELOW LINKS FOR VERY USEFUL INFORMATION.

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[PDF]
Route Access Report Number: 158655 Meardy & Hirwaun Wind Farms ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTMLSwansea Docks onto Fabian Way (A483). The exit detailed in drawing series .... I am currently carrying out a survey for the movement of Wind Turbine ...www.maerdywindfarm.co.uk/ReportsIssued/.../Appendix%20I.pdf - Similar
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Nantymoch windfarm and the landscape
Cambrian Mountains Society - Nantymoch widfarm proposal landscape issues ... LANDMAP is the Welsh national information system, devised by the Countryside ...
www.cambrian-mountains.co.uk/issues/nantymoch-landscape.htm - Cached

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Nantymoch windfarm protest 20th June 2009
Story and images of a gathering organised by the Cambrian Mountains Society on 20.6.2009 to protest against the Nantymoch widfarm proposal
www.cambrian-mountains.co.uk/issues/nantymoch-protest.htm - Cached
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Ceredigion County Council - Utilities
Will O'Whispers; Bigger Nantymoch dam proposed, Cambrian News, 10/12/1971, P68(2) ... Arguing against a windfarm on the 'hill of agitation', Cambrian News, 12/1/1996 ...
www.ceredigion.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=10368 - Cached

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Frequently Asked Questions
The technical name of the Nant y Moch scheme is SSA D. The SSAs were identified by the .... Contracting Dulas Ltd, based in Machynlleth, and Melin Cyf in ...www.userfusion.com/air2/index.php/faqs.html - Cached - Similar

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. National Wind Watch Industrial Wind Energy News

Airtricity intends to work with local company Dulas Ltd to build the 100MW project on a rural, upland site at Nant-y-Moch. It had previously been selected ...www.wind-watch.org/news/page/230/?s=sse - Similar

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'I'r Gad' yn Ysbryd Glyndŵr.

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Siân.

3: WIND TURBINE INVASION OF HYDDGEN 16 MEDI 2009 'DYDD GLYNDWR' Time Table of Turbine Transportation Swansea to Hyddgen.

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THEY SHALL NOT PASS!

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Traffic delays expected with turbine trial 12:52pm Thursday 3rd September 2009
Ceredigion County Council has revealed its having been informed of the intended trial movement, on 16 September 2009, of wind turbine parts from Swansea dock to the site of a proposed wind farm in the vicinity of Nant y Moch, Hyddgen near Talybont in northern Ceredigion.

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The company organising the trial is Dulas Ltd, Dyfi Eco Park, Machynlleth, Powys. The transporter will be leaving Swansea Docks at about 9:30am on 16 September 2009 and it is expected that the load will reach Ceredigion by about 11:00am. It is anticipated that the journey will be completed by about 3.00pm.

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Ceredigion County Council has been informed that the route through Ceredigion will be along the A478 (from the boundary with Pembrokeshire) to Cardigan; along the A487 coastal trunk road to Aberystwyth; the A4120 through Llanbadarn Fawr; the A44 trunk road to Lovesgrove Roundabout; the A4159 to the A487 trunk road at Bow Street and then north along the A487 trunk road to the site.

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Ceredigion County Council revealed its having been informed that the transport company involved (Collett Transport, Victoria Terminal, Albert Road, Halifax, England) has carried out a full appraisal of the route. Queuing points have been identified along the route and the company has told the County Council that it estimates that any traffic delays will be limited to a maximum of 10 minutes. The movement of wind turbine parts will be executed under police escort and the police will also carry out traffic management duties.
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LLWYTH ANARFEROL O FAWR I DEITHIO AR FFYRDD CEREDIGION
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Mae Cyngor Sir Ceredigion wedi datgelu iddo gael gwybod y bydd arbrawf i gymryd lle ar yr 16 Medi 2009 fydd yn gweld symud llwyth anarferol o fawr ar ffyrdd y sir pan symudir darnau ar gyfer melyn wynt o ddociau Abertawe i safle y bwriedir ei defnyddio ar gyfer fferm wynt yng nghyffiniau Nant y Moch, ger Talybont, yng ngogledd Ceredigion. Trefnir y daith arbrofol gan gwmni Dulas Ltd, Parc Eco Dyfi, Machynlleth, Powys. Bydd y llwyth yn gadael dociau Abertawe tua 9:30am ar yr 16 Medi 2009 a disgwylir iddo gyrraedd Ceredigion erbyn tua 11:00am. Disgwylir i'r llwyth gyrraedd ei gyrchfan erbyn tua 3:00pm.Hysbyswyd Cyngor Sir Ceredigion fod y daith i ddefnyddio'r A478 i gyfeiriad Aberteifi o'r ffin â Phenfro; yr A487 arfordirol o Aberteifi i Aberystwyth; yr A4120 drwy Llanbadarn Fawr; yr A44 i gylchfan Gelli Angharad; yr A4159 i Bow Street ac yna'r A487 tua'r gogledd i gyfeiriad y safle. Eglurodd Cyngor Sir Ceredigion iddo gael ei hysbysu fod y cwmni trafnidiaeth (Collett Transport, Victoria Terminal, Albert Road, Halifax, Lloegr) wedi cwblhau asesiad manwl o'r siwrne. Cynlluniwyd gogyfer â mannau ciwio ar hyd y daith ac mae'r cwmni wedi dweud wrth y Cyngor Sir nad yw'n disgwyl y bydd rhaid i drafnidiaeth arall oedi am yn hwy na deng munud ar hyd y siwrne. Bydd yr heddlu yn goruchwylio’r siwrne ac y rheoli traffig yn ystod y daith.

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PHONE AND PROTEST!

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Nodyn i Olygyddion:Dyma fanylion cyswllt y cwmnïau perthnasol: Dulas Ltd - 01654 7050000 Collett Transport - 01422 255233 Note for Editors: Contact details for the parties involved are: Dulas Ltd - 01654 7050000 Collett Transport - 01422 255233
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www.Ceredigion.gov.uk
Gwefan Twristiaeth:
www.Croeso.Ceredigion.gov.uk
Ymholiadau'r wasg:
Ebost:
swyddfarwasg@ceredigion.gov.uk
Ffôn:
01545 572003
The Chief Executive's Department, Ceredigion County Council, Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales. SA46 0PA
Council website:
www.Ceredigion.gov.uk
Tourism website:
www.Croeso.Ceredigion.gov.uk
Press enquiries:
Email:
pressoffice@ceredigion.gov.uk
Telephone:
01545 572003

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PHONE AND COMPLAIN.

1: 16 MEDI 'Dydd Glyndwr' 2009 A DAY OF DIRECT ACTION AGAINST THE WINDMILLING OF WALES, maybe? Time to come up to the mark! YES?

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Over recent months, we have been inundated with a flurry of e-mails from those more active than we are in the campaign against the windmilling of Wales. Most of the e-mails recieved have been in connection to a consistant campaign of letters to the media drawing attention to the problems associated with these monstrosities but, it seems to end at that! with no desire expressed towards organising forms of 'real direct action' - such as that which is regularly carried out by 'Green' activists or, as was carried out by 'Patriotic activists' in resistance to the 'Hafod Landfill' issue.

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The latest batch of e-mails that we have recieved over the last couple of weeks have been prompted by the shipping of these monstrosities into Swansea Dock. From there,they are destined for the hills of West and Central Wales and the transporting has already begun causing big tailbacks on our roads but, according to recent 'alerts' recieved, it was scheduled for a trial run to take place, for the transporting of a large number of these wind turbines from Swansea Docks to the planned Nant y Moch windmill site on 16 Sept - Dydd Glyndŵr Day 2009! One e-mail we recieved concerning this plan stated:

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"Will it destroy the site of the Battle of Hyddgen!

Will it be a 400 ft turbine? I wonder! Traffic delays expected with turbine trial (please pass this on):- Ceredigion County Council has revealed its having been informed of the intended trial movement, on 16 September 2009, of wind turbine parts from Swansea dock to the site of a proposed wind farm in the vicinity of Nant y Moch near Talybont in northern Ceredigion. The company organising the trial is Dulas Ltd, Dyfi Eco Park, Machynlleth, Powys. The transporter will be leaving Swansea Docks at about 9:30am on 16 September 2009 and it is expected that the load will reach Ceredigion by about 11:00am. It is anticipated that the journey will be completed by about 3.00pm. Ceredigion County Council has been informed that the route through Ceredigion will be along the A478 (from the boundary with Pembrokeshire) to Cardigan; along the A487 coastal trunk road to Aberystwyth; the A4120 through Llanbadarn Fawr; the A44 trunk road to Lovesgrove Roundabout; the A4159 to the A487 trunk road at Bow Street and then north along the A487 trunk road to the site. Ceredigion County Council revealed its having been informed that the transport company involved (Collett Transport, Victoria Terminal, Albert Road, Halifax, England) has carried out a full appraisal of the route. Queuing points have been identified along the route and the company has told the County Council that it estimates that any traffic delays will be limited to a maximum of 10 minutes. The movement of wind turbine parts will be executed under police escort and the police will also carry out traffic management duties. Will it destroy the site of the Battle of Hyddgen!!!!!

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Now, Embassy Glyndŵr, over the yrs, has, rather passively, supported the Anti Windmill Campaign and although we are very aware of the many issues concerning these Wind Farms, our concern, in the main, has been in regards to 'Defending Heritage in the Landscape' and, in particular in association with the planned desecration of Mynydd Hyddgen - an area, where a major battle was fought and won by Owain Glyndŵr in the Spring of 1401. This battle site had been allocated priority status as a site in need of registering by the 'I'r Gad' Welsh Battlfield Campaign eight yrs ago and had been registered by Embassy Glyndŵr as part of our 'Tarian Glyndŵr - Defending Heritage in the Landscape Campaign' in 2003 (see pic opposite)

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Although the scheme to windmill Hyddgen has been passed by Ceredigion Council, Embassy Glyndŵr believes that active Welsh resistance to it should now be organized. Should there be no major resistance to this scheme, then it will be a green light to the 'powers that be' to go ahead to totally desecrate our heritage and devastate our beautiful Landscape. ..

However, we are a small body of people, not large enough in numbers to organize as a protest movement would, nevertheless, we do campaign on a number of issues when possible or, support other people and groups who do so - as we did in regards to the Hafod Landfill issue in Johnstown, Wrecsam and as we have turned out to do on a number of occasions at Anti Windmill demonstrations.

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So, we now appeal to all those Anti - Windmill campaigners that have been e-mailing us and to all others who care about our nation and its heritage to get organized to make a stand at this last minute, it is already almost too late.

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ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS! SEIZE THE TIME! NOW OR NEVER! let's, at the least, make that effort to work together to mobilize a MAJOR DAY OF ACTION against the Windmilling of Wales. The time has come to put down the pen and MAKE THAT STAND, the only alternative is to let them get on with it and face the consequences which, in time, will prove to be heavy on the fabric of our nation.

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There is no better place than on Mynydd Hyddgen to make such a stand, and I remind one and all, that Glyndŵr's first victory at this site was won when his small band was greatly outnumbered. It is also worth noting that the Welsh, at this time, was a population of some 500.000, and yet, they sustained a war for 21 years against an aggressive enemy with a population of some 3 Million and, an enemy that was one of Europe's most powerful military machines - and which had, for over three centuries, sought to conquor our country. It's also worth noting that Glyndŵr's forces set out to destroy wind and water mills because they were means of socio - economic colonisation - in so far, that the Welsh could grow wheat but not mill it and make bread to sell in the Colonial Borough Towns.

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Nothing's changed. These present plans for the 'Windmilling of Wales' can only be considered as a continuation of the socio - economic oppression, exploitation and expropriation of our natural resources since the days of Glyndŵr; be this a matter of stealing our land, robbing us of it's minerals, having the British Army occupy much as training grounds, and the bulldozing of our communities and drowning of our valleys to provide water for English Cities and English Industry.

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We are, at this present time, being used at a dumping ground for England's rubbish with more and more landfill sites being earmarked for Wales and, very insidiously, our lanscape is to be defaced with the erection of thousands of these worthless 'monstrosities' (along with endless miles of cabling and thousands of pylons) that will only provide wind power if there's wind! See pic below of such a Wind Farm (small scale this one) I took this photo at Gilfach Goch last weekend; Notice the blade on the ground, Heaven help anybody in the vicinity When there is high wind and these blades fly off! Also, there are a growing number of reports from people that claim to be suffering illnesses because they live in close proximity to these windmills and has anybody considered how this is going to affect livestock and wildlife - and birds? and what will be the effect on tourism and the value on properties?

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.Why Wales - again? There are plenty of areas in England such as the Pennines, the South Downs and the Chiltern and Malvern Hills which are suitable for such schemes but, no such planning permission would be given to erect a Wind Farm on the Malvern Hills but, in Wales, it appears we will put up with anything - but, are we going to - again? we shall see.

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Who will benefit from these Wind Farms? Well certainly not those living in Wales - unless you have land to sell to the developers. The beneficiaries will be the overseas producers of the turbines, the developers, the landowners - who are willing to sell their land and, again, as in the case of Elan, Clywedog and Tryweryn, English towns and cities and English industry who will get most of the renewed energy. I am told that these monstrosities have a lifespan of about 25yrs and then they will need to be renewed. In that case, can you, in all seriousness, see the developers dipping into their profits to adequately remove the old turbines at the end of their lives. I doubt it very much, I would wager that they will be left where they are, to decay, until they fall to the ground and,over time, into our sacred Cymric earth whilst fresh sites nearby are found for their replacements.

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Don't get us wrong though, we, as much as anyone else in Wales, are eager to develop means of renewable energy for our land and its people but, wind farms are ,most definately, not the answer. Every community in Wales has a river or lake

that could be employed to produce power much more economically, efficiently and at a safer health level to the community and there are a number of other such viable options. So, Pobl Glyndŵr awake and arise, to action with Baneri Glyndŵr held high. Perhaps, you will lead the way forward where it seems others fear to tread, or worse, dither and dally and do little that will put the fear of Owain Glyndŵr into those who would continue to oppress and exploit our nation and its people. WE THUS SAY, THIS FAR AND NO FURTHER!

.Beware of 'tactics' to hoodwink and distract your attention from organising action on this issue. Even as I write, e-mails are coming in stating that the police have cancelled the trial run. Well, I for one, would not believe this on face value as it could, very likely, be a diversionary tactic to thwart protest demonstrations. Thus, no matter what the truth is, we would say, go ahead with a TRIAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST WINDMILLS on 16 Medi 2009 anyway. As I have already stated, we are not in a position to organise such but will fully support any organised action and can propose some ideas and initiatives such as those to follow below. So let's go for it! .Some ideas and initiatives for a Day of Action:
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* Set up a symbolic declaration activity at the 'Glyndŵr Covenant Stones' close to the Hyddgen Battlesite.

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* Set up a Glyndŵr Camp close to the Windmill site entrance.

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* Blockade Roads/lane ways with short symbolic sit downs.

.* Organise Pickets on Docks in Swansea and at Nant y Moch site.

.* Organise for Protest Groups with placards enroute, to be sited at strategic points.

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* Organise for posters to be placed at key points of route. Note, rolls of wallpaper/bedsheets sprayed with slogans are useful towards this end.

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* Picket Ceredigion Council Offices and transport firms involved - such as the Eco Dyfi office.

..* Picket at as many other windmill sites throughout Wales as possible - make it truly a 'National Day of Action'.

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I, personally, am at present involved in getting a 'Heritage Campaign' off the ground so, am very busy but, as I stated earlier, i will support above (if organized) as much as I can. Also, I have no desire to intrude on a campaign others have been leading for years so, I shall await feedback/suggestions and will back up, as best as I can, with any action taken. Please let me know if your organising any affirmative action.

..I will, however, suggest now that the proposed 'Day of Action' should be 'kicked off' with the releasing of preliminary publicity/statements this weekend the latest, then continued through to Sept 16. A busy forthcoming 'weekend of action' should be called for and employed to place 'eye catching' posters all over and around Hyddgen.

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I will put up some artwork on the following posts which you may wish to use, the b&w could, in particular, be useful - to print out and blow up to A3 size for use on Placards.

I would also suggest that media spokespersons be put in place to deal with the media.

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Personally, I would hope that this 'Day of Action' kicks off a real big national struggle against these Wind Farms throughout Wales, Now's the greatest of opportunities to make this happen. Let's 'Seize The Time'.

. .Also, may I suggest that a 'National Organisation' to oppose the 'Windmilling of Wales' needs be set up and maybe, a 'National Meeting' could be held in Machynlleth (Capital of Windmill Wales) in the not too distant future for this purpose. In the meantime perhaps, a 'National Liasion/Coordination body' can be set up along with a central Info/advice website or even a blog?. .

Siân.

2: DYDD GLYNDŴR 16 MEDI 2009 ANTI WINDMILL DAY OF ACTION 2009 PROTEST POSTERS for your use of, so get very busy!

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Photo opposite left is one of our support for a Cambrian Mountain Society Protest which took place on Mynydd Hyddgen, on 21 Mehefin 2009 if I remember correctly?

Photos below, you can download and use in the 16 Medi 'Dydd Glyndŵr' Day of Action. Some are left blank for your own slogans. I suggest B&W version is down loaded A4 then photo copier enlarged for Poster/Placard use and for use in e-mail attachments, blogs and on websites. One slogan suggestion: NO TURBINES ON HYDDGEN OK!

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Another post will have info on Turbine movements on 16 Medi 2009. Ignore talk of cancellation, we suggest that the DAY OF ACTION should go ahead, even if only a TRIAL DAY of ACTION, to help motivate and prepare for more positive action at future dates. Remember if you cannot join in the main protest at least go on a Day of Agit - Prop Action at a Windmill Farm near you, Picket Poster Protest, take photos and put up on blogs and websites. This is one way of clearly showing Wales and World just how many of these monstrosities are being planted on our country to serve England's power needs.

Siân.
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Adroddiad am Angladd Glyn Rowlands/Report on Glyn Rowlands's funeral.

Roedd Dydd Mawrth y 1af o Fedi yn ddiwrnod trist i bentref Corris a Chymru. Am ddau yn y pnawn, llifodd teulu, cyfeillion a chydwladgarwyr GlynRowlands i mewn i gapel Salem, nes i rhan gwaelod a balconi'r capel fod yn llawn dop. Dyna oedd mynegiant clir o boblogrwydd Glyn. Oedd, roedd yn bendant yn ddyn ei filltir sgwar ac yn barod, bob amser, i wneud mwy na'i siâr ar ran ei gymuned ond roedd hefyd wedi profi, droeon, dros y blynyddoedd - ers y 1960au cynnar, ei fod yn fwy na pharod i wneud mwy na'i siâr dros Gymru yn ogystal.
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Heb amheuaeth, angladd gwlatgarol welodd Corris a Chymru dydd Mawrth diwethaf, dyna oedd dymuniad Glyn a dyna a drefnwyd gan y teulu a'u gydwladgarwyr. Cafwyd teyrngedau gwlatgarol, emynau gwlatgarol, Parti lliw a band gwlatgarol i fod yn osgordd wrth ddrysau'r capel ac yna, i hebrwng y fodurgâd angladdol enfawr allan o bentref Corris er mwyn iddi allu dilyn yr hers, a'r osgordd arall o feiciau modur, mlaen i'r Amlosgfa yn Aberystwyth.




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Yn yr amlosgfa, cafwyd mwy o deyrngedau gwlatgarol, chwaraewyd 'Yma o Hyd' gan Dafydd Iwan ac fe ymadawodd Glyn y byd yma i'r anthem genedlaethol. Er i'r tywydd ddal yn ystod y gwasanaeth yn Corris, roedd yn tywallt y glaw erbyn hyn a dwedodd un hen wladgarwr wrthyf fod hynny'n arwydd da iawn oherwydd, y gred yn yr hen ddyddia oedd, bod glaw trwm yn ystod angladd yn arwydd clir bod drysau'r nefoedd wedi agor i dderbyn yr ymadawedig. Roedd credu hyn yn gysur yn achos Glyn - ac os yn wir, gallaf ond datgan fod y nefoedd wedi elwa dydd Mawrth ar golled Cymru a gobeithiaf yn fawr bod Glyn wedi ymuno â Glyndŵr a'r holl wladgarwyr Cymreig diffuant eraill sydd yno ac a fu'n aros i'w groesawu i'w mysg.

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Wedi'r gwasanaeth yn yr amlosgfa, teithiodd bawb yn ôl i Fachynlleth i gerdded mewn gorymdaith glatgarol i ddathlu bywyd Glyn ac fel roedd yr orymdaith ar fin cychwyn, ciliodd y glaw fel petai rhywun yn y nefoedd wedi cau'r tap! ac fe gerddodd oddeutu 200 0 alarwyr o'r Plas a thrwy'r dref.

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Am adroddiadau llawn o'r orymdaith gellir edrych ar y blogiau 'The Welsh Patriot' a 'Welsh Remembrancer'

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Y cyfan sydd ar ôl i fi ddweud yma yw bod gobaith i ni yng Nghymru tra fydd plant fel rhai Glyn Rowlands yn fyw. Maent, bob un, wedi eu magu'n wladgarwyr rhonc o'r crud a does ddim amheuaeth yn fy meddwl parthed eu bwriad i gario'n mlaen â brwydr eu tad. Yna, mae gennym fand ifanc gwlatgarol fel band 'Balchder Cymru' sydd wedi eu hyfforddi gan John Jenkins wrth gwrs. Mae eu proffesiynolrwydd a'u disgyblaeth erbyn hyn yn werth ei weld a'i edmygu, a byddai'n dda o beth petai na mwy o fandiau gwlatgarol fel y band yma yn bodoli yng Nghymru. Rhywbeth i glwbiau bobl ifanc ystyried o ddifrif -ac yn arbennig mewn cymunedau difreintiedig?

Siân

* Bydd angen gofyn caniatâd os am ddefnyddio'r lluniau uchod.


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English version of above below minus the pics:

The 1st of Sept 2009 was a sad day for both the small village of Corris and Wales. At 2pm, family friends and compatriots from near and far poured into Salem chapel, Corris to pay their last respects and tributes to Glyn Rowlands. Within minutes, every seat on the ground floor and balcony areas was taken; such was the popularity of Glyn. Yes, he was a man renowned to love and care deeply for his square mile and it was well known that he could be relied on to do more than his fair share for that community but, he had also proved, over and over, since the days of the early 1960's, that he was prepared to do more than his fair share for his nation Wales also.

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Without any doubt, Corris and Wales witnessed a patriotic funeral last Tuesday, that had been Glyn's wish and that is exactly what was organised by Glyn's family and compatriots. Patriotic hymns and tributes were given in the chapel and a 'Guard of Honour' lined up the path leading to the chapel door, doubling as a band to escort the large motorcade out of the village so that it could follow the hearse, which was escorted by a group of motorbikes, on its way to Aberystwyth crematorium for the 2nd half of the service.

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At the crematorium, many had to stand outside due to lack of space inside and again, patriotic tributes were given, followed by the song 'Yma o Hyd' by Dafydd Iwan before Glyn left this world to the sound of the national anthem. Although the weather had held out during the service at Corris, it poured down outside the crematorium and I was assured by one old patriot that this was a good sign as it was believed in days gone by, that heavy rain at a funeral was a sure sign that the gates of heaven had opened to accept the deceased. This was certainly a comforter in Glyn's case and if true, heaven certainly profited on Tuesday to Wales's loss and I sincerely hope that Glyn has now joined Glyndŵr and all those other true Cymry that have been waiting his arrival.

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Following the service at the crematorium, most travelled back to Machynlleth to participate in a parade to celebrate Glyn's life and, just as the parade was about to commence, the rain stopped and about 200 mourners followed the family, old comrades or their representatives, and the Balchder Cymru Colour Party Band through the town.

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For further info on the parade, please visit 'Welsh Remembrancer' blogs.

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All that's left for me to say here is that there is hope yet for Wales whilst we have children such as those of Glyn Rowlands's alive. They have all been raised as true Cymric patriots and will, without doubt, continue with their father's struggle and will raise their own children up as true Cymric patriots. Then, we have a band such as the Balchder Cymru Band, all young people, trained by John Jenkins and their professionalism and discipline is to be noted and admired. It would be excellent to see more patriotic bands, such as the Balchder one established in many other areas of Wales. Something for youth club organisers and members to consider - and especially so in socially deprived communities?

Siân

* Permission will need to be sought to use the above photographs.