Castell Dolforwyn - Castle of Defiance.

Castell Dolforwyn - Castle of Defiance.
Posting 12 - 12 - 2006

Antur Ysbryd Cofiwn: gethin.apgruffydd@ntlworld.com

Castell Dolforwyn: A Castle built by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in defiance of the Anglo - Norman oppressors of Cymru. Many years ago, yes! it was in 1982 in fact, we organised a wonderful outing to sites associated with Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in Canol Cymru. During course of 2005 I had opportunity to visit Castell Dolforwyn again and was reminded of what a wonderful Castle it once was and even the ruins today have a certain splendour. Despite the walk up hill to get to it, which some 20 plus years later was quite a task but successfully managed after a few 'breather' stops. However, for the young; children and youths, the fit and able it's absolutely no problem and it will do old "Grey Wolves'' as myself a lot of good to make the journey again. So I am proposing to Patriots that August Bank Holiday Weekends may provide good opportnuity for informal annual outing, first to Montgomery Castle, then Rhyd Chwima - Ford of Montgomery. The photos below show both locations, pictures were taken at time of a Cofiwn Field trip being filmed by Time Watch in 1982 for a programme on Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and events of 1282.

The proposed annual outing could as in 1982 conclude at Castell Dolforwyn (if the weather is better than in 1982 have a patriotic picnic), this would be a nice way of spending these possible last sunny days of summer. I am not organising a major "Nationally Organised Event", but rather simply suggesting that families and friends or groups organise their own outings as per their own programme and agenda. Of course if societies want to organise something on a bigger scale as a 'Rali Adfywiadwyr Gwladgarol' that is entirely up to they. My main concern is to prompt patriots to getting close up and at one with their 'history in the landscape', I will however if wished Email out information on any ones outings so that they know who else is around and just may link up with "En Route". I also am promoting this outing over coming two years in particular so as to prompt some "patriotic bonding amongst Pobl Llywelyn" with the 1282/3/4 - 2007/8/9 - 725th Anniversaries Commemorations in mind. Hopefully, this will help encourage enthusiasm, endeavour and effort re organising Gwynedd and National commemorative events and activities during this three year period. Pessimistically I must add we are possibly the last generation who will care about such things, so lets make the effort with some optimistic hope that we shall be passing something on to a younger generation and of course to our children and grandchildren to keep 'Ysbryd Cofiwn' alive?.


Pic: I have mis placed this photo but hope to find soon and place it here in respect and memory of Cofiwn Member Ray Williams (with huge Baner Llywelyn), a true 'Adfywiadwr Gwlatgarol' of Abertawe at Rhyd Chwima, sadly Ray has joined others in the 'Cave of Heroes'.

PS: I did not take photos last time I visited Castell Dolforwyn, last year and all my 1982 Cofiwn photos are with the Ty Cenedl Collection at the National Library of Wales. Anyone out there got a any photos of Castell Dolforwyn I can use? I will of course fully credit.

G.Gruffyd
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