Last Post for Cilmeri 40 Tribute Blog?

Last Post for this Cilmeri Commemoration
Tribute Blog? Posting dated 25 - 12 - 2006. Nadolig Lawen.
NB: All phtos and images (c) G.ap Gruffydd, unless otherwise stated.
Pic: Cofiwn Ivy Sticky labels 1982.
Antur Ysbryd Cofiwn. gethin.apgruffydd@ntlworld.com

RALI CILMERI 40 THE LAST POST.

Pic: (c) ANMH Archive, is of Rally at Cilmeri held during the early 80's, in those times we had a patriot who did play the last post on a bugle to close the rally. Despite my having published the photo in sillouette you will note that also in those days we had all of Toni's heraldic flags on poles placed atop and around the cenotaph mound. This may be achieved again if one and all make the effort to make heraldic flags, c'mon it's not difficult. For the 725th (and Cofiwn 1982 25th anniversary), an effort should also be made to have rows of Cymric heraldic flags put up on both sides of the roads from Tafarn Llywelyn to the 'Sacred Acre'. Yes! I have my mind on Cilmeri 41 - 2007 already and point out to patriots that if you really want to make the Cilmeri Commemoration of 2007 as good as the Cofiwn Commemoration of 1982, then you really must start working at it as from now. This is with some special consideration to fact that Cilmeri 2007 will not repeat the Cofiwn success of 1982 but lets see if at the very least in 2007 1000 patriots will march into and around Builth Wells with 100's of baners and flags held high, not least hopefully many 'Baneri Adfywiad Glwadgarol'. YES! LET THE EAGLES FLY????????????????

Trust me these Eagle flags are simple to make use about 2'x3' of a thin white nylon material and after photocopy enlarging eagle design, simply use what ever colour acryllic paint or fabric pen to colour in around the eagle sillouette on both sides of the material. If you have kids then great this is an ideal 'Ieunctid Adfywiadwyr' family 'Adfywiad Activity'. Of course you do not have to restrict useing to eagle flags to Cilmeri, use them as and when please you? why not on the annual 'Tartan Taff' parade in Caerdydd on St David's day. Not least use them in protests at the Assembly of Appeasement with English Imperialism and Neo - Colonialism.

Adfywiad Baner Dewi Sant, the other ''accepted version'' has recent almost contemporary ''anglican'' roots and I thus find my 'Adfywiad' version shown here preferrable with the colours used being the Red and Yellow of the 'Tywysogion Cymru' and black of course in rememberance of 1282.

Llywelyn III - Llywelyn ap Gruffydd - The Last Prince of Wales.

Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was of course not the last Welsh Prince and why in these times writters and publishers conitnue to insist on using such has title to their works really winds me up no end! Latest example is the childrens book Llywelyn - The Last Welsh Prince by John Evans for Dref Wen publishers of Powys. Supported by the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales and so you might say well! ''What do you expect?'' Indeed one should but hope all patriots do take aboard that this body is more than likly a body mostly of Welsh people and run by Welsh people. Yes! it is a neo colonial body but nevertheless that is no excuse really. I has many other patriots matured into patriotism learning in time the ''mantra'' that the ''English are to blame for denying us our history'', which I repeated also but worse Cofiwn came to repeat it under my direction. Worse still I still hear Patriots repeat this, lets face it that this patriotic 'BIG LIE' we have come ourselves to invent and swallow is to excuse accepting the fact of a much more bitter pill. A 'Poison Pill' of our own making much harder to swallow but we must come to accept the truth and it is quite simply this, that for centuries: THE WELSH HAVE DENIED THEMSELVES THEIR OWN HISTORY! That dear patriot is the hard truth and once you accept this truth you really will be on the road to becoming a true Radical Nationalist - An 'Adfywiadwyr Gwlatgarol' and not one of those ''Knee Jerk Patriots'' one unfortunatly often finds at Rali Cilmeri. Whilst you take that in, cast your eye over the below book cover of book aforementioned:
Actually it's not a bad little booklet, the illustrations are very good and I like in particular the ''All Crachach'' type family outing to Cilmeri Commemoration. Nothing at all like the crowd I know who attend the annually rally, so I guess this illustration must reflect an Urdd summer outing but never mind me and my radical oppinions, if you got kids buy it for them but do explain to them Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was not the last prince, not while Tywysog Owain Glyndwr is our Last, Present and Future Prince of Wales. If your not sure of Hanes Glyndwr then do search on Google for EMBASSY GLYNDWR/LLYSGENHADAETH GLYNDWR AND OWAIN GLYNDWR. COMMUNICATES.

The Motto of Wales is to be - ''ICH DIEN''. At this point I return to the subject of the Welsh ''Shooting themselves in the foot'' by denying themselves their own history but that's not the complete picture as when they did come to present their own history they did an equal diservice by distorting it in service of English Imperialism. This story begins dear patriots with the Bards who sold their souls for ''Saxon Shillings'' to Elizabeth I of England at the Eisteddfod of Caerwys in the 16th Century and the ''Welsh Anglo - Saxon Protest'' did it again in 1715 and 1745. Then despite a Welsh Romantic and Cultural Renaiisance in the late 18th and early 19th Century Y Cymry for most part of the 19th and into the 20th Century possessed and obssessed with Non - conformity gave us their ''Religious History'' rather than a NATIONAL HISTORY. I myself in the early 60's was a victim to this Welsh educational philosophy, to be honest the English did not denie me my history but rather the teacher responsible for learning us 'Cymraeg' did, although she made sure I got a good dose of ''Welsh Religious History''. It's not as simple as that so I will deal more on this matter again in a far more complete look at our history and how it has been handed on or not. It is a big subject I have started to deal with it else where as in my article on 'Dic Penderyn, Martyrs and Militants' (see else where on web). History is not just a matter of the ''winners'' (the English?) telling their version of history as clearly shown by historian Anthony Edwards but also the many ''movers and shakers'' who come to rule as the native quizling elitist establishment under the management of Imperialism, in what ever form it comes, direct or devolved? I will conclude by giving you two examples to think about, go read Chapter XXVII p 403 Conclusion to WALES in the Story of Nations by Owen Edwards and yes he has gone down in history as a great Welsh Patriot and I suppose ''Cultural Nationalist'', Inspector of Schools and not least founder of Yr Urdd. However, it was he who wrote at end of this conclusion: The Motto of Wales is - ''ICH DIEN''. Then note during the 60's into the 70's and for most of the 80's, the ''Welsh Media'' used to report greatly on all ''Nationalist Affairs'' not least greatly on the work of Cofiwn and of course on Cilmeri and other commemorations. Comparativelly speaking the present day media reportage of Embassy Glyndwr work is pretty thin, all media in Wales/Cymru would have boycotted the great Glyndwr commemoration in Machynlleth 2004 unless it was for a number of factors which will be told at another time and place. Same Cilmeri 40, other that the ''tread softly stuff'' by Robert Hinton on Wedi Saith (thank God his son works for they), how much of Cilmeri 40 was covered in the media, not much that's for sure. Now ask yourselves why, the answer is very easy, all the Welsh Media and that includes ''Media Crachach Cymraeg'' are servents of the ''Saxon Shilling'' be it in the form direct grants or Assembly advertizing/supplement revenue. Now ain't that the truth! HE WHO PAYS THE PIPER CALLS THE TUNE OR ONE CAN SAY THAT IN WALES THE MEDIA IS MORE THE MONKEY THAN THE ORGAN GRINDER, YES! I shall return to this subject and related matters in by 'WELSH REMEMBRANCER BLOG'.

CROES NAID CAMPAIGN 2006 - 2008, corresponding with the anniversaries commemorations of the years 1282, 1283 and 1284. Further information on Campaign for return of Y Croes Naid and other stolen treasures will be detailed elsewhere, including on the Cofiwn Archive blog early in 2007.

Pointless my writting much on Y Croes Naid when much material may be found on the web, suffice to say that chief campaigner to educate and inform us on Y Croes Naid is Edgar Pritchard who has prepared an excellent exhibition on the subject. I would hope that Edgar over the years ahead would not only publish his work on the subject but also see if it is possible to take his exhibition around our country. HERE'S ONE INITIATIVE THAT IS DESERVING OF GRANTS.

It was my honour to wear Edgar's Croes Naid promotional cross during the Embassy Glyndwr 21 Mehefin 1404 - 2004 commemoration at Machynlleth, Edgar had kindly brought his exhibition to this commemoration and it really is worth viewing. It was good to see that the Croes Naid Campaign Flag was raised up at Cilmeri 40 Commemoration 1966 - 2006.

Abaty Cwm Hir 'Llywelyn III memorial' 1282 Sunday Rememberance Service will take place at 12: noon on 9th Rhagfyr 2007, as this commemoration is in association with the 725th Anniversary of 1282 and thus will be a special commemoration it is hoped that as many patriots as possible will visit the Abbey to place tributes. If you cannot visit on the 9th then please do so during the week or even on the following Sunday, the hope is that as many tributes will be placed as possible particularly Ivy Crosses. It being our patriotic intention to make a big impression for this 725th anniversary of the death of Llywelyn III at Aberedw and buriel at A.C.H.

Cofiwn markers placed to mark site for a memorial, which of course was eventually set up close to the remains of the high alter at Abaty Cwm Hir.

The White Eagle Cross of Welsh Resistance, how it gets confused with a swastika is beyond me but there are those who seek to use all means of black propaganda to weaken our attachment to this contemporary symbol of radical Welsh Nationalism. Following the St David's Day parade in Caerdydd 1 - 3 - 2006 someone wrote a letter saying that they spied ''swastikas'' at the gathering when in fact what they seen where 'White Eagle Flags'. Recently I obtained the book HITLERS CELTIC ECHO by Ivor Wynne Davies published by Pegasus, Llandudno 2006, in whch the author proclaims that the ''White Eagle looks suspiciously like an adaption of the swastika'' but then he would for his book is about Nazi sympathizers in Wales during period of WW II. Having read this book I must admit I found it fascinating in it's history of a period of limited Welsh Nationalist flirtation with Facism, even though a minority and mostly ''intellectual'' matter. Much written up was not news to me but much else was and possibly if the Author can be believed then it is a good and valuable account of another 'Dark Corner' of Welsh History our ''Crachach Establishment'' would rather forget and instead focus their attention on support for the ''Welsh fight against Facism'' during the Spanish Civil War which another Author recently stated was as much an ''unholy alliance'' between Anti - Franco ''Stalinism'' and Anti - Catholic Welsh Non - Conformity. This alliance of such elements can be seen in contiuation today in the associations between pacifist Welsh Nationalism and the Anglo - Cymry CND led alternative left in Wales, possibly recently best seen in the Rainbow politics of 'Plaid Poppy' and coming together of Social Forum Cymru. if indeed there was a continuing anti - Catholism in the 30's in Wales (see my writtings on ''waspism'' and the roots of this anti catholicism) then for sure there was Pro - Catholic (and pro - Develera) Circle of Nationalists within Plaid Cymru and for sure this ''circle'' does have it's influences on the rising ''Alternative Nationalist Movement and Struggle'' of the 60's. This ''circle'' was of course also prominant in the 'Welsh Section' of a ''Celtic Underground Rail Road'' assisting in getting Bretons, many of the S.S. Perrot Unit to safty of exile in Ireland. During the 60's I met many of an older generation who had been part of this, I was astonished when at the recent Meifod Eisteddfod whilst helping out on the Embassy Glyndwr stall, a little old lady got chatting with me and soon she started to tell me of her role in helping Bretons in escaping to Ireland. This as much else makes me detirmined to see that the history of an ''Alternative Welsh Nationalism'' is made available or otherwise so much will be lost or carefully ''white washed'' out of existance by the Quisling establishment. Altogether I find Hitlers Echo a good contribution to perhaps one root branch of ''Alternative Welsh Nationalism'', the ''right wing root'' but please note that there is also a ''left wing root'' too. I conclude however, by drawing your attention to the last chapter (14) of this book: Cold War Postscript. in this chapter the author deals with the 60's and in particular the Anti - Investiture Campaign and proclaims ''Soviet Involvement'', all basically a ''Red Plot''. This of course is ''poppycock'' but I spose continues theme of the book generally but ''I Was There'' and for the life of me I canot remotly remember any thing that may have smacked of ''Red Mischief''.

Owen Williams 'Freedom Fighter' Contemporary Welsh Hero, recent picture.

The Communists in Wales at this time were more involved in marching as per usual, then it was against the war in Vietnam or against ''The Bomb'', I cannot remember they having much interest in ''Welsh Nationalist affairs'' other than commentating on the Tryweryn Issue. Although Tariq Ali (An English/Pakistani Gareth Miles type left intellectual) did attend a court case in which 'Adfywiadwr Gwladgarol' and Vice President of the Patriotic Front Owen Williams was on trial but after getting into an arguement with ''Right Wing'' Welsh Nationalists left Cymru disappointed as to it's use in his 'International Marxist Organisation' cause. At this time I must admit I would have counted myself in with this ''Right Wing'' Welsh Nationalism although it was more being what I see today as simply ''Super Knee Jerk Patriot'', all to sadly still in existance and perhaps best seen amongst the ''Good Ole Boy Verity of Romantic Republicanism'' . Unfortunatly, this last chapter may be seen as undermining the ''truths'' in earlier chapters of the book covering periods in which many of us ''Were Not There'', whatever the book is a worth while read so buy for your collection on history of contemporary Welsh Nationalism.

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The White Eagle Cross and how it came to be, I have wrote up on in earlier postings to this blog, more information will of course will also be found in the book, best read ever on Welsh Nationalism now in it's Third Edition: To Dream of Welsh Freedom by Roy Clews and published by Gwasg y Lolfa.

PP 109 - 110 deals with the establisment of the first Rali Cilmeri 1966, if reading this book inspires you to want a 'White Eagle Flag' you will find perfect measurement instructions on the 'Balchder Cymru' Web site on how to make such. Seeing has it does annoy so many assorted Quislings, Gombeens, Shoneens, Crachach and 'Bourgeouise Nats', I earnestly suggest you make one to fly and flaunt in face of the enemies of Wales and traitors to our Cymric homeland.

Imaging the history of 'Alternative Welsh Nationalism', a problem I am faced with now is that I went and placed my political photographic collection with the Ty Cenedl Archive which has since been donated to the National Libray of Wales Political Archive. Thus my present photographic collection is of very recent post 2000 subject matter, so when I come to image my ANM&S - HA web site, I am going to have problems and will have need to appeal for photographic contributions as below, recently sent to me by friend and ''old comrade'' of the great 'Adfywiad Gwladgarol' 1962 - 69, Glyn Rowlands ''The Lone Wolf of Corris''. Glyn was an officer in the Patriotic Front and FWA Meirionydd Commandant and not least an active Anti - Investiture campaigner for which with Toni Lewis and myself were the three P.F. members arrested, tried and imprisoned in the so called FWA Trial in Swansea in 1969.

Picture (c) ANM&S - HA: shows Glyn Rowlands with Commandant Cayo.

For more on Commandant Cayo, read my article 'Cayo's Prison Days' in Ein Gwlad Nationalist Journal Vol 1. No 2.

Ein Gwlad Nationalist Journal, even though I have described this publication and it's editors/publishers 'Basil & Jac' more to do with ''Vanity Publishing'' with no real practical radical purpose. I must admit of all journals published in this ''politically barren'' land this is the best, worth reading and worth subscribing to as well. They actually have a web site but seem to want to keep it a ''Big Secret'' but do a google search and you will find them, in the mean time I shall send them an Email and inform them how to promote their ''Rebel Rag'' on the web. (Note photo of J.J. with not so good image of fag in his gob). I wonder when Ein Gwlad will start puting words into action or at least suggesting action as below perhaps?

Hi, I'me your new Prince suckers!

Picture shows Scene from Cilmeri 2005 in which we see Gareth Westacott (Ex WSRM) reading the roll call of contemporary patriots who have passed away into the 'Cave of Heroes'. To the left waiting patiently in the wings is Dafydd Iwan, Pacifist Patriot and Folk Singer, Is he still president of ''Plaid Poppy?'' Sorry Dafydd, I like you really, your not a bad guy and of course your one of the great patriots, just too bad about your politics. This of course allows me to ask the question: How long will Dafydd and others, not least those ''Cultural Nationalists'' so ''Radical'' in the 60's and up and at in the Anti - Investiture Struggle of '69 NOW WAIT IN THE WINGS AND REMAIN SILENT AS INVESTITURE III LOOMS ON THE HORIZON, INDEED WILL THESE ''CULTURAL NATIONALIST'', NOT LEAST THOSE WHO HAVE GROWN FAT ON THE 'WELSH LANGUAGE INDUSTRY' BECOME ''GREY WOLVES'' OR CHOOSE THE PATH OF THE SHEEP OF PLAID POPPY LOVE? As Investiture III comes more to the fore (there are some of us who are convinced that ''CARLO's COTTAGE'' will more and more figure in this as a meeting place for the ''Welsh Carlists'' to begin planning for this event), I have no doubt that the ''Cultural Nationalists'' will be presented with the biggest of dilemas and there are of course a great post 60's proliferation of such within the ranks of Y Crachach Newydd (Noveau Riche) - England's Client Tribe in Cymru. In the 60's our rising young ''Cultural Nationalist'' bourguiise were radical but now with many of they and their children having become ''Plant Crachach'', with their parents part of a ''Welsh Language Establishment'' of which the most anti - nationalist element has become the ''Mediacrachachcy'' (both Cymraeg and Welsh), I doubt if a past radicalism will resurface. Indeed given the way that S£C fell and continues pityfully to be a promoter of C4's BIG BROTHER and pathetically perpetuates the growing sickness of ''Celebrity Cymry'' with ''Nice Guy'' Glyn Wise and our darling ''Sex Goddess'' Imogen, there can be absolutly no doubt that S4C will be to the fore as a promoter of INVESTITURE III. Of course let us not discount the pile of money they will make out of this for the ''families'' and ''friends'' (Gombeens and Shoneens et al) of ''CRACHDOM CYMRU''. The big problem for 'Anti - Carlists' and campaigners against INVESTITURE III is that the ''Mediacrachachcy'' of all within ''Crachdom'' have the biggest pull and can really throw their weight around and thus I have no doubt that they will control oppinion in favour of the crowning of William of Wales as 'Tywysog Cymru'. They will also via diverse means nuetralise opposition and undermine campaigning against INVESTITURE III, now I am not going to go into any further deep analysis on all this as many ''Cultural Nationalists'' will be outraged by such suggestions but know it's the truth whilst all those ''Knee Jerk Patriots'' out there will not have a clue what I am talking about. I am unconcerned by what these think as I am in main addressing those who consider themselves true RADICAL NATIONALISTS, particularly those who are or want to be considered as 'ADFYWIADWYR GWLATGAROL'. I have no doubt, I may become possibly the first victim of the agents of Investiture III promotion and their media lickspittal lackies in Wales, as it seems I am the only Nationalists, perhaps even 'Alternative Nationalists' with sufficient foresight in this matter. As all to sadly it appears the ''Devolution Dillettantes'' and ''Debris of to Dream of Freedom'' still are more likly to be seen just posing and posturing increasingly to the tune played by the Pied Pipers of amongst other things the distraction of ''Tartan Taffery'' as promoted by the Knights of St David.

WHOM ARE THE MYSTERIOUS 'KNIGHT OF ST DAVID' - DO YOU KNOW????????

Pic Cilmeri 2006 (c) D.L.

See Photo below: He's got a Sword in his hand...

But has he become a 'Knight of St David' yet ? HHHhhhmmm!

Er Cof Am Gillo Pontecorvo, film maker. Born 19 Tachwedd 1919 - Died 12 Hydref 2006. Gillo Pontecorvo will be best known for his film 'The Battle of Algiers', recently shown on S4C but always worth viewing a number of times. You now have opportunity to obtain a copy for the sum of £9:99 at Virgin Stores, down from an earlier ''World Cinema'' price DVD costing £19:00, this is a ''must have'' film for your 'Adfywiadwyr' Film Collection. I advise you go get in haste, noting above that sadly Gillo recently died and thus I should imagine there will be an huge demand for this DVD, is most famous film. He also made the film QUEIMADA starring Marlon Brando, the subject matter of this film is of a Slave Rebellion in the Carribean and good old British cunning and duplicity, thus also worth viewing but back to the 'Battle of Algiers'.

I first seen this film in Dublin 1970 during period of my self imposed exile in Ireland following release from prison in 1969. I had been up to then very much an ''Ultra - Nationalist'', even ''right wing'' if you wish though I put it down more to the form of ''super knee jerk patriotism'', sadly one still sees thriving in Wales. However, my ''exile'' in Ireland was to change my ideas on patriotism and politics a great deal. Much would contribute to my change of heart and move me along a ''leftward path'' not least the ''Socialist Republicans'' and Irish Labour Party people who helped me settle in Ireland. It was they that directed me toward information on the Irish Revolutionary Socialist James Connolly and others who following 1916 continued a left Liberation struggle via such as the Irish Republican Congress of the 1930' and on to what became the ''Official'' Sinn Fein of the 1970's. Dublin at this time was in ferment of a verity of ''left wing causes'' but also building up to the ''Provo'' and ''Officials'' internal ''civil war'' and eventual 'split'. I could go on and on about this period of my time in Ireland in a most certainly ''history making'' few years that eventually was prolonged in a bloody struuggle to liberate occupied Ireland. Further information on all this and my oppinions on what came to pass will be written up on in my ANM&S - HA Web Site, suffice to say now, that in the middle of all this one day after finnishing a shift of work, at this time I was a grill chef. My curiousity had been drawn to go see a film then showing in Dublin 'The Battle of Algiers' and yes like many people I was at first very confused as to it being a documentary or fictional film. It is of course entirelly fictional and testifies to all the great things said about the film and it's maker Gillo Pontecorvo, no need for me to say much more has you will find acres of writtings on the subject of this film via a google search. I will conclude this piece by saying briefly that without doubt it pushed me further left and particularly towards the writtings of Frantz Fanon, you have perhaps heard or maybe have read is best known book 'Wretched of the Earth' (1961) but also equally as essential 'Adfywdwyr Gwladgarol' reading is 'Black Skins, White Masks' (1952). I really to urge you to buy these books too, perhaps or rather I hope they will make of you 'RADICAL NATIONALISTS' and then you may just see the foolishness of ''Romantic Republicanism'' and ''Tartan Taffery'' which too be honest there is very little to distinquish the two. Sadly it seems both share the same desire to parade and posture to no great patriotic political purpose other than their ''peripheral pint pot patriotism'' be it at Tafarn Llywelyn or the Black Pig and any number of their ''watering holes'' before, between and following what are their greatest contributions to the cause attending frequent reunions and all to sadly and sincerely 'wakes' but doing very little inbetween. However, there are the 'Cilmeriaid Newydd' we hope do have the makings of 'Adfiwiadwyr Gwladgarol' of the future but time will tell, the proof is always in the pudding? (I have a few doubts however, after Cilmeri 2006) To conclude regards the film 'Battle of Algiers', I draw your attention to two particular key moments in the film, please take note at the beginning of the radical message placed clearly before you in the introduction. If you know nothing about the Algerian struggle for moment keep firmly in mind that the first attempt of struggle was based on traditional ''conservitive cultural'' nationalism and failed whilst the second attempt whilst also being savagly put down nevertheless provided platform for a future successful radical struggle. I shall be writting on this else where in near future, for moment may I draw your attention to the way that the French crush the Revolt in Algiers through torture as means to gather information, of course in Wales the Brit S.S. would not have to use such means as the ''30 pieces of silver'' still works very well with 'Y Cymry' as example of 'SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS' who infiltrated Y Cyfamodwyr' for just that amount more or less. However, Y Cyfamodwyr leaders made it easy for him to do so by their ''sloppiness'' and per usual ''Good Ole Boy'' attitute to political struggle which then and now continues to see the public house as the centre of such ''Peripheral Politics''. Finally. I would state that this aforementioned film made me start to rethink on the use of ''hard violance'' to achieve political ends, without doubt whilst I am not a pacifist and would not discount the use of armed rebellion by the people against oppressors, these days I would reject a philosophy that encourages 'Individuals' or 'Groups' and ''self styled'' Liberation Movements waging an armed struggle on behalf of people or nations not least in Wales/Cymru. The 60's in Wales was a unique period and the great 'Adfywiad Gwladgarol' was in part a violent insurrection but that was then, we certainly do not want to relive the past as some may wish to do. No! we must learn from the past so that the struggle may continue toward victory, if that is possible has still so many remain ''Cultural Nationalists'', ''Romantic Republicans'' or believers in the path of 'Bourgeoiuse Nationalism' that is at the core of ''Plaid Poppy'' no matter how much they dress it up in various fashionabe ''left ideas'' of their ''Knee Jerk Socialism'' of Guardian appeal, it's all the same ''CYMRIC CRAP''.

Red Roots and a Red Heritage. The picture below shows me with my grandfather, Frederick Hughes my mam's father. Fred was a WWI Vet, a war in which he was wounded and according to my Mam he would hardly ever talk about unless it was to curse Brit Army Generals. Mam has a young girl remembers when fellow vets would occaisionally come to see him and a lot of swearing could be heard coming from the parlour. Fred's idea of taking his daughter for a Saturday morning walk was to listen to political orators on their ''Soap Boxes'' (my own three daughters will recognise much here). As a coal miner, Fred was involved in the stay down strikes of 1935 and was without doubt a ''Labour Man''. My father has some great tales about Fred, as example that Fred had been a 'Mountain Fighter' and my own father has a young man seen Fred in action at a pre WW II Rugby International at the Arms Park. My Father, then only about 18 had an altercation with another spectator and Fred intervened and with just one punch floored the fella picking on my future father. Sadly, shortly after the below photo was taken, Fred would be killed in a colliery accident not with of course great tragic consequences for the whole family in those post WW II years of the 1950's. My mam's families on both sides have the name of Hughes and there are plenty of they involved in the Merthyr Rising of 1831, I do not know as of yet (I am researching family history at long last) if any of my ancestors were involved in this great insurrection of the workers against capitalism but I do know that the photo below was taken at Caedraw, a town centre district of Merthyr Tudful. Merthyr people will of course recognise the Church with the clock tower in the background, it's still there.

Historically, this district of Merthyr is of great interest other than fact that I spent the earlier years of my life growing up here with amazingly some memories of grand perants and immediate area on record in my mind. However, the history of interest I consider more important is that it was in and around the area of Caedraw on the morning of the 3 Mehefin 1831 that the people and workers assembled, to later that day march on the castle in and of course come to face the guns of Scottish Highlanders in service of the 'British Crown', an historical event which since earlier this year we may now annually commemorate as the 'The Merthyr Massacre of 3 Mehefin 1831.

Pic: G.ap Gruffydd (c) shows 'Cofia 1831 Installation at Plas 3 Mehefin 1831, Merthyr Tudful. Please place your annual floral tributes in this location, noting that there is absolutly no indication by plaque or other sign that near this location was committed a great atrocity upon people in struggle for justice against tyrrany and oppression. This atrocity took place at the Castle Inn about 12 noon on 3 Mehefin 1831, the Castle Inn was in time pulled down to make way for the Castle Cinema and that eventually closed down. Today the building is a dance hall and venue for wrestling matches, so life goes on and I have no problem with that as Merthyr people, even the youngsters do know the history of 1831 and are proud of the struggles of the past for popular liberty and human rights. However, I would hope that maybe one day there will be an ''official'' recogntion of this most important of Welsh Historic Sites with a plaque or History Information Board, not least with annual commemoration. I attempted this year to advance idea of assembling in the 1831 Workers ''Barrio'' of Cefn with march down into Merthyr but no one seemed up for such a long walk but nevertheless a small service was held at Plas 3 Mehefin 1831.

Red Roots - Red Heritage Continued: My own ''Hwntw History'' will be similar to many Southerners of my generation and like me many of they will have left behind their own ''Red Roots'' and ''Red Heritage''. Like I, they would have, in the 60's ''shaken the coal dust from between their toes and began treading grass'', by this I mean we walked away from essentially a ''Labour History'' background and during the 60's adopt a largelly ''rural rooted'' Welsh Nationalism with a largelly cultural nationalist ''Green Heritage''. Many patriots will single out the Tryweryn issue as the reason why but my owm journey began long before that and was one that became ''historically motivated'' and in time possibly ''obsessed'' with Welsh History. the Tryweryn Issue for me solidified my nationalism in the 60's and led me in direction of Plaid Cymru, Patriotic Front and Free Wales Army and of course then the Anti - Investiture Struggle and so on toward Cofiwn. However, it was the struggle against the Investiture of 1969 that more then any other matter has confirmed me in my ''Welsh Nationalism'' and remains the central motivation of that ''Welsh Nationalism'' in so far has believing that the English Monarchy is not just a symbol of our nations sovereignty being crushed by their claims upon such but that it is the ''English Cement'' that keeps us ever bound to foreign rule. That dear patriots is what this Cilmeri Commemoration 40, 1966 - 2006 Tribute Blog has been all about, to do all I can to insure that the 'Ethos of Cilmeri' survives all, including betrayal. In recent years the annual gathering of 'Y Cilmeriaid' at Cilmeri ignores or forgets this ''Ethos'', if so the question may be asked has this annual gathering reached it's ''SELL BY DATE''. Those who attended the 40th Ralli Cilmeri (many 'Hen Adfywiadwyr Gwlatgarol' did not) may tell us, did this years gathering reach that ''SELL BY DATE'' or does the 'ADFYWIAD GWLADGAROL CONTINUE' in the 'Ethos of Cilmeri?', well? (discuss and debate in the many forums there seem to be out there and which I cannot find time to visit) However, what about those 'Red Roots and Red Heritage', in all truth my heart pulls me to Cilmeri (or should that be Aberedw?) but my brain pulls me south to another 'sacred acre' that on Hirwaun Common where on 31 May 1831 the greatest but most forgotten of heroes Lewis Lewis - Lewsyn yr Heliwr raised up the Red Flag and began the greatest of Welsh Insurrections since that of Owain Glyndwr. This year I rediscoverd by 'Red Roots and Red Heritage' and nowe believe it is time that after some 40 years plus, I now must of needs ''Shake the grass from between my toes and once more tread the coal dust'' ......... the problem is however the coal dust has disappeared and the Red Roots have withered and the Red Heritage is more and more forgotten? We are in a land where one is more likly to see a riot over car parking space (as nearly occurred in Abertatwe at Xmas 2005) at a ''Retail Therapy Wonderland'' than the Welsh popular rebellions of the past.

However, there is hope as witnessed in popular protests against the Hafod Quarry Rubbish dump and in the resistance to the Llandarcy Land Expropriation. do google search on Web for Hafod Protests also see Embassy Glyndwr blog: Owain Glyndwr Communicates.

I have suggested that 'Mudiad y Werin' be re-established, more on that again and elsewhere.

NB: A more fuller account of my conversion to Welsh Nationalism along with the story of how I became ''obsessed'' with Welsh History along with my views on such today will be continued with on my COFIWN ARCHIVE BLOG.

Hwyl!

Geth.

Want another Eagle? well your going to get one anyway:

A RED EAGLE

The Myth: The old tales speak of one particular 'White Eagle', the most vicious of all the 'White Eagles' and this eagle had a ferocious appetite for picking all the flesh from the bones of Tyrants and Oppressors (inc 'Crachach') of the people of Wales and Exploiters of their communities and land. This eagle it was said, was often seen flying away from feeding on the flesh of it's prey with all it's feathers covered in blood, thus the legend of the lone RED EAGLE was born. That one's dedicated to ap Sion, self styled ''Peripheral Patriot'' and Former Welsh Republican now a fellow traveller of ''Tartan Taffery'' and camp follower of the Arwyr Gododdin and ''Celtic Valhallist''. He will I know enjoy this nod in direction of the 'Viking Berserkers Blood Eagle' plus of course has one of the Working Class he will identify with the Spirit of the Red Eagle despite his ''Garibaldism'' but there I am prone to that from time to time as well but I try my best to stick with Mazzini, honestlly!!!!

Red Eagles? all a bit macabre but remember what I said about ''Lets take the dogs for a walk'', well it's not just to nip at the ankles and hemlines of 'Tartan Taffs''...No, not just that but also, lets get into some really very serious 'WELSH GOTHIC' and.........

Coming your way soon...GETH'S GOTHIC!