On Becoming Welsh: Why a Welsh Patriot & Nationalist ?

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On becoming Welsh and Why a Welsh Patriot & Nationalist? as much to do with the below, these are pages from a child's encyclopedia. My Mam bought for me as an Xmas present, cannot remember what age I was but quite young, maybe just pre-teens? Whatever, of particular interest to my young enquiring mind was the feature on the 'British Isles' and the story of Wales, Scotland, Ireland and of course England. These pages must have made an huge impression on me as somewhere along the line I took them out of the Encyclopedia and kept them all these years. Thinking back I remember it was my comparing the histories of the three Celtic Nations that started to make me a Welsh Patriot, not quite a political nationalist as such but the Story of Ireland's struggle for Independence was not lost on me. However, not this alone my early years was one of being sent to Sunday School, yes more history of the Holy land than Wales but still we were introduced to 'Cymraeg' via hymns. Neither in my young years was the fact lost on me that I came from a Southern Coal mining background, my Mams father was killed in a coal mining accident and as I grew up in Pencoed I was to witness the funerals of miners also killed in Coal Mine tragedies. My grandfather had fought in WW I, been wounded and gassed, had been involved in the Stay Down Strikes of 1935, Mam remembers him taking her to listen to street orators in Merthyr as his idea of taking her for an outing, I think I might have inherited some ''Rebel Genes'' from my Grandfather, who I do just remember in a few fond memories as I do of my fathers perents who I used to stay with in Gilfach Goch. Given all this Southern and Working Class background how did I become a Welsh Nationalist and not a Welsh Socialist? that we can put down to the 60's and many internal Wales and external international influences all of which I deal with in my blog: ALTERNATIVE WELSH NATIONALIST MOVEMENT & STRUGGLE ARCHIVE http://awnms.blogspot.com/ As for my interest so much in Welsh History, that owes much to the below, not least regards Welsh Medieval History and Princes, although that as much to do with the 60's also. All of which will lead me to Cilmeri http://coffadcilmeri.blogspot.com/ and Cofiwn http://cofiwn.blogspot.com/ in later life . However, I have not totally forgotten my roots and over the years ahead hope to make up for not focusing much on such with more attention being paid to Welsh peoples history rather than the history of Welsh Princes, so keep eye on Red Remembrancer http://redremembrancer.blogspot.com/ On with this post:

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Becoming Welsh had began long before reading these pages, my Merthyr background and staying with my grandparents there often made a small contribution, as did later growing up in Pencoed contribute to my sense of ''Welshness''. Primary school years made me aware of Dydd Dewi but it was my fathers Rugby Patriotism and interest in Boxing that also left a big impression not least because the Dragon you see pictured above came to be worn on the dressing gown of the Boxer Dick Richardson.

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My father and his brother were greatly into the Boxing world of the South in the 50's and as my father worked in the textile industry, when Dick Richardson wanted a Red Dragon for his dressing gown my father made him a few large cloth back patches with the above Red Dragon providing the design to copy. Dad also used to buy me Classics Illustrated comic regularly which give me a good early start into World History even if mainly fictional, I have no doubt that this and the pages from the already mentioned encyclopedia contributes greatly to my interest in history. My Mams was a great reader of both historical fiction and biographies, in main to do with English & European History but all the same as a young lad I would from time to time browse these books and they too would add to my interest in history.

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However, the big moment that made of my interest in history and growing Welsh Patriotism into being more Nationalist was an event similar to that in the film ZARDOZ, that scene were a mysterious figure throws that book Wizard of Oz at the character played by Sean Connery. If you have not seen the film, do! it's got a Political Message that has stayed with me, not least when I think of ''Crachach''. However, first let me say a bit more about these Secondary School years, it was making friends with one Morgan Mounty (RIP), a Welsh Speaking farmers son which began to truly politicise me as a nationalist. Morgan's parents used to listen to ''illegal'' Plaid Cymru radio broadcasts and Morgan used to tell me about this, this was a major input to the development of my Welsh Nationalism, that was it, I guess! However, sadly I along with my young peers would give the ''Welsh Teacher'' much hassle, none of us were keen on learning to speak 'Cymraeg'. One lesson, I had been pretty awful and was made to stay behind to tidy up the class room. I gathered up the 'Llyfrau Cymraeg' and as I was putting them in the cupboard, a book fell out on to the floor, yes that Zardoz Moment! I picked the book up, it was called Raise up the Drawbridge, curious I sat down to read it, read of the story of the struggle for Welsh Freedom from Anglo - Norman conquest. Ironically, it was not the English who were denying us our history but this Cymraeg speaking teacher as she had never pulled this book out of the cupboard, ever to engage us with our own National Identity. But that day, I consider the day of my sudden 'Cymric Consciousness' awakening. That truly did it for me, by end of Secondary School years was writing Nationalist Slogans in Exercise books and finally in my last year, one night painted my first political slogan HOME RULE FOR WALES on a wall in the school yard
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Upon leaving school and starting work I took to buying the Western Mail to read on the bus, and yes the Western Mail contributed much to my Welsh Patriotism and growing Political Welsh Nationalist beliefs. This may make you wonder how? quite simply because the Western Mail reported Welsh News and Welsh features, it was the Western Mail that made me more fully aware of a Wales outside my own backyard so to speak. The WM informed me on ''Wider Wales'', Welsh Issues and politics and our place more or less in the scheme of things. We got to admit now, that if only more of our people read the WM than at the very least they would be a lot more aware of their ''Welshness'' beyond sport . It will be this hard fact alone that Welsh People just do not buy into Welsh News Media in great numbers that will possibly be the undoing of much we believe in or wish for Wales!

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Scotlands History:

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Irelands History:

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Then this Englands History:

FIN?

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Postmans Park, City of London: Commemorative Plaques.

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One of the jobs I have had in London was near to Postman's Park, often in the summer after work I used to have a quiet refelective sit down and smoke there before heading off home. I have since moved on and given up smoking but when ever I get the opportunity I pop into Postman's Park to see the plaques placed up therein, reflecting on the heroism of people who otherwise would have been forgotten. Such were the sentiments that led to the Postman's Park Plaque tributes being created in the first place, indeed sentiments I am sure we would all agree with. Then hopefully like I you will think it a good idea that such memorial and testimomy to self sacrifice and bravery be marked in Wales in a similar way. Possibly such could be set up in the new National History Museum at Sant Fagan. why not set aside a small space for a ''Peoples Park'' with plaques to remind us of such acts of personal heroism in our own history and being such that it is an ongoing memorialisation of such acts of self sacrifice. I often enough call for memorials to be set up for Princes and Patriots or heroes of popular struggle. However, we should not be forgetful of those who die so others may live, we not only need to remember but in a day and age of much greed, selfishness and self advancement a reminder of other values, I hope would not be lost on the children and youth of Wales. Please join me in a campaign for such project to be made a priority of our New National History Museum, and send of letter supporting this campaign to the new museums office, plus to your AM requesting they back up the campaign. In meantime if you have some local examples of such personal heroism please provide me with details and I will begin a roll call in this post.

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Postman's Park, King Edward Street, London
The small green space called "Postman's Park" is tucked in between King Edward Street, Little Britain and Angel Street, near St Bartholomew's Hospital, ...
www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/london/tiles/ppark/index.shtml - 13k - cached - related

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Postman's Park, London 360º panorama
photographic 360 degree interactive panoramas of Paris, London, Wales, ...Postman's Park was the work of socialist George Watts, built in the late 1880s to ...www.urban75.org/vista/postman.html - 17k - cached - related

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Gethin.

Last Post 2007.

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Only just arrived, rushed out a few Blog posting and now I must cease fire, to get organised for Xmas, then in New Year I will be otherwise busy up to Imbolc 1st Chwefror 2008. Post Imbolc and I will be back to the blogging until Beltain, then another long Summer break to take some trips here, there and everywhere.

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Blog Review: My Adfywiad Gwladgarol Blog, http://adfywiad.blogspot.com is pretty much concluded really, cannot take this forward much further unless it was to get active but for that I am too old maybe. However, too busy is my main excuse, what's yours? Whatever, I see no real need to set up a another movement when there are at least three pro-active 'Language Interest' organisations; CyIG, Cymuned and this Llais Gwynedd plus of course an whole 'Welsh Language Industry'. In the active 'Adfywiad' area, I am quite happy to see and say that BALCHDER CYMRU is getting on with the job in both areas of Cymric Consciosness Campaigning and also Socio - Economic Political Protesting and Demonstrations. How could that be bettered by a new movement at this time and given the over all state of Welsh Nationalist Struggle, confused to say the least, distracted and often diverted. However, BC stands out as slowly "getting there" as a sound movement for potential 'Adfywiadwyr Gwladgarol' to join in struggle with, why compete but rather join and help advance the BC Adfywiad Gwladgarol Struggle forward, that's as far as I would take the ''Patriotic Unity''. So I am taking a rest from my Adfywiad Gwladgarol Blog, same the Cilmeri Commemoration blog http://coffadcilmeri.blogspot.com/ that can be left standing for some time with the last post I put up. I will do a report on Rali Cilmeri 2007 with photos but then call it a day for a while, feeling pretty happy that as long as BC are involved, then the true 'Ysbryd Cilmeri' will survive and be sustained into 2008, 2009 and beyond. I need only take a long term ''pastoral interest''. This is about knowing that I have said about all I can say in these areas and directions, plus I must be pragmatic as I do have an huge ammount of other blog work to do well up to 2009. Over these years my fuller attention must focus on Cofiwn Archive Blog work at http://Cofiwn.blogspot.com/ and with my Alternative Welsh Nationalist Movement & Struggle Blog at http://awnms.blogspot.com/ I have a serious load of archive and blogging work to do in these areas, definatly will take me up to 2009 to complete. These are the areas in which I need to concentrate most effort, and it's not the most exciting areas to be working in, lots of research and shifting papers and scanning ec. Regards The Welsh Patriot blog http://welshpatriot.blogspot.com/ and the blog dealing with ''Cambrianism'' http://cofcenedl.blogspot.com/ Please note contributions very welcome for these two latter blogs. All down to when ever possible, I shall also attempt to retain a little effort in direction of I'r Gad Welsh Batlefield Blog at http://brwydr.blogspot.com/ . Although, having so much to do with the archive blog work, I gues I will be drifting over more. as often as not to Pwca Power at http://pwcapower.blogspot.com/ and my Gothic Blog TAN y BONT at http://cymrugothic.blogspot.com/ for some light and dark relief, rest & recreation. Whilst on subject of Light & Dark relief, I am at moment reading Ian Bones BASH THE RICH, an history of Class War, much about Swansea within. It's a kind of Anarchist 'To Dream of Freedom', well worth buying, great read and lots of good ideas in area of Protest & Demonstration. I will put up a fuller review in Red Remembrancer blog at http://redremembrancer.blogspot.com/ in the new year.

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As stated else where in previous post, I recently moved which also required some heavy duty 'Life Laundry' sorting out of boxed stuff. Great Grief, have I been busy over the years researching Welsh History and filing away stuff for future project development areas. Having got much out of boxes and seen all this stuff, I was forced to take aboard that I will either never live long enough to fulfill most of this stuff as finnished projects as diverse as articles, potential booklets or commemorative projects. Plus if I attempted to, I would have no time ever to get around to the creative fiction areas which in my ''Grey Wolf Years'' I would rather be doing. Other than that for same reason of age and being worn out with worrying about Wales, I have the desire not to take it all so bloody ''On My Shoulders'' but instead, get more of a life and travel and take holidays as and when possible. I have a concessionary travel ticket which makes it possible to travel almost anywhere in British Isles cheap or in some instances for free, terrific! Whatever, before I ditch a lot of research/project ideas, I will at some time list what I have which others may wish to have to continue where I left off. Keep eye on this blog, as I will return here from time to time to post up pieces, large and small that may be of interest to one and all.

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For now little more to prattle on about, other than draw your attention to the book below, a great educational and entertaining read. Buy it! for an Xmas read? Note it has been produced this year as a drama documentary, to be televised next year on C4, then S4C. Also look out for a TV Drama that has scenes filmed regards Rali Cilmeri, no other information at present but will keep you informed.

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Hwyl!

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Gethin.

Cofiwn - We Remember! But Some Forget or just do not want to know?

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Unfortunatly with age my memory is fading, the past seems more and more another country, including the 60's let alone 1282 and all that! Of course the big question is, does history really matter anymore in this age of "Short Attention Span" and the "Instant Fix". In these times of "Celebritas" does worrying about "Cambrianism" have any relevance, what do you think? So go check out my new blog CAMBRIAN NATION NO! - CENEDL CYMRU RYDD YES! http://cofcenedl.blogspot.com/ which is meant to spark off some thinking on National Consciousness and Identity, particularly regards a Welsh Patriotic Ideology in Philosophy and Principles, in theory and action. It being my contention that we desperatly need a NEW 'Welsh' NATIONALISM to replace all that's gone before, including the influnces of 19th century 'Cultural Nationalism' with it's largelly "Rural Roots" but in the main this 'Devolution Nationalism', all the product of West Briton (WASP) "Cambrianism" Plus what we going to do about all these "Welsh Republicanisms" of the Retro, Romantic and Rubbishy kind (ooops! another death threat?), myself lean towards the 'International Republicanism' of Mazzini and in our own present times that "Welsh Republicanism" which David Lawrence advocates. Whatever, I suggest those of "Welsh Republican" mind be as eager to get them selves off to the "Rock of Garreg Wasted" on 22 Chwefror annually (see previous postings in The Welsh Patriot blog http://welshpatriot.blogspot.com/ ) as they are to stand around the "Rock of Cilmeri" on and about 11 Rhagfyr annually.

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Talking of Cilmeri, or rather Rali Cilmeri, note that name of my Cilmeri 1966 - 2006 Tribute blog has been changed to CILMERI COMMEMORATION - Adfywiad Cilmeri - Adfywiad Cymru - 2007, 2008, 2009 & Beyond http://coffadcilmeri.blogspot.com/ , recent posting there will explain much and that's enough of my concern about Rali Cilmeri 2007 for this year, have posted up some new Cilmeri inspired 'Adfywiad Artwork' in ADFYWIAD GWLADGAROL blog http://adfywiad.blogspot.com/ Now a little break for the rest of the week but back next week to blog away until Xmas then another break until Imbolc - 1 Chwefror 2008 with more blogging to INFORM, ENTERTAIN and EDUCATE or make ANGRY! Perhaps VERY ANGRY !!! but hopefully a bit of "Storm & Stress" will get you thinking and talking in discussion and debate or maybe for some it can only unfortunatly lead to running off into a dark corner to dip their knibs into the kind of poison ink needed to write threatening and insulting letters, pity the SAD BASTARDS! they are beyond any help! or comprehension really, if they truelly believe my blogs are out to discredit "Welsh Nationalism" or simply alone "Rubbish Republicanism". Then the reality is that they are dong a pretty good job themselves with their threatening letters. Essentially, I feel they have "Lost the Plot" but there perhaps they never really had a plot to lose in the beginning? We will soon know? HHHhhhmmm!!!

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To conclude this post with a comment on matter that is vexing many these days, the matter of seeing Welsh representation on the Union Jack. I am amazed that the pro Dewi Sant Cross did not get in as much their demands in this direction, as much as those who suggested that the Red Dragon should be on the 'UJ'. Of course the whole thing as been a self publicity exercise by some politician up North! Red Dragon on 'UJ' bit daft that, and of course the English will never allow the 'Yellow Cross of Redemption' of the Cathar Persecution and of Dewi Sant as Gold/Yellow on Black are Papal Colours which does not go down well with the Protestant ''Hanorverian Monarchy'' of England. Recently it seems those opposing the Dewi Cross on the 'UJ' have been saying that it would make the 'UJ' look like a Corn Flakes carton, well that's that then!

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Interesting Dafydd Elis Tomas possibly made a "Freudian Slip'' in a TV interview when asked his oppinion on this issue, replied that he would like to see the 'Royal Flag of Gwynedd', the four Lions of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd over the Assembly. He preferred, he said a Lion with both it's feet on the ground aka in heraldry known as 'Passive'. He went on to mention he did not like the four Lions 'rampant' of Owain Glyndwr with two feet in the air. Of course what he failed to inform patriots on, is the fact that officially since 1283 the Flag of Gwynedd/Llywelyn III belongs ''officially'' now to the ''English Princes of Wales'', and as their 'Royal English Crown' planted dead centre of the former ''Royal Flag'' of the Principality of Gwynedd. Perhaps Gwynedd Patriots should reclaim this flag by seeing more made without this 'English Crown' and flown at all Cofia 1282 events annually.
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However, regards DET favourite, given the allegience of the Assembly to the English Monarchy, plus so many ''Plaid Pacters'' rushing to be 'English Lords', I am not suprised by what DET says, are you! As for the Red Dragon Flag, well it is based on a Tudor Banerette used at Battle of Bosworth, only designed in it's present flag form for the 1911 Investiture. Thus it really is a bit of ''Cambrianistic Ephemera'', I believe it only became ''official'' due to a request by the Gorsedd to make it so in 1959? I have never been struck by this flag really, favouring much more 'Baner Glyndwr', although 'Swansea Jac' and 'Festiniog Prysor' think I am an ''Heretic'' for suggesting it as our patriotic national flag. God knows what they think! or will do to me, burn me at the stake perhaps regards what I shall suggest following? Since seeing it waved about so much in Iraq by the Welsh Regiments/British Army, I am liking it less. I say lets bury this Red Dragon flag (oops! more threats?) but I am not so sure which one now to adopt as a National Flag, of course it remains the Glyndwr Flag, with the 'Adfywiad Gwladgarol Eagle' following up fast. It's got good 'Gwynedd Roots', suitably militant as befits a real Radical Nationalism, like the Dragon it as Roman connection but more important, a White Eagle as great Polish connections. I am all for some Polish Connection with the Cymry, be it in a flag or otherwise? Cofia 1848, lets see some Polish, Hungarian and Italian as well as Irish Flags at Rali Cilmeri 2008 in celebration of 1848 - 'THE YEAR OF REVOLUTION' - 160th Anniversary.
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Given that we like nothing better than to get all hot & bothered & fractious about such things, I must add that I am also up for a Welsh Republican Flag and even an 1831 Merthyr Commune Flag being of some great national import.
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Want more Welsh Flags, see below, and see if you know what they represent. yes! your Tafarn Llywelyn - Rali Cilmeri 2007 Quiz, as it looks as if it might rain. Thus below will pass the time away and may be inspire to PATRIOTIC ACTION 2008?

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Hwyl!

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Gethin.

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Nadolig Lawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.

Patriots Roll Call Revisted.

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I took this photograph shortly after moving to Beckenham, South London. Had nothing better to do one Sunday so visited a local cemetary in which I discovered grave of Thomas Crapper and of Lt Col Frank Edward Bourne of Rourkes Drift fame. If you remember in the film he ws played by the actor Nigel Green as the then Colour Seargeant Bourne with the impressive side whiskers. Incredible he lived to be 90 and died in 1945, he must have seen the world change remarkably not least the Sun rise on the British Empire but died just before it fell. I think the signifigant thing to notice in this photo is that two 'Poppy Crosses' have been placed on the grave, one by the British Legion. This makes me consider it might be a good idea to establish a LLEGN y GYMRU to place flowers and/or 'Ivy Crosses' on the graves of our contemporary Welsh Patriot Dead during our annual Cofia 1282 Remembrance Week in December. I have already suggested else where that patriots place crosses at the Cilmeri Cenotaph in name of our dead contemporary patriots as the Patriots Roll Call - Roll of Honour is read out. See below copy from poetry book of Denis Coslett who used to keep the Patriotic Roll Call up to date, does anyone still bother?

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Ideally. it would be great if some one volunteered to do this, and at the same time made it a work of patriotic pride to also volunteer to research locations of Patriots graves, and information regards what cemetaries they are bueried in. Further ideally, in time perhaps a blog could be set up specifically for this labour of Patriotic duty. No reason why a Llegn y Gymru group could not to this with great patriotic purpose also of organising appropriate commemorations as anniversry years arrive. However, this is Wales not Ireland and thus I can not forsee in the immediate future this 'Gwaith Gwladgarol' being under taken. Me? unfortunatly I cannot possibly take on more work in this area as I shall be archiving Cofiwn and AWNMS history no doubt till the day I die. Anyway, until such day as this may get better organised, if anyone wants to pass information on to me in above connections, I will from time to time see if I can post up the Information.

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See below foto of an improvised 'Poppy Remembrance Garden', similar could be done at the Castles of Wales during Cofia 1282 Remembrance Week or on 11 Rhagfyr, make this an annual local Patriotic Community effort. Keep in mind this commemorative work is not just about remembering the past, but also a means by which we can promote knowledge of our history amongst our people. Generally an history not taught in our schools and you will not see the Welsh Media people wearing Ivy leaves on and around 11 Rhagfyr as they wear poppies around 11 November annually. You could also with a little effort organise Cofia 1282 Exhibitions in local Libraries * and community centres, if you had the Patriotic will you will find Patriotic ways and means of doing so, yes! If you book in advance your local library will allow it.* Best Library Exhibitions I have seen is one set up by Embassy Glyndwr in Caernarfon Library and one set up annually in Merthyr Library by local Dic Penderyn Society. I AM SURE GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS SORT OF EDUCATIONAL WORK - SO GO ON, DON'T BE SHY - GO GRAB A GRANT, WHY NOT! EVERYONE ELSE AND THEIR DOG IS DOING IT. Never mind me ranting on about ''Saxon Gold'', not for the ''one of'' worthy cause, it's Crachach who live off this ''Saxon Gold'' I moan about in main.

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Why do I think I am flogging a dead horse? maybe, because I have been here before saying the same thing over and over and over but with little positive patriotic response. If there is, this year let me know and where possible send me photos to post up, to encourage others for future success sake. Otherwise as per usual turn up at Cilmeri for the pre Xmas reunion, obligatory sentimental speeches, then a few pints and pop off home and wait for Dydd Dewi to come around or an election? Yep! that's what is called Welsh Patriotic Struggle (unless your in Cymuned, bit more action there on the language front), think you got it sussed? think again and while your thinking, check out how the Poles, Hungarians and Baltic Peoples remember their history and patriotic dead as part of their struggle to sustain their Sovereignty and National Independence.

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Gethin.