Ignorance is bliss! So to sweep aside the ignorence and place more light on work already done and now being set aside in the shadowy corners by persons whose motives may be opposite and counter to mine, than they would want others to be aware of. Not I may add Aida Birch of Neath who strikes me as a person of genuine concern but still maybe paraphrasing what she may have heard others speak or write of, who have not qualified their statements by recognising my work to date. Lets get this straight, I have never in 40 years of working for any Patriotic Welsh Cause, sought or taken the ''Saxon Shilling'' for my labours. All my effort and enterprise is arrived from a Patriotic enthusiasm and at great expense over the years being funded out of my own pocket as is my time freely given. Further, I have never sought to hide who I am or what I am to advance any cause, I am not only a Patriot but also a Radical Political Nationalist, thus much what I do is to serve political and patriotic purpose. That often works against me in some areas but I will not and never will water down or back peddle on my brand of patriotism, what you see is what you get, like it or lump it, it's your problem not mine. Having said that I hope much of what I have done and am still doing will also serve non - political ends and be of value to people and communities and not simply serve my patriotism, if it was that alone then indeed it would be a vanity. I am not a vain person, it bothers me not if I get credit or recognition, to achieve is my goal! However, now I must come out of the backroom and fight my corner, not to claim credit or to boast but simply to thwart what may be the most awfull example of DILETTANTE OPPORTUNISM I have ever witnessed, well that is how it is appearing to me. I do so in main, as at this moment in time when much has been achieved and we need to advance, all of a sudden up pops a so called ''Welsh Battlefields Society'' (have seen letter they have sent out announcing their existence) whom will do nought other than confuse patriots and distract from more positive pupose. Thus I'r GAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See below extract from Ancient Monuments Board meeting minutes of July 2005, I rather imagine their concern regards a Welsh Battlefields Register was prompted by letters I and others in our I'r Gad WBfC had written.
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AGENDA ITEM 11 - WELSH BATTLEFIELDS Officials advised that there had been some pressure on Cadw to compile a Register of Historic Battlefields similar to that published by English Heritage. Professor Griffiths explained that The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales was researching the subject for Ordnance Survey map depiction. A list of 75 possible sites had been reduced to a draft list of 22 principal battle sites. Some of the sites would benefit from further research through, for example, place-name study, antiquarian bibliographical searches, reviews of aerial photography and discussion with local groups. The identification of precise sites was, however, problematic. 11.2 The Board agreed that it should await the outcome of further research before reconsidering the practicality of a register being compiled. The Board would look again at progress at its December meeting. This is extracted from the below minutes. (Geth Note: It was on being informed by both RCAHMW & Cadw of above that I decided to cease campaigning for an immediate Register, as they confirmed they would work towards one and temporary issue an advisory list to local authorities etc).
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AMB minutes July 2005
AGENDA ITEM 11 - WELSH BATTLEFIELDS. Officials advised that there had been some pressure on Cadw to compile a Register of Historic Battlefields similar to ...www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/upload/resourcepool/AMB%20Minutes%20July%2020059123.htm - 22k - Cached - Similar pages
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Not knowing something is often more comfortable than knowing it, it may perhaps be somewhat uncompfortable for the truth to be known, but the call by Aida Birch of Neath, is a rather belated call for setting up of a Welsh Battlefield Trust, I have been making this call for many years and have been pro-active in such campaign for at least the last five years, see over 25 posts in my blog I'r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign. Please all pay attention to latest postings concerning a so called ''Welsh Battlefield Society'' which appears to me as no more than Fforwm Hanes Cymru by another name, which also appears to me to be too concerned with the grabbing of grants rather than getting on with the job as I have been doing with no grant or subsidy other than out of my own pocket. It is not my intention to repeat what I have already said in I'r Gad Blog, other than to stress if Aida and others who had attended their Coed Lathen meeting referred to in her letter took a look at my blog, they will see that they are just repeating what I have already said a great many times. Further, Aida paraphrases me much in matters, I have campaigned for and made a a number of achievements in. I do not expect the Western Mail or ''Official Bodies'' concerned to give me any credit but they all know as well as I do that I have long ago corresponded with them regards these matters, without appearing to make any great claims, I think it is right to say that I have contributed much over last five years in moving such forward. I find it very baffling that of the 40 odd people attending meeting referred to regards Coed Lathen on 3 June this year, no one present knew or had courtesy to mention my campaign but it seems now most people present may have been misinformed and led off, on a wild needless goose chase when there are really more important things to do than set up another FfHC talking shop. As for example just stop talking and lets see some action from one and all. all you have to do is set up a local Battlefield Research Group, see my blog for useful information and get on with it, simple! Other than that rather pointless setting up a so called ''Welsh Battlefield Society'' when there is now in existence a Welsh Section of the Battlefield Trust. I suggest in future patriots look before they leap and not so foolishly follow pied pipers up blind allyways and achieve very little other than distract from more positive purpose.
AGENDA ITEM 11 - WELSH BATTLEFIELDS. Officials advised that there had been some pressure on Cadw to compile a Register of Historic Battlefields similar to ...www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/upload/resourcepool/AMB%20Minutes%20July%2020059123.htm - 22k - Cached - Similar pages
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Not knowing something is often more comfortable than knowing it, it may perhaps be somewhat uncompfortable for the truth to be known, but the call by Aida Birch of Neath, is a rather belated call for setting up of a Welsh Battlefield Trust, I have been making this call for many years and have been pro-active in such campaign for at least the last five years, see over 25 posts in my blog I'r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign. Please all pay attention to latest postings concerning a so called ''Welsh Battlefield Society'' which appears to me as no more than Fforwm Hanes Cymru by another name, which also appears to me to be too concerned with the grabbing of grants rather than getting on with the job as I have been doing with no grant or subsidy other than out of my own pocket. It is not my intention to repeat what I have already said in I'r Gad Blog, other than to stress if Aida and others who had attended their Coed Lathen meeting referred to in her letter took a look at my blog, they will see that they are just repeating what I have already said a great many times. Further, Aida paraphrases me much in matters, I have campaigned for and made a a number of achievements in. I do not expect the Western Mail or ''Official Bodies'' concerned to give me any credit but they all know as well as I do that I have long ago corresponded with them regards these matters, without appearing to make any great claims, I think it is right to say that I have contributed much over last five years in moving such forward. I find it very baffling that of the 40 odd people attending meeting referred to regards Coed Lathen on 3 June this year, no one present knew or had courtesy to mention my campaign but it seems now most people present may have been misinformed and led off, on a wild needless goose chase when there are really more important things to do than set up another FfHC talking shop. As for example just stop talking and lets see some action from one and all. all you have to do is set up a local Battlefield Research Group, see my blog for useful information and get on with it, simple! Other than that rather pointless setting up a so called ''Welsh Battlefield Society'' when there is now in existence a Welsh Section of the Battlefield Trust. I suggest in future patriots look before they leap and not so foolishly follow pied pipers up blind allyways and achieve very little other than distract from more positive purpose.
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Hopefully all will now be more fully informed. If everyone gets on line then perhaps much more will be achieved but I do not exactly know what this ''Welsh Battlefield Society'' hopes to achieve that has not already been achieved by I'r Gad and will hence be advanced via the proposed local Welsh Battlefield Research Groups. Future progress will also now be more greatly achieved by others more proffessionally concerned as RCAHMW, CADW & O.S. I now suggest a visit be made to my campaigning blog I'r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign http://brwydr.blogspot.com/ Where I suggest for starters you read the following posts (noting these are based on material as letters and articles being written as from 2003 but dated this August 2007, as date of post to blog.:
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* I'r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign Begins.
* Open Letter - A Cause For Concern.
* I'r Gad Objectives.
* I'r Gad Reports Up Dated.
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There are at least another 20 Posts you can read in your own good time, but I strongly suggest you read the above four posts first. In main, so you are not misled into wasting time on work already done when you might use that time and effort in a much better direction as just getting to it, setting up your own locally community based WELSH BATTLEFIELD RESEARCH GROUP. All the information you need to do this and successfully advance your work locally will be found in this blog, or upon request I might be able to supply further information or at least point you in best direction. It is not neccessery that you directly associate local endeavours with I'r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign, nor officially affiliate even, we, where ever possible encourage local autonomy and resist the ''Dead hand of centralism'' and ''Dictatorship by Committee''. To conclude please note again our present official stance and objectives:
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1: In main I believe the campaign we set out on some years ago has been won, I now trust to the RCAHMW, Cadw and O.S. to fulfill their promises and committments. This is in regard to seeing Welsh Battlefields are marked on maps and that eventually a Welsh Battlefield Register is produced. In past I have been a severe critic of Cadw but in recent years they have proved a body that will listen and accept reasonable propsals as flying of 'Baner Glyndwr' on 16 Medi 'Dydd Glyndwr' from Castles in their care. I am sure they will work towards a Welsh Battlefield Register or in the first instance produce a list for care of Welsh Battlefields.
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2: Further, to above priority now is for one and all to campaign for the Welsh Assembly to enact legislation for Preservation and Protection of Welsh Battlefields. The Welsh Assembly is also in best position now to see that Welsh Battlefields and their history are promoted, done through their Visit Wales Operation run by their now Internal Tourism Department, established to replace the defunct former Welsh Tourist Board (the only body that ignored my efforts and requests for them to assist in the campaign). To this end, I request you write letters/send emails to your A.M. and be persistant in follow ups, do not take the promises of politicians too serious untill you see them ACT ON AN ISSUE!
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3: Regards working towards a Welsh Battlefield Conference and Welsh Battlefield Trust, I am off the oppinion that the best way forward is via the Welsh Section of The Battlefield Trust wales@battlefieldstrust.com <wales@battlefieldstrust.com
I further suggest that if ever anyone feels the great need to join a ''body'' and feel good about doing something then, I strongly urge you to join the Battlefield Trust and within that body help advance, develope and advance it's work in Wales. This is a patriotic pragmatic step forward not just more ''knee jerk patriotism''.
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4: Other than the above, priority must be in local activity in your own community with establishing of a local Welsh Battlefield Research Group in organisation of research study and survey of local Battlefields, then by various means make local community aware of the battlefields in their are. If all the survey work done satisfies bodies as RCAHMW and O.S. guide lines then work may be embarked on to win local official recognition (RCAHMW & O.S. will see to maps) with getting local authorities to put up sign posts and history interpretation notice boards. Long term this will also involve working towards raising funds for a Battlefield Marker and/or Memorial (I have a post to publish soon regards a common shared logo to include in markers and memorials), this will require a major effort and will take much time to fulfill, so before embarking on such project do make sure you and others have the enthusiasm to carry the intended project through and do not stand in the way of others who may have similar objectives of their own locally. Here, at best I'r Gad can offer this blog as a platform information and coordination, to this end please send in any local reports worth posting up in I'r Gad Blog to advantage of others.
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5: In conclusion, What of I'r Gad WBfC now? As stated above I consider things to be moving ahead very well in most areas, so I feel best purpose that I can serve in this direction now, is in main sustain I'r Gad Blog as a source of information and Interest but still with a campaigning edge. In first instance I shall continue to work with Sian Ifan in her Tarian Glyndwr campaign and borrow from there the Patriotic Provisional Registration Campaign. Secondly, I'r Gad will also see itself as a body ready to launch campaigns in defence of our Welsh Battlefield Heritage where ever such is threatened by intrusion upon their landscape by whatever source of harm. Here, I will need the full support of local people to keep me informed of any such threat, this is where WBRG's would really be of use by establishing a WELSH BATTLEFIELD WATCH. However, note in this area individuals can play a part by becoming the 'Eyes & Ears' of a National Welsh Battlefield Watch by simply informing me of any news and information that will be of concern to I'r Gad in this direction. (See future posting on this in I'r Gad Blog http://brwydr.blogspot.com ) NB: In this are local WBRG's should liase with local and regional Archaelogical groups and associations.
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6: Battlefield Commemoration. since Cofiwn initiated such many years ago, I shall continue to promote commemoration of important anniversaries of Welsh Battles. Ones I have already began promoting this year, are those in connection with the 1282 - 3 War of Independence and the fall of Gwynedd. See Cofiwn Archive Blog http://cofiwn.blogspot.com
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Other developments in this area as follows:
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* I am suggesting to various bodies that a National Welsh Battlefield Interpretation Centre be established in Builth Wells, which will also make study of Welsh Miltary History at home and abroad. In this direction, I am proposing best bodies associated with this project be, of course Builth and Powys Local Authourities, the official bodies aforementioned plus the National Museum of Wales and Miltary Museum Curator Archivist Historians. There are a number of reasons why I suggest this be based in Builth which are already detailed in I'r Gad Blog, there is another reason and that is, close by there is the National Welsh Show Ground. Part of my project plan in this area is to tie in with the NWBIC the propsal of holding in this showground Welsh Miltary History Living History Re-Enactments as an initiative to advantage of the local community in areas of local liesiure activity and to advantage as a tourism draw. In this connection see work by Sian Ifan in Teyrnas Glyndwr Living History Blog http://teyrnas.blogspot.com
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* In association with an existing Wales Guided Tours Service, I am preparing a Welsh Battlefields Tour Project Programme. I am drawing up a series of Battlefield trails based on specific medieval period military history themes, details of which will gradually be made available in postings to I'r Gad Blog.
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* There already exists a number of books on Welsh Battles, none at present as good as available to other nations. Historian Paul Remfry has done much work on Welsh Castles and Battlefields, his web work often referrs to fact that he his doing a book on Welsh Battlefields but I have no idea if it has ever been published? However, I have heard that there is to be published soon a new book on the subject, more details when they become available. I myself am working on a Welsh Battlefield Information Wall Chart (similar to that sponsored by THE TIMES for the Battlefield Trust) associated with our development of a similar web site, both projects will also inform on Welsh Medieval Military History. The Book on Welsh Battles I had been working on, will now not be published as such but will allow general style & themes to become material content for the Web site which will be very much based on similar to that of the Battlefields Trust - Battlefields Resource Centre, see link below:
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It is essential reading for anyone visiting a battlefield, an invaluable education resource and contains important information for those investigating or ...www.battlefieldstrust.com/resource-centre/ - 30k - Cached - Similar pages[ More results from www.battlefieldstrust.com ]
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Both these ventures are quite major projects and will thus require sponsorship, this is being looked into as is possibility of having an Stondyn I'r Gad at the National Eisteddfod in Caerdydd next year.
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For further Information on I'r Gad, the first and foremost Welsh Battlefield Campaign, for real! click on to the following link http://brwydr.blogspot.com
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Gethin. I'r Gad Initiative Motivator.
