This may seem a bit rich coming from me but whilst I agree greatly with what Mr Tomos has to say in his letter (Western Mail 3 Awst 2007), I must point out some positivity that is coming from Cadw in these latter years.* When Embassy Glyndwr was organising a Glyndwr event in Caernarfon in 2001, Cadw contacted the local organisers and offered free use of Caernarfon Castle for conclusion of the event.
* Cadw when requested to flying of 'Baner Glyndwr' annually on 'Dydd Glyndwr' at their Castles agreed without any need to press them, other than they stating there were restrictions re availability of flag poles and custodians to take care of.
* Cadw agreed to meet with representation from 'Ysbryd Cofiwn' sympathisers to discuss more Welsh Themed Living History Interpretations in their Castles, that we have not had this meeting yet is our fault not that of Cadw.
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Now just in case anyone thinks I am ''toadying up'' to Cadw I am not, as you will see below I shall be pressing them with regards to, in 2008 - 725th anniversary of Conquest 1283 Completed. Also of course 25th anniversary of their Festival of Castles in 1982 and thus wonderful opportunity for they to make ammends for their festival of Conquest and Colonisation 1283. (see below). However, let me point out some ''Home Truths'', no one hates more than I seeing every year English Re-Enactment Groups employed by Cadw to put on largelly displays of English Medieval history in Castles around Wales. But here'e the problems, so very few Welsh People are keen to be involved in presenting Living history or Welsh Medieval Re-enactments, plus one as to take aboard a major problem in the world of Re-enactment. This problem is the matter of INSURENCE, thus many smaller re-enactment groups are going to the wall because of high insurence costs, a situation has then arisen where only the major players get a look in. So, you are seeing the ''Big Boys'' in the high saddle, as the Plantaganet Society, Knights of Long Shanks and Regia Anglorum, this is because these Societies also do a lot of TV/Film work and get huge fees which subsidise their existence. Another great problem is that our ''Crachach Dominated Culture'' largelly promotes liesiure cultural activities that are orientated toward the Eisteddfod and be S4C related, in service of sustaining a Welsh Language Industry, not be bothered with medieval re-enactment. Equally, it is the same reason as to why we get so much Shakespeare in Cadw castles, but do not blame Cadw for this, if that is all that is on offer. Again the truth of the matter is, on the one hand 'Theatre Cymraeg' has it's eye on other prize areas not such that requires them to entertain around the Castles of Cymru. Meanwhile 'Anglo - Welsh' theatre is in it's own little, largelly ''Anglicised World'', whilst ''Anglicised'' people are given a diet of Dr Who rather than any Welsh Princes. Add to this a general dis-interest of youth in history let alone the medieval period unless it is fantasy related and fits in with Computer games. So, little wonder Cadw has got problems in presenting Welsh History, thus instead of moaning about Cadw why not get involved in Welsh Living History Interpretation. See following link to TEYRNAS GLYNDWR http://teyrnas.blogspot.com In conclusion suffice to say, lets not blame the English for denieing us our history, as that's a lie and an huge false nationalist myth, which I will deal with again.
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I agree with Mr Tomos that Cadw should do a lot more in visibly promoting a more ''Patriotically Correct'' version of Welsh History, I will deal with this further below. However, again lets not pile all the stones on Cadw, what about the new VISIT WALES TOURISM AGENCY, now run out of the Assembly. I recently had their new tourism brochure and it did it's very best to skip over Medieval Wales, but they are not alone in endeavouring to make Wales a place with no history of Conquest and Colonisation. Many local Authorities see Cymru only existing as a pre dark age landscape of Romano - Celtic and earlier times, then their brochures jump a 1000 years and we arrive in a ''New Wales'' of Outdoor Skills and Golf Courses. AGAIN, PLEASE LETS NOT BLAME THE ENGLISH OK! the Welsh are very good at shooting themselves in the foot for any verity of usually gutless reasons. So, I suggest contact your local AM's to put more pressure on this VISIT WALES operation run out of the Assembly, then put pressure on your local authorities, perhaps we can leave Cadw off the hook in many areas. Not least regards a WELSH BATTLEFIELD REGISTER, see I'r Gad http://brwydr.blogspot.com/
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Cadw c'mon! Just when they thought they were off the hook, along comes 2008, 725th Anniversary of 1283. What a wonderful opportunity to put the record straight regards that Castles of Conquest Building programme celebration of 1983. Now before I go on rabbiting about Cadw failiures of the past, I want patriots to re read what I have said above and rather than considering protest be a lot more positive and seek to work with Cadw representation in your ''Castle Community''. Now, back to Cadw, I want you and patriots to consider the following:
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Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council
Commemorating the legacy of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1803-1806.www.lewisandclark200.org/ - 2k - Cached - Similar pages NB: This Commemoration took aboard what it meant to Europeans and to the First Nation Peoples, so why not a commemoration that informs on the history of the Conquored and Colonised of 1283/84 in 2008/9.
Commemorating the legacy of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1803-1806.www.lewisandclark200.org/ - 2k - Cached - Similar pages NB: This Commemoration took aboard what it meant to Europeans and to the First Nation Peoples, so why not a commemoration that informs on the history of the Conquored and Colonised of 1283/84 in 2008/9.
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Below is information on the fourthcoming 150th Anniversary Commemoration of
the American Civil War 1861 - 2011. Yes! they are that far ahead in the planning of what is becoming a contentious matter in some areas, not least in the ''New South'' regards a demand for much improved interpretation of slavery issues, than was done in the Civil War Museums of the ''Old South''. The Federal Government intends to withhold grants unless there is a fairer more balanced view in any Southern Commemoration in 2011. OK Cadw! the point is following on 1282, we Welsh were pretty much an enslaved people, Ethnically, Socially, Culturally and economically. So, hows about some action in this area in 2008/9, maybe with at least with Informative brochures and Interpretation Boards that tell this story, never mind, this time around how great and grand the English Castles are. Certainly, I shall be posting up ideas and potential initiatives for patriots to be involved in, but this time around the emphasis will be on Positivity rather than Protest. In the meantime study below and inform me of your own suggestions, ideas or proposals. gethin.apgruffydd@ntlworld.com
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150 Years After the Civil War Can We Finally Remember It the Way ...
Mr. Cook, Professor of American History at the University of Sheffield, UK, is the author of Troubled Commemoration: The American Civil War Centennial, ...hnn.us/articles/41285.html - 20k - Cached - Similar pages
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Civil War Memory: Civil War Sesquicentennial
Here is the description for Troubled Commemoration: The American Civil War .... lead a forum about maximizing Civil War history assets from 2011 to 2015 ...civilwarmemory.typepad.com/civil_war_memory/civil_war_sesquicentennial/index.html - 119k - Cached - Similar pages
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Richards Center Home
The purpose of the event is to help societies plan for the commemoration of the Civil War sesquicentennial in 2011. News: The Society for the Civil War ...www.richardscenter.psu.edu/ - 11k - Cached - Similar pages
Richards Center Home
The purpose of the event is to help societies plan for the commemoration of the Civil War sesquicentennial in 2011. News: The Society for the Civil War ...www.richardscenter.psu.edu/ - 11k - Cached - Similar pages
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Here's a link below for Dr Jeffrey Hunter and Roystan 'Jac' Jones, no doubt Dr Hunter and our pacifist ''Crachach'' Welsh establishment are well ahead on the Lincoln Birthday anniversary in 2009. Maybe, my tip off will see 'Jac' arise with a ''Rebel Yell'' to commemorate the birth of Jefferson Davies (of Welsh descent), by when, who knows some one may have wrote an article on the 'Welsh Who Fought For The South'. (see my earlier post CONFEDERATES REMEMBERED).
.Here's a link below for Dr Jeffrey Hunter and Roystan 'Jac' Jones, no doubt Dr Hunter and our pacifist ''Crachach'' Welsh establishment are well ahead on the Lincoln Birthday anniversary in 2009. Maybe, my tip off will see 'Jac' arise with a ''Rebel Yell'' to commemorate the birth of Jefferson Davies (of Welsh descent), by when, who knows some one may have wrote an article on the 'Welsh Who Fought For The South'. (see my earlier post CONFEDERATES REMEMBERED).
The Filson Civil War Field Institute Homepage
The coming bicentennials of the births of Jefferson Davis (1808) and Abraham Lincoln (1809), and the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War (2011 ...www.filsonhistorical.org/cwfield1.htm - 10k - Cached - Similar pages
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Myself am focusing on a Croes Naid Campaign to draw attention to our stolen National Treasures, I am holding a meeting soon to discuss this with a few patriots in Gwynedd. This campaign will be based, begin and conclude in Gwynedd over the years 2008 - 2009. More Information in due course. Whilst your waiting start making 'Baneri Croes Naid' as one pictured here, made by Toni Lewis shortly before he died, this original has been presented to 'The 18' Cilmeri Honour Guard, for their worthy honouring of Toni at his Cilmeri 2005 tribute.
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On subject of National Treasures see below, also go to following link Cenedl Glyndwr http://cenedl.blogspot.com
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Last but not least:
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When will ''Hwntws'' stop being so ''Gwyneddcentric'' and realise that our South has a great history of Resistance to Anglo - Norman conquest and Colonisation, not least in the example of Llywelyn Bren. How many ''Hwntws'' know what the below picture shows or where it even is? if interested in finding out, let me know and I will take you there on my 2008 journey to remember the noble Southern Freedom Fighter Llywelyn Bren. Please note, I will be posting an item on this in my I'r Gad blog soon.
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.That's it for now folks!
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Hwyl!
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Gethin.
