Mair Williams's blog

Today, a joint statement released by the Welsh Government and Flintshire town and county councils, said the plan to build an Iron Ring sculpture at Flint Castle will be scrapped. It is a major victory for campaigners who described the proposed Iron Ring as symbolising a system used to subjugate and oppress the Welsh people. Plaid Cymru's North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd, had described the sculpture, which celebrated the conquest of Wales by Edward I, as "inappropriate and insulting".

Ellis Humphrey Evans was born at Yr Ysgwrn, the family farm in Trawsfynydd, in 1887. Better known by his bardic name Hedd Wyn (Welsh for Blessed Peace) he composed his first poem by the age of eleven. He worked with his father on the family hill farm from the age of 14 and wrote much of his poetry when working there as a shepherd. His talent for poetry became increasingly known and he took part in competitions and local eisteddfodau. He won his first chair (Cadair y Bardd) in Bala, at the age of 20 in 1907.

A 20ft steel sword modelled on the type used by the Princes of Gwynedd is being proposed by Gwynedd council’s tourism and marketing unit. The aim of the large sculpture at Llyn Padarn in Llanberis is to raise awareness among local people and visitors alike of the history of Gwynedd and of Wales as a nation. Llanberis has powerful connections to the Princes of Gwynedd such as Llywelyn Fawr, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and Owain Glyndwr.

The repercussions continue following the disastrous Newsnight (BBC's flagship current affairs programme), broadcast of a supposed debate about the Welsh language. Protests arose as soon as the programme, which asked whether the Welsh language was “a help or hindrance to the nation.” came off air. The discussion on August 9 did not even include anyone who could speak the Welsh language.

The hill of Craig-y-dorth, is near to the village of Cwmcarvan (Welsh: Cwmcarfan) in Monmouthshire (Sir Fynwy) in south-east Wales. In this month, August 1404, it was the site of a battle between Owain Glyndŵr's forces and those of the English. Glyndŵr was victorious and the defeated English forces were either slain or put to flight. 

The Merthyr Rising of May and June 1831 took place when the coal miners and other working people took to the streets of Merthyr Tydfil in Wales in protest against unemployment and lowering wages. With cries of Caws a bara (cheese and bread) and I lawr â'r Brenin (down with the king) the protest spread throughout the area. Before the authorities regained control of the town through brutal force on 7 June the protesters effectively controlled Merthyr.

As previously reported there was a considerable amount of criticism pointed at the BBC programme Newsnight after an unfairly balanced item about the Welsh language was aired on Wednesday night.

Welsh language comes under attack in the BBC Newsnight programme and in this article in YN COMMMEEYS CELTIAGH - CELTIC NEWS MANNIN it reports that the unfair coverge has prompted a petition:

Newsnight: Welsh language coverage prompts a petition

Concern over a BBC Newsnight programme on the Welsh language and proposed changes has led to the launch of an on-line petition.

The initiator of the petition Huw Marshas says:

The organisers of the petition to stop the proposed plans for Flint Castle's Iron Ring sculpture have announced that the petition will officially be handed over on the 18th of September. The plan is to organise an event for the hand over, and people are encouraged to attend. The handover will take place on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff, Wales, CF10 4PZ at 2.30pm so those attending are asked be there at 1pm.

Flint Castle (Welsh: Castell y Fflint) is located in Flint (Y Fflint) in north-east Wales. It stands on the Dee Estuary (Aber Dyfrdwy) where the River Dee (Afon Dyfrdwy) flows into the sea. Work began on the castle in 1277. It was one of the first of a series of castles built in Wales by the English King Edward I (17/18 June 1239 – 7 July 1307) during his campaign to conquer Wales. They were constructed with the aim of forming an "Iron Ring" used to suppress Welsh resistance. Each of these castles viewed on their own can be admired as an impressive structure with a unique fortress design.