CYMDEITHAS OWAIN GLYNDWR

THE OWAIN GLYNDWR SOCIETY

INDEX The Society Forthcoming events The Society's aims The memorial The Pennal Letter Press coverage of the appeal May Newsletter Glyndwr’s place in Welsh history Darlith "Owain Glyndwr a Chymru"  Battles for Wales : Castell Conwy Battles for Wales : Mynydd Hyddgen  Battles for Wales : Bryn Glas People of the Millennium Membership form Greetings Cards The Society’s officers Bibliography Societies with similar interests Map of Wales Antiquarian maps     http://www.homecomingwales2000.com   Cilmeri.Com, Connections to Wales http://www.cilmeri.com/                                                       http://www.homecomingwales2000.com

The Society’s achievements A memorial was unveiled in Machynlleth, Cardiganshire, on September 16th 2000. The town was chosen because it is central to the whole of Wales and the Parliament House is already a focus in commemorating him. The monument was erected in the grounds of Y Plas, Machynlleth. A slate monolith was very generously donated by McAlpine Slate Ltd. from the Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda. The memorial was designed by Ieuan Rees, whose work has attracted commissions from as far afield as America and Australia. Four of his works are to be found in Westminster Abbey. An englyn will be inscribed on the memorial. A competition on Talwrn y Beirdd on Radio Cymru to create a commemorative englyn was won by Dafydd Wyn Jones of Aberangell, near Machynlleth. Here is the englyn: Owain, tydi yw'n dyhead, - Owain, Ti piau'n harddeliad, Piau'r her yn ein parhad A ffrewyll ein deffroad. A translation follows which attempts to follow its strict metre and internal rhyming (cynghanedd) Owain, you're our defiance, - Owain Yours is our allegiance, Our steel, and in your stance See our nation's renaissance. Attempts to identify the grave are now believed to have borne fruit. Thanks to the research undertaken by the society's Search Working Party, and in particular to the diligent work of Tony Carter, we have had strong indications recently that Owain's body lies near Monnington Court in the Golden Valley in Herefordshire. The secret was divulged by Sir John Scudamore of Kentchurch Court, which is about 8 miles from Monnington Court. Sir John is one of Owain's direct descendants, and the secret has been handed down in his family through the generations. We are hoping that geophysical research into the site at Monnington Straddel will produce confirmatory evidence. However, in Professor Rees Davies's opinion, and some other leading historians, his final resting-place is probably somewhere in his heartland in North Wales. Professor Davies concluded a lecture in Brecon by saying that for some, this is part of the romance. Below is a piece from the Western Mail dated 27 March 2000. The Society will have achieved a marker in history if proof of the burial place does emerge.  We have launched our appeal for funds to achieve the other aims of the society. Amongst the Society's contributors are The Manic Street Preachers and Anthony Hopkins. diffr'nt records ltd, who,although based in London, are actively involved in youth activities in Wales, have made a substantial donation and give us on-going support. This helps to raise the profile of Glyndwr among a section of the population we would otherwise find hard to reach. We have lobbied the First Secretary and all members of the Welsh Assembly for the incorporation of the following elements in the design of the new Assembly building in Cardiff : The main debating chamber to be called The Owain Glyndwr Chamber; Owain's seal to be prominently displayed within the chamber; A suitable memorial (such as a stained glass window) to be incorporated as a permanent memorial to Owain's pioneering Welsh Parliament. Hopefully these negotiations will result in Owain's role as leader of an emerging Welsh nation being recognised in the important new building.   We have requested a series of commemorative stamps in 2004 to commemorate the establishment of the first Welsh parliament in 1404   We have campaigned for better information at sites associated with Owain Glyndwr. As part of this campaign we have requested that the Ordnance Survey indicate the location of Owain's battles on future map series. We are grateful to Dr. John Davies, Llandyssul, for his research on this subject.   Letters have been sent by the chairman to all members of the Welsh Assembly seeking their support for the society's aims. A dozen replies have been received to date, the great majority of them supportive. Media coverage of the activities of the Society has been high and has done much to increase interest in Owain and his history. A small archive of information and anecdote, representing a great deal of family and folklore, is being gathered. If you would like to add to this contact Chris Mann on Mail Link to: post@owain-glyndwr-soc.org.uk Financial contributions towards the costs of the memorial and the scholarship would be appreciated. Membership rates and an application form are available.

 

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