This Posting below: An open letter, I wrote and issued far and wide during 2005, to O.S, Cadw and RCAMW with a good response (see future postings) also sent to A.M's but in the main, very little response and little action on the matter from them. Lack of time and money did not allow my being able to continue this letter campaign. I would be quite happy if supporters used below as basis they could write to their local councillors and local media etc.
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Annwyl Pawb.
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My concern for 'Welsh battlefields’ has been to the fore for some time – prompted, in the first instance, by realisation of the disinterest that exists amongst the powers that should be concerned and also by the attitude of military historians and publishers on the subject. I have come to the conclusion that in the main, 'Battlefields in Wales' is neglected because 'CADW', the body responsible for our 'Heritage in the Landscape,' does not have ‘Welsh Battlefields' down on their list of priorities; then additional to this is the fact that there is an institutionalised thinking amongst British historians and Military interest publishing that proclaims there were ''no Welsh Battlefields only Killing Grounds”. The latter grouping then go on to paint a picture of the Welsh only being capable of fighting a guerrilla form of warfare. As a result, very few books on military history ever mention 'Welsh Wars or Battles'. Those interested should check this out – and be prepared to be shocked! Even major works, as produced by the O.S on “British Battlefields” does not mention one in Wales. Equally, the O.S. notes very few Welsh Battlefields on their Maps.
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This is so unlike the situation in England where a 'Battlefield Trust' has been set up to campaign to protect 'English battlefields. This campaign supported by the Times, jointly persuaded ‘English Heritage’ to begin registration of English Battlefields to make their destruction difficult, without greater official and public scrutiny first. The cause for this concern was the slowly dawning realisation that new motorways, golf courses, housing developments - and now Windfarms, were threatening English Battlefields, and thus strong action was needed to halt this despoilment of an important area of the English heritage. As a result, 43 Battlefields in England have been registered by English Heritage to date . So, what of Welsh Battlefields? The situation is grim! very few 'Welsh Battlefields' are noted on maps. We are now campaigning to address this unacceptable situation by the following means.
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This is so unlike the situation in England where a 'Battlefield Trust' has been set up to campaign to protect 'English battlefields. This campaign supported by the Times, jointly persuaded ‘English Heritage’ to begin registration of English Battlefields to make their destruction difficult, without greater official and public scrutiny first. The cause for this concern was the slowly dawning realisation that new motorways, golf courses, housing developments - and now Windfarms, were threatening English Battlefields, and thus strong action was needed to halt this despoilment of an important area of the English heritage. As a result, 43 Battlefields in England have been registered by English Heritage to date . So, what of Welsh Battlefields? The situation is grim! very few 'Welsh Battlefields' are noted on maps. We are now campaigning to address this unacceptable situation by the following means.
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We have already initiated a 'Welsh Battlefield Campaign’ and as part of this on-going campaign would like to see a 'Welsh Battlefield Conference' being set up with the purpose of establishing a 'Welsh Battlefield Trust' that will then, as part of its role, continue the campaign to see that 'Cadw', registers 'Welsh Battlefields' and that they treat such as a case that demands urgent priority! After all, surely what’s good enough for English battlefields should be good enough for our Welsh battlefields and such should be no less the responsibility of ‘Cadw’ in Wales than ‘English Battlefields’ is to ‘English Heritage’ in England. * RCAMW is already surveying such.
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We are now seeking the support of all Welsh Political parties, individual Members of Parliament, M.E.P's, as well as the support of the First Minister and all other National Assembly of Wales Members on this issue. We would appreciate it if Assembly Members took this matter up and, without any further delay, furthered it along to a satisfactory conclusion via the National Assembly. In the meantime, we would appreciate the opinions and suggestions of all those aforementioned.
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There is still need for a Welsh Battlefield Conference and out of that see set up a Welsh Battlefield Trust, this is an initiative I will continue to promote in academic and other areas.
Yn Ffyddlon.
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G.Gruffydd.
G.Gruffydd.
