DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION RIGHT NOW OK! IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN - MAKE WELSH BATTLEFIELDS A SERIOUS PRIORITY OF THE POWERS THAT BE - SO DO IT! to start with email link of this post out to all who might be of an interest - THIS IS URGENT!
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Welsh Battlefield Campaign
September 2009 Statement
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Before I get down to the really important business at hand regards my I’r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign which has been waging struggle on behalf of Welsh Battlefields for quite sometime, long before the so called Welsh Battlefield Society came into existence. I am forced once more to waste time in having to clarify much regards this latter body that serves to confuse and thus hinder the aforementioned campaign and cause of Welsh Battlefields. To cut to the chase, quite simply the so called WBS are engaged in repeating what I have set out to do and have already achieved, that is have the OS, RCAHMW and CADW agree to moving on these matters. A truth testified to by articles prompted by my campaigning in both Western Mail and Daily Post, and published some years ago.
September 2009 Statement
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Before I get down to the really important business at hand regards my I’r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign which has been waging struggle on behalf of Welsh Battlefields for quite sometime, long before the so called Welsh Battlefield Society came into existence. I am forced once more to waste time in having to clarify much regards this latter body that serves to confuse and thus hinder the aforementioned campaign and cause of Welsh Battlefields. To cut to the chase, quite simply the so called WBS are engaged in repeating what I have set out to do and have already achieved, that is have the OS, RCAHMW and CADW agree to moving on these matters. A truth testified to by articles prompted by my campaigning in both Western Mail and Daily Post, and published some years ago.
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I do not expect Cadw & Co to acknowledge my enterprise and enthusiasm nor others, inc politicians to recognise my efforts and endeavours for many years. None of they of course will announce to the world the existence of my blog I’r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign at http://brwydr.blogspot.com/ it is a shame as it is stacked with interesting and useful information on Welsh Medieval Military History and on Battlefields but more important information as to ways and means by which people in their communities may go about backing up my campaign and actually doing something locally in their own communities rather than joining societies which become no more than social clubs and talking shops.
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So, here are some things you can do asap I hope, as for example:
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1: Put pressure on Cadw to deliver on it’s promises, re a National Register of Welsh Battlefields, as well to provisionally inform local Councils and other bodies as to this register. Pressure CADW to publish a booklet and series of leaflets on Welsh Battlefields as they have done for the Welsh Landscape and soon, similar on Shaping of the Welsh Landscape, also I believe they are doing a booklet on the Welsh Town Scape. Yes! all kind of duplicating work done by the RCAHMW, National and Civic Trusts. All of whom ignore Welsh Battlefields as much as they possibly can, as do BBC Wales and ITV Wales, however, BBC RADIO WALES as at least twice as far as I know invited Englishmen to comment on Welsh Battlefields in passing regards their books or tours. So, hopefully all understand that first step forward is a letter/email writing campaign, in particular right now, not least with the below in mind, see 2:
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1: Put pressure on Cadw to deliver on it’s promises, re a National Register of Welsh Battlefields, as well to provisionally inform local Councils and other bodies as to this register. Pressure CADW to publish a booklet and series of leaflets on Welsh Battlefields as they have done for the Welsh Landscape and soon, similar on Shaping of the Welsh Landscape, also I believe they are doing a booklet on the Welsh Town Scape. Yes! all kind of duplicating work done by the RCAHMW, National and Civic Trusts. All of whom ignore Welsh Battlefields as much as they possibly can, as do BBC Wales and ITV Wales, however, BBC RADIO WALES as at least twice as far as I know invited Englishmen to comment on Welsh Battlefields in passing regards their books or tours. So, hopefully all understand that first step forward is a letter/email writing campaign, in particular right now, not least with the below in mind, see 2:
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2: This month, Alun Ffred Jones the Minister of Heritage at the Welsh Assembly is to make a statement on a new Welsh Heritage Strategy, along with providing information on an action plan of Heritage Initiatives and projects. This has not come out of the blue but is work began in 2005 and which has been worked at under auspices of an Heritage Environment Group, and then completed by two conferences Treftadaeth’08 and Treftadaeth’09. Further additional input came from the Civic Trust and it’s main man Mathew Richards regards putting forward ideas regards an Heritage Network taking over from HEG but under auspices of the Civic Trust, not something I agree with but that’s another matter.
2: This month, Alun Ffred Jones the Minister of Heritage at the Welsh Assembly is to make a statement on a new Welsh Heritage Strategy, along with providing information on an action plan of Heritage Initiatives and projects. This has not come out of the blue but is work began in 2005 and which has been worked at under auspices of an Heritage Environment Group, and then completed by two conferences Treftadaeth’08 and Treftadaeth’09. Further additional input came from the Civic Trust and it’s main man Mathew Richards regards putting forward ideas regards an Heritage Network taking over from HEG but under auspices of the Civic Trust, not something I agree with but that’s another matter.
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What concerns me now, is that in all the many documents of reports and briefings over five years associated with the above there is hardly any, if any mention of Welsh Battlefields. So, it is not looking good regard Welsh Battlefields prospects in the Ministers forthcoming statement on the Welsh Heritage. Thus, now more than ever you must act, shift yourselves fast, and first off go read my blog posts. Then write to the Minister ASAP backing my proposals and seeking the implementation of Welsh Battlefield Initiatives and projects, not least also write and ask your AM to raise the matter of Welsh Battlefields in the above mentioned plenary session (see WAG time table/agenda on the web).
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The Welsh Assembly returns from it's summer break on the 21 September, the Heritage Plenary session may take place that day or later in September. I that day, hope to picket the Welsh Assembly on these matters, do feel free to join me at the door of the Welsh Assembly, or if you cannot make it to Caerdydd, then picket one of the Assembly Regional Offices or even your local Authourity office, regards your local adopted Battlefield.
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3: Now if you are really serious about Welsh Battlefields, rather than waste time running around to meetings of a WBS. Just go set up a local Welsh Battlefield Research and Study Group and adopt your local nearest Welsh Battlefield and campaign on it’s behalf to be included in a Welsh Battlefield Register. Further, inform WAG and Local Authority that you want it Preserved, Protected and Promoted, not least locally in education. Plus there could be advantages for Patriotic Work regards memorials, plaques and commemorations plus local leisure activities as a Battlefield trail. Whatever, plenty to do just do it. If you really feel very strong on this issue then join in my more radical campaigning to bring pressure on CADW, see my blog as to my Picketing activities of CADW Castles, not least regards their Birthday Bash in October at Caerffili Castle.
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4: Shortly my I’r Gad Campaigning is going to come to an end, all the quicker if you all pitch in regards the above. There of course always be need to continue to encourage pro – active interest regards Welsh Battlefields, not least in educational areas, their recognition by Post office in publication of Stamps, and even commemorative coins by the Royal Mint. I have heard that Terry Breverton of Glyndwr publishing is working on a book of Welsh Battles and Sieges. Hopefully, a Welsh publisher could do a 30 X 20 illustrated Map and BBC Wales or ITV Wales, not just S4C do a TV Series on Welsh Battles, I myself am working on a DVD on Welsh Battlefield Sites.
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3: Now if you are really serious about Welsh Battlefields, rather than waste time running around to meetings of a WBS. Just go set up a local Welsh Battlefield Research and Study Group and adopt your local nearest Welsh Battlefield and campaign on it’s behalf to be included in a Welsh Battlefield Register. Further, inform WAG and Local Authority that you want it Preserved, Protected and Promoted, not least locally in education. Plus there could be advantages for Patriotic Work regards memorials, plaques and commemorations plus local leisure activities as a Battlefield trail. Whatever, plenty to do just do it. If you really feel very strong on this issue then join in my more radical campaigning to bring pressure on CADW, see my blog as to my Picketing activities of CADW Castles, not least regards their Birthday Bash in October at Caerffili Castle.
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4: Shortly my I’r Gad Campaigning is going to come to an end, all the quicker if you all pitch in regards the above. There of course always be need to continue to encourage pro – active interest regards Welsh Battlefields, not least in educational areas, their recognition by Post office in publication of Stamps, and even commemorative coins by the Royal Mint. I have heard that Terry Breverton of Glyndwr publishing is working on a book of Welsh Battles and Sieges. Hopefully, a Welsh publisher could do a 30 X 20 illustrated Map and BBC Wales or ITV Wales, not just S4C do a TV Series on Welsh Battles, I myself am working on a DVD on Welsh Battlefield Sites.
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Last but not least we need a Welsh Battlefield Trust as in England and Scotland and/or a Welsh Medieval Military History Society. But it must be such that engages professional interests and not yet again a body of amateur patriotic enthusiasts joining yet another 'Social Club'. In the first instance, at very least could not our University History Departments organise Conferences and Weekend Schools on Welsh Military History and Welsh Battles. Indeed why does not one of our existing Military History Museums sponsor such, or maybe the so called National History Museum, Sant Fagans do so?
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5: At moment, I am working on a number of related projects that have sprung from my campaign, in particular my proposals for a Welsh National Battlefield Centre which I would like to see established in Builth Wells. In mind that it could then in time organise at the Royal Welsh Showground an annual Welsh Military History Festival & Fair for all interested bodies, not least re-enactors and living history enthusiasts.etc. More information on this will be published to my blog soon.
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Well that’s it, can I now leave most of the above in your safe hands? Please note as I close down by campaign and work in this area, I have much material to archive or recycle to others who may have an interest in a particular area. Perhaps, you are of such interest , and would be interested in receiving some of this material? So let me know of your interests and I will see what is of use to you?
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5: At moment, I am working on a number of related projects that have sprung from my campaign, in particular my proposals for a Welsh National Battlefield Centre which I would like to see established in Builth Wells. In mind that it could then in time organise at the Royal Welsh Showground an annual Welsh Military History Festival & Fair for all interested bodies, not least re-enactors and living history enthusiasts.etc. More information on this will be published to my blog soon.
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Well that’s it, can I now leave most of the above in your safe hands? Please note as I close down by campaign and work in this area, I have much material to archive or recycle to others who may have an interest in a particular area. Perhaps, you are of such interest , and would be interested in receiving some of this material? So let me know of your interests and I will see what is of use to you?
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Further note that Cadw, are advancing idea of a Princes of Gwynedd and Princes of Deheubarth Initiatives but not regards Princes of Powys, I dare say because of it's association with Owain Glyndwr. Nor, are they doing anything to advance info on the Princes of Glywysing (Morgannwg and Gwent), because they want Southerners to think that their history only begins with the Industrial Revolution plus of course WAG regards this as HERIAN/Bevan Foundation/Llafur and Labour Party territory, see present two year Chartist Commemoration under way in the South at present. So, contact Cadw about this too ok!
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Go see my Urdd Brenhinol Cymru blog and note, that very much needed asap is a medieval body similar to Herian. Thus in December, I shall be holding a meeting to discuss setting up of a 'Brenhinol Cymru' to be responsible for much work in this area. I am coming up to patriotic retirement in the not too distant future, as best as possible I am trying not to embark on any more ideas into Initiatives and projects, but rather finnish some off, or pass some on, or ditch, or archive some. Would you be interested in taking over some medieval projects outstanding, maybe in association with 'Brenhinol Cymru'. Whatever, if any interest in anything discussed in this post and want to know how to become actively engaged do get in touch. Not least if you wish to attend the 'Brenhinol Cymru' meeting in December.
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Gethin ap Gruffydd.
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Gethin ap Gruffydd.
