Most Cymric patriots are, now, aware that Llywelyn was captured and assassinated at Aberedw and not at Cilmeri. The first memorial erected at Cilmeri was erected by a Squire Blyth in 1902. That memorial, however, was later dismantled and the stone was incorporated into the steps leading into the memorial site. The present memorial, a 15 ft piece of granite from Trefor quarry, was erected in 1956. The motivation behind the erecting of both memorials was a desire to generate tourism to the area but the 2nd and present memorial had been erected at a time when there was a re-kindling of national awareness in Cymru with actions being carried out by the first Republican Movement against pipelines carrying Cymric water to English cities. This initial re-kindling of Cymric nationalism was further fuelled by the drowning of the valley and community of Cwm Celyn for the purpose of building the Tryweryn Dam to provide further cheap water for the city of Liverpool. This is where the FWA, led by the charismatic Cayo Evans made their first public appearance in military uniform.
The PF (Patriotic Front) was founded in 1965 and it was this movement that first focused on Cilmeri as a suitable venue for Cymric patriots and nationalists to gather as a rallying point. As well as a means of paying respect and tribute to Llywelyn III and educating in regards to this crucial chapter in Cymric history, The PF also looked on the venue as a Cymric Speakers Corner' where anybody could stand on the mound in front of the memorial and speak. Emrys Roberts and Harri Webb had formed the New Nation Group and they produced a magazine entitled 'The Cilmeri Centrepoint'.
The P.F's decision back in 1965 to focus attention on the Cilmeri memorial site as a fitting site for an annual rallying point for patriots and Cymric nationalists to meet and discuss ideas and plans that would serve the cause of Cymric freedom from English rule, undoubtedly has proved over the years to be a heaven sent inspiration for, since 1965, members of Plaid Cymru, the SNP, along with members of other Scottish, Cornish, Breton and Irish groups joined with members of the P.F. the FWA and other Cymric dissident groups to gather annually at Cilmeri to discuss and forge ideas and comradeships. The Anti-Investiture campaign against Charles Windsor being forced on the Cymry as yet another English "Prince of Wales" was launched at that 1966 Cilmeri rally by the P.F. and when members of the Central Committes of the P.F. FWA and then MAC were arrested and imprisoned in 1969 and 1970, the Cilmeri rally continued to be organised by dedicated patriots from a number of the parties and groups listed above in coordination with those imprisoned.
It is of significance to note that it was during this period of political activity in Cymru that the membership of Plaid Cymru soared to a new level! The party got their first victory (if it can be called that - for, I myself am against campaigning for seats in the English Parliament) when Dr Gwynfor Evans won their first ever English parliamentary seat in Carmarthen and Dr Phil Williams came very close to winning a safe labour seat in the Caerffili by-election in 1968. I well remember Cayo Evans stating, when I mentioned to him once that Gwynfor had asked about him, that Gwynfor should ask how he was, as he and the FWA had won his seat in Carmarthen for him!
Dr Phil Williams with a young (ish) Cynog Dafis.
Dr Gwynfor Evans at Cilmeri 1982. Gwynfor would be a speaker at many COFIWN events and he later became Honorary President of Llysgenhadaeth Glyndwr.
Niel ap Siencyn speaking at Cilmeri 1982 whilst the then Archdderwydd Geraint Bowen looks on.
A member of the Scottish delegation speaking at Cilmeri 1982. The have been speakers at previous and alter rallies.
Every child at Cilmeri 1982 were presented with a covenant scroll which was also certification that the child had been present at this most important event to mark the 700th anniversary of Llywelyn's death.
The march from Cilmeri to Irfon Bridge, The Golf Club and on to the Wyeside Centre at Llanfair ym Muallt.
I could go on and on posting pics from the old days onto this blog but there are a couple of important things that need to be pointed out and a couple of most important points to be made.
The above will hopefully illustrate the important part that the Cilmeri rally has played in the re-awakening of the Cymric Nationalist cause since it was founded by the P.F. in 1965. However, 1n 1972, Gethin ap Iestyn Gruffydd returned from exile in Ireland to start the National Commemoration Association. He had been inspired to do so by the movement of the same name in Ireland. This new movement would hold many rallies, field trips and other events all over Cymru in order to educate our people in regards to their history and, again, as had been the case to some extent with the Cilmeri rally, re- awaken Cymric national consciousness for the furtherance of our freedom cause - but this time, the work was to be carried out all over Cymru and the organising of the annual Cilmeri rally was incorporated into the annual programme of the National Commemoration Association. A strong committee of dedicated patriots were appointed to necessary positions and the appointed Research Officer, Eurig ap Gwilym came up with the shorter name of COFIWN for the movement; another inspiration from heaven and Gethin then suggested the Ivy leaf as a logo for COFIWN -again, partially inspired by the Irish tradition of wearing an Ivy leaf in commemoration rallies for Parnell and partially in remembrance of the fact that Edward 1st 'thugs' had crowned Llywelyn's head in Ivy before they placed it on a spike to parade around London.
Eurig ap Gwilym saluting at Llywelyn III'S grave at Abaty Cwm Hir, I'm standing next to him.
Some members of the COFIWN Central Committee.
One of COFIWN'S numerous banners.
The COFIWN Abergele Martyrs banner, I would love to know who ended up with this?
Cofiwn enamel members's badge.
COFIWN car sticker.
Another COFIWN car sticker
The last two images are both sides of the Llywelyn III commemorative medallion that was produced by COFIWN in 1982 to commemorate the death of Llywelyn in 1282. They are almost vintage in age now and every patriotic family should have one to pass on from generation to generation so that we NEVER FORGET! For those that did not get any to pass on in 1982, you now have another and a final chance to purchase. We still have a small number left which we are prepared to sell now for £10 each plus postage. As COFIWN no longer exists as a movement, any from the sales of any of these coins will be used to purchase stickers of the Glyndr Independence flag which will be distributed to patriots that are known to be active to stick up all over our land as part of Owain Glyndwr's continuing struggle for Independence so, if you wish to purchase coins to hand down from your generation to the next whilst assisting the Independence struggle in the present, then contact me either on messinger or email at sifl@hotmail.co.uk Alternatively, if you intend to come to Cilmeri this Saturday - 14th Dec, you may purchase one or more in person. We will be at the Cenotaph from 11 - to noon and then we will be at the Tafarn Llywelyn between noon and 1pm Please see our programme below.
My last word on this blog is to remind one and all as to why the Cilmeri rally was founded in 1965. To repeat, it was founded in the main to re- awaken Cymric national consciousness for the furtherance of our freedom cause from English rule As already stated, Llywelyn was executed in the woods of Aberedw, a difficult enough place to find in the summer not to mention trying to organise a rally there in the winter. That was known then and should certainly be known now. As far as we are concerned, the initial reasoning for founding the Cilmeri rally should still stand strong. It is a place for patriots and nationalists to gather to forge ideas to further the cause and to pay respect by the reading of a roll call of names of known Cymric patriots and activists that have passed on. In respect to the reasoning behind the founding of the Cilmeri Rally and In honor of known Cymric activists that have passed on or those that were incarcerated for 'daring' to organise a challenge against the 1969 Investiture, we strongly believe that the Cilmeri Rally should, once more, be a rallying point for support for the next Anti Investiture campaign. There certainly is another Investiture in the making and singing 'Yma o Hyd' at Cilmeri rallies is not going to stop it! There is no point in going to Cilmeri if it is not going to be used as a 'campaigning platform. If the aim is merely to commemorate Llywelyn III then why not go to the cave at Aberedw or to Abaty Cwm Hir where his grave is and by the way, will people please stop referring to Llywelyn III as the Llyw Olaf (last Prince) he was so not, his brother Dafydd came after him although he was later betrayed and captured. Then Owain Llawgoch was assassinated in France by an English spy whilst raising an army to fight for his legacy as Tywysog Cymru then came Owain Glyndwr who became Tywysog Cymru by the will of his people as well as by heritage right and who fought a long war of Independence - and won before he disappeared so, that struggle still exists and it is our duty, if we are worthy to be called patriots, to carry on with it! So, let's do that and let's continue to use the Cilmeri rally as a campaigning platform until our Cymric struggle is won.
CYMRU RYDD!.
NEXT YEAR:
YSBRYD COFIWN.
HISTORY IS CENTRAL TO NATIONAL IDENTITY THUS RESTORATION OF AN YSBRYD COFIWN ANTI - CEREBRAL COLONIAL CAMPAIGN AS RESISTANCE TO HISTORICAL AMNESIA AND WHERE BETTER TO LAUNCH THAN AT THE CILMERI CENOTAPH 2020.
