MAY DAY WALES 2009 & BEYOND. Calan Mai Cymru Calls For Cardiff Event

.
I dedicate this post to the 'Llansamlet 12' ...Run Lads Run!!!! 12 Llansamlet Copper Workers who had been imprisoned, escaped and go on the run, see WANTED POSTER dated 1820 reproduced in the National Archive, link here >http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/humanrights/1815-1848/doc-tradeunion-image.htm . Their ''Crime'' being 'Combining' as a 'Trade Union' for the purpose to raise wages. I have not had chance to research further, wonder if they got caught, anyone know?

.

Post Subject: MayDay 2008 « Calan Mai International Workers Day in Cardiff 2009. « A call for Calan Mai 2009 · MayDay 2008. Whilst there was no noticeable marking of Mayday in Wales this year, ...calanmai.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/mayday-2008/ - 11k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this . Excellent source of radical information but as for the call for, what I perceive is a call for a ''Welsh National'' May Day event in Caerdydd, it leaves me cold. Not that I do not support the idea of marking May day in Wales, but as soon as I seen the call for it to be in Cardiff, I sighed! Just got to ask, why Cardiff? The ''Bosses'' City, the Capital of Cymric Capitalism in the 19th century, a city built on the sweat of the workers, and today a ''Cymric Crachach Capital''.

.

I do not wish to appear too negative, so may I suggest an alternative, but first let me say if all things were perfect I feel it would be far better for one and all to focus on holding May Day events activities in their own communities, rather than centralise in one locality. I have made similar arguments about celebrating Dydd Dewi, not that I do myself but consider it best an event taking place in numerous communities rather than being being centralised in Cardiff as a ''National Event''. Though, I do see the need for a ''National Event'' and have suggested that the ''National Event'' is only held in Cardiff when 'Dydd Dewi' falls on a Saturday. Other than that far better if one and all just concentrated on their own community concerns. Apart from such reason, I am opposed to all this ''Cardiffcentricism'', and if one looked beyond the City limits one would find a wider Wales pretty much ''pissed off'' with what is perceived as this Cardiff treating that ''Greater Cymru'' as some kind of ''Internal Colony'' to a Euro Empire City State.

.
Having said the above, my preference as being for Community May Day events - even what might be organised as a MAY DAY OF COMMUNITY ACTION, possibly next year 2009 outside Supermarkets, the biggies as Tesco et al. Why! well by next year the matter of food, and feeding the ''Wretched of the Earth'' and our own growing poor at home will be a bigger issue than it is now. However, if it is really felt the most priority of things to have a MAY DAY event, to be in some International 'Line Dance' on the 1st May, I can but again ask the question Why Cardiff? WHY NOT SWANSEA? My case for Swansea/Abertawe is not only a matter of saying Cardiff you can keep Dydd Dewi ''National Event'' but let Swansea have a May Day ''National Event''. No, I am not a ''Swansea Jac'' and this is not a member of any ''Jac Army'' speaking.

.

My case for Swansea rests on both reason and history, much of the reason I have made known above but I also remind that Cardiff's got the National Welsh History Museum, and traditional largely rural Calan Mai events and activities will be held there over the years ahead. You can guarantee they will be big and well publicised and be a big alternative draw to any May Day event in Cardiff, on the other hand do keep firmly in mind that Swansea is home to the NATIONAL MARITIME and INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM of WALES (Please keep in mind Sailors were as much workers as Iron Workers and Miners). Further, I happened to be in Abertawe for the May Day bank Holiday and visited the Museum and took a look around the Marina, despite being a nice day, the Museum and Marina was not exactly swamped with people, tourists or locals. Thus the point is, that not only is there potential in using a large foyer space in the museum for events and activities, not least exhibitions and stalls for a major May Day event but also it's a Museum worth visiting and taking children to. There is also an huge amount of outside space, toward Town there is a green often used for various events as Maritime Festival but also around Marina there is much space as there is in streets close by, these are streets without heavy traffic.

.

If the purpose of any May Day event is to grow, then also note that in this Maritime Quarter is the Dylan Thomas Centre, and there is a small theatre near, plus close by Swansea Museum. If the purpose of a ''National'' May Day event is to be ''Family Friendly'' as well as have a ''political edge', then a May Day Parade through town could be held with a concluding May Day Rally some where in the Maritime Quarter but then I would hope that any May Day Festival would get a bit ''Lighter'' with various festivities as outdoor music, street theatre and so on. On the whole given the size of Cardiff as compared to Swansea, I also think that a May Day event would make a bigger impact in Swansea whilst just being lost or out of the way, what in the Bay (again) in Cardiff.
.

Having said all that above, as the big ''Swansea Sell'', to continue, now the history as to why Swansea and not Cardiff is my personal preference. The years 1793 - 1835 are important years in history of working people in Wales, as is well recorded in the book BEFORE REBECCA Popular Protest In Wales 1793 - 1835 by David V.W. Jones. Part one of this book is titled as Pre - Industrial Unrest, nevertheless in chapter 1 Corn Riots in Wales 1793 - 1801 we see an emerging Industrial Working class arising to struggle, not just on behalf of them selves but also for their communities. Yes! we also see demands for higher wages and the beginnings of Trade Unionism but at this point in time, of our own post Industrial Society here in Wales along with a growing global concern about food, there are echoes with this 18th century ''Distant Mirror''.

.

.

This year we have witnessed throughout the world food shortages being the cause of food riots, so too in Wales particularly over the years 1793 - 96. Most major Welsh Towns in these years were centres of Corn Riots, but one event stands out in terms of popular protest and of organised workers action that maybe also marks a key moment in Working Class history in Wales. This took place in Swansea on 4 February 1793, on this day many months of unrest and protest in the town came to an head, 100's of Copper workers and others from neighbourhood of Llangyfelach marched on the town. This event stands fourth as an epic account of Workers and people involved in collective action of civil protest with an organised purpose of putting grievances before the portreeve and magistrates of the town gathered at the Guildhall.

.

Any Swansea May Day event could hold a May Day Parade from the present Guildhall, through Town centre to Maritime Quarter, to commemorate these events of 1793. The Civil Powers at the time felt the matter was well out of their hands and feared the Workers and people might take power within the communities of Swansea, and thus appeals were made to William Pitt to send in the Soldiers. So they were and in no short time the Second Regiment of Dragoons occupied the ''effected areas''. History of Swansea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In the same year, workers from all the copper works in Swansea went on strike ... In this early part of the 19th century, the area which is now Brynmill, ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Swansea - 65k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

.

The following years 1794 - 75 in particular witnessed widespread corn riots throughout Wales, it is a matter of conjecture if the French were drawn to possible good prospects in Wales, that led to their disaster at Garregwasted on 22 February 1797. Unfortunately for revolutionary hopes popular protests had declined by 1796 into 1797 but by the end of the decade the discontent was kicking off again, no where more significantly so than in Merthyr Tudful (am I glad I was born there and not, Caernarfon? Thanks Dad but a special thanks to Mam, Merthyr born and bred!). 1800 - 1801 was to see in Merthyr Tudful the beginnings of what would make this town and it's outlaying Tai un Nos Townships ''Workers Barrios'' the Revolutionary centre, maybe we could call it the ''Revolutionary Capital'' of Wales. The Popular Protests and Disturbances in Merthyr in these years would come to a dramatic conclusion in September 1801 when a major riot broke out, the riot was all but the Rising Merthyr was to witness in 1831. That the riot of 1801 was something beyond the usual can be seen in records of the time, in which ''the powers that be'' seriously feared a workers insurrection throughout the South. As with 1831 it was a major military occupation of Merthyr which brought and end to a potential Merthyr Rising 1801, still the consequences were 50 arrests and imprisonments, with the ringleaders being taken to Cardiff Jail.

.

However, Merthyr defeated is not Merthyr conquered, against continuing establishment fears of Workers Insurrection, an address by an ''anonymous author'' at the time was circulated around Merthyr and it's 'Barrios', the address warned ''...the price of necessities had reached such a level that the workmen on the hills had decided on a revolution against 'Tyranny and Oppression', and the revolt was to take place on either of the two following Sundays''. Obviously written by a revolutionary optimist way ahead of the right time - to seize the time! However, 1816 was not too far down times road and neither was 1831! I will conclude here and suggest you read the aforementioned book that I have sourced for this information. REMEMBER THE PAST TO BUILD THE FUTURE - EDUCATE TO BE FREE! But best of all remember the imortal words of workers leader Lewis Lewis outside the Castle Hotel on the 3 Mehefin 1831.....''Shoot Back Boys! Shoot Back!''

.

.
No! I am not making a case for Merthyr Tudful to be venue for a May Day ''National Event'' with that town being venue in time lined up for a major 1831 INSURRECTION RED COMMUNE COMMEMORATION during first week of June. it being only a matter of time before this proposed ''International Event'' gets it's act together, as well as the Peoples History Museum proposed my Huw Lewis AM. So, I will stick with the previous alternative suggestions I have made, keep May Day local and community based but if it really thought a must that a ''National Event'' is held, every time I would favour Abertawe to Caerdydd. But having said that I would support what ever is decided upon as the best outcome, I conclude by reminding that, it is as important to remember not alone the rising of the Red Flag on 31 May 1831 on Hirwaun Common but most importantly not forget the massacre that took place in Merthyr on 3 Mehefin 1831. I would not for one moment distract from the Haymarket events of 1886 but for the fact to emphasize the point that, perhaps thanks to the 'Weathermen', the Haymarket Martyrs have an excellent memorial. However, the 28 Merthyr Martyrs murdered on the 3 Mehefin 1831 have none, and this event was left unmarked until I placed my own temporary memorial there, which survived a Saturday night and lasted out the week (see pic below). Unfortunately, I will not be able to do same this year, as I shall be in Paris for the Commune 1871 Commemoration. Maybe others can make journey to Merthyr to raise up a loaf of bread on a pole with of course the Red Flag, at place I self styled & dedicated as PLAS 3 MEHEFIN 1831, this is all fully informed on, in previous posts in this RED REMEMBRANCER blog.

.

.

Post Script: For a wonder full Radical Red Rememberance Weekend outing with freinds and family over the coming end of May Bank Holiday, get out of the Cities and try some countryside in and around Pentre Penderyn and Hirwaun. Soak up the Socialist History and the Sun with a bit of luck. See previous posts for full information on where to go and what to do, you want regret it and whilst your about it, think on my suggestion regards an ''Highlander Initiative'' at Pentre Penderyn. I have mentioned this too, in a previous post, myself I am keen on this Initiative be a two/three day end of May BH event, one day for history and one day on politics with in time a third day devoted to 'Radical Activism'. Think on it !
.
INFORMATION: Haymarket Memorial, 2005 The 1886 Haymarket violence and the subsequent trial of eight anarchists, and execution of four, for their political beliefs has been a much-contested ...www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/11545.html - 7k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this .Haymarket affair - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Plaque on the pedestal of Mary Brogger's Haymarket Memorial sculpture. ... "The First May Day and the Haymarket Affair", May Day: A Short History of the ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_martyrs - 188k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this . Hopefully this will enspire some interest in similar for the 1831 Merthyr Massacre, any one with ideas and suggestions about this, do contact me at gethin.apgruffydd@ntlworld.com

.

Best Wishes.
.
Gethin.