CRUSH THE BRITISH IMPERIALIST SNAKE and you will be half way to crushing British Capitalism, rid Wales of both.

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TRECH GWLAD NAG ARGLWYDD ETO! Whose Country That Is The Question, we must call for Land as well as Liberty!

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It is not a matter of ''Our Country'' but rather 'WHOSE COUNTRY?' how can we ever engage in a struggle for Welsh Freedom and National Independence, if we do not at the same time struggle for 'LAND AND LIBERTY'. We are well aware of how our land has been taken by the builders of Reserviors, the Planters of Forests and creators of National Parks and not least the many acres occupied by the English Military Machine.
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But how much else do we know about the 1000's of acres owned by Foreign Lords, land largelly stolen in the conquest of 1282 - 4 and thereafter. James Connelly had much to say on this matter about Ireland and it's struggle for Freedom, and I remember well in my two years of 'Irish Exile' (1969 - 72) that the struggle was renewed on such issue on a campaign platform opposing 'Cheque Book Conquest' and 'Who Owns Ireland'. Such similar I consider to be a Cymric Campaigning priority to be Discussed & Debated but then organised asap this year hopefully?
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Of course 'Land & Libery' Struggles have been going on for some time, no more so than today with the native peoples of South America, and Chile in particular at present. All this and below in mind I feel we should be considering a Welsh 'Whose Country' LAND & LIBERTY Struggle, think about it! All ideas and information welcome, as for kicking off such a campaign, I suggest MAY DAY - BELTAIN or on Awst 1 Lughnasadha, traditional day for Celts to walk into the mountains would also be ideal but where or wherever there is a need to rise up the RED PITCHFORK and blow the Horn of Liberty in rallying call to Action.
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I suggest search of Web for 'Land (&Liberty) Struggles today, not least in South America.
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Gethin.
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Now Read On >>>>>>

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One of Britain's richest men has been given nearly £300,000 in taxpayers' money for letting a footbridge be built across a riverbed. Protesters yesterday hit out at the payout from public money to the Duke of Beaufort, who already has a £130million fortune.The footbridge across the River Tawe in Swansea - given to the duke's ancestors by King Charles II - links a new shopping centre with Liberty Stadium. Council chiefs needed the duke to approve an "easement order" for the project. The £281,431 payment - which includes legal costs - to the duke.The Duke of Beaufort has been paid more than £280,000 of taxpayers' money for allowing a footbridge to be built across a Welsh river. The duke's ancestors were granted ownership of the bed of the River Tawe as well as fishing rights by Charles II more than 400 years ago. He is entitled to the money as "easement" for the bridge, which links a shopping centre to the Liberty Stadium, home of Swansea City football club and the Ospreys rugby team.Duke of Beaufort owns a section of River Tawe's riverbed and is entitled to a sum whenever bridges are constructed over it."The duke, with a fortune estimated at £130 million, is the 581st richest person in Britain,according to The Sunday Times Rich List. For further information see links below:

1. Duke of Beaufort - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

   11 Feb 2008 ... Jump to: navigation, search. Duke of Beaufort may refer to:. Duke of Beaufort ( France), in the peerage of France; Duke of Beaufort (England) ...
   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Beaufort - 17k - Cached - Similar pages

2. Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort - Wikipedia, the free ...

   19 Sep 2008 ... Henry Hugh Arthur FitzRoy Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort KG GCVO KStJ PC (April 4, 1900 – February 5, 1984) was a British peer, ...
   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Somerset,_10th_Duke_of_Beaufort - 29k - Cached - Similar pages
   More results from en.wikipedia.org »

3. Duke of Beaufort's Hunt

   Includes a brief history, noticeboard, contact details and articles about Beaufort traditions and the Beaufort hounds.
   www.beauforthunt.com/ - 2k - Cached - Similar pages

4. Duke of Beaufort

   There is a story that Henry Charles FitzRoy, 8th Duke of Beaufort, presented documents to Queen Victoria showing that John of Gaunt was actually married to ...
   www.hereditarytitles.com/Page52.html - 11k - Cached - Similar pages

5. Duke of Beaufort criticised over £280000 footbridge bill - Telegraph

   7 Jan 2009 ... The Duke of Beaufort, one of Britain's wealthiest landowners, has received £ 280000 of taxpayers' money after taking advantage of his ancient ...
   www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4141987/Duke-of-Beaufort-criticised-over-280000-footbridge-bill.html - Similar pages

6. Countryside Alliance - Duke of Beaufort attends double cheque ...

   The Countryside Alliance works for everyone who loves the countryside and the rural way of life. Through campaigning, lobbying, publicity and education the ...
   www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/.../duke-of-beaufort-attends-double-cheque-presentation-at-sopworth-by-the-beaufort-hunt/ - 47k - Cached - Similar pages

7. Super rich Duke of Beaufort charges tax payers £280k to build ...

   One of Britain's richest men has been given nearly £300000 in taxpayers' money for letting a footbridge be built across a riverbed.
   www.mirror.co.uk/.../super-rich-duke-of-beaufort-charges-tax-payers-280k-to-build-bridge-in-swansea-115875-21021954/ - 101k - Cached - Similar pages

8. Duke Of Beaufort Brighton - Pub & Bar Review , 175 Queens Park Road

   10 Jul 2008 ... Editorial review for Duke Of Beaufort Brighton - Pub & Bar Review , 175 Queens Park Road, 175 Queens Park Road Brighton - Pub & Bar Review ...
   www.viewbrighton.co.uk/pubsandbars/duke-of-beaufort-review-26039.html - 52k - Cached - Similar pages

9. The Duke of Beaufort's Hunt

   It was not until the mid 1700's that the 9th Duke of Beaufort, returning with his staghounds after an unsuccessful day put his hounds onto Silk Wood - now ...
   www.defra.gov.uk/rural/hunting/inquiry//evidence/hunts/dukeb.htm - 18k - Cached - Similar pages

10. Henry Charles Somerset, Duke of Beaufort

    Henry Charles Somerset, Duke of Beaufort. ... Henry Beaufort, third duke of Somerset, who was beheaded for his adherence to Henry V1. in 1463, ...
    www.bigenealogy.com/peerage/page18.htm - 12k - Cached - Similar pages

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Just how much more of our land is owned by these descendents of the Anglo - Norman Conquistidores? I suggest one all start doing research on this in their own regions/areas and do pass on the information to RED REMEMBRANCER.

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Gethin.

CUBAN REVOLUTION 1959 - 2009: 50th Anniversary: New Che Film On Release Now.

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Book of the film, obtainable from HMV stores at cost of just £4:00.
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Cuban Revolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

10 Jan 2009 ... The Cuban Revolution was a revolution that led to the overthrow of the dictatorial government of Cuban President General Fulgencio Batista ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Revolution - 83k - Cached - Similar pages

Che (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1. Che (2008)

   Cuban Revolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

   10 Jan 2009 ... The Cuban Revolution was a revolution that led to the overthrow of the dictatorial government of Cuban President General Fulgencio Batista ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Revolution - 83k - Cached - Similar pages

   is a biopic about Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Benicio del Toro as Che. The film is ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_(film) - 198k - Cached - Similar pages

2. YouTube - che movie trailer (ENGLISH) Movie about the life and death of Ernesto "Che" Guevara ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_g3BegC67w

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What can I possibly tell you about the Cuban Revolution that you do not already know, so instead I draw your attention to the failed Revolutionary struggles of Nationalists, Socialists and Communists on Puerto Rica, now a commonwealth territory of the USA. How did this happen, read on....

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Puerto Rico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Puerto Rico is composed of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands and keys, the largest of which are ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico - 256k - Cached - Similar pages

Boricua Popular Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1. Macheteros de Puerto Rico were dispatched throughout the island, ... Only some members of the above groups support the Macheteros' ideology and methods. ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boricua_Popular_Army - 62k - Cached - Similar pages

2. Ejercito Popular Boricua - Macheteros

   Reorganization Congress of the Popular Boricua Army-Macheteros, Jan. 12, 1985 ... Puerto Rico: 'Los macheteros' anuncian que combatirán al Ejército Sur ... www.latinamericanstudies.org/epb-macheteros.htm - 17k - Cached - Similar pages

3. The Macheteros and the Puerto Rican independence struggle [S&L ...

   Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, the main commander of the Boricua People’s Army (EPB- Macheteros), was murdered in his home. Hundreds of FBI agents sealed off the town ... socialismandliberation.org/mag/index.php?aid=503 - 50k - Cached - Similar pages

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Viva Gwalia. . Gethin.

THE LEFT: UP FOR DISCUSSION & DEBATE The New Radicalism, if any worth speaking of?

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This book would have Ian Bone in a fit but still worth a read, my copy is falling apart now but I had a quick scan through it's pages to remind myself of it's content. Yes, summed up by blurb below, all of which makes me think would it not be a real red rage to see Robert Griffiths of the Wales C.P. and Ian Bone of Class War with Bethan Jenkins Plaid A.M and one time member of CYMRU X a Red Youth Faction within Plaid Cymru have a discussion & debate on the future of the Radical Left in Wales - does it have a future? Maybe a possibility during 2009 Merthyr 1831 Insurrection Red Week Commemoration next year, a suggestion, for others to propose and organise.
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Somewhat a little connected with the New Radicalism of the sixties was of course later Armed Revoltionary Organisations such as, The Symbionese Liberation Army, Weather Underground, Red Brigade, Red Army Faction and the Bader Meinhof Group, an account of which has just been released as a dramatic film. I have not seen but review in the Independant News Paper was none too thrilled. Whatever, check it out on the web or/and go see at Cinema or wait for DVD release.
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We may consider, that if MUDIAD AMDIFFYN CYMRU had not been brought to an end with capture of it's leader John Jenkins in November 1969 may it have gone on to be as violent or develop left perspective as aforementioned groups or perhaps ETA. The answer to this may be fourthcoming in a new book FREEDOM FIGHTERS - The Forgotten War by John Humphries to be launched at the Japan Room, Wales Millenium Centre on 20 November 2008 at which John Jenkins himself will be present no doubt to sign books and answer questions too perhaps. Of course MAC did not survive to become a Welsh ETA but there did come into existance for a short while WAWR - Workers Army of the Welsh Republic and later Cymru witnessed the ARSON WAR of MEIBION GLYNDWR.
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G.Gruffydd.

BRWYDR PONT LLECHART: Who Owns Wales?

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See below, material photo copies of a protest at Pont Llechart, obviously someone sent me this material for my archive but I cannot remember who or what the protest was about. I have searched the web and have found out where Pont Llechart is but can find no more information but suspect it is possibly something to do with a Right of Way issue and the English Duke of Beaufort's ownership of land in the Swansea Valley (and else where in Wales). I have been told that this English Lord is now going to sell or lease land for Windmill farm on Mynydd y Gwair, I note there has been some campaigning for a few years on this issue and that the matter is at moment becoming a hot issue again. I am at present engaged in some research on WHO OWNS WALES? I began this endeavour earlier this year with a visit to Mynydd Bach, Ceredigion where I symbolically raised up a Red Pitchfork flag to commemorate the peasantry and small holders who fought for their rights in Rhyfel y Sais Bach - The War of the little Englishman 1826. The Pitchfork being a symbol of rural revolt, I thought I was first to use this as a symbol to adopt and use in contemporary popular struggle. However, I was wrong because upon going through my archive, I found the material below, including use of a Pitchfork on a protest poster. Great, I suggest it's time that the Red Pitchfork flag was now raised upon Mynydd y Gwair which I hope some one will do very soon and send me some photos please. Also all and any information on Brwydr Pont Llechart will be appreciated.

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NEWPORT RISING 4 TACHWEDD 1839: A Foto Tribute 2008.

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Most certainly Newport does not ignore it's history, there are a number of excellent sculptures in the town connected with folklore and history also not least wonderful sculptures on theme of the Newport Rising 1831 (see previous posts in this blog) also a wonderful set of murals depicting scenes from this 1839 Workers Insurrection. If only Hirwaun and Merthyr would do similar in connection with the regards to Insurrection 1831, the only memorialising I am aware of is the plaque on the town library largely memorialising Dic Penderyn. Why not something to memorialise the Castle Hotel Massacre of 3 June 1831? In further connection with the Newport Rising 1831, I draw your attention to an excellent article in Llafur Vol 4 No 4 Wales's 'Unionist Nationalist': Sir Thomas Phillips (1801 - 67) by Cris Williams. Phillips as Lord Mayor of Newport ordered English Soldiers to fire on Welsh Workers, he was later to become an hero for Victorian Middle Class Liberal Cultural Nationalists and at the Millennium was voted a ''Welsh Hero'' by Newport Tories. Phillips was not the only example of such ''Cultural Nationalists'' at odds with Welsh Workers. So too was D.Lleufer Thomas one of the founding members of the Dafydd ap Gwilym Society, if my memory serves me correctly, he was a magistrate at trial of Miners during the Tonypandy 1910 riot trials. I believe that he thought much of the problem was down to ''Drunken Young Men'' from outside the community, over the coming year I shall give 1910 and 1911 much more attention and hopefully assist clarify more on all this difficulty between Liberal ''Cultural Nationalism'' and Socialism. In the mean time on 4 November or during this week, if possible do lay floral tributes at the Newport Rising memorial. To conclude, two question begging to be asked: Why are the Scotch Cattle Workers Secret Defence Organisation not remembered, memorialised or commemorated as much as the 'Rebecca Rebellion'? Further, why remember Dic Penderyn but not Edward Morgan? Think about it and discuss it and maybe lets do something about it, yes! Watch this blog for some action in this direction.

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MAY 68 PARIS STUDENTS REVOLT 40th Anniver.sary 2008 Paris Street Exhibition

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I took these photos on my visit to Paris in May, in main connection with Paris Commune 1871 but the May 68 - 2008 - 40th Anniversary Photographic Prints Exhibition was a big bonus. Now kind of like a Euro News feature 'No Comment' needed.
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FIN.

Blaenafon World Heritage Site Information.

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For further information why not send for this excellent A3 size Brochure, obtainable from Blaenavon Tourism Information Centre located at Church Road, Blaenavon, Torfaen, NP4 9AS. There are also available a number of connected local special interest leaflets as Illustrated below; In the Footsteps of Alexander Cordell Walk. Whilst in this area of history, Remember ! Remember the 4th of November 1839. If any 2009 Commemoration being organised I will let you all know, myself will at least place a wreath in memory of the slaughtered workers, will you?

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A NATIONAL MAY DAY EVENT FOR WALES as from 2009?

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Somehow do not think that one great ''National'' May Day event in Caerdydd or else where (I suggested Abertawe for reasons given in an earlier post) will work out well. Personally, now after my Commune 1871 Field Trip to Paris recently, see earlier post, think all Radicals might best serve their purpose and aspirations by supporting attempts to build up the annual Hirwaun & Merthyr Insurrection 1831 Red Week Commemoration 28 May - 5th June. Given the association of May Day/Calan Mai with largely rural celebrations and customs, taking into consideration then the history of 'Rural Revolt' in Cymru as the Corn Riots of the late 1700's and early 1800's (read book, Before Rebecca by D.J.V.Jones). I am of the thinking associate such with the rising cost of food in Wales plus more importantly to bring to the attention of one and all, the famine crisis amidst the 'Wretched of the Earth', our Brothers and Sisters of the Ox.
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Thus would it not be a rather more appropriate May Day in Wales to hold as many local actions of Popular Protest on these issues. I suggest that on Calan Mai we rise up all over the land the Red Pitchfork of Peasants Revolt, possibly outside Super Markets or where ever, all ideas and suggestions welcome. I would be quite happy to see the collective behind CALAN MAI/May Day Promotion blog take this aboard if they so desire, as I am not in position to organise on any great scale. Anyway, think about it and note I am not labouring point about any national May Day event, I will go along with whatever thought best, but do consider an annual Red Pitchfork Popular Protest on and about May Day/Calan Mai has having virtue. I welcome all views and opinions but do note I am away from home base PC at moment and thus am not able to send out or read inward emails. But be back to home base by end of this month, so time for one and all to chew the fat on my above suggestions.
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Afterthought: 2009 is 100th Anniversary of the Great Cardiff Castle ''Patriotic Pageant'' of 1909 which with the Investiture of 1911 were the years of a Welsh Edwardian high noon that would reach it's deadly dusk in the 1914 - 18 Great European War. The 1909 ''Patriotic Pageant'' in mind, why don't we hold a great PEOPLES PAGEANT 2009 in Caerdydd, if interested get in touch early August this year, in mean time think it over re how best to organise, fund and what form this Peoples Pageant should take and where it could be held. I will write up more on this in due course, you could also look it up on the web. Whatever, we could make this the really big rallying of radicals in Wales next year, so please all ideas welcome, myself I would be interested in helping to organise presentation of a Peoples History of Wales down through the ages. Think on it, but think on associated events and fringe activities as well.
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Gethin.

MERTHYR 1831 SOLIDARITY - PARIS COMMUNE 1871: Paris 2008 Foto Feature and Report.

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At the wall of the federated ones, memorial in homage to the numerous executed communards of 1871, situated in Le cimetiere du Pere - Lachaise, Menilmontant - Belleville *. It is here annually on or about 28 May there is held an annual commemoration, unfortunately because of unforeseen circumstances I could not get over to Paris in time for the commemoration. I finally arrived a week later, to pay my respectful homage to memory of the communards, in a show of solidarity between Merthyr 1831 and Paris 1871. A fuller report and more fotos are on line but at the moment, I am still on a bit of a summer break away from major blogging. In time, I have 100s of Paris fotos to sort out. So patience comrades, as sure as night follows day, I will deal with it all before the Autumn. * Belleville, Paris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Belleville is a neighbourhood of Paris, France, located in the XXe arrondissement and XIXe arrondissement and parts of the Xe and XIe. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belleville,_Paris - 33k - Cached - Similar pages
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THINK TANKS: THE BEVAN FOUNDATION A Left Alternative To The ''Nationalist'' Institute of Welsh Affairs.

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New Statesman - Wales must rediscover Bevan Bevan first: we didn't choose to name our foundation after him because he was ... And so - the Bevan Foundation, whose aim is "to create a communal and co- ...www.newstatesman.com/200103050022 - Similar pages - Note this

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The Bevan Foundation Website - Home - 4 visits - 16:22 The Bevan Foundation is the social justice think tank for Wales. It carries out research, publishes reports and articles, and organises discussions and ...www.bevanfoundation.org/ - 13k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

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£10m won't solve Valleys problems - icWales The document, by Victoria Winckler of the Bevan Foundation, claims current levels of funding for the Assembly’s Heads of the Valleys initiative, ...icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/05/14/10m-won-t-solve-valleys-problems-91466-20906044/ - 46k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

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So where does Heads of the Valleys Initiative Regeneration go from here? Expect WAG to fill a begging bowl or maybe Gorden Brown will deliver, that will be hoping. The Regeneration Appraisal Documents has been done and delivered, the Conference held and Huw Lewis AM has got a few Sound Bites out of it on TV and on the Radio. But what next? Sit around and wait for a miracle, meanwhile Merthyr continues to get slagged off as a ''town of slackers'', time to prove just how mistaken everyone is, not least the pessimist pundits of the media. Lets get an ''Act Together'', and that act is a plan of Socialist Self Will and Self Advancement led by the same Spirit that witnessed the workers and people of the Heads of the Valleys rise up in 1831 against all odds, to make a stand for Liberty and Freedom from Tyranny and Oppression. Today the people at the Heads of the Valleys must focus aspiration and inspiration on and around a great International Welsh Socialist Festival, a major long weekend or even week long event of many activities from Merthyr to Hirwaun, and including Aberdare and other communities in the valleys of Glamorgan. Now do not sleep on this start seriously thinking about it, all of keen interest meet during Insurrection 1831 Red Week 2008, first week of June and discuss, to begin with many of the ideas and initiatives in this R.R.Blog. That will be a good start, just take it from there but whatever, make a start in direction of Self Help and collective community action.

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G.

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

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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?

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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''.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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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''.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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!''

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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.

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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 !
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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

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Best Wishes.
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Gethin.