MERTHYR TUDFUL THE FUTURE, this is what is to be done: REMEMBERING MERTHYR RISING 1831 big time for starters?

.

On one of my all to rare visits to town of my birth, casually walking around Merthyr town centre one night I happened to take a short cut down and an alley way to the bus station. Much to my joy I discovered the man with the Red Flag (now where have I seen this before, why in this blog!) had been painted up as a mural, fantastic! but would it not be much better to see this mural painted up much bigger and in a more public space. Whatever, lets be thank full for this, it's a beginning I hope?

.

.
For perhaps with all the money being provided to Merthyr as part of the South Wales Valleys Heritage Tourism Initiative, I hope Merthyr will spend not a small sum on promoting the Insurrection of 1831 as both public information and as an Heritage Tourism attraction. What, did I hear Herian say? it strikes me as rather odd that they have left this most significant event off their illustrated poster of Southern Wales 'Industrial Revolution' history.
.

One could start thinking there is a conspiracy to ditch and dump the Merthyr Rising 1831, given its revolutionary theme and instead go more on Chartism believing that can be sold on as a sound step towards Political Democracy and Industrial Trade Unionism. Thus more marketable, sad if true and hopefully there are those in Merthyr who can think and act beyond such narrow dimensions of commercialising Heritage Tourism as someones sanitized, maybe politically censored view.

.

..

If what I am saying above is only half true, then that's still bad enough to warrant a modern day Workers History Revolutionary Reaction asap and why not meet at the Court of Requests, now a public House (see info below) to discuss matters presented in this post. People living in Merthyr will have to take the initiative, if it is determined to prepare an 1831 Initiative to take advantage of the millions being made available to South Wales Heritage Tourism Regeneration Initiatives (see web for further info). See Link to Cordell Country Merthyr Tudful Accommodation in Tour Four Area The Court of Requests (12) is the next pub on the left a short distance down Dynevor. This was the hated Court of Requests........administered by a certain ...www.cordellcountry.org/flash/tourm.html - Cached - Similar -.

. .

In the first instance I would myself consider more public 1831 sinage around and about is needed asap, not least leading into Merthyr Tudful, the naming of area around site of Castle Inn as PLAS 3 MEHEFIN 1831 with there being presented a Large Mural depicting the Massacre and later a sculpture depicting that tragic event. C'mon Merthyr, Newport as more that one sculpture depicting their 1839 Rising, and let us see Lewis Lewis being remembered as much as Dic Penderyn, the Welsh need to stop being Martyrs all the time.
.
Now if there are those who might think this is no good for tourism, I suggest you view below links to just see how the Australian Town of Ballarat deals with the Eureka Stockade Miners Rising as an Heritage Tourism project, they are far from being so shy as our 'Timid Taffs'.

.
Eureka Centre Ballarat Eureka - Eureka Stockade Gardens - 16:16 3 Dec 2004 ... The Website for Ballarat's Eureka Centre. Home of the Eureka Stockade. ... The Eureka Stockade gardens is the site set aside by the people of Ballarat East in the ... The first an interpretive artwork was commissioned. ...www.eurekaballarat.com/index.php?option=com... - Cached - Similar -

.
Eureka Centre Ballarat Eureka - The Eureka Precinct - 16:16 The Eureka Centre, at the Eureka Stockade, is a unique architectural masterpiece, one of Ballarat's icons. Its huge Eureka Sail, symbolising the flag of the ...www.eurekaballarat.com/index.php?option=com... - Cached - Similar -
.

The Eureka Centre and Stockade Gardens, Ballarat, Victoria The Eureka Centre and Stockade Gardens, Ballarat, Victoria - At the beautifully designed Eureka ... Coach Parking; Interpretive Centre; Interactive Centre ...australia.shopsafe.com.au/.../ballarat/the_eureka_centre_and_stockade_gardens-historical_sites_heritage_locations.htm - Cached - Similar -
.

Anne Beggs Sunter Contested Memories of Eureka : Museum ... The paper analyses the development of the Eureka Stockade Centre in Ballarat, and compares this public interpretation to other attempts to present the story ...www.historycooperative.org/journals/lab/85/sunter.html - Similar -by AB Sunter - 2003 - Cited by 1 - Related articles
.

Rough guide to Australia - Google Books Result by Margo Daly - 2003 - Travel - 1232 pagesThe site of the Eureka Stockade (see box opposite) is in Eureka Memorial Park, and the nearby Eureka Stockade and Interpretation Centre (daily 9am-4.30pm; ...books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=1843530902... -

.
Victorian Heritage Database - EUREKA STREET BALLARAT EAST ... The prime above ground elements are the Eureka Monument, Drinking Fountain, Memorial Gates, and Eureka Interpretive Centre. The Eureka Stockade Monument is ...vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/heritage/7032 - Cached - Similar -
.

Eureka Stockade Interpretive Centre - Cox Architects : The Eureka Stockade Interpretive Centre commemorates one of the defining moments in ... over the roof and is aligned on an axis with Ballarat's main street. ...www.cox.com.au/projects.aspx?projectId=2368...3096 - Cached - Similar -

.
Last but not least and most important, an annual 1831 Merthyr Rising Commemoration, please and , a big one. The below link might give you some ideas as other posts in this blog may.
.

Eureka Rising - celebrating a rebellion is a time of tyranny, Jan 2005 The mission of our Eureka Rising culture collaboration, as presented to the Mayor of Ballarat David Vendy at a meeting on 30 October and later confirmed in ...www.peacebus.com/Eureka/Eureka150.html - Similar -
.
Why not an annual dawn walk from Cefn Coed to Merthyr Town Centre, to mark anniversary of the 3 June 1831 Massacre but let us not make this represent a 'March of Victims' but more a march representing a people with the commitment and courage to fight for what they believed in:
.

Liberty over Tyrrany,
Justice over Oppression
and
Freedom from Exploitation.
.

I might be up for doing this myself next year as an informal walk, if no ones up for organising proper. Will let you know if this Merthyr 1831 Dawn Walk looks like getting anywhere, if interested contact me. Please note my email system is off line at moment but hope to correct soon ok.
.. .

Gethin Gruffydd Red Remembrancer.
.

CHARTIST COMMEMORATION CYMRU 2009 - 2010: Fourth Coming Events.

.

.

Further and full info off the web.

.

G.G.

.

HIRWAUN CHARTIST DAY 19 September 2009.

.

Well attended event, but I thought that the Chartist Connection with Hirwaun was a bit laboured, personally I am of the opinion that Hirwuan is better sticking to the history of it's prominent position regards the 1831 Insurrection on the whole ignored and otherwise played down by those historians; Huw Williams and Les James who were the giving talks at this event.

.

.

For me the most illuminating matter that came out of the talks was the strength of the Scotch Cattle in the Cynon Valley, I was aware of a Scotch Cattle incident in Aberdar about 1850 when a 'bomb' was thrown into the house of a black leg. However, there is more to the Scotch Cattle and the Cynon Valley than that which requires some looking into. I am further aware that the Scotch Cattle were a product of the 'Black Domain' that is of the Gwent Coalfields, so perhaps it is no surprise to find them in the Coal mining area of the Cynon Valley but still quite a leap from Gwent to there, and in time to, from the 1830s to the 1850s. Interesting, a matter to be further looked into.
. .

.Highlight of the day was talk given by John Humphries on John Rees, labelled as the ''Man with the finger on the trigger''. The Man from the Alamo - Google Books Result by John Humphries - 2005 - History - 322 pagesRees' spectacular journey from the bloodied sands of Texas to the last armed uprising on British soil is only one of the stories told in this history book.books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=1589803353... - .This talk sparked off a lively debate as historian Les James took on the author Humphries, as Humphries doubted if there was a great political purpose the Newport 1839 Rising, and certainly saw no evidence in his research for a planned uprising.

.

On the other hand historian present believed there was such motives but both would have disagreed with Ifor Wilks that there was any 'Welsh Nationalist' motives ploting to establish the beloved 'Silurian Republic' fondly favoured by past and present day Welsh Republican Romantics. Whilst Republican David Lawrence suggested that John Rees might have been an Agent Provocateur, and put forward reasons worthy of consideration. I threw my bit into the debate which I will not repeat here, as if you read this blog you will come to know my line of reasoning in such area and related matters.

.

These Chartist events are certainly worth attending, and there are plenty more on way. Information on which I will publish on the next post.

.

.

Gethin Gruffydd.

A Short Interlude: WHY IS THERE NO REVOLT - When So Many Have Been Conned! or should that be Crapped On?

.

.

Where's the Revolution?

.

G

FOTO FEATURE: TONYPANDY RIOTS 1910 - 2010 - 100th Anniversary Commemortive Events. Advance Information.

.

Tonypandy Riots Centenary Events - Rhondda Cynon Taf
5 Feb 2008 ... Plans to commemorate the centenary of events surrounding the Tonypandy Riots of 1910 are now underway. ... 2010 will mark the one hundredth anniversary of the famed Tonypandy Riots, a brutal uprising which would ...www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/.../content.hcst?lang... - Similar -

.
Heritage DVD praised - Rhondda Cynon Taf
The DVD revealed the extent of how significant a building the Powerhouse was in the uprising in Tonypandy in 1910. It also gave viewers an insight into the ...www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/.../content.hcst?... - Similar -
Show more results from www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk

.
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Plans to commemorate the centenary of events surrounding the Tonypandy Riots of 1910 are now underway. Relevance: 100% Last updated on: 5/2/2008 ...www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/.../search_results_page.hcst?...1%2F1%2F2010...(%60tonypandy%60...tonypandy...... - Similar -

.

Powerhouse Funding Success - Rhondda Cynon Taf
8 Feb 2008 ... key location at the centre of the famed Tonypandy Riots of 1910 when ... to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the Tonypandy riots ...www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/stellent/.../content.hcst?lang... - Similar -
Show more results from www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk
.

.

.

G.

LEANNE LEADS THE WAY, but will she go all the way? SEIZE THE TIME & SEIZE THE LAND!

.
One Small step Leanne, can lead a people back to the land!

.
I fully support Leanne Woods, in this small step towards people taking power over the means of food production within their communities. However, this is just a small step forward to prepare to avoid the potential poverty of the future masses of poor. No doubt that will be Socio - Economically created by the failings of a greedy Capitalism totally out of control in it's sick desire to amass wealth into the pockets of individual sharks of the stock market and Banks. But worse is mass consumerism that his destroying the 'Third World' and at same time, the supermarkets that are responsible for destroying our own communities as they have done, and intend to do in towns as Machynlleth and New Castle Emlyn, see pics below.

..

....
PLANT PRODUCE NOT ESTABLISH PLANTATIONS FOR TURBINES.

.

Occupy the commons, and so called ''waste'' and ''barren'' lands, before Wind Turbine Plantations take over everywhere, with more Windmilling of Wales to produce easy pickings profits for foreign Capitalist Turbine Production Companies, and their ''Green Imperialism'' Agents in Wales, as Dulas Ltd in Machynlleth.

.

Post script: Support the struggle against mass consumerism, campaign against the Supermarkets, their cheap food exploitation of the poor of the world that ensures their nations are ever under sway of neo colonialism. As Wales will be too unless the small step becomes a march by many, forward as first step to taking control of their communities and lives.

.

There must be a great many people out there, the young enemployed especially who would join a workers 'Land Army' to dig for a peoples victory over Capitalism. Plaid Cymru, of which Leanne is a leading light, needs to get a grip on reality, if they really want to see an Independent Wales, and I do mean Independent. Then wake up, this is not 19th century Wales, a land of Coal and Iron , this is a Wales that could become an Independent ''failed Nation''. So stop and think! any march to freedom must not just be about saving Welsh Culture and Rural Agriculture by means of Government subsidies to stick up windmills, or be content with E.U. Empire grants to tinker around with road widening schemes or building so called Industrial Parks no one wants to open up business in. Do I have to tell you where, C'mon Plaid, C'mon all you Welsh Politicians, get real!

.

Please someone explain to me, how the E.U. benefits Wales when in the Washing Machine Production area alone this year over 1000 jobs plus have been lost, just how many more jobs have the E.U. created in Wales this year?

.

...

Leanne you have made a start but now pick up the Green Flag, and rise up the Red Pitchfork, why wait on local authorities to provide allotments, Leanne lead, lets Seize the Time and Seize the Land!

.

.

TRECH GWLAD NAG ARGLWYDD.

..

G.

.

CHARTIST COMMEMORATION CONTINUES into October and Novermber 2009.

.

Mindful of the fact that 19th Century Welsh Chartists, campaigned for a CHARTER FOR ENGLAND, begs the question just when did the Welsh wake up to the fact that the 1536 Act of Annexation, had not entirely succeeded to actually disappear Wales. Whatever, that aside lets not get too 'Nationalist', that's not in the spirit of this Chartist Commemoration, neither would this Welsh Republican flag be.

.

It's is a debatable point, if or not the Chartists wanted any kind of Welsh Republic, Silurian or otherwise. Ivor Wilkes seems to think they did but John Humphries thinks not. Though, I believe Henry Vincent did say in a Speech Wales, or was it the South only, maybe just Gwent...Would make a fine Republic! So, I will go along with that, and Ivor Wilkes or what the hell we want to make of it today, So, I am up for a Welsh Republic, also this Welsh Republican Flag, and I say lets go for a CHARTER FOR WALES this time around. If we are to be Internationalists, Socialist or otherwise, lets be truly Internationalist and not just leg it as far as the White Cliffs of Dover.

.

In good and true spirit of seeking a Welsh Republican Charter, Flag and Movement, I speak to those of like minded but also of Nationalist persuasion to consider giving up on the Nationalism, in favour of Internationalism. As you know only too well, that in reality you have not, and never will find your Welsh Republicanism within the ranks of PLAID or on the nationalist fringe, that in some mysterious way considers Cilmeri as a potential place at which Welsh Republicanism will breed and flourish, this is not a reality is it! So, compatriots set your back on Cilmeri and look South to Hirwaun and Merthyr 1831, the Black Domain of the Scotch Cattle and the Newport Insurrection of 1839.

.

Go with this Chartist Commemoration as far better Umbrella and Platform for advance of a Welsh Republican Idealism and Principles, Philosophy and theories of struggle to build a better society. In this I am reminded of recent funeral of Welsh Republican Pedr Lewis, where at the funeral in the given humanist celebration, the following was quoted:

.

The ideal which inspired him (Pedr Lewis) and drove him is that expressed so brilliantly by the Soviet writer Nikolai Alekseyevich Ostrowski – an ideal which has survived betrayal, ignorance and exploitation and which can still light the way for us: Man’s dearest possession is life, and since it is given to him to live but once he must therefore live as to feel no torturing regrets for years without purpose, never know the burning shame of a mean and petty past, so live that in dying he will say, “All my life and all my strength were given to the finest cause in all the world, the fight for the liberation of mankind.”
.

.

Chartist Network Cymru - democracy.history.heritage - 20:26
THE SOUTH WALES CHARTIST NETWORK - a network for local groups exploring the history and heritage of Chartism in South Wales. Home page ...chartistnetworkcymru.ning.com/ - Similar -
Show more results from chartistnetworkcymru.ning.com

.

As part of the celebrations to mark the 170th anniversary of the Chartist Uprising in Newport the Bevan foundation is holding a day of events in the Newport Centre including performance, music and discussion. all ages are more than welcome and further details of the event can be found in the programme (attached) Any help anyone can offer with circulating the flyer would be much appreciated as we hope to involve as many members of the community as possible. Many thanks and Best wishes. Daneka. Daneka Norman. Marketing and Events Officer. The Bevan Foundation. The Innovation Centre. Festival Drive. Victoria Bussiness Park.
Ebbw Vale. NP23 8XA. TEL: 01495 356702. FAX: 01495 356703.
.
You can become a member of the Bevan Foundation as little as £25 p/a. For more information please dont hesitate to get in touch. Follow us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/bevanfoundation.admin or become our fried and search Daneka Bevan
..

CHECK OUT the 170th Anniversary Programme at www.newport.ac.uk/chartist
A website managed for the Newport School of Education, University of Wales. ALL EVENTS are listed with details regularly updated Read BREAKING NEWS - a new feature that reports the latest information ................... Numbers registering for Chartist Day at Hirwaun on September 19th are growing fast Don't delay, book today - details attached. ....................Fancy a Chartist Coach Tour around Gwent with our ace Chartist Trail guide Bill O'Keefe? Bill is a descendant of John Partridge, the Newport Chartist printer Tour starts 9.45am from and returns to St. Woolos Church 5.00pm on Sunday 1st November Tickets (£10) available from Kim Colebrook tel 0785210106 or 01873850496 or im@candoteam.wanadoo.co.uk ...................Huge demand for the 170th Anniversary programme A4 tri-folded leaflet Second reprint available - You can help advertise the programme Let's get copies into all locations - libraries, museums, heritage and tourist centres etc If you can distribute copies, the University can send a batch to you If you want LEAFLETS or You have news to spread re. Chartist connected events/activities Reply to Website Editor: Les James at either les.james22@googlemail.com or les.james@newport.ac.uk
.

G.

TRECH GWLAD NAG ARGLWYDD: Land & Liberty Campaign Against Cheque Book Conquest!

.

.
This is going to take some research, and if anyone out there has what they think is use full information, or suggestions to make do get in touch. But note at moment my email system is down and requiring some attention to put right, soon I hope.
.

G.Gruffydd.

.

While your waiting google 'Land & Liberty' also 'Land & Liberty Campaigns', and some interesting stuff will come up for you to read and get inspired by.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE NOT PARLIAMENTS and that includes any Welsh Parliament.

.

All this Political Corruption in mind, not least seeing the 'Devolution Dilettantes' are none to slow at helping themselves by dipping into the expenses kitty and junketing! Makes one consider truth of the saying ''Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely'', thus do we really want the Welsh Assembly to have more powers? Or rather what I suggest should we not carry the logic of devolution down to the smallest of political administrative governance - The Community Council!

.

To pun the old 19th century Liberal slogan of ''Home Rule All Round'', why not 'Devolution All Round'. In other words do we really want more power at the top to be misused in 'Coalition Conspiracies' and back room deals with governance? An Assembly also prone to be taken wrongful advantage of by Lobbyists, Consultants, Careerists and not least 'Y Crachach'. What we want is more power at the bottom, devolution delivered downward to Community Councils. Lets note that for much of Welsh Medieval Welsh History much power was with the Cwmwd/Commote, even Owain Glyndwr called his parliament of June 1404 in Machynlleth based on representatives of the Commotes being the foundation of its power and authority. We came so close in the Merthyr Rising of 1831 of seeing perhaps what could have been the first peoples Commune, but not to be so. However, maybe dream on?

.

Recently took below picture of slogan on a building in Swansea, and it got me thinking! Perhaps Wales is a Vanity we can do without anyway, and radical Socialists need to go beyond ideas of a struggle for a Socialist Republic or whatever? Perhaps, the Planet should be our first and foremost consideration. Why not a struggle by radicals in Wales for Autonomy all levels of life and society as well as seeking for more devolved political power to Community Councils - Commotes - Communes. Think on it!

..
.

Gethin Gruffydd.

. .
.ADFYWIAD GOCH

.

HERIAN HUSHES UP 1831 MERTHYR RISING?

.

HERIAN goes and produces an excellent brochure on Southern Industrial History but somehow manages to forget to put in an illustration or account of the greatest of all Welsh Rebellions, that of the 1831 Merthyr Rising. Now how on earth did they manage that but at same time note included in both illustration and text are; Rebecca Riots, Ammanford Miners Strike 1925 and Chartist Newport Rising 1839. Also left out are the Scotch Cattle Troubles in Gwent 1831 - 1839, Tonypandy Riots 1910 and Llanelli Riots 1911. I could think up a few more significant events to have include but lets leave it at the four I have mentioned, I hope when next publishing this otherwise excellent brochure these four at least will be added. That will all the more be more certain, if you contact them and complain, not least in respect to fact that 2010 and 2011 will mark anniversaries of Tonypandy 1910 and Llanelli 1911.
.

.
The Good news is that Merthyr Tudful has seen set up a number of excellent history interpretation panels throughout the town including one at Plas 3 Mehefin 1831. This is where a few years back I placed a Red Flag and loaf of Bread on a pole
to initiate my campaign to so name this historic place where on 3 June 1831 Soldiers stationed at the Castle Inn massacred 28 People.

.

I am also campaigning for a worthy group sculpture be set up at this site to record this tragic event in the history of the Town, after all Newport has a number of sculptures regards the 1839 Rising. So c'mon Merthyr lets follow in Newports footsteps, and while we are waiting for that to get underway could not a mural be painted on that rather scruffy wall. Why not make that a youth or community service project, I am sure any number of town business would sponsor?

.

You can support my campaign by writing to the town council, please do so asap, and do remember lay floral tributes to memory of the massacred at this site on 3 Mehefin annually, or on Saturday following this date. A date and site ideal for Remembrance Ceremonies or Political Commemorations, if so wished. Now see below fotos >
.

.

In 1831 Lewis Lewis led an attack on the Court of Requests, today it is a public house to be found at 9 Dynefor Place not too far from the Town center.

..

Gethin Gruffydd.

.