I forget, how I first picked up a passing interest in Simon Bolivar and in particular the British Legion, disputed by the Irish who declare it more of an Irish Legion. It of course came to mind that what about any 'Welsh Volunteers?' of course all too often the Welsh get lumbered in with the English and we very rarely here of 'Welsh Volunteers' or 'Mercenaries' post the Tudor Period. However, recent research points to fact that there were 'Welsh Volunteers' in the British/Irish Legion and by chance, I have come across one but have further research to do before I can say much more. Further, other than this 'rank and file' volunteer, I have come across a much more 'Gentleman Character' who fought with a South American Navy which I am also doing more research on. In passing take a look at post American Civil War ex Confederates in South America as 'mercenaries' and 'Colonists', quite fascinating stuff. We in Wales are of course made to constantly focus our attention on the 'Patagonia Venture' but there is more to the Welsh and South America than that as example, see the story of the 'Gringo Revolutionary', the story of Caryl ap Rhys Pryce in Mexico of 1911, great stuff by John Humphries, ex Editor of Western Mail and a former leading member of Welsh Independence Party.
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When our 'Welsh Media Head Honchos' have finnaly told 'ShamlessS4C' where to get off and demand BBC Wales produces more proper Welsh Programming, instead of sport! walk! sport! walk! We might see some far greater documentaries and dramas being produced for the majority TV licence payers in Wales, that is those of us who are 'English Speaking'. We might even get films made as example a kind of 'Welsh Sharpe' fighting in the South American Wars of Independence. I am sure John Humphries or Peter Edwards could come up with a great treatment/script for such a potentially dynamic and exciting film that would actually put bums on seats and make money, not constantly being hawked around film festivals and reminded of by the Welsh Media in often 'over egged' glowing terms. When I seen Twin Towns in a Cinema in London, I know it was in the afternoon but less than a dozen in the Audience and that was a good 'popularist' film.
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God knows what the situation is with 'Ffilmiau Cymraeg', it will be interesting to see how this up and coming Mathew Rhys Patagonia Love Story film fares?. I know I have wandered away off subject but 'Media Wales' and 'Media Cymraeg' in particular is really pulling at an hair out of my nose these days. Who the hell is in charge of having Welsh films made, few want to see these films and few make any good money return on tax payers investment, I include a number of English Language Welsh Films here too. Well, that's my pitch backing Chris Barbers call for a film on the Rape of the Fair Country to be made and a documentary on 'Gringo'. I have a good story too! that would make a good 19th century adventure/thriller film set in Mexico but at moment it's only an idea in my head and only at very basic treatment level. Doubt if I will ever find time to write it up as long as I spend my time often fruitlessly blogging? so go ahead the Cordell film first or a much wanted Glyndwr film, take the money 'ShamelessS4C' gets, that £100 plus Million should produce a really epic Glyndwr film? C'mon you know it makes sense! Yes! the sooner 'ShamlessS4C' comes under democratic control of WAG the better, then disssolve/devolve it to rural Cymru on a smaller scale. Then BBC Wales/ITV Wales 'Welsh E.L. Content' could create a truelly National Welsh Television Service. What's that got to do with Simon Bolivar and Venezuela, nothing I spose? just thought I would have a rant!
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My growing 'Cynical Comments Cymru' aside before I send you on your way to look at the links further on, see below and note that next year will be 200th Anniversary of the first Venezuelan War of Independence. Then 100th Anniversary of the short lived subject of the 'Gringo Republic' in Mexico, both these anniversaries will make good subjects along with the Llanelli Riots 1911 and Investiture 1911 for any Merthyr Insurrection 1831 Commemoration Red Commune - Red College lectures, talks,which might just get off the ground next year, at last? the theme 'REVOLT!' National and International. Any suggestions?
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'After a series of unsuccessful uprisings, Venezuela—under the leadership of Francisco de Miranda, a Venezuelan marshal who had fought in the American Revolution and the French Revolution—declared independence on 5 July 1811. This began the Venezuelan War of Independence. However, a devastatingearthquake that struck Caracas in 1812, together with the rebellion of the Venezuelan llaneros, helped bring down the first Venezuelan republic.[17]A second Venezuelan republic, proclaimed on 7 August 1813, lasted several months before being crushed as well'... this is taken from Wikiapedia, see link below:
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Simón Bolívar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Simón Bolívar lends his name and image to the Venezuelan Bolívar coin .... "Venezuelahonours Simon Bolivar's lover Manuela Saenz". ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simón_Bolívar - Cached - Similar.SIMON BOLIVAR
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Conquer or Die! - Fighting in South America instead of Europe .... At the battle of Vargas, a crucial engagement on the 25 July 1819, the British Legion, ...
www.ospreypublishing.com/.../Conquer_or_Die_Fighting_in_South_America/ - Cached
www.ospreypublishing.com/.../Conquer_or_Die_Fighting_in_South_
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Amazon.com: Conquer or Die!: Wellington's Veterans and the ...
Conquer or Die!: Wellington's Veterans and the Liberation of the New World (General ...French Foreign Legion 1872-1914 (Men-at-Arms). by Martin Windrow ... have also lived inSouth America, yet I had never heard of Bolivar's British ...
www.amazon.com/Conquer-Die-Wellingtons.../dp/1849081832 - Cached
www.amazon.com/Conquer-Die-Wellingtons.../dp/1849081832 - Cached
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New World Celts - South America
16 Sep 2007 ... The Irish Legion in South America Throughout Venezuela's and South America's ... Bolivar's British Legion To most students of military history the ... to show serious intentions of conquering and colonizing the south, ...
www.newworldcelts.org/index.php?option=com...view... - Cached
www.newworldcelts.org/index.php?option=com...view... - Cached
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Sounds Venzuela, has this got a solution for our despairing 'Silurian Youth' in their Valley's Heartlands of post Industrial demise and decline. I see Merthyr is up for some Sky TV attention as 'Benefits Capital of Britain' next week, maybe Merthyr would be just the ideal place to launch such a project as a 'Sounds Siluria'. If so please do it and not see it used just as a means to grab grants or 'Celebrity TV', make it a local Cooperative, Sponsored Volunteer Venture. Merthyr kick it off and let all our Southern Valley's adopt and what better place for interested persons to get together to discuss this than at the fourth coming Cordell Festival in Y Rhondda?
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Sounds Venezuela | Southbank Centre.
As part of Southbank Centre's Sounds Venezuela festival, Clara Rodriguez, a leading exponent in the piano of her home country, plays everything from ...
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/festivals-series/sounds-venezuela - Cached.Sounds Venezuela | Southbank Centre.
Southbank Centre is the largest single-run arts centre in the world and includes Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, ...
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/series/sounds-venezuela - Cached.Other Information:.
