Summer Schools
Month: February 2011
Pirate Radio Wales in London
This is Radio Wales calling … and from London. Plaid Cymru London Branch`s pirate radio broadcasting from Earls Court . This exclusive picture was taken in an attic somewhere in Earl’s Court on October 11th 1962. Needless to say, the ‘Private ‘ broadcasters are Plaid Cymru supporters.
The private station came on the air shortly after the strains of the National Anthem had faded away on B.B.C. Television.The broadcast, which lasted 15 minutes, was chiefly of news and commentary.
It was directed mainly at the bemused electorate of Hampstead, Mr. Henry Brooke’s constituency (Mr. Brooke himself was at the Tory Party Conference in Llandudno at the time doing his best with the Welsh National Anthem).
“Our listeners tonight in Hampstead,” said Radio Wales, “you know what an insensitive man Henry Brooke is as well as we do in Wales.”
The flooding of Tryweryn valley had incensed the Welsh people, it went on.”We shall not forget you Brooke and tonight we appeal to Hampstead electors to choose a more democratically-minded, fair and sensitive English gentleman.” Where and when will Radio Wales strike next?”
Report from Archives London Branch
Glyn James 1922 – 2010
Glyn James: an inspiration to so many
Plaid Cymru President Jill Evans MEP has expressed her great sadness at the death of Rhondda’s Glyn James.
Born in Llangranog, Glyn came to the Rhondda to work in Tylorstown and then Lady Windsor collieries.
He first stood in Ystrad Rhondda in a by-election in 1959, losing by only 4 votes. He overcame the disappointment by winning the first ever seat for Plaid Cymru in the Rhondda the following year. He was re-elected many times and served as Mayor of the Rhondda.
Glyn was a campaigning councillor. He chained himself to Llwynypia hospital in a protest to keep services; he climbed onto the roof of the council offices to call for more services for the Rhondda Fach; and he broadcast on his pirate radio station, ‘Radio Free Wales’ from Penrhys Isaf farm. He stood for the Rhondda several times in general elections and will be remembered, too, for the smoke-breathing dragon on the back of a lorry that was typical of the way he got his message across.
Jill Evans said,
“Glyn was a close friend and colleague. He was a major figure in the Rhondda and in Plaid Cymru and a real inspiration to me. He loved the Rhondda and Wales with a passion and his enthusiasm was reflected in his colourful and exciting campaigns. He never stopped campaigning. He was the eternal optimist who never doubted that Wales would win its freedom. It is this, most of all, that I will remember about Glyn and that will continue to inspire so many of us in Plaid Cymru for many years to come. He was a great man and I will miss him very much. On behalf of Plaid Cymru I offer our deep sympathy to Hawys and the family.”
Stephen Griffith 1908 – 2010
Obituary
Stephen Griffith – Physics Master 1949-1969
Stephen Griffith was born in BIaenau Ffestiniog, a slate-producing area of North Wales in 1908, and died at home, cared for by his family, on 12th December, 2010 in Neyland at the age of 102.
He went to Bangor University, where he read Physics, and was awarded an MSc. in 1958 for his statistical work and analysis of reasons for failure in Grammar School. He spent his career as a Physics teacher in Hereford. Buckinghamshire and, from 1949, in Pembrokeshire. In 1942 he married Clemency, and 3 daughters were born to them, Dilys, Margaret and Enid. As a conscientious objector and enthusiastic pacifist, he drove an ambulance during the Second World War, and after the war he and Clemency became Quakers. He then became a member of Plaid Cymru, and as a close friend of his fellow Quaker, Waldo Williams, he backed Waldo’s campaign in the 1950’s as Pembrokeshire’s first Plaid Cymru candidate.
During his days at Pembroke Grammar School, he, and Islwyn Griffiths, a great friend and colleague, with the help of others, ran an International Camp for overseas students and others who were studying in Britain, for a fortnight every summer for 15 years in succession. They were eager to foster understanding and good relations between the countries represented. After his school days in Pembroke, he went as a volunteer to teach physics in a school in Ghana to make his contribution to the third world. After that he taught Science, Maths and Welsh locally.
The decade that followed was his most fruitful as regards literary output. He was the author of 7 books, 5 of them in Welsh. He was an enthusiastic Eisteddfod goer, and in recognition of his contribution to the literary life of Wales, he was privileged to be admitted in white robes to the Gorsedd Circle in Rhyl in 1985.
Among his many interests were bee keeping, enjoying the Cleddau Waterway in his little boat, watching travel programmes on television, taking interest in his tiny pond with its frogs, water lilies, and solar fountain, reading Welsh books and battling the gremlins in his computer! He was very keen on the environment and had solar panels installed on the roof of his bungalow in Neyland. In his latter years he used to be seen from time to time on his scooter for the disabled. As long as he was able to, he took a great interest in life and issues of the day.
His funeral took place at Parc Gwyn on 17th December 2010 and a Memorial Meeting to give thanks for the grace of God in the life of Stephen Griffith was held in the Quaker Meeting House, Priory Road, Milford Haven on Saturday, 29th Jan., 2011 at 2pm.