1997
A second Referendum on devolution – Wales votes Yes!
1999
First National Assembly of Wales elections – Plaid Cymru win 17 seats.
June 1999
Two Members of the European Parliament elected – Jill Evans and Eurig Wyn
2007
Plaid Cymru in government for the first time, as part of a coalition
1974
Plaid Cymru wins three Parliamentary seats in the October election – Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon), Gwynfor Evans (Carmarthen) and Dafydd Elis Thomas (Meirionnydd)
1976
Strong results in local government elections, Plaid Cymru control Merthyr
1979
Referendum on devolution – Wales votes No
1982
After a long campaign S4C starts transmitting Welsh language television programmes
1945
Gwynfor Evans elected President of Plaid Cymru
1953
Start of the Parliament for Wales campaign – 240,652 support the petition
1955
Cwm Tryweryn campaign against the drowning of the Welsh speaking village of Capel Celyn
14 July 1966
Gwynfor Evans wins the Carmarthen seat to become the first Plaid Cymru MP in an historic by-election
15 August 1925
Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru (the Welsh National Party) established at Pwllheli
1929
Lewis Valentine gains 629 votes in Plaid Cymru’s first Parliamentary Election
1936
Burning the bombing school at Penyberth, Llŷn and prison sentences for the three Plaid leaders – Saunders Lewis, Lewis Valentine and DJ Williams
With sadness we heard of the death of R. Keith Davies, Tonteg, at the end of February 2021 after a short illness. Originally from Solfach and Fishguard, he was a teacher at Ysgol Bryncelynnog and very active in the local community.
He was a Plaid Cymru Councillor on Taff Ely Borough Council and on Llanilltud Faerdref Community Council. He was one of the founders of Clwb y Bont and a keen member of its cricket team and he taught Welsh to adult learners.
He was lead singer of the group Y Traddodiad and a soloist on Côr Godre’r Garth’s first record.
After the loss of his wife, Margaret, he was fortunate of the care and support of his partner, Sandra, and he moved to Cardiff in 2008. We extend our sympathies to Sandra and his children Elin, Rhys ac Owain, and grandchildren Harri, Marged, Taliesin and Gwenllian and their families in their loss.
Menna Battle, Gentle Warrior
Tribute by Lindsay Whittle
A dark January day – Plaid Cymru members, family, friends and neighbours lined the streets to pay their last respects to Menna Battle, a stalwart of Caerffili for decades.
Originally from the village of Glynneath a village she retained contact with all her life.
Menna eventually settled in Caerffili. A proud and passionate nationalist she threw herself into the cause. She was Secretary of Penyrheol branch and served as Constituency secretary for 17 years.
She was elected to Penyrheol Community Council and served her community unstintingly. When she decided to “retire” she moved to Abertridwr where of course she became branch secretary and yes, elected on to Aber Valley Community Council. Her partner of 30 years John (bach) Roberts is the County Councillor.
To say she was involved in her community would be an understatement. Book clubs, Aber Valley Arts, Undercurrents and the festival all benefitted from her tireless work.
She valiantly fought Parkinsons disease for the last few years of her life and a tumour on the brain was sadly to see Menna lose her fight, and we and Wales lost a heroine.
I shall forever be in her debt for her encouragement throughout my political life. Wales is in her debt.
To John bach and of course her son Gareth and daughter Ceri and grandchildren we in Wales owe you. Thank you for lending us this kind and gentle warrior to our cause. Menna you will live in our hearts forever.
HEDD PERFFAITH HEDD.
Lindsay Whittle
Chris Rees at the Plaid Conference
We remember the hero Chris Rees (1931-2001), a native of Swansea who suffered a year’s gaol sentence for his stand against conscription by the London government. Pioneer of the Wlpan system of teaching the Welsh language and veteran of elections as Plaid Cymru candidate. He would be 90 today, 6 January, 2021. Photo by the late Alcwyn Deiniol with Chris Rees on the left, Gwynfor and Rhiannon Evans and Winifred Ewing, SNP, with thanks to Rhoswen.
