Dave Healy tells the history of Daffydd Ap Gruffydd to an appreciative audience

Renegade Flux take the audience by storm!

Followed by Intollerance (with a song especially written for the day!)

Parade of colourfull banners led by the Cambria band

Samhain have an edge over the rest of us - those blades and outfits are for real!

Diolch I Bawb - Thank You To Everyone!

Roll on HOPE VII

Taken from the Evening Leader

Celebrating Owain Glyndwr?s liberation of Welsh village

MORE than 200 people turned out for the fifth annual march to mark the liberation of Hope by Owain Glyndwr.

After a lecture by amateur historian and event organiser Adam Phillips in the village?s Red lion pub, crowds followed the Cambria Drum Band, majorettes and members of re-enactment group Sam Hain to Caergwrle Castle.

Adam said: ?It was a massive success, much better than I could have hoped. It was the fifth year so I was hoping for something special and that?s the way it turned out and the council was very happy.

?There was a bit of a hairy moment when one of the band members fell and injured his thumb so we stopped proceedings briefly but they carried on professionally.

?We heard a couple of speeches at the castle to remember Owain Glyndwr, then went to the Red Lion for socialising and food and the band gave a drumming display.

?Two-time world kick boxing champion Pol Wong gave a kung fu demonstration ? the things he did in a small space were amazing. We then had a historical Welsh quiz and finished by watching the rugby which was the only let down of the day.?

In 1402, Henry IV introduced laws that prohibited the Welsh from carrying weapons, marrying someone English, brewing beer, gathering in numbers or inheriting land.

Lord of Hopedale ? Hope?s name at the time ? Dafydd ap Gruffudd, was Prince of Wales for a year (over 100 yrs previous) and also distantly related to Glyndwr. It was a very difficult period in which to live,? Adam said, ?so on February 22, 1403 Glyndwr came and burnt the place. If you broke one of those laws you?d be a prisoner and he released them all.

?By liberating Hope he reopened the supply route to Gwynedd and took the rest of North Wales. Glyndwr would have called it the raising of Hope and it was a way of giving a 2 fingered salute to Chester because if you stand on the walls of Caergwrle Castle you look down on Chester.?

(edited by BC) - We wish to thank Everyon involved, Diolch yn Fawr!

 The Kind owner of the Stella in llandudno has donated loads of instruments to Cambria Band.

If your in the area - go say hello to Dai! my message is this - Spend your money with those that care about our people!

the address is

BIG THANKS TO MOLD ROUND TABLE

AND OUR FIRST OVERSEAS CONTRIBUTOR (FROM AMERICA)

FOR YOUR KIND DONATIONS TO THE BAND

DIOLCH YN FAWR

And we have now bought http://www.cambriaband.com

so this should help word get out

The Name and shame section of the http://freewebs.com/eryrgwyn/  site and the highlighting of the Flintshire firms claiming to be Cheshire firms on http://notcheshire.moonfruit.com/ has started to reap rewards this is a email from one of the firms targed

"Dear Mr Phillips

Thank you for your email regarding our Store in the Broughton Shopping Park.

In line with  advice given , Broughton Park is listed as Chester, however after discussing further with our Property team and the Centre Management, they have advised that the Broughton Park Store listing be changed to Flintshire.

Once again, please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused to you by this matter.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us and bringing this to our attention.

Kind Regards

Charlotte Collyer
Monsoon Accessorize Customer Services"

Evening Leader newspaper story tomorrow covers the campaign

Been asked to get Cambria band to perform in Mold Carnival this summer - had to turn them down as the boys arent ready

Had the Smart car stickered up for advertising http://www.balchdercymru.com/index.htm

Created a new Calendar page so we can flag up events more efficiently http://www.balchdercymru.com/calendar.htm

Thats about it - oh yes almost forgot - "COME ON TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO!!!"

I was on Radio Cymru on 31st May on the "Taro Post" program takling with Dylan Ebenezer about the Upcoming World Cup and why I would not be following our Neighbours LOL

There were others on there that would be doing so and we had a "discussion"

Arseholes to 'em I said as I will be backing T+T all the way

It is NOT a race issue its JUST a footie issue 

17th June Llanymddyfri / Llandovery 3pm outside the Tourist Centre see why http://www.balchdercymru.com/republicannews.htm

Yesterday i went to Hanmer Church to Hear Fiona tell the story of our Kings and ledgends. This was a treat to my ears and soul- absolutelly brilliant - a breath of fresh air to someone like me who loves the history but gets dogged down in its verry heavy nature.

Not only was this a great night but I got to see Hanmer Church (between Wrexham and Whitchurch) for the first time. A site important to us as it is the place where Tywysog Owain Glyndwr and Margaret got married

Fiona comes fully recomended by Balchder Cymru and can be contacted through the following email fiona.storyteller@macunlimited.net

Whatever she charges you -its worth it!

I used the Church visit to raise awareness of the plight of the Bryn Glas Battle site...lets see if anyone took any notice.