Remember, Remember The 4th of November! - Welsh American Chartist John Rees in California

On my return trip from the West Coast Eisteddfod in L.A. in 2011 I was able to break my journey in Hornbrook, CA and take some pictures of John Rees's grave and final resting place. Given that we know he was a stonemason in his youth, did he perhaps make it himself? Certainly it is one of the finest and best preserved monuments in the cemetary.

The debate as to whether violence can be a legitimate method to secure political ends was one that occupied many physical and moral force Chartists in the 1830's and 40's. John Rees was a 'physical forcist'.

John Rees ( aka Jack the Fifer ) is topical because today ( Nov 4th ) is the anniversary of the ill-fated Chartist march on Newport in which he played a leading role..

But why is the man who led the vanguard of an armed insurrection in South Wales buried in a small town in Northern California?....... Read more here

The Top Ten Most Important Dates In The Welsh Calendar

These are (in our humble opinion) the Top 10 most important dates in the Welsh Calendar arranged in no particular order of priority or preference.


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October27th (1914) Wales, most famous and celebrated poet was born on this day.			September18th (1997) The Referendum on Devolution was held on this day in 1997.
March1st Saint Davids Day, the national patron saint of Wales			January 25th Saint Dwynwen, Welsh patron saint of lovers.
November 15th (1897) Aneurin Bevan was born on his day in 1897.			November 4th (1839) The Chartist March on Newport in 1839.
December 11th 1282) The last Prince of Gwynedd was killed in battle.			January 17th (1863) Lloyd George was born on this day in 1863.
October 15th (1893) Saunders Lewis, founder member of Plaid Cymru was born on this day.			September 16th (1400) On this day in 1400 Owain Glyndwr was proclaimed Prince of wales.

Don't agree with our selection? Have your say in comments below.

The Abermule Train Disaster 26th January 1921

The Abermule train collision was a head-on collision which occurred at Abermule, Montgomeryshire, Wales on 26 January 1921, killing 17 people. The crash arose from misunderstandings between staff which effectively over-rode the safe operation of the Electric Train Tablet system protecting the single line. A train departed carrying the wrong tablet for the section it was entering and collided with a train coming the other way.....read more Abermule Train Disaster

Lady Charlotte Guest - Born This Day in 1812

From the Wikipedia:- Lady Charlotte Elizabeth Guest, (née Bertie) (19 May 1812 – 15 January 1895), later Lady Charlotte Schreiber, was an English translator and business woman. An important figure in the study of Welsh language and literature, she is best known for her pioneering translation into English of the major medieval work, the Mabinogion.

Peredur The Son of Evrawc