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On 21st September, 2002 stonemason Ray Collins commenced work on a commemorative garden in recognition of the Australian emigrants who arrived on the First Fleet at Botany Bay in 1788. 

Of the emigrants who were actually convicts, six were Welsh, four men and two women and by 1852, the number of transportees who had been tried in Wales had risen to approximately 1,800, of whom, 300 were women.  These included  Lewis Lewis  for his part in the Merthyr Riots of 1831 and the Chartist leaders John Frost, Zephaniah Williams and William Jones for their organising of the Newport Rising of 1839.  

In September 1938, flooding caused the Dolaucothi Gold Mine in Carmarthenshire to finally close.

It is thought that the mine at Dolaucothi was first opened in the late Bronze age, perhaps as early as 600 BC.  However, serious excavation commenced in approximately 75 AD,  during the Roman rule of Britain.  The Romans used slaves for the hard manual labour of extracting the gold deposits, which were destined for the Imperial Mint in Lyon.

Following the Romans' departure from Britain, it wasn't until the 17th or 18th centuries that mining recommenced at the site on a small scale but it was in the 19th that there was expansion beyond the original open cast.  A large amount of ore was extracted during the 1930s, but after 1938 the mine was no longer used for commercial enterprise and it is now owned by the National Trust.   

On 21st September 1987, there was a reported sighting of the Afanc of Llyn Llangors (Llangorse Lake) 

The Afanc is a lake monster from the mythology of Wales, described as taking the form of a giant beaver or large crocodile, which devoured anyone or anything that entered its waters.

The earliest known literary reference to the Afanc is in a poem by the 15th century Welsh poet, Lewys Glyn Cothi.  One legend tells of the wild thrashings of the afanc causing flooding and another tells of a maiden taming the Afanc and letting it sleep in her lap, whilst other villagers attempt to capture it.  However, the Afanc awakes and crushes the maiden.  Later legends have King Arthur  slaying the Afanc in Llyn Barfog in Gwynedd.  Nearby is a rock with a hoof print mark in it, which was supposedly made when Arthur's horse, Llamrai, dragged the Afanc from the lake.   Iolo Morgannwg then popularised a version in which two long-horned oxen dragged the Afanc from the lake, to be killed.  

On 21st September 1949, the Prince Llewelyn Hotel in Beddgelert, Gwynedd was hit by a meteorite.  It is only the second ever known to hit Wales, the other falling in 1931, at Pontllyfni, near Caernarfon.

The meteorite was preceded by a brilliant light and a series of dull explosions, which ended with a buzzing sound and the sound of roof slates shattering.  The following morning a dark-coloured stone the size of a cricket ball was found on the floor of the attic.   

The first comprehensive school in England and Wales opened on 21st September 1949 as Holyhead County School.  

Born on this day 1956 in Cardiff

David  Giles - Former Wales soccer international. 

On 20th September 1891, Buffalo Bill Coady and his Wild West Show performed at Cardiff, which was to be the first of many further visits to Wales.

William Cody was riding for the Pony Express when aged 14 and 3 years later, he was serving for the union during the American Civil War. After the war, he worked as a buffalo hunter for the Kansas Pacific railroad, for whom he is said to have shot in excess of 4,000 buffaloes and this is how he got the name Buffalo Bill.  

Bill came to international attention when a report was published about him when he guided the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia on a tour of the wild, which was followed by a series of novels about his adventures as Buffalo Bill, King Of The Border Men. Then in 1883 Bill set up his famous Wild West show, which in 1887 was invited to Britain as part of the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. His party comprised of 500 people including cowboys and Indians, as well as backstage workers and grooms. It also had 180 horses and 18 buffalo as well as elks and Texas longhorn cattle. One of the group was the famous Annie Oakley, who for one for one her tricks, shot a cigar from the mouth of the German Kaiser William I, the grandson of Queen Victoria.

The visit was a great success and he returned in 1891, to tour many cities, including Cardiff, where he performed at Sophia Gardens for three nights, with each show attracting over 20,000 people. Bill returned again in 1902, this time performing in many more venues, on a tour that lasted until 1904 The welsh towns that hosted on this tour were; Aberdare, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Barry Dock, Bridgend, Builth Wells, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Caernarfon, Dolgellau, Ebbw Vale, Holyhead, Llandudno, Llanelli, Neath, Oswestry, Pembroke Dock, Porthmadog, Rhyl, Ruabon, and Swansea .  

On 20th September 1950, the rationing of soap ended in Wales and the rest of Britain, with the rationing of other essential commodities, such as butter and sugar continuing until 1954.

 During World War II, the fact that rationing was affecting everyone created a sense of shared sacrifice, however, bread, potatoes, cigarettes and beer, were never rationed, due to the effect that might have on public moral.  

The Dowlais Ironworks in Merthyr was founded on 20th September 1750. It was to become recognised as a centre of innovation in the industry and at one time, was the largest steel producer in the UK. It became part of British Steel in 1967, finally closing in 1987.

The works owed much of its initial success to a contract for iron rail for the rapidly expanding railroads and in 1845, it was employing 7,300 people in its 18 furnaces, that were producing 89,000 tonnes of iron per annum. It was also the first place to use the innovative Bessemer Process for mass production of steel and by 1857 owned the most powerful rolling mill in the world.  

Actress, Rachel Roberts was born 20th September 1927 in Llanelli.

Initially a stage actress, Roberts made her film debut in 1954 in "The Weak and the Wicked".  She is perhaps best remembered for her role as the love interest of Richard Harris in "This Sporting Life" for which she was nominated for an Oscar award, but also performed memorably in films including "Murder on the Orient Express",  "When a Stranger Calls" and "Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen".

She was married and divorced twice, the second time to Rex Harrison, with the breakup of the relationship leading to her suffering with alcoholism and depression and eventually to her committing suicide on 26th November 1980.

Born on this day 1974 in   Suva, Fiji and brought up in Abergavenny

Owen Sheers - poet, author, playwright, actor and TV presenter.  His appointment as writer in residence at the Welsh Rugby Union was the first appointment in that role by any national rugby union team.  

Prince Arthur, born on September 20th, 1486, was the eldest son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. 

Arthur was so named due to Henry VII’s fascination with the legend of King Arthur and his birth at Winchester was significant as it was seen as the spiritual home of King Arthur’s Round Table. 

1490 - Arthur was created Prince of Wales.

1501 (November 14th) - Arthur's marriage to Catherine of Aragon was seen as advantageous to both Britain and Spain to the threat posed by France. They set up their household at Ludlow Castle.

1502 (April 2nd) - Arthur fell ill and died and this death led to Henry, his younger brother, becoming the heir to the throne, who as Henry VIII went on to marry Catherine. Later, during their divorce, Henry's claim that Catherine was not a virgin when she married him, was pivotal to their subsequent divorce, in spite of Catherine's insistence to the contrary.  

Sir Thomas Salisbury, heir to the Lleweni estate. was one of the conspirators executed by being hanged, drawn and quartered on 20th September 1586, for his involvement in the Babington Plot to murder Queen Elizabeth I and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots. 

Celticos/AmeriCymru Trail Tour - Latest News

AmeriCymru spoke to Janet Folatjar, who has recently signed up for the Celticos/AmeriCymru Trail Tour, about her background in Wales and her expectations for the forthcoming trip. We are sure that Janet will be delighted with the experience and we hope to do a follow up interview with her when she returns. Check back for part two of this feature.

AmeriCymru: Hi Janet and many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. You are visiting Wales and will be experiencing the Celticos/AmeriCymru Trail Tour. Is this your first visit to Wales and what is your ancestral connection?

Janet: Yes this is my first visit to Wales. I never really knew my grandfather a mining engineer for Johnstown Coal and Coke Company. Hedied when I was 3, but I feel a connection to him having followed a similar career path. His father and mother..my great grandfather Hugh Hughes and great grandmother Annie Jones immigrated to the USA from Wales in 1886 and 1887. They landed in New York, married in 1888, started a family and settled in Ebensburg, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Recently I found some information my Aunt gave me about her trip to North Wales in the 1980's. This inspired me to visit.

AmeriCymru: Can you tell us a little about your trip and your Celticos/AmeriCymru itinerary?

Janet: We are spending a total of 5 days in North Wales. Llandudnowill be a base from which totake day trips.I chose Llandudno due to thevariety of landscapes the city has to offer such as the mountain and sea views and the proximity to nearby towns. I hope to be able to spend some time hiking Great Orme, bird watching and walking the beach.Two days will be spent enjoying the hospitality of Alwyn Griffiths of Celticos Tours on the AmeriCymru Trail tour. Alwyn has planned two days of travel and walking throughout North Wales and Anglesey.The tour will take us to places which link the USA to Wales. Coincidentally some stops are places my ancestors once lived so the tour will include a bit of information regarding their life and times Alwyn has been very attentive tomy specific interests andI think is planning something very special for us. I am also looking forward to walking component of thetour.

The remaining3 days will be spent relaxing and enjoying the beautiful sceneryin North Walesin LLandudno, Conwy and also the Conwy Valley and searching for local traditional Welsh food.

Great Orme Tramway, Llandudno

AmeriCymru: What do you most hope to get out of this trip? What are your main expectations?

Janet: Well Ceri this trip for me is primarily to see where my ancestors came from. I am a big fan of the TLC series "Who Do You Think You Are?" where a celebrity researches their family history and follows the ancestral trail wherever it takes them. I know very little about Wales so I hope that the tour will be an introduction to North Wales and will provide me information onthe hardships that forced my ancestors to leave their family to move to the USA.I hope this trip will make my family history come alive. I think that Celticos Tours will give me agood start and will expose me tosome unique places that most tourists don't see. I hope toreally experience the Welsh first hand. It would be great to see places that are off the beaten track and away from regular touristy places to make ourtrip special and unique.

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Janet: It is remarkable how friendly everyone has been to me so far.Prior to discoveringCelticos Tours I wasstressing over planning our personal itinerary.When I discovered the AmeriCymru Trail tour I was so relieved becauseit eliminated the need for further planning and the need forusing pubic transportationto reachthe places I want to visit. Thesavings in planning and travel time will nowtranslated into maximized enjoyment. I would encourage anyone new to visiting Wales to consider taking a tour to simplify, relieve stress and create more enjoyment!

At the Battle of Poitiers on 19th September 1356, Welsh archers changed tactics to secure a decisive victory.

The Battle of Poitiers  was a conflict of the Hundred Years' War, which was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 between England and France for control of the French throne. 

It is reported that the famous Welsh archers, were not as effective in their traditional role during this battle as their arrows either skidded off the French armour or shattered on impact.  Instead, they took to firing at the horses, as a method of stopping the cavalry charges and as the armour on the horses was weaker on the sides and back,  the archers moved to shoot the horses in the flanks, a move which proved decisive in gaining victory.

Hywel ap Grufydd or Syr Hywel y Fwyall (of the Battleaxe) (d. c. 1381 ), from the township of Ystumllyn on the south-eastern part of the Llyn Peninsula, near Portmadog, commanded a corps of Welshmen and made a substantial contribution to the victory.  Some say it was he, who captured the French King Jean II, with his famous axe.  After the battle, it is said that the Black Prince gave the weapon a place of honour in the royal hall and also as a reward, Hywel was made constable of Criccieth castle. 

The much respected Welsh Longbowmen had been used to such good effect against the English, prior to Edward I's subjugation of Wales, following the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282 and the subsequent Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284, in which Wales was annexed to the kingdom of England.  The redundant Welsh military forces were a large group of men, used to regular pay and a soldier's way of life, so it stood to reason that the English army was keen to utilise them as mercenaries.  But they were reported as being disobedient and riotous, as Welsh soldiers only really obeyed their own native officers.  

On 19th September 1717, the Japanning of tinplate was established in Pontypool. 

Pontypool Japan is the name given to the process of japanning with the use of an oil varnish and heat which is credited to Thomas Allgood from Pontypool.  Allgood developed a corrosion-resistant coating for iron, using  asphaltum, linseed oil and burnt umber, which when applied  and heated, turned the metal black. and made it extremely tough and durable.  However although named "Pontypool ware", most  was actually produced in Usk or Newport.

James "Jim" Griffiths CH, PC (19 September 1890–7 August 1975) was a Welsh Labour politician, trade union leader and having campaigned for a Secretary of State for Wales since the 1930s, he was the first to hold the office following Labour's 1964 election victory.

Griffiths was born in the strongly Welsh-speaking village of Betws, near Ammanford in Carmarthenshire and along with Aneurin Bevan, he is regarded as a chief architect of the Welfare State. He was Chairman of the Labour Party between 1948–1949 and became Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1950.  In 1956, during the Suez Crisis, he made a speech opposing Prime Minister Anthony Eden, describing it as an unjustifiable and wicked war.   

       

Rowland Ellis (1650 – 19 September 1731) was a Welsh Quaker leader, who emigrated in 1686 to Pennsylvania. The town of Bryn Mawr there is named after his home farm near Dolgellau.

Along with many inhabitants of Dolgellau, Jones became a Quaker following the visit of George Fox in 1657 and as a result of religious persecution after the English Civil War (1642–1651), many members of dissenting Christian groups emigrated. In 1688, Ellis briefly returned to Wales to set his affairs in order, but returned Pennsylvania and in 1700, was elected to represent Philadelphia in the provincial assembly.  

Born on this day 1985 in Swansea

Alun Wyn Jones - wales and Lions rugby international and captain. Welsh international rugby union player, currently playing for the Ospreys in the Celtic League. Having previously represented Wales at under-21 level, he made his Test debut for Wales in June 2006 against Argentina. Originally capped against Argentina in 2006, as a blindside flanker, Jones has since become a world class second row.

The politically and historically significant Welsh Church Act 1914 became effective from 18th September 1914.

It saw the disestablishment of the Church of England  in Wales and Monmouthshire and led to the creation of the Church in Wales.  the campaign to bring it to fruition was initiated in the mid-nineteenth century, by Welsh Nonconformists who objected to the paying of tithes to the Church of England and was later driven by the nationalist Cymru Fydd movement.

Red Sunday: 18th September 1927. 

This was a demonstration, ‘which took place on Penrhys Mountain  in Rhondda Valle, where the  General Secretary of the  Miners’ Federation , A J Cook called for a march to London on the 8th November to coincide with the opening of Parliament, in protest against the limiting of relief notes to unemployed miners and their families

Although the press generated hostility against the march, the 270 marchers gathered support from every town they passed through and were able to present their petition to Parliament.

The Welsh devolution referendum held on 18th September 1997 was to determine whether there was support for the creation of an assembly for Wales with devolved powers. The 1979 referendum had been such a resounding defeat that it killed off any prospects of devolution for Wales for a generation. However by 1992 The Labour Party, the Welsh Liberal Party and Plaid Cymru, were all committed to a Welsh Assembly with executive powers.  This combined with the unpopularity of the recently defeated Conservative government and their series of English based Conservative MPs that had been Welsh Secretaries since 1987, which included John Redwood and his infamous miming of the Welsh National Anthem at the Welsh Conservative Party conference,  encouraged people to vote for a Welsh Assembly.

The Death of Owain Glyndwr. 

Many believe that Glyndwr spent his last days disguised as a Franciscan friar and family tutor with his daughter Alice and her husband Sir John Scudamore at Monnington Straddel in Herefordshire.  Adam of Usk tells us that Glyndwr died in 1415 and was buried at night by his followers.  Another theory further suggests that his grave was discovered and that he was re buried in Carmarthenshire.

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Gwynfynydd Gold Mine near Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales, was discovered on 18th September  1860 and remained active until 1998, when it was closed due to Health and Safety problems, regarding the discharge from the mine into the River Mawddach.

Gold from the Gwynfynydd Mine was used in the Glyndŵr Award, which is presented annually for excellence in the arts in Wales. A kilogramme of the gold was also used for a present to Queen Elizabeth II on her 60th birthday.

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The notorious smuggler, William Owen, was born on 18th September 1717 in Nefern, Pembrokeshire.

Smugglers in the 18th century were hard, uncompromising men who lived under the constant threat of capture and imprisonment or death.  They, therefore, would kill rather than be captured and Owen, who operated mainly from his base on the Isle of Man, landing contraband brandy and salt along Cardigan Bay and the Llyn Peninsula, boasted about killing, at least, six men, in his autobiography, written during one spell of imprisonment.  Time finally ran out for Owen in 1747, when he was executed at Carmarthen Gaol, for murdering a man during a failed robbery attempt. 

In this interview AmeriCymru speaks to Keith Morris of Segontium Searchers a Welsh genealogical research company. Segontium Searchers are collaborating with Celticos to bring a new service to American tourists who book for the Celticos/AmeriCymru Trail Tour . For more details listen to the embedded interview below.

ABOUT SEGONTIUM SEARCHERS

"Have you ever wanted to know more about your ancestors?

We can help.

Segontium Searchers offer a fast, friendly and professional research service for all your family history needs.

Confidentiality assured.

We cover the counties of Caernarfonshire, specialising in the area covered by the Caernarfon Record Office and the University Archives at Bangor, as well as Anglesey. Research further afield can also be accommodated by prior arrangement. We can also carry out general research for the whole of England and Wales.

We have entered into an exclusive partnership with tour organisers Celticos Ltd, providers of heritage tours of North Wales. This is an exciting opportunity for you to engage Segontium Searchers to research your family, following which Celticos Ltd. will arrange a bespoke tour to visit the specific sites connected to your ancestors: family homes, schools, churches & graveyards where marriages, baptisms & funerals took place, and places of work, all of which will enable you to appreciate the way of life of your ancestors.

Further information about the tours can be obtained here: Celticos Ltd."

More Here

A message from Owen Hoffman-Smith. If you are interested please email americymru@gmail.com and we will pass on your details :-

The OWFC has been invited to sing at a panel discussion featuring Welsh writers and critics on the evening of October 4th at Portland State University, at 6:30pm , with call time for the chorus at 5:45. We will perform the "Eli Jenkins Prayer" as well as the Welsh national anthem. Here's a link to a Welsh male choir doing the "Eli Jenkins" piece:

The panel will discuss Welsh authors who write in English. The program is entitled "Culture Wars. Other Voices in British Literature: Should 'Welsh Writing in English' be taught as a separate course or module in U.S. Universities?" Here are the links:

We will rehearse at Kenilworth Presbyterian on the corner of SE 34th and Gladstone (the same place as before, for those who were with us in the spring). We will have two rehearsalsbefore this performance on September 22nd and 29th at 7pm .

There is also talk of putting together a set of Christmas music and having aChristmas concert series. More on that soon...

Here is a picture of the original Portland Welsh Choir - The Cambrian Choral Society - taken cica 1905. The Oregon Welsh Festival Choir will be carrying on their proud tradition. Does any member recognise any of the singers? Please post in comments below if you do....diolch.

On 17th September 1944, the wartime 'blackout' was lifted over much of Wales. 

Most Luftwaffe air raids were undertaken at night, thousands of feet above ground level, which made it hard for them to identify their targets. To aid their difficulty a total blackout was imposed in built-up areas by the British Government during the war.  All house owners were expected to use thick black curtains or to paint their windows with blackout paint.  

Owain Glyndwr: The decline of the rebellion 1405-1409 

In February 1405, the Tripartite Indenture was signed in Bangor North Wales. This was an agreement between Glyndwr, Edmund Mortimer and the Earl of Northumberland in which they divided Britain into three parts.  Glyndwr was to take Wales and the areas of England to the rivers Severn and Mersey including most of Cheshire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire.  The Mortimers would take all of Southern and Western England, Thomas Percy, the Earl of Northumberland, would take the North of England and as far South as Leicester, Northampton, Warwick and Norfolk.  With a treaty having been signed with the French promising substantial support, Owain's fortunes seemed set to rise even further. 

However,In the valley of the river Monnow on March 11th Owain suffered a major set back. Having attacked the little township of Groment, he was surprised when a vast contingent of armour clad troops arrived from young Prince Henry's newly established headquarters at Hereford. There was much slaughter that day. Again there was Welsh slaughter at the hill of Pwll Melyn near the town of Usk in early May. That day Owain's son Gruffudd led the Welsh force and Lord Grey of Condor commanded the Englishmen. Having driven Gruffudd's men from the hill, lord Grey harassed the fleeing survivors through the river Usk and into the forest of Monkswood. There Gruffudd and many of his ablest commanders were taken prisoner, transported to Monkswood castle and executed. 

Owain retreated to Harlech castle where on August 1st, he convened his second parliament. He announced that the French were coming. Some 800 men at arms, 600 crossbow-men and 1,200 lightly armed troops had embarked and sailed from France on the 22nd of July. On receiving the news that his allies were coming and that they were to land at Milford Haven, parliament was put into recess and Owain marched south at all speed.  With French support  he attacked Haverfordwest castle.  However the castle garrison held the initial attack, and realising that time was of an essence, Owain left a small besieging force and advanced to the east.  The walled town of Tenby was well-defended, and Owain made no attempt to break in, preferring instead to starve them out. However, some thirty English ships hove to and anchored in the harbour, causing Glyndwr and his allies to withdraw.   Owain marched next to Cardigan, where both the castle and town fell after a short bloody fight, followed by victories at the southwest capital of Carmarthen and at Brecon  before he smashed his way into Hereford. He advanced to Woodbury hill eight miles from the city of Worcester, there entrenched in an extremely strong position we awaited the coming of Henry of Lancaster. The decisive battle for Wales and perhaps England was about to commence.  However, Owain soon realised that he had advanced too far too quickly and could not renew his supplies. There was nothing else left than to retreat. As he withdrew into the hills and mountains of central Wales so Henry advanced after him; first to Hereford then despite being driven back with heavy losses, he slowly gained ground; albeit a few miles each month. 

By the middle of 1406, things had taken a turn for the worse. With no further gains and the expected breakthrough into England not achieved, the French forces were recalled home. Any help that could be expected from the Scottish quarter also disappeared when young James, the heir to the Scottish crown, was captured en route to France by an English man of War patrolling the north seas. Once again Wales stood alone. Young Prince Henry at nineteen took over the command of the English army, with a warrant from Parliament to bring an end to the Welsh problem. As the year of 1406 wore on, Owain lost control of the Gower, Tywi and Ceredigion regions: all submitted to English control. Next the English made determined attacks to regain the castle in Wales. Young Henry himself sailed into the mouth of the river Rheidol, to attempt to retake Aberystwyth. When requested by Rhys Ddu for support, Owain marched south and Henry was forced to abandon the idea.  Time, however, was running out, King Louis had already been murdered in France and the French were in negotiations with England in a bid to end their war. The lords Northumberland and Bardolf, seeing that Owain was losing ground, withdrew their support. Both were killed at the battle of Bramham Moor against the Sheriff of Yorkshire and his men on Feb 19. Now there would be no more support through the Percy connection. Owain suffered two crushing blows in the year following the death of the two lords; both Aberystwyth and Harlech fell to the English advance. 

It was a disaster of the greatest magnitude when Harlech fell, for Owain's wife, two daughters and three granddaughters were seized and carried off to London. They were all to die in the Tower by 1415. His great ally Mortimer died in the siege, during which English ships pounded the castle with cannon ball from the sea. So the end was nigh, for in 1409 Owain had no solid foothold left in the region.   

The Battle of Montgomery took place on 17th September 1644, during the First English Civil War of 1642–1646.  It was the first battle of this conflict to take place on Welsh soil.  A Parliamentarian force commanded by Sir John Meldrum engaged a Royalist army led by Lord Byron which was besieging Montgomery Castle which controlled the access into Mid-Wales.  The result was a victory for the Parliamentarians. 

The man-made sea wall at Porthmadog known as 'The Cob' was opened on 17th September 1811.   It was built by William Alexander Madocks' and  was instrumental in the emergence of the towns of Porthmadog and Tremadog.  

Crossing of the sands had always been very dangerous, with people using guides to cross safely.  Madocks had begun building the town of Tremadog in 1798 and when the Act of Union, combining the Kingdoms of Britain and Ireland came into force in 1800, it was anticipated that traffic in North Wales would increase as links with Ireland were developed.

Maddocks saw an opportunity to increase the accessibility of Tremadog and to reclaim thousands of acres of land by building the Cob across the River Glaslyn estuary.  The project began in March 1805 and employed approximately 400 people.  The Cob was opened on 17 September 1811, with a four-day celebration including an Eisteddfod.   

Born on this day 1831 in  in Rhandir-Mwyn, Llanfair-ar-y-bryn, Carmarthenshire.

Morgan B. Williams who was a Republican member for Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives.

 Williams, who had emigrated to Australia in 1856, left for the United States in 1862, settling in Pennsylvania and working in the coal mines.  He was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1884, and the Fifty-fifth Congress in 1897.  He failed to be reelected in 1898 and returned to the coal mining industry, becoming both vice president and general manager of the Red Ash Coal Co.   

Born on this day 1971 in Bangor.

Ian Whyte - actor, stuntman and former professional basketball player, who at the height of 7 ft 1 is in demand for characters requiring an actor of above-average stature.