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On 25th May 1999, the last pit pony in South Wales, 'Robbie', worked his last shift underground at Pant y Gasseg, Pontypool.  

In 1913, there were 70,000 ponies working underground in Britain's coal mines, gradually replaced by mechanised haulage, until by 1984, only 55 ponies were still in use. 

Small ponies no more than 12 hands high were needed, Shetlands being a breed commonly used because of their small size. Ponies were stabled underground, coming to the surface only during the colliery's annual holiday. They would work an eight-hour shift, during which they might haul 30 tons of coal.   

Born on this day 1784  in Newport,

John Frost , a prosperous citizen turned rebel who led the Newport Rising.

A successful tailor, Frost was initially radicalised during a spell in prison following a dispute with a solicitor. He became involved with the Chartist movement, which campaigned for basic democratic rights overlooked in the Great Reform Act of 1832. 

Frost advocated violent action to achieve reform, which outraged Home Secretary Lord John Russell. Frost led a three thousand strong march on Newport, mostly miners from the Gwent Valleys, converging on the Westgate Hotel in Newport where Chartist prisoners were supposed to be held. The authorities had stationed troops inside the building and opened fire, killing 20 people and wounding many more.

The Chartist movement was suppressed, as Frost and his fellow ringleaders were put on trial.  Although sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered, the Prime Minister Lord Melbourne ordered Frost to be transported to Australia instead. Frost eventually returned to Britain, and by the time of his death at the age of 91, most of the reforms for which the Chartists had campaigned had been enshrined in law.  

The Glamorganshire Canal, stretching between Merthyr and Cardiff, was closed on 25th May 1942.  

Construction on the 25-mile canal started in 1790 and was completed by 1794. Its purpose was to transport iron from Merthyr, and it later served the coal industry. It closed as a result of subsidence and competition from the railways; much of its course later buried beneath the A470 Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil dual carriageway.

On 25th May 2012, the Olympic torch started its five-day tour of Wales, as part of the torch relay of the 2012 Summer Olympics. Chairman of  Disability Sport Wales, Gareth John, became the first person to bring the torch into Wales.

Born on this day in 1942 in Holywell, Flintshire, Ron Davies, former Wales soccer international.

Ron made his debut in 1960 for Chester City and for Wales in 1964 after playing for Luton and Norwich City. He went on to play for Southampton, where in his first season he scored 37 goals in 41 games.   

Released on this day in 1977, the first film in George Lucas's Star Wars sci-fi saga.

Welsh connections to Star Wars;

*   Richard Marquand, director of  "Return of the Jedi" was born in Llanishen, Cardiff. 

*   The full-scale model of the Millennium Falcon was built in Pembroke Dock by Marcon Fabrications. 

*   Andy Secombe, the son Harry Secombe  voiced the computer-generated slave owner Watto, in The Phantom Menace and Attack Of The Clones

*   The Church of Jediism, which is a religion based on the philosophical and spiritual ideas of the Jedi as depicted in Star Wars  was founded in 2007 by Daniel M Jones on Anglesey.  The organisation has over 20,000 members across the globe and was the most selected "alternative faith" in a 2012 census of England and Wales.    

On 25th May 2010 The Learned Society of Wales was launched. 

Fellowship is open to Welsh residents, those born in Wales or have a particular connection to Wales, who have a "demonstrable record of excellence and achievement" in academia, or who have made a recognised contribution to knowledge in their professional field. 

On the 24 May 1901 81 of the 82 men working at the Univeral Colliery, Senghenydd, were killed in a gas and coal dust explosion.

A report showed that fire, coal dust and air produced a deadly mixture, and new laws were passed requiring the constant damping down of coal dust. However, a much bigger disaster occurred in the same mine 12 years later, killing 439 men and boys, the worst mining disaster in  UK history. Safety had not been prioritised and regulations had been ignored. Universal Colliery was finally closed on Friday 30 March 1928 with the loss of 2500 jobs.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales near Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire was opened to the public on 24th May 2000.

It is both a tourist attraction and a centre for botanical research and the conservation of rare and endangered plants. Its 'Great Glasshouse' is the largest of its kind in the world. 

On 24th May 1847, five people were killed in the Dee bridge disaster, when Robert Stephenson's railway bridge at Chester collapsed. 

An investigation concluded that the design was flawed and a  Royal Commission condemned the use of cast iron on railway bridges. Stephenson later rebuilt the bridge using wrought iron. 

The first Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland on 24th May 1956.

*  In 1970 Welsh singer Mary Hopkin came 2nd with "Knock, Knock Who's There"

*  In 1976, Brotherhood of Man, won with "Save All Your Kisses For Me".  Nicky Stevens (the dark haired female vocalist) from Carmarthen, is the only Welsh person to ever win Eurovision. 

*  In 1990, Emma (Emma Louise Booth), from Bridgend, came 10th with  "Give a Little Love Back to the World"

*  In 1996, Elaine Morgan, from Cardiff came 19th, representing France in the band  Dan Ar Braz & L'Héritage des Celtes, with the  Breton language song "Diwanit Bugale" 

*  In 2002, Jessica Garlick, from Kidwelly came 3rd with "Come Back"

*  In 2004, James Fox, from Bargoed came 16th with "Hold On To Our Love" 

*  In 2013, Bonnie Tyler, from Skewen came 19th with "Believe in Me".  

Born this day 1857 in Abergavenny,

John Williams , who was awarded the Victoria Cross for action at Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War.

His citation reads:

Private John Williams was posted with Private Joseph Williams, and Private William Horrigan in a distant room of the hospital, which they held for more than an hour, so long as they had a round of ammunition left: as communication was for the time cut off, the Zulus were enabled to advance and burst open the door and killed Private Joseph Williams and two of the patients. Whilst the Zulus were occupied with the slaughter of these men a lull took place, during which Private John Williams, who, with two patients, were the only men now left alive in this ward, succeeded in knocking a hole in the partition, and in taking the two patients into the next ward, where he found Private Hook. These two men together, one man working whilst the other fought and held the enemy at bay with his bayonet, broke through three more partitions, and were thus enabled to bring eight patients through a small window into the inner line of defence.  

Whitsun (Sulgwyn) is recorded in the Laws of Hywel Dda as one of the three main holidays of the medieval Welsh kingdoms, the others being Christmas(Nadolyg) and Easter (Pasc).

Whitsun traditions in Wales;

* In areas of south and east Wales the Church used to organise an outdoor feast called the Whitsun Ale after the specially brewed ale that was provided. A Lord and Lady of the Ale would often be elected to preside over the festivities, which included music, dancing, sports and games. These were later replaced by fairs and parades in some areas.

* A custom once held at Lleyn was where couples desiring future happiness tried to pass through a divided tree called Y Pren Dedwydd ('The Blessed Tree'). 

Reprinted with permission from David Western's Lovespoon Blog , 2012 David Western, all rights reserved.

Come and meet two of the finest lovespoon carvers currently promoting the craft across Wales and beyond. Sin Llewellyn of Bridgend and David Western, originally from Cardiff and now living in Canada, are both passionate about their art and ensuring that an age-old tradition remains fresh and vibrant in modern-day life.

I'm VERY excited to be appearing with fellow carver Sin Llewellyn at the museum which is home to one of the finest collections of lovespoons in the world, and I hope that if you are in the area on May 26th, you'll stop in to say hello!!

Born on this day 1929 in Cardiff,

Bobi Jones , a Welsh Christian academic, who is one of the most prolific writers in the Welsh language.

Bobi Jones is an author of international significance, a Welsh nationalist and a strong supporter of the Welsh language, with his major contribution being in the field of teaching Welsh to adults.  

On 23rd May 1832, The Festiniog Railway Company was set up by Act of Parliament.  It is the world's oldest surviving public railway company. 

Originally built to serve the slate industry of Blaenau Ffestiniog, the line was initialy operated by gravity, kept under control by brakesmen who leapt from wagon to wagon tightening or loosening the brakes while their colleague on the front wagon blew the horn to warn of its approach. Steam locomotives were introduced in the 1860s.  

During the evening of 23 May 1970, the Britannia Bridge spanning the Menai Straights was destroyed by an accidental fire. As a result, the bridge had to be completely rebuilt. 

The Britannia Bridge was originally designed and built by Robert Stephenson in 1850, a tubular bridge of iron box-sections; at the time, at 1,511 feet, it was the longest bridge of that type  in the world.  It was needed to accommodate the increasing popularity of rail travel  between London and Holyhead.    

Born on this day 1981 in Cardiff,

Gwenno Saunders , a dancer and musician, best known as a singer and keyboard player with The Pipettes. 

Born this day 1893 in Ystradgynlais,

Sir Tudor Thomas , an opthalmic surgeon, who in 1934 restored the sight of a man who had been blind for 27 years using a pioneering corneal grafting technique. He instigated the establishment in 1955 of a national eye bank.  

Born this day 1954 in Cwmgwrach, near Glynneath,

David "Dai" Richards , a former Wales and Lions rugby international.

The Roman road, Sarn Helen is named after Saint Elen whose feast day is celebrated today.

Saint Elen  is said to have been the daughter of the British King Octavius and the wife of Magnus Maximus (Macsen), Emperor in Britain, Gaul and Spain. She is said to have introduced into Wales the Celtic form of monasticism from Gaul. Elen's story is told in The Dream of Macsen Wledig, one of the tales included in the Mabinogion.

Elen is also remembered for having Macsen build roads across the country so that the soldiers could more easily defend it from attackers.

She is a patron of the churches of Llanelan on the Gower and at Penisa'r-waun near Caernarfon.  

Magnus Maximus was Western Roman Emperor from 383 to 388.  He became part of Welsh legend as Macsen Wledig in the Mabinogion. In 383 Maximus took advantage of the increasing dissent Against Roman emperor Gratian by invading Gaul with a large army. He also attempted to preserve the security of Britain, by organising the peaceful settlement of the Irish Deisi tribe in Dyfed, and also organised Cunedda and the Votadini tribe from Yr Hen Gogledd (Southern Scotland) to  deal with the aggressive Irish Ui Liatháin tribe in North Wales.

 Maximus ruled the Western Roman Empire until he was killed in 388, and there is no evidence to suggest that any Roman effort was made to regain control of the west or north and that year would be the effective end of the Roman era in Wales.

The Dream of Macsen Wledig (Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig) 

Macsen Wledig, the Emperor of Rome, dreamed of a lovely maiden in a faraway land. So vivid was the vision that he scoured the earth in search of her, eventually finding her at Segontium (Caernarfon). The girl, Elen, reciprocated Macsen's feelings, and in return for her hand, her father was awarded sovereignty over Britain. In Macsen's absence, however, a new emperor seized Rome. With the help of men from Britain led by Elen's brother Kynan Meriadoc, Macsen marched across Gaul and recaptured Rome. In gratitude to his British allies, Macsen rewarded them with the area of now known as Brittany. 

The marriage of Maximus and Elen resulted in British descendants such as their daughter, Sevira, commemorated on the Pillar of Eliseg (an early medieval inscribed stone near Llangollen) which says she was married to Vortigern, king of the Britons, which would make Maximus the founding father of several royal dynasties, including those of Powys and Gwent, whose kings would later use the authority of Magnus Maximus as the basis of their inherited political legitimacy.

Born this day 1949 in Denbigh,

Ieuan Wyn Jones , former Deputy First Minister of Wales and former leader of Plaid Cymru. 

Born this day 1949 in Llanelli,

Derek Quinnell , a former Wales and Lions rugby international, best remembered for his enthusiastic entry onto the pitch for his international debut for Wales against France in 1972. Unusually he had been capped by the Lions before his Wales debut.  

  In May 1949, the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire first met, with Huw T. Edwards as its first chairman.  

The formation of the Council was partially the result of pressure from Plaid Cymru. However, it had no real power and was intended to advise the UK government on matters of Welsh interest, including Rural Development and the Welsh Language. 

With the flooding of Capel Celyn, the Council for Wales recommended the creation of a Welsh Office and Secretary of State for Wales early in 1957, proposals which eventually came to fruition in 1964.  

The Hay Festival is an annual literature festival held in Hay-on-Wye in Powys for ten days at the end of May. Devised  in 1988, the festival was described by Bill Clinton in 2001 as "The Woodstock of the mind".  

The festival has expanded in recent years and now includes musical performances and film previews. A children's festival, "Hay Fever", runs alongside the main festival. 

A Message From Jen & Mike At The Longbow Welsh Pub New York

To work in a Welsh pub, isnt it obvious that a knowledge of Welsh and British culture is essential?

When we said being an ex-pat is a plus in a help wanted ad posted on Craigslist, we were slapped with a violation from the NYC Human Rights Commission.

Our crime? Discrimination based on national origin. The fine $2500.

I contacted the attorney for the HRC and tried to explain that in order to provide our customers with an authentic pub experience it was essential that our staff have intimate knowledge of British culture. We dont hire only Welsh and other Brits half of our bar staff is American. What they all have in common is a deep understanding of Welsh and British culture.

They all know that the Princess of Wales is not in fact Welsh, who St David is and that the national sport of Wales is not football but rugby.

The attorney for HRC countered that I could train someone in Welsh and British culture, a notion that is not only absurd but insulting to Welsh people and Brits everywhere. The intimation was that since we are all English speaking people, there was no language barrier and therefore no difference between us. I didn't have the time or the energy to educate the attorney that Wales not only has it's own language but it is compulsory for children in school these days and has been for almost 15 years now.

We are committed to defending ourselves and wont just pay the fine to make this go away, as we dont believe weve done anything wrong. We certainly do not discriminate. And weve retained legal counsel the best defense is a good offense!

A legal defense fund has been set up to defray our legal costs. Your donation to our fund, in any amount, will help us mount the best defense possible. Please go to our website at www.longbownyc.com and click on the donate button to help.

Your support is greatly appreciated!

Diolch yn fawr,

Jen & Mike

In May 1403, Prince Henry (the future Henry V) destroyed Sycharth by burning it to the ground.  This was the birthplace and home of Owain Glyndwr and it was destroyed in reprisal for Glyndwr's rebellion against the English crown.   

Sycharth, located near Llansilan and Oswestry was a motte and bailey castle, with the motte summit serving as the manorial hall where Glyndwr, his wife Margaret Hanmer and family would have lived.  

Today is the feast day of Saint Collen, who was buried in his church in Llangollen.

Saint Collen, born c. 600 was descended from the Kings of Gwent and was educated at Orleans in France. Legend has it that he defeated Bras, a pagan warlord, in single combat, and also a man-eating giantess at Llangollen, washing his bloody sword in St. Collen's well.

Henry VI died (presumed to be murdered) this day 1471

Henry VI's Welsh connection led to the birth of the Tudor dynasty.

After the death of Henry VI's father Henry V, his mother Katherine of Valois married Owain ap Maredudd ap Tewdwr (Owen Tudor). They had two sons, Edmund and Jasper, who were half brothers of Henry VI, but were not recognised as members of the royal family,

1436   The Regent Gloucester imprisoned Owain in Newgate and took Edmund and Jasper into custody.

1447   After the death of the Regent Gloucester, they recovered favour under the  protection of the young Henry VI and he created Edmund and Jasper Earls of Richmond and Pembroke respectively.

1459   By this time the family name had been anglicised from Tewder to Tudor.

1456   Edmund died and Jasper looked after Edmund's son, the future Henry VII, at Pembroke Castle.

1471   After the death of Henry VI, his mother, Margaret Beaufort and Jasper nurtured Henry VII's rights as the Lancastrian claimant to the crown.   Wales was divided in its allegiances, the West in loyalty to Jasper were largely Lancastrian and the East was mostly Yorkist.   

FIFA was founded this day 1904

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the international governing body of association football.

*  Wales's highest FIFA ranking is 8th in October 2015.

*  Wales's lowest FIFA ranking was 117th in August 2011

*  In the 1958 FIFA World Cup Wales reached the quarter-finals, losing to the eventual winners Brazil 1-0, the Brazilian goal was Pele's first international goal.

*  John Charles came 3rd in The Ballon d'Or ( FIFA's annual award to the world's best male player) in 1959.

On 21st May 1982, Swansea City completed their first ever season in the UK Football League First Division with a sixth place finish. Their year on year rise from Division Four to the top division is a record in UK football.

Hi everyone. One for those missing the excitement of seaside Wales. My latest novel - Seeds of Freedom by David Smith (Amazon $2.99)

An incident on a lonely beach in Wales leads to multiple murders.

DC Jane Tetlow, young, bright and beautiful, is seconded to the counter-terrorism team that investigates the murders. She uncovers an assassination plot that goes right to the heart of Whitehall. If successful it could change Britain forever.

Will she prevent the killing or will forces within Whitehall get to her first?

This action packed thriller grips from the first page to the very last. It is a combination of police procedural detective work, political conspiracy, terrorism and fast paced drama that keeps you spellbound to the very end.

If the UK leaves the EU and Scotland leaves the UK. Could this happen?

In May 1372, Owain Lawgoch announced in Paris his intention of claiming the throne of Wales.   

Owain Lawgoch (Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri), the grandson of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd's brother Rhodri,  was directly descended from the Royal House of Gwynedd. 

In 1370 Owain declared himself Prince of Gwynedd and with the help of the French, assembled a fleet with the intention of sailing for Wales. The ships were split up in bad weather and the invasion was abandoned.  Two years later he tried again, but again the weather turned against him and the fleet reached no further than Guernsey.  At this point the English despatched a Scot by the name of Jon Lamb to assassinate Owain and having infiltrated Owain's band of men, he succeeded during the siege of Mortagne in 1378.  So ended the entire line of Wales’s most illustrious royal house.     

Born this day 1942 in Nantymoel, near Bridgend,

Lynn Davies CBE , 1964 Long Jump Olympic champion. Lynn was also the 1996 European Champion and flag bearer at the 1968 Olympics, being later elected President of the UK Athletics Members Council.  

Born this day 1364 at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland,

Sir Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur), ally of Owain Glyndwr.

Percy's military achievements brought him much favour with Richard ll, but he switched sides to support Henry Bolingbroke in his attempt to overthrow Richard, and when Henry became King Henry IV, Hotspur and his father were rewarded with extensive responsibility in both the east march and North Wales.

1401 The Glyndwr revolt began to spread throughout North and Central Wales, thwarting Hotspur's attempts to maintain control.

1402   Henry IV appointed Hotspur royal lieutenant in North Wales, but the Percy's were becoming discontented with Henry IV, and it was at this time that the Percys, Glyndwr and Edmund Mortimer starting discussing the "Tripartite Indenture" which divided England and Wales between the three of them.

1403  Hotspur accused the King of 'tyrannical government' and  marched to Shrewsbury to do battle against Henry IV's son the future Henry V.  However Percy was killed and his body was put on display. He was posthumously declared a traitor, with his lands being claimed by the Crown.  

On this day 2009, William Windsor (Billy), the goat of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh infantry, retired due to old age. Soldiers from the battalion lined the route from his pen to the trailer as he left the camp for the last time.

*  Billy is not regarded as a mascot, but a serving lance corporal, meaning that soldiers of lower rank are required to stand to attention when Billy walks by. His duty was to march at the head of the battalion on ceremonial occasions.

*  The tradition of the goat originated in 1775, when a wild goat walked onto the battlefield during the Battle of Bunker Hill in the American Revolutionary War. 

*  He was demoted to fusilier for a three-month period in 2006, after inappropriate behaviour during the Queen's Official Birthday Celebrations, when he failed to keep in step and tried to headbutt a drummer.

*  The royal goat herd was presented to the Queen by the Shah of Persia, and they are kept on Llandudno's Great Orme.

*  His replacement, also called William Windsor, began as a fusilier whilst being trained for military life, receiving a ration of two cigarettes per day, which he eats, but is not permitted Guinness until he is older.