Blogs

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter )

Here we are at the end of the year - and what an interesting year it's been!

From the point of view of the Welsh Speaking heartlands (the Fro), a number of encouraging policies have been adopted by the Government - the Welsh language is to be taken into account in the planning of regeneration projects in the Fro, for instance. Cymdeithas Cledwyn - the Welsh speaking 'wing' of the Labour Party - emphasised the importance of 'Bro Gymraeg' issues in future manifestos. The government have adopted elements of Cymuned policy, especially in Housing, and we have developed a useful relationship between us and the Assembly.

After May's elections, a number of our supporters are now councillors. From Anglesey to Monmouthshire, and Pembrokeshire to Wrexham, we have a voice in the policy and administration of the country's councils. And with some work on our internal structure we have released more money for campaigning.

We are in a strong position going into 2009, so what are our plans?

Firstly, the launch of the CyngorNi campaign. This is the campaign that will define our work in the Fro during 2009. If you want to do one thing in the new year to help the Fro, get in touch with is to ask what you can do for the campaign!

Secondly, the re-launch of 'Ein Gwlad - Ours Alone' - a quarterly magazine which will be free to our monthly members. We hope to produce a quality publication which will lead the debate on a wide range of subjects relevant to Wales and the Fro.

Thirdly, and partly on the back of the first two, we will be working to increase our active membership. At the moment we have a little under 2000 members. This is not enough! The unstinting work by an enthusiastic group of members has ensured our influence on politicians and national bodies, and raised our profile in the press. But many of you have taken it into your own hands to write to the press, to politicians, place stickers and talking about our policies to others, and this is proving to be the main strength of Cymuned. If each member spent one hour during 2009, writing emails or letters, or raising a petition, or supporting action / policy, this would correspond to about 4 hours a week of work for the whole year for every member of the Exec committee. Imagine if everyone was willing to write a letter a month to politicians. How many policies would be changed in answer to 2000 letters? This power is in your hands.

So - here is the New Year project. Tell 5 people about this email. If one of them subscribes, you have done your bit to double our supporter base! If more than one subscribes, then every extra one is a huge bonus...

One last thing - with the present economic situation, community action will be more important than ever as we try to protect our language and our communities. If you have ideas about things that you could be doing on a community level, get in touch so that we can publicise your ideas, raise awareness and give you as much help as possible.

Brilliant. We shall step into 2009, and wish you, and us, sweeping successes in everything that is important to us. Happy new year!

Forward! Iestyn* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things."To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Are you a dreamer or a doer?Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help.Have a look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture to hear how to make things change.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dont forget to nominate your pick for Best Welsh Album of 2008. The forum page can be found here:- Top Ten Welsh Albums of 2008 We will be voting on this at the end of January.Enjoy!

Failing a last minute surge for one of the other contestants it looks like Owain Glyndwr is set to walk away with the title of "Hardest Welshman" in the Americymru online poll.Today is the last day of voting in this poll so if you havent voted yet.... now is the time. Our top ten will be announced tomorrow. Diolch!

I wish all a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Rolf Harris re-records Two Little Boys to mark 90th anniversary of end of WWIThe Australian musician and artist made the new recording of the song, which dates from 1902, to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of the Great War.It tells the story of two brothers who ride wooden horses together as little children before ending up fighting on a battlefield.In 1969 Harris had one of his unlikely hits with the emotional song which tells of the brothers' loyalty.It spent six weeks at number one and became the best-selling single of the year.Now Harris, 78, has re-recorded it with the 60-strong Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir in north Wales.He told how he discovered the song held a strong resonance for his family because it spoke of what happened to his father Cromwell and younger brother Carl.In 1911 they emigrated from Wales to Australia aged 16 and 14, before signing up for service in 1914.Harris told BBC Radio 4: "When the war broke out dad put his age up to 21 so he could vouch that his 16-year-old brother was of military age, which was 18."On their first military leave together they went to re-visit their family in Cardiff, but their mother was "horrified" that Carl had illegally signed up and tipped-off the Australian authorities which discharged him.Subsequently he signed up again when he turned 18, joining a different battalion.Unlike the song, which has a happy ending, Harris said: "They never saw each other again and Carl was killed at the end of the war."Harris found out about the tragic tale while researching his family's past for a BBC One documentary, My Family at WarSourceStephen Adams, Arts CorrespondentDaily TelegraphThe single only made it to number 57 in the UK singles chart. A bit disappointing as all the proceeds was going to the charity The Royal British Legion. However it did not have a level playing field as the single was not released as a hard copy so could not be bought in the shops. 57 was excellent for download alone but with a little more faith by the record company it could have done much better given the publicity it generated over here.

Which Welsh celebrity was born this day ( Dec 31st ) in ????. Cant give you the year, it narrows the field down too much. You'll find the answer on The Welsh Calendar.

"Croeso/Welcome to the Left Coast Eisteddfod Visual Image Competition . Here you can submit TWO photographs in the categories defined below and compete for a first place cash prize of $100 in each category. Your photos need not be of Wales but please do read the detailed rules for submission below. Above all...have fun. Best of luck everyone!" LEFT COAST (ONLINE) EISTEDDFOD PHOTO COMPETITION HERE!!

Tomorrow is the last day to vote in the Top Ten Hardest Welshmen Poll. Get your final votes in now!! Early indications suggest an easy victory for Owain Glyndwr although our distinguished Welsh pirates are doing quite well too. The poll can be found on the front page. Results will be announced on this blog and in the group thread on January 1st. We will be allowing extra time for nominations for the Welsh Album of the Year 2008 and launching a poll on Sat January 10th.

The front page textbox where the "Hardman" poll currently resides will be used for a complete listing of all Left Coast Eisteddfod competitions from Jan 1st. This will facilitate easier access for competition entrants.

December 31 is the last day for the poll and then we're closing it and announcing the winner. Get your final votes in while you can, vote early and often!

NEW DYLAN THOMAS WALKING TOUR OF GREENWICH VILLAGE, NEW YORK

Written by Welsh poet Peter Thabit Jones and Dylan Thomas daughter Aeronwy Thomas, herself a poet, in association with the Welsh Assembly Government/Wales International Center, New York.

Visitors to New York and lovers of Dylan Thomas poetry, will enjoy this self-guided tour of ten places in Greenwich Village associated with the Welsh poet.
Dylan toured the USA four times and spent a lot of time in Greenwich Village , New York , and died there on November 9th 1953. He was one of the greatest English-language poets and a very colourful character. The leisurely 2-hour tour will introduce you to some of Dylans poetry, the bars and restaurants he frequented, the places where he stayed, his readings, his friendships, and the real facts behind his premature death in the city.

Simply print the PDF and take it with you to the Village for a very interesting walk around some of the most historic places in the Big Apple.

The publication coincides with the release of a new film about the life of Dylan Thomas called The Edge of Love, which stars Matthew Rhys, Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller.
Catrin Brace, who works for the Welsh Assembly Government in New York said: Fifty years after his death, there is still a huge interest both in Wales and the USA in Dylan Thomas and his workvisitors will be able to gain a strong sense of the real man behind the brassy orator with the lovely gift of the gab, as well as giving people a real feel for the Greenwich Village of the 1950s.

VISIT www.walesworldnation.com
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DOWNLOADABLE WALKING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS DYLAN THOMAS LINKS WITH NEW YORK

A walking tour highlighting buildings and landmarks in New York City connected with Welsh poet Dylan Thomas is now available for iPods and MP3 players.

The downloadable tour was launched today [Monday 10 November], a day after the 55th anniversary of the death of the Welsh poet, who died in New York on November 9th 1953.

Based on an original script by Welsh poet Peter Thabit Jones and Dylans daughter, Aeronwy Thomas, the MP3 version has been recorded and produced in Wales by Welsh actor John Pierce Jones and Huw Chiswell on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Governments office in New York .

The tour takes visitors to New York City around a number of sites in Greenwich Village which are linked with the poet. Dylan Thomas visited and stayed in the New York City while on four reading tours of North America between 1950 and 1953.

The self-guided tour begins on Hudson St at the Church of St Luke s in the Field where a memorial service was held to remember the poet after his death. The tour ends at the famous White Horse Tavern in Greenwich Village, one of Dylans favourite haunts in the Big Apple.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: Fifty five years after the death of one of Wales most well known literary heroes, there is still a huge interest in Dylan Thomas and his work, both in Wales and the USA . This fascinating tour will now be even easier to access for visitors and will allow people to learn more about the poets links with the city as well as helping to promote Wales strong links with the Big Apple.

The tour is available to download at www.dylanthomaswalkingtourmp3.com .