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Race riots broke out in Newport on 6th June 1919.
The riots started in the docklands where a majority of Caribbean and some African people worked as sailors, sea merchants and manual labourers. A black man allegedly accosted a white girl and a soldier intervened knocking the black man to the ground. Disturbances ensued for two hours and a gang of coloured men were then forced to defended themselves with revolvers, pokers and sticks. A Chinese laundry, refreshment houses, and lodging houses were wrecked and it was reported by the South Wales Argus that "White mobs wrecked so many properties that the town looked as if it had suffered an air raid.
The rioting culminated the next day, with thousands involved in an affray that was only quelled by a police baton charge. There was extensive damage to property, but however, no serious injuries. The riots resulted in 30 arrests of which 27 were black people.
This was one of several anti-black riots in British ports that spring and was associated with the demobilisation of the armed forces after the first world war into a society suffering from economic crisis.
Born this day 1943 in Newport
Sir Terry Matthews , Wales' first billionaire and owner of the Celtic Manor Hotel, where he was instrumental in bringing golf's Ryder Cup to in 2010.
Matthews started his working life as an apprentice with the GPO (now British Telecom), before studying engineering at Swansea. Whilst on holiday in Canada he then landed a job and decided to stay. He borrowed £1,800 and started the firm Mitel, which offered the first affordable push-button tone phones. This proved a phenomenal success and he subsequently sold the business to British Telecom. Matthews then founded Newbridge Networks, which he sold to Alcatel of France for close to £5 billion. Interestingly, Wesley Clover, the name of Matthews international investment company, is named after a Wesleyan chapel in the Newport area, where early in life, Mathews had found a four-leaf clover.
Born this day 1903 in Dunvant
Ceri Richards - Painter and printmaker, who was also a talented musician. Music is the theme for much of his artwork, which moved towards surrealism after he was influenced by the work of Picasso and Kandinsky. Many of his works are in the Tate collection, in London, The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea and the National Museum Cardiff.
Born this day 1983 in London (from a Welsh family)
Ella Smith , actress, who has starred in the TV series Sold and Mistresses, she has also appeared in the film's St. Trinian's II; The Legend of Fritton's Gold and Womb.
Born this day 1977 in Dinbych, Denbighshire
Bryn Williams , head chef and sole proprietor of Odette's Restaurant, Primrose Hill, London. He shot to fame as a sous chef in 2006 by beating established and well-known chefs to cook the fish course for the Queen's 80th birthday celebrations on the television programme Great British Menu. He is now widely regarded as one of Wales' best chefs and one of Britains' new crop of "celebrity" chefs.
Ann Thomas (the "Maid of Cefn Ydfa") who died pining for her true love, was buried on 6th June 1727 in St Cynwyd's Church, Llangynwyd, near Maesteg.
Ann was born in 1704, a cousin of philosopher Richard Price. Her father died in 1706 and she was placed in the wardship of Anthony Maddocks from Cwmrisga, who decided that Ann would marry his son, also called Anthony, but legend tells us that Ann had previously fallen in love with the poet and thatcher Wil Hopcyn and when discovered were forbidden to see each other.
The couple continued sending love letters to each other in secret but were uncovered by Ann's mother, who confiscated her writing materials. Hopcyn then left the area and Ann married Anthony Maddocks, but she is said to have pined so badly for her lover that she fell seriously ill. On her death bed, she requested to see Hopcyn for the last time, who arrived in time for Ann to die in his arms.
The Second Severn Crossing was opened this day 1996, by Prince Charles
In July 1986, the Secretaries of State for Transport and for Wales agreed to build a bridge across the Severn Estuary to connect to the M4 on both banks, as well as to the M5 near Avonmouth. It took 4 years to build at a cost of £330 million and is approximately 3.2 miles, carrying three lanes of traffic in each direction.
As much of the estuary is mudflats at low tide, but at high tide can be covered by up to 14 metres of water, the engineers were presented with a unique set of problems and had to complete the work at times allowed by the tides.
Was Robin Hood a Welshman?
Stephen Lawhead's book, "Hood" published this day 2006, claims that he was.
In his book, Lawhead tells of a wronged nobleman turned heroic outlaw and names him not as Robin of Sherwood, but Bran ap Brychan, who becomes the rightful heir to the kingdom of Elfael after his father is killed by the Normans, but he quickly becomes a marked man and makes his escape. Lawhead suggests that Nottingham would have been too far and Sherwood Forest too small and well chartered, for him to hide, but he would have been able to remain undetected in the vast and then unknown forests of the Welsh March, where he meets the beautiful maiden Angharad, a wine-loving priest, a mysterious healer and a singing storyteller. He steals from the rich in order to raise the money needed to buy back his kingdom and free his people, forced into slavery by their new ruler, Count Falkes de Braose.
Born this day 1941 in Newport
Stuart Watkins , Wales and Lions rugby international, best remembered for a match winning, 75-yard intercept try against France in 1966 and for being a member of the victorious Newport team against the All Blacks in 1963.
Born this day 1964 in Cwmafon, Neath
Lyn Jones , former wales rugby international, later head coach for the Ospreys, London Welsh and Director of Rugby for Newport Gwent Dragons.
RHYD Y GROES
On this day, 1039 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn defeated a Mercian army at Rhyd y Groes near Welshpool.
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1007–1063 or 1064) was the son of Llywelyn ap Seisyll, King of Gwynedd and Deheubarth, who claimed decendency from Hywel Dda. He is known as "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales".
According to an early story Gruffydd had been a lazy youth, but one New Year's Eve, he was watching a cook boiling pieces of beef in a cauldron. The cook was complaining that there was one piece of meat which kept coming to the top of the cauldron, however often it was thrust down and Gruffydd took this as applying to himself, and thus began his rise to power.
1023 On the death of Grufydd's father, Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig became ruler of Gwynedd.
1039 King Iago was killed and Gruffydd, who had already conquered Powys regained the rule of Gwynedd. Soon after gaining power, he totally defeated a Mercian army at Rhyd y Groes near Welshpool.
1041 Gruffydd defeated Hywel of Dyfed at the Battle of Pencader
1044 Hywel returned with a Danish fleet to try to reclaim his kingdom, but Gruffydd defeated and killed him.
1047 Gruffydd ap Rhydderch of Gwent expelled Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from Deheubarth after the nobles of Ystrad Tywi attacked and killed 140 of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn's household guard.
1052 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was active on the Welsh border, he attacked Herefordshire and defeated a mixed force of Normans and English near Leominster.
1055 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn killed Gruffydd ap Rhydderch and recaptured Deheubarth. He then allied himself with Aelgar of Mercia, who had been deprived of his earldom of East Anglia by Harold Godwinson and they marched on Hereford, defeating the force of the Earl of Hereford, Ralph the Timid and sacked the city, destroying its castle. Gruffydd was also able to seize Morgannwg and Gwent, along with extensive territories along the border with England.
1056 He won another victory over an English army near Glasbury and claimed sovereignty over the whole of Wales - a claim which was recognised by the English. Historian John Davies tells us that Gruffydd was "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales... and for about seven brief years, Wales was one, under one ruler, a feat with neither precedent nor successor."
1062 Harold Godwinson obtained Edward the Confessor's approval for a surprise attack on Gruffydd's court at Rhuddlan, Grufydd was nearly captured but escaped out to sea.
1063 Harold's brother Tostig led an army into north Wales while Harold led a fleet to meet up with him. Gruffydd was forced to take refuge in Snowdonia, and according to the Ulster Chronicle he was killed by Cynan ap Iago, son of Iago ab Idwal whom Gruffydd had killed in 1039. Gruffydd's head and the figurehead of his ship were sent to Harold.
Following Gruffydd's death, Harold married his widow Ealdgyth and his realm was divided back into the traditional kingdoms, so that when Harold was defeated and killed at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, so that when the Normans reached the borders of Wales, their task was made more difficult, because they were confronted by the traditional kingdoms rather than a single kingdom.
ST PETROC
Today is the feast day of Saint Petroc.
Saint Petroc Died c.564, was the son of King Glywys of Glywising and on his father's death, the people of Glywysing called for Pedroc to take on the crown of one the country's sub-kingdoms, however, Petroc wished to pursue a religious life and left, with several followers, to study in Ireland.
Some years later, Petroc returned to Britain, landing on the shores of the River Camel in Cornwall and founded the monasteries at Padstow and Bodmin, he also travelled widely through Devon, but, after thirty years he decided to go on a pilgrimage to Rome by way of Brittany and on his return he travelled extensively in Wales, spending time at Ynys Enlli (Bardsey) and founding churches at St. Petroc (Dyfed), Ferwig (nr Cardigan) and Llanbedrog (Lleyn). Back in Cornwall, he lived as a hermit in St. Petroc's cell, on one occasion protecting a hunted deer, hence he is often depicted with a stag. The legendary tales surrounding Petroc are exceptionally vivid and imaginative describing travels to India, taming of wolves and killing mighty serpents. He is one of the patron saints of Cornwall.
BORN THIS DAY - GWYNDAF EVANS
Born this day 1959 in Dolgellau
Gwyndaf Evans, rally driver, who won the British Rally Championship in 1996.
JULIE GARDNER
Born this day 1969 in Neath
Julie Gardner, television producer.She was an executive producer on the 2005 revival of Doctor Who and its spin-off shows Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
JUBILEE CONCERT
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert was held on this day 2012 on the mall outside Buckingham Palace.
Rob Brydon was one of the presenters and Welsh or Welsh connected performers included, Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey, Robbie Williams (Welsh grandparents, one from the Bala area the other from Flintshire), Kylie Minogue (Mother is Welsh) and Madness ( Suggs has a Welsh Mother)
KELLY JONES
Born this day 1974 in Cwmaman, near Aberdare
Kelly Jones, singer, songwriter and guitarist. Best known as the lead singer of the band Stereophonics.
JEFFERSON DAVIS
Born this day 1808 in Christian County, Kentucky (Both of his' paternal grandparents were from Snowdonia)
Jefferson Davis, leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President of the Confederate States of America.
BARMOUTH BRIDGE
Pont Abermaw - The Barmouth Bridge - was opened on 3rd June 1867. It linked Barmouth to the rail network for the first time.
The Barmouth Bridge is a single-track largely wooden railway viaduct that crosses the estuary of the Mawddach River, it was built entirely of wood, by the Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway and included a lifting drawbridge to permit the passage of tall ships, which was rebuilt in 1901 as a steel swing bridge.
THOMAS BECKET
On this day 1162, Thomas Becket was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury
Thomas Becket divided opinion in Wales.
It seems that many admired his stance against Henry II, but he angered others in his refusal to allow an archbishopric for St Davids, these contradicting viewpoints can be seen in particular from Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales), who was committed to freeing the Church in Wales from its subservience to Canterbury, but was also wore an ampoule of Becket's blood around his neck, saying of him "It is clear that, in our lifetime, Saint Thomas, as archbishop of Canterbury, won a glorious victory for the freedom of the church by fighting on until he was martyred".
1162 Thomas Becket was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury
1165 Henry II was gathering an army at Shrewsbury to meet the challenge of Owain Gwynedd who was renewing the struggle for independence and an independent archbishopric for St Davids but he did not have the support of Becket since this would involve a weakening Canterbury's influence over the Welsh dioceses. Owain had appointed his own Bishop of Bangor and was excommunicated by Becket for doing so.
1170 Becket was killed, The Brut y Tywysogydn, says of him 'a man of great piety and saintliness and righteousness.'
1173 Becket was canonized and the cult of St Thomas grew and prospered and there were many dedications to him in churches in Wales.
CHRISTIAN MALCOLM
Born this day 1979 in Cardiff and brought up in Newport
Christian Malcolm, athlete who was 200 metre World Junior Champion in 1998 and World Junior Athlete of the Year in the same year.
On 2 June 1982, Pope John Paul II become the first reigning Pope to visit Wales.
The pontiff's message in Welsh of "Bendith Duw arnoch" - "the blessing of God be on you" - was received with enthusiastic applause from the crowds gathered in Pontcanna Fields, earlier in.the day he had been awarded the freedom of Cardiff,
On 2nd June 1869, the Mold Riots occurred
When John Young, the English manager of the Leeswood Green Colliery announced a pay cut and the banning of the use of the Welsh language underground, miners took him to the police station and all of his furniture to the railway station.
Seven miners were arrested and subsequently, Ismael Jones and John Jones, were sentenced to a month's hard labour. After hearing the verdict, a large crowd became incensed and began to through missiles at the soldiers escorting the convicted men to the railway station. The soldiers opened fire in retaliation and four of the crowd were killed.
The coroner's inquest into the deaths, which returned a verdict of "Justifiable Homicide" became a farce, as the coroner, who was partially deaf, had to use an ear trumpet to hear the evidence.
However, the tragedy forced the Authorities to rethink the way in which they dealt with public disorder in the future.
On this day 2002, the Llangernyw Yew was designated as one of 50 Great British Trees as part of the celebrations of the golden jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Llangernyw Yew resides in the churchyard of St. Dygain's Church in Llangernyw, Clwyd. It is over 4,000 years old, meaning it was planted sometime in the prehistoric Bronze Age — and it's still growing.
On 2nd June 1862, the Vale of Llangollen Railway Line opened to passengers, linking Llangollen to the rail network for the first time.
The Vale of Llangollen Railway was built as a spur from the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway at Ruabon to the town of Llangollen. It was initially opened for goods only on 1 December 1861 and to passenger traffic on 2 June 1862, and was worked by the Great Western Railway and subsequently the Western Region of British Railways. A portion of it survives as part of the heritage Llangollen Railway.
"The Merthyr Rising"
On 1st June 1831, the symbolic red flag was raised for the first time in the UK at "The Merthyr Rising".
The Merthyr Rising, started as a popular rebellion against unjust working and living conditions, but quickly rose into armed insurrection, which has been described as "the most ferocious and bloody event in the history of industrialized Britain."
The Great Depression of 1829 had led to massive unemployment and when Merthyr ironmaster William Crawshay lowered his employee's wages, the panic in the town, led to a series of local demonstrations. One led by Thomas Llewelyn, a Cyfartha miner, resulted in goal prisoners being released and another from Hirwaun marched on Merthyr, raiding property and shops to return previously confiscated goods to their owners.
In an attempt to restore order, Scots Highlanders from their Brecon Barracks were sent in and opened fire on a large crowd that had assembled outside the Castle Inn. Over two dozen of the crowd were killed and hundreds wounded. However 16 soldiers were also killed and the Highlanders were forced to retreat. The following day Swansea Yeomanry were sent in, but they were ambushed and disarmed.
It took a week for order to be restored to the area and the resulting punishment was severe, with Richard Lewis (Dic Penderyn), being hanged at Cardiff Gaol on the charge of wounding a soldier. It is recorded that his last words were "O Arglwydd, dyma gamwedd" (Oh Lord, what an injustice).
Born this day 1893 in Llanddulas, Denbighshire.
Lewis Valentine , politician, author, editor, Baptist pastor and Welsh language activist, who is best remembered for his involvement in the 1936 protest known as 'Tan yn Llyn' (Fire in Llyn)
The UK government had announced its intention to establish a military bombing school at Penyberth on the Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd. Despite bitter protestations locally and appeals to parliament, the construction went ahead. On September 8th 1936, the bombing school building was set on fire. Lewis Valentine, along with Saunders Lewis and D J Williams claimed responsibility.
At their trial, the accused men were sentenced to nine months imprisonment, but took full responsibility for the damage adding that in spite of thousands of protests that the placing of such an institution in Llyn would endanger the culture and traditions of one of the most Welsh regions in Wales, the English Government had refused even to receive a Welsh to talk over the matter. They went on to say that as lawful and peaceful methods had failed to secure for Wales even common courtesy at the hands of the Government of England, they felt compelled to draw attention to the immoral violation of the sure and natural rights of the Welsh nation.
On Monday 1st June 1857, the Crumlin Viaduct was officially opened.
Crumlin viaduct was hailed as 'one of the most significant examples of technological achievement during the Industrial Revolution'. It was the highest railway viaduct in Britain and only the Aqueduct of Spoleto in Italy and the Portage Timber Viaduct in the United States were higher anywhere else in the world.
However, as a result of the report by Dr Reginald Beeching, for British Railways in 1963, over 2,000 stations and a quarter of Britain's railway lines were closed. This included the Crumlin Viaduct, which carried its last passenger train on 13th June 1964. Interestingly, during its demolition, it was used as a location for the film 'Arabesque, starring Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren.
On 1st June 1939, the submarine HMS Thetis sank during trials in Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, with the loss of 99 men.
After the tragedy, she was salvaged and recommissioned as HMS Thunderbolt serving in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theatres until she was lost with all hands on 14 March 1943, making her one of the few military vessels that have been lost twice with her crew in their service history.
Born this day 1980 in Bridgend
Lee Byrne, Wales and Lions rugby international.
Born this day 1947 in Holywell, Flintshire
Jonathan Pryce, actor and singer.
After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1974, Pryce began a career in theatre, which resulted in an award-winning performance of Hamlet at the Royal Court Theatre. This led to him appearing in many supporting roles in film and television and he made his breakthrough screen leading role in Terry Gilliam's 1985 cult film Brazil. Known for his versatility, Pryce has also appeared in films such as Tomorrow Never Dies, Evita and Pirates of the Caribbean. His career in theatre has been just as prolific, with him winning two Tony Awards.
The Welsh claim to Manhattan
Robert Edwards (1716 - c.1788) was a Welsh buccaneer given 77 acres of largely unsettled Manhattan by Queen Anne of England for his services in disrupting Spanish sea lanes. On June 1st 1778. Edwards leased the land for 99 years to John and George Cruger on the agreement that the land and all improvements thereon were to revert to the descendants of Edwards and his siblings at the expiration of the lease on May 31st 1877. Apparently, this never happened and the land ended up in the hands of Trinity Church, of which the Crugers were wardens.
Subsequently, all attempts by Edward's heirs to file a claim to the land have proved fruitless, with the case eventually being defeated by the state's Statute of Limitations.
Born this day 1938 in Prestatyn.
John Prescott - Britain's longest serving Deputy Prime Minister, who is also remembered for his passion for Jaguars and the punch he threw at a farmer during an election campaign.
Born this day 1875 in Taibach
Daniel "Dan" Jones , Welsh international rugby union scrum-half who played club rugby for Aberavon. He is notable for being the first player to represent Aberavon at international level. Jones was a tinplate furnaceman by occupation and lived in Taibach all his life.
Born this day 1910 in Briton Ferry
Sir Francis Avery Jones - gastroenterologist.
After graduating in medicine from St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School, Jones specialised in gastroenterology and became a leading authority on the treatment of stomach and bowel ulceration. He was also the editor of the journal Gut, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and president of the Medical Society of London.
May 31st 1900, saw the installation of The Welsh Hospital at Springfontein, South Africa
The Welsh Hospital was a private initiative by Professor Alfred W Hughes and a team of surgeons, medical students, nurses and volunteers from Wales, that operated during the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902). The mobile hospital was employed initially treating the wounded at Springfontein but was later moved to Bloemfontein to help deal with a typhoid epidemic, which was wiping out the British troops.
On this day 1977, Wales defeated England at Wembley at soccer for the only time to date. The score was 1-0, with Leighton James scoring the goal from the penalty spot
The Welsh team that day was;
Dai Davies
Rod Thomas
Joey Jones
John Mahoney
Leighton Phillips
Ian Evans
Peter Sayer
Brian Flynn
Terry Yorath
Nick Deacy
Leighton James
Manager: Mike Smith
And the England team;
Peter Shilton (Stoke City); Phil Neal(Liverpool), Emlyn Hughes (Liverpool),Dave Watson (Man City), Mick Mills(Ipswich); Kevin Keegan (Liverpool, capt), Brian Greenhoff (Man Utd), Trevor Brooking (West Ham; sub: Dennis Tueart), Ray Kennedy (Liverpool); Mick Channon (Southampton), Stuart Pearson (Man Utd).
The Battle of Jutland, during World War I commenced on 31st May 1916 at which Vice Admiral Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas from the Llwynmadoc estate near Beulah, Powys distinguished himself and earned glowing tributes from Admiral John Jellicoe. Evan Thomas was subsequently knighted for his actions.
The Battle of Jutland is considered to be the main naval battle of World War One. Even though the British Navy lost considerably more men and ships than the German Navy and Admiral John Jellicoe's tactics received much criticism, it is considered as a British victory, as the German Navy was never in a position again to put to sea during the war and the British Navy remained a powerful fighting force.
In May 1949, Dylan and Caitlin Thomas settled at the Boat House in Laugharne.
Caitlin Thomas (8 December 1913 – 31 July 1994), née Macnamara, was the wife of Dylan Thomas. Their marriage was a stormy affair, fuelled by alcohol and infidelity, however, the couple remained together until Dylan's death in 1953.
Caitlin Macnamara was introduced to Dylan Thomas in a pub in London in 1936 by Augustus John. She and Dylan bonded immediately and that summer Dylan travelled to Laugharne, where Caitlin was staying with John at Castle House. By the end of 1936, Caitlin and Dylan had begun a relationship through correspondence and in April 1937 were living together in London, marrying on 11th July 1937 in Penzance, Cornwall.
They then travelled widely, spending time in Chelsea, Oxford, Ireland and Italy before eventually settling in Laugharne in 1938, firstly in a rented cottage, then in the 'Sea View' and finally the Boat House, which was purchased for them by Margaret Taylor, one of Dylan's benefactors.
Caitlin and Dylan had three children, Llewelyn Edouard, Aeronwy Thomas-Ellis and Colm Garan Hart.
On this day in 1929 Lady Megan Arfon Lloyd George (1902-1966) became the first female MP in Wales when she won Anglesey for the Liberals
Megan Lloyd George was not only the first female MP in Wales, she also remains the longest serving. As the daughter of the former Prime Minister and the dominant figure in Welsh politics, her selection to fight the then safe Liberal seat of Anglesey in 1929 was a matter of some controversy. Megan’s brother Gwilym was already an M.P and it seemed to some that David Lloyd George was intent on creating his own dynastic power base. Suggestions of nepotism faded as Megan began a parliamentary career that, despite a lengthy interruption in the 1950’s, would span thirty years. Although the declining fortunes of the Liberals would keep her out of high office- the last Liberal government was that of her father- she nevertheless became Deputy Leader of the party and a prominent political personality in her own right.
Welsh issues were never far from the top of her agenda. She was the founding president of the ‘Parliament for Wales’ campaign – an early attempt to secure devolved government. Later she was prominent in the Treweryn Defence Committee – the body formed to resist the controversial flooding of a village near Bala to provide water for English consumers. Such campaigns led to significant concessions to Welsh interests both in parliament and in the apparatus of government. In 1944, Megan Lloyd George opened the first ever ‘Welsh Day’ debate at Westminster. Later she was also prominent among those who pushed for the creation of the Welsh Office and the post of Secretary of State for Wales in the early 1960’s. By then however, she had changed political parties. Defeated on Anglesey by Cledwyn Hughes in 1951, she defected to the Labour cause soon afterwards – one of the several prominent figures to do so. She returned to parliament in 1957 after winning Carmarthen for Labour and remained an MP until her death nine years later.
Born this day 1912 in Marian Glas, Anglesey
Hugh Griffith , Oscar-winning actor for his role as Sheik Ilderim in Ben-Hur alongside Charlton Heston, Griffith is also fondly remembered by Welsh rugby fans for his role in television film comedy Grand Slam.
On 30th May 1842, John Francis, whose father was Welsh, made his second attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria.
The previous day, Victoria had been riding in a carriage along The Mall, London, when Francis aimed a pistol at her but did not fire. However the following day, as Victoria drove the same route Francis shot at her and was immediately seized by plain-clothes policemen. Francis was tried and convicted of high treason, with the expected death sentence commuted to transportation for life.
