Spent the Spring BH Weekend 2007 visiting a number of historic and ''sacred'' sites in the North East, this photos is of me standing by Eliseg's Pillar, near Llangollen. The reason I place it here is for a number of reasons in connection with the article below, in first instance to firmly draw your attention to a very ancient memorial which has true patriotic purpose. Eliseg's Pillar even after all these years provides us with a story to be proud of, and excites desire to seek out more information on, which you can on the web plus in my blog http://brwydr.blogspot.com However, it is crucial to note, that in the 17th century some pretty ''evil minded'' Welsh Puritans aka ''Taffyban'' attempted to destroy this pillar for reasons only their ''clouded christian'' minds might explain? Thankfully, these ''Puritan Philestines'' only half succeeded, but it kind of relates what you are about to read regards 21st century 'HERITAGE HOMICIDE' in Cymru/Wales. Yes! I should have had the Flag of Powys, not that of Gwynedd/Llywelyn III although a case could be made for useing the banner depicted..
The Murder of our Welsh Heritage should be a major issue in the public mind, but it is not even though it goes on unchecked in a number of supple ways. In the past I have lambasted Cadw as a major agent in this area but these days I would target in on BBC BRIT - WALES, for what should be obvious reasons but then when it comes to TV, our ''nationalist minds'' are deliberatly made to only be concerned about S4C and Cymraeg Broadcasting. Contraversial thing to say that? but needs to be said, and you ain't seen nothing yet as I am doing some serious diigging into Wales/Cymru Crach Ridden Media, not least in area of BBC Brit Wales/S4c, the conclusion of which will call for radical nationalist rethink and dare I say it - action in a campaign to get for Wales a proper National Television in the English as much as the Welsh language. If you have no idea what I am talking, then if you regard yourself as a ''Welsh Nationalist'', I suggest you open your eyes, think a little and wise up fast, even perhaps before you read what I have to say on this matter. However, to draw attention to something perhaps more obviously which seeks to contribute to ''HERITAGE HOMOCIDE'', read on:
.This article is about the so called Landmark Wales Initiative, of which you can read much about via search for that subject on the web, what prompts this article was a radio discussion on Radio BBC Wales on 21 May 2007. A Mr John Wake was speaking in defence of the LMWI, he it appears was also one of the judges on this scheme for ''Welsh claim'' to Lottery money and now appears to me, he is also its media spokesman. The more and more "Mr Wales Tourism" talked, the more I was reminded of comments he had made on the destruction of "Old Cardiff" by develolopers, this was written up by Reporter Aled Blake in the Western Mail, his full article may be found on the web too, but I quote below for the present reader to get a view of what Wake says on the committing of "heritage homicide" because he says is: "The nation's obsession with bulldozing the old and building new developments in our city centres, warned a tourism expert last night. John Wake, a tourism consultant who focuses his condemnation on the redevelopment of Cardiff's city centre, says not enough is being done to safeguard the past - a major draw for visitors.With the exception of Cardiff Castle, which enjoys special ancient monument protection, Mr Wake said that developers have for decades been too hasty in replacing old and unique Welsh buildings with new ones. He dubs the phenomenon "heritage homicide" and fears such destruction in the Welsh capital is caused by a way of operating that threatens all our town and city centres today.Without landmark, quirky, historical buildings which help give a community its character, the modern, sanitised result risks turning off tourists and losing them to other cities which have preserved their monuments. The eventual cost could be a loss of millions. (Aled Blake. Western Mail. 11 – 2 – 2006). Please Read That Quote Again Before Reading The Below:
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It appears to me that John Wake, is himself as one of those who out to redevelop Wales, and is quite happy to destroy our ‘Old Wales’ and it seems remake it in his awful misconceived image of "Tartan Taffery". J.W. now is also promoting the absolutely terrible examples of what he judges to be sculptures representing the 'New Welsh Identity'. J.W. makes much of "Cliché Cymru" but J.W. actually promotes a "Cliche Ridden Cymru" in his version of Wales, his business enterprizes website is full of examples of "Cliché Cymru", which I will draw further attention to below. Wakes Wales Tourism Ideal is also a Wales of King Arthur, his great passion in life, although later Welsh Princes who fought the Anglo – Normans never get a look in, in the Wales of John Wake. John "Mr Wales Tourism" Wake in reality does not have an original idea in his Ex-Coppers head when it comes to presenting a truer version of our Cymric Heritage; His ''Cilts Cymraeg Crap'' probably comes from an outing to Scotland as does his idea for a ''Dylan Night' to imate 'Burns Night'. Of course Mr John Wake is not the only one out to murder the Welsh Heritage, our so called BBC Wales is also equal to this wicked work as producers of ‘Life on Mars’, ‘Dr Who’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes’ etc but no Welsh Drama worth talking of. However, I will deal with this "Crachach Crowd" at a later date, first....
It appears to me that John Wake, is himself as one of those who out to redevelop Wales, and is quite happy to destroy our ‘Old Wales’ and it seems remake it in his awful misconceived image of "Tartan Taffery". J.W. now is also promoting the absolutely terrible examples of what he judges to be sculptures representing the 'New Welsh Identity'. J.W. makes much of "Cliché Cymru" but J.W. actually promotes a "Cliche Ridden Cymru" in his version of Wales, his business enterprizes website is full of examples of "Cliché Cymru", which I will draw further attention to below. Wakes Wales Tourism Ideal is also a Wales of King Arthur, his great passion in life, although later Welsh Princes who fought the Anglo – Normans never get a look in, in the Wales of John Wake. John "Mr Wales Tourism" Wake in reality does not have an original idea in his Ex-Coppers head when it comes to presenting a truer version of our Cymric Heritage; His ''Cilts Cymraeg Crap'' probably comes from an outing to Scotland as does his idea for a ''Dylan Night' to imate 'Burns Night'. Of course Mr John Wake is not the only one out to murder the Welsh Heritage, our so called BBC Wales is also equal to this wicked work as producers of ‘Life on Mars’, ‘Dr Who’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes’ etc but no Welsh Drama worth talking of. However, I will deal with this "Crachach Crowd" at a later date, first....
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The Landmark Wales Project.
The Landmark Wales Project.
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First you need to take a look at all the Information on the web concerning this ''King With No Clothes'' - Lottery Heritage Grant - ''Rip Off'', and ask yourself a lot of questions, but first and foremost question the wisdom, perhaps of your local authority becoming involved in this ''GRAB A GRANT SCHEME'' (I shall return to this matter at conclusion of statement). Please do not regard this as a matter undeserving of your most fullest attention, as if this nonsense goes ahead, it will just show the world that indeed our country is in need of a full mental check up, we know physically Wales is in a bad way but after hearing John Wake, the self style ''Mr Wales Tourism Guru'' on Radio BBC Wales today (21 May 2007) speak as one of those involved in this scheme as selection judge and obviously now media promoter (Paid? indeed we might all want to know up front, if anyone and who are getting consultancy fees or whatever out of this?), make the following ''asinine'' comments:
First you need to take a look at all the Information on the web concerning this ''King With No Clothes'' - Lottery Heritage Grant - ''Rip Off'', and ask yourself a lot of questions, but first and foremost question the wisdom, perhaps of your local authority becoming involved in this ''GRAB A GRANT SCHEME'' (I shall return to this matter at conclusion of statement). Please do not regard this as a matter undeserving of your most fullest attention, as if this nonsense goes ahead, it will just show the world that indeed our country is in need of a full mental check up, we know physically Wales is in a bad way but after hearing John Wake, the self style ''Mr Wales Tourism Guru'' on Radio BBC Wales today (21 May 2007) speak as one of those involved in this scheme as selection judge and obviously now media promoter (Paid? indeed we might all want to know up front, if anyone and who are getting consultancy fees or whatever out of this?), make the following ''asinine'' comments:
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On anything that may have had an obvious Welsh Connection, he expressed relief that there was none of that? Cliché Cymru ridden nonsense. This comes from a man who gave Wales the ''Cliché Ridden'' stupid idea of a so called ''Cilt Cymraeg'' first launched on poor Cymru thru his Tartan Shop Enterprise, though now under other ownership. It is worth noting that J.W .went on to say that the ''Little Mermaid'' wonderfully represented Denmark, but obviously similar Welsh subjects were just contemptuously disparaged, some one tell him that the ''Little Mermaid'' has a real traditional Danish connection which is more than the ''Flying Red Duck Men'' have? These are planned to welcome people to Wales in the South, but the already ''Iconic'' Severn Bridges does that but has here the great River Severn is involved, would not a great statue of the river goddess Hafren/Sabrina (great stuff on web). This brings me to the ''POSTCARD'' selected as the ''Installation'' associated with the River Dee in North Wales, as some one as pointed out, people are driving into most beautiful parts of Wales, what do they need this postcard Installation for? Why not a great statue of the river Goddess AREFEN associated with the River Dee, that's two female statues, so for Holy Head, well J.W. is trying to ''sell us'' the idea that the ''installations'' selected for here are representations of the Islands 'MAENHIR', do the Welsh have ''Stupid'' written on their foreheads or what? These ''installations'' are three pillars/needles and look nothing like MAENHIR. So sticking with the female theme, why not a great statue of Santes Dwynwen, or even the Celtic Knot idea may have been ok, or maybe some thing along lines of ''HANDS OF CELTIC FREINDSHIP'' .
On anything that may have had an obvious Welsh Connection, he expressed relief that there was none of that? Cliché Cymru ridden nonsense. This comes from a man who gave Wales the ''Cliché Ridden'' stupid idea of a so called ''Cilt Cymraeg'' first launched on poor Cymru thru his Tartan Shop Enterprise, though now under other ownership. It is worth noting that J.W .went on to say that the ''Little Mermaid'' wonderfully represented Denmark, but obviously similar Welsh subjects were just contemptuously disparaged, some one tell him that the ''Little Mermaid'' has a real traditional Danish connection which is more than the ''Flying Red Duck Men'' have? These are planned to welcome people to Wales in the South, but the already ''Iconic'' Severn Bridges does that but has here the great River Severn is involved, would not a great statue of the river goddess Hafren/Sabrina (great stuff on web). This brings me to the ''POSTCARD'' selected as the ''Installation'' associated with the River Dee in North Wales, as some one as pointed out, people are driving into most beautiful parts of Wales, what do they need this postcard Installation for? Why not a great statue of the river Goddess AREFEN associated with the River Dee, that's two female statues, so for Holy Head, well J.W. is trying to ''sell us'' the idea that the ''installations'' selected for here are representations of the Islands 'MAENHIR', do the Welsh have ''Stupid'' written on their foreheads or what? These ''installations'' are three pillars/needles and look nothing like MAENHIR. So sticking with the female theme, why not a great statue of Santes Dwynwen, or even the Celtic Knot idea may have been ok, or maybe some thing along lines of ''HANDS OF CELTIC FREINDSHIP'' .
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On the Red Dragon, he is really disparaging and say's the world considers it to be Chinese, thus it is of little use in the tourism promotion of Wales across the world. Where is J.W. coming from? but of course John Wake is a leading figure who seeks to advance and promote the 'Cross of Saint David' as the main flag of Wales (see Flags of the World web site, re J.W. and Saint Davids Flag promotion) and the Welsh Christian Party, Cambria Magazine, Wales Heritage Campaign and the British National Party. I must admit my position on this, I would be quite happy to see the Red Dragon replaced with the Golden Dragon and Four lions of Owain Glyndwr but I doubt if I would be as stupid as J.W. to say the World hardly knows about the RED DRAGON OF WALES, is he serious? Wonder what is stand is on those 'Three Feathers' and Investitures of English Princes of Wales, I have heard him say on Radio before that he thinks Caernarfon Castle is a wonderful icon to represent Wales.?' that just about sums up Wake.
On the Red Dragon, he is really disparaging and say's the world considers it to be Chinese, thus it is of little use in the tourism promotion of Wales across the world. Where is J.W. coming from? but of course John Wake is a leading figure who seeks to advance and promote the 'Cross of Saint David' as the main flag of Wales (see Flags of the World web site, re J.W. and Saint Davids Flag promotion) and the Welsh Christian Party, Cambria Magazine, Wales Heritage Campaign and the British National Party. I must admit my position on this, I would be quite happy to see the Red Dragon replaced with the Golden Dragon and Four lions of Owain Glyndwr but I doubt if I would be as stupid as J.W. to say the World hardly knows about the RED DRAGON OF WALES, is he serious? Wonder what is stand is on those 'Three Feathers' and Investitures of English Princes of Wales, I have heard him say on Radio before that he thinks Caernarfon Castle is a wonderful icon to represent Wales.?' that just about sums up Wake.
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John Wake, is an huge ''Arthurian Enthusiast'', and his web references mentions Arthur a lot, but note not Owain Glyndwr or any other Welsh Prince who just happened to fight the Anglo - Normans, that must tell us a lot about J.W. which along with all else as ''Tartan Taffery'' etc makes it obvious J.W. is more than just a bit of a ''CAMBRIAN BRIT''. What is interesting that J.W. has not been cheeky enough to foist his own personal ''hobby horse'' huge sculpture project of 'EXCALIBUR RISING OUT OF CARDIFF BAY' as a Landmark Wales ''Installation'' , surely this must tell us a great deal about where J.W. gets his tourism ideas from, the movies perhaps? He is certainly not inspired or motivated by any real concept of true Cymric Consciousness and Identity, and isn’t that a fact. This John Wake actually tours the World speaking on Wales, Welsh History and Tourism, do go see is presence on the web, it is perhaps convenient for J.W. to forget that he actually promotes a version of Wales, full of what some may say are worn out ''Clichés Cymru'' as those who left Wales, as Shirley Bassy, Anthony Hopkins and Dylan Thomas et al, but I will not get as silly as J.W. and start throwing out babies with the bathwater. At end of the day J.W. is but symptomatic of the new Anti - Cymreictod that as arisen in Wales as promoted politically by the likes of Dafydd Elis Thomas and co, not least the BBC WALES ESTABLISHMENT, and I repeat, producers of Life on Mars, Dr Who, Sherlock Holmes etc etc etc. Hardly anything of great Welsh Dramatic content there, is there? And no one complains much about that fact either? Nor that S4C/BBC Wales conspires once more to shove C4's BIG BROTHER DOWN THE WELSH THROAT, Why? Think About it?
John Wake, is an huge ''Arthurian Enthusiast'', and his web references mentions Arthur a lot, but note not Owain Glyndwr or any other Welsh Prince who just happened to fight the Anglo - Normans, that must tell us a lot about J.W. which along with all else as ''Tartan Taffery'' etc makes it obvious J.W. is more than just a bit of a ''CAMBRIAN BRIT''. What is interesting that J.W. has not been cheeky enough to foist his own personal ''hobby horse'' huge sculpture project of 'EXCALIBUR RISING OUT OF CARDIFF BAY' as a Landmark Wales ''Installation'' , surely this must tell us a great deal about where J.W. gets his tourism ideas from, the movies perhaps? He is certainly not inspired or motivated by any real concept of true Cymric Consciousness and Identity, and isn’t that a fact. This John Wake actually tours the World speaking on Wales, Welsh History and Tourism, do go see is presence on the web, it is perhaps convenient for J.W. to forget that he actually promotes a version of Wales, full of what some may say are worn out ''Clichés Cymru'' as those who left Wales, as Shirley Bassy, Anthony Hopkins and Dylan Thomas et al, but I will not get as silly as J.W. and start throwing out babies with the bathwater. At end of the day J.W. is but symptomatic of the new Anti - Cymreictod that as arisen in Wales as promoted politically by the likes of Dafydd Elis Thomas and co, not least the BBC WALES ESTABLISHMENT, and I repeat, producers of Life on Mars, Dr Who, Sherlock Holmes etc etc etc. Hardly anything of great Welsh Dramatic content there, is there? And no one complains much about that fact either? Nor that S4C/BBC Wales conspires once more to shove C4's BIG BROTHER DOWN THE WELSH THROAT, Why? Think About it?
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The Big Pitch: This J.W, constantly repeats the ''mantra'' that he was at a meeting in New York at which of 500 people present, not one had heard of Wales, and no? I do not believe that, do you? whatever, the point is how does J.W. come to believe that these three monstrosities he is promoting will somehow promote Wales around the World, C'mon J.W. stop trying to B*** S**** us into falling for your C**P! This is ''Valley Wood'', National Botanic Garden, Legend Court, all over again, it really is time to stop being the victim of Colonial Cultural Carpet Baggers'. SPEAK UP - DO NOT BE SILENT BUT SHOUT OUT YOUR PROTESTS AND ACT ON IT!
.The Big Pitch: This J.W, constantly repeats the ''mantra'' that he was at a meeting in New York at which of 500 people present, not one had heard of Wales, and no? I do not believe that, do you? whatever, the point is how does J.W. come to believe that these three monstrosities he is promoting will somehow promote Wales around the World, C'mon J.W. stop trying to B*** S**** us into falling for your C**P! This is ''Valley Wood'', National Botanic Garden, Legend Court, all over again, it really is time to stop being the victim of Colonial Cultural Carpet Baggers'. SPEAK UP - DO NOT BE SILENT BUT SHOUT OUT YOUR PROTESTS AND ACT ON IT!
Footnotes: Op
posing J.W. on Radio discussion today was sculpture David Petersen, whose own project was not selected, that aside D.P. generally put up good arguments but could have got a bit more stuck in, especially when Caernarfon Castle came up, but no? All a bit of a ''Taff Laff'' really, as David Petersen, is of course an huge ''TARTAN TAFF'' and was more than likely one of the first customers of J.W's TARTAN TAFF CENTRE, in CAERDYDD. May we suggest to D.P. that he now burns his T.T.CILT in protest? Meanwhile we call upon all true Welsh Patriots to make their protest objections known to their political representatives at national and local level, also to all media and not least to the Lottery Heritage Fund, threatening a boycott campaign against the Lottery if they give money to this rubbish. We already have windmills blighting the land; please let us not have much more of the same. PROTEST NOW OK!
posing J.W. on Radio discussion today was sculpture David Petersen, whose own project was not selected, that aside D.P. generally put up good arguments but could have got a bit more stuck in, especially when Caernarfon Castle came up, but no? All a bit of a ''Taff Laff'' really, as David Petersen, is of course an huge ''TARTAN TAFF'' and was more than likely one of the first customers of J.W's TARTAN TAFF CENTRE, in CAERDYDD. May we suggest to D.P. that he now burns his T.T.CILT in protest? Meanwhile we call upon all true Welsh Patriots to make their protest objections known to their political representatives at national and local level, also to all media and not least to the Lottery Heritage Fund, threatening a boycott campaign against the Lottery if they give money to this rubbish. We already have windmills blighting the land; please let us not have much more of the same. PROTEST NOW OK! .
Footnotes Continued: Merthyr Tudful council is involved in promotion of Landmark Wales Initiative, do not know if they have spent money on this but if they have, foolish!!! would not their support and money be better spent on a rememberance memorial sculpture at site of the 3 June 1831 'Bloody Friday' massacre at the Castle Inn in their town. Photo here one may call "Barricades Up" for the 175th commemoration of the Merthyr Rising, but actually some pavement repair work was going on. However, convienient to tie 'Bara Neu Waed' Banner to, whilst the bollard was handy for our own "Bloody Friday'' Rememberance Installion of; Red Flag, Loaf and flowers. For further Information go visit http://redremembrancer.blogspot.com. Please if in Merthyr Tudful on or around 3 June please place your floral rememberance tributes at PLAS 3 MEHEFIN 1831, located near site of the Old Castle Cinema, not far from Weatherspoons Pub. Please also write to Merthyr Council campaigning for aforementioned 1831 memorial sculpture. In this connection check out via web, the Sharpes Rebellion 1831 Memorial Sculptures in Jamaica, excellent sculpture group of Sharp and his supporters, so why not same for Lewis Lewis and his supporters in Merthyr Tudful of 1831, are they any less deserving? What is it with Wales? Our heroes forgotten but we get daft red flying plastic ''Red Devils'', did the idea actually come from the Ben Affleck film 'DAREDEVIL', check it out and you will see why? Like I said do we have S.T.U.P.I.D. written on our foreheads? IF THESE PROJECTS GO AHEAD - THEN LETS GET 'STUPID TATTOO' ON OUR FOREHEADS, might as well advertize the fact some more, or perhaps "Gutless" a better alternative?
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Gethin Gruffydd.
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