DAFYDD WIGLEY: 'CAUTION REQUIRES A FRACKING MORATORIUM'

The dangers - at both a global and local level - associated with fracking for gas should trigger a precautionary principle and both exploration and exploitation should be “put on hold” until much more is known about the threats such technology poses...

Dafydd Wigley (front, right) with local UK parliamentary candidate Ben Foday (front, second from left) and local Plaid Cymru activists.

This was the theme of a keynote speech by former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley at a public meeting in Penarth. He has pressed in the House of Lords for the National Assembly to be empowered to impose a moratorium on fracking in Wales, as is being granted to Scotland’s Parliament.

“In global terms, we should be moving away from carbon-based sources of energy and put far more effort into renewables, such as the excellent Swansea Bay lagoon scheme,” said Lord Wigley. “In local terms, I am really worried about using fracking technology in areas which have resident populations who could be adversely affected by the dangers of fracking poisoning water supplies.”

Lord Wigley drew attention to the fact that each fracking “job” requires between a million and eight million gallons of water and the use of up to 40,000 gallons of chemicals; that there are 600 different such chemicals which have been used in America, some of which are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and others toxic.

He quoted one survey of a hundred water wells in Texas which showed that at a distance of two miles from the well, over 30% had arsenic levels in the water which were above the safety limit. A rig “blow-out” in Organ County, Texas last May caused the spillage of 184 barrels of toxic fluid. In Pennsylvania last year, a spill of a quarter of a million gallons of toxic fluid led to local families being evacuated from their homes and to one company being heavily fined.

“It is because this technology has not been proven safe that towns like Denton in Texas voted in a referendum last autumn to ban fracking, as did the State of Vermont in 2012,” he said. “Both Holland and Germany have implemented a moratorium on fracking and France has banned the technology. In these circumstances, we should have the power in the National Assembly for Wales to apply a similar moratorium without delay so that the communities threatened with fracking don’t find this being imposed on them without the dangers being known and so that the companies considering fracking are duly warned that they won’t have any automatic green light to wreak environmental and human havoc in Wales for their own greedy purposes.”

Dafydd Wigley added that the Assembly was closer to the people of Wales than is Whitehall and Westminster and that an indicative resolution in the Assembly last month had shown AMs on a cross-party basis supported a moratorium.

He warned, however, that until new powers are devolved to the Assembly, they won’t have the authority to implement a moratorium and that implementing a new Government of Wale Bill after the General Election will depend on UK parties being forced, by voters in Wales – as is happening in Scotland – to be forced to show a greater commitment to Wales than has been the case up to now.

Dafydd Wigley and Ben Foday with Penarth's 2016 National Assembly candidate, Dafydd Trystan (left)

The meeting was also addressed by Ben Foday, the Party of Wales/Plaid Cymru candidate for the Westminster election, who said that environmental issues were one of his key priorities.

He called for natural resources in Wales to be brought under Welsh control so that decisions could be made in future by the people who live in Wales and who have the interests of Wales at heart.

The meeting also heard from Coun Ian Johnson, the party’s candidate for the Vale of Glamorgan, who has been actively campaigning against fracking in his constituency.

The speeches were followed by a wide-ranging discussion with topics including the challenges of climate change and the need to develop a suitable energy mix.

Plaid Cymru’s Adrian Roper, who chairs its Penarth Branch, welcomed the speakers and members of the audience to the meeting, which was chaired by Dafydd Trystan Davies, the National Chair of the party and its candidate for Cardiff South and Penarth in the Assembly elections next year.

FRACKING DANGER: PENARTH PUBLIC MEETING

One of Wales’ most respected politicians will be addressing a public meeting in Penarth this week to warn to the dangers of fracking and to give an update on the measures being taken to stop it here in Wales...

Dafydd Wigley

Plaid Cymru’s Dafydd Wigley, who is a former MP, Assembly Member and member of the House of Lords, will be addressing the meeting at the Windsor Arms on Friday (March 13) at 7.30pm.

The Party of Wales has been leading the campaign against fracking in Wales and has secured a commitment from the Welsh Government to do all it can to stop it.

Plaid MPs have also campaigned on the issue, and the Westminster Government has said it will devolve to enable the Welsh Government to impose a moratorium on fracking.

The issue is of particular concern in the Vale of Glamorgan, where planning permission has already been given for test drilling at three sites.

Dafydd Wigley said: “The fact that we will be getting control over fracking in Wales is a direct result of the lead taken by Plaid Cymru, both at Westminster and at the National Assembly.

“We will now have the powers to for a total moratorium on fracking in Wales, but we must ensure this is delivered quickly so that no permissions are given before it’s in place.”

Friday’s meeting will be hosted by Party of Wales Cardiff South and Penarth parliamentary candidate, Ben Foday.

“We oppose fracking because of the danger it poses to the environment, water and health,” he said.

“Plaid Cymru has led the debate in the Assembly and Westminster to prevent fracking in the Vale and the rest of Wales.

“I know people locally have strong feelings about fracking. Everyone is welcome to come to this meeting to debate the issue and discuss what can be done to stop it happening here in the Vale.”

PLAID CALLS FOR THE RE-OPENING OF PENARTH LINE PLATFORM AT COGAN

Plaid Cymru Penarth is calling for a new railway halt at Cogan to serve passengers travelling between Penarth and Cardiff.

The old Cogan Station on the Penarth-Cardiff route was closed in 1968 when the Penarth line was reduced to a single track following the infamous Beeching Axe.

At that time, the area around the old Penarth Docks was marred by decline and dereliction. Since the 1980s however, the area has experienced huge regeneration with the construction of Penarth Marina and the International Sports Village which is linked to Cogan by the pedestrian bridge, Pont y Werin.

Plaid Penarth's David Wilton at the site of the proposed halt 

Penarth’s largest supermarket, Tesco, and Penarth Leisure Centre are also in the immediate area.

Pressure on the existing Cogan Station, which serves the Barry line, is set to increase with plans for nearly 900 new homes at the Cardiff Pointe (sic) development, near the Sports Village.

The only trains to stop at Cogan currently are trains on the line between Barry and Cardiff.

With the regeneration of the Barry Docks and Council plans to allow new housing estates on the Vale’s green fields, trains from Barry may in future be too full to pick up passengers at Cogan during peak times.

A reinstated platform on the Penarth line would not just improve the connection between Penarth and Cardiff but also enable travellers to transfer from the Penarth line to the line for Barry, Bridgend and the Airport.

Plaid Cymru local campaigner Dave Wilton said: “Windsor Road through Cogan currently forms a notorious congestion and pollution blackspot, and all options must be considered to provide alternative modes of transport in and out of Penarth.

“We believe that the reopening of a platform would greatly reduce this congestion and pollution, and our proposal forms a key part of our vision for sustainable transport in a rapidly developing Penarth.

“This would not only increase the availability of trains for Cogan residents but also provide the pleasant option of travelling on the under-capacity Penarth line, compared to the ‘sardines in a tin’ option each day on the Barry-Cardiff line at peak times. And it is sometimes impossible to get on at Cogan at all because of overcrowding."

“With more commuters from the Cogan area using the Penarth line, there would be less crowded and more comfortable journeys for those travelling on the Barry line.”

Mr Wilton said it was a practical suggestion as there was room for a new platform.

“We are not calling for the old station to be reopened,” he said. “The attractive Victorian station buildings still exist, but are now in private business use."

“These buildings aren’t required for a single-platform unstaffed halt similar to the halt at Dingle Road."

“A survey by a railway engineer is needed to investigate options, such as siting a platform on the land behind the old station building or on the Tesco side of the track."

“Another option for surveyors to consider is widening or extending the triangular wedge of land between the Barry and Penarth lines. Access to the new platform and the ease of changing to the Barry line is the key to success.”  

EUROPEAN FUNDING SHOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE INTO WORK

A call for money from the European Union to be used to help unemployed youngsters find work or an apprenticeship has come from one of the candidates representing Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales.

Addressing a meeting of party members and supporters in Penarth, Ioan Bellin said the Welsh Government should make a legally binding commitment for all young people who have been unemployed for four months to be offered a job, training or further education, funded through the European Social Fund.

Ioan Bellin (centre) with Penarth's UK Parliament and National Assembly candidates Ben Foday (left) and Dafydd Trystan Davies

“Long-term unemployment has rocketed since the current Labour Government took control in Cardiff Bay,” said Mr Bellin. “The number of young people claiming job seekers allowance for more than a year has more than quadrupled.

“Solving this crisis is vital, and it’s high time the Welsh Government followed the lead of Plaid’s Euro-MP Jill Evans, who has been campaigning for European support to reduce youth unemployment and help our young people become a skilled workforce.”

Mr Bellin also called for a change in European rules and a cut in red tape so that more Welsh contracts could go to Welsh businesses.

Such a move, he said, could create an estimated 46,000 new jobs in Wales.

He said that Plaid’s campaign for the European elections included support for a living wage both at home and in the rest of Europe, a new Welsh transport plan and guaranteed jobs, education or training for under 25s.

It was vital, he said, for Jill Evans, Plaid’s Member of the European Parliament, to be re-elected so that she can continue to be able to speak up for Wales.

Mr Bellin was welcomed to the meeting by the Chairman of Plaid Penarth, Adrian Roper. He was thanked by the party’s national Chairman, Dafydd Trystan Davies, who emphasised how important it was for Plaid to retain its seat at the European Parliament.

Mr Bellin also made reference to the unique place Penarth holds in the history of Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales, as the first meeting of the group which led to the foundation of the party was held in the town at Bedwas Place 90 years ago.

PLAID CYMRU WARNS OF FRACKING THREAT TO PENARTH

Penarth could be just months away from the start of exploratory drilling in preparation for fracking...  

That's the chilling prospect facing our community if UK Government plans to auction Penarth's geological sub-strata to the highest bidder go ahead, as expected, later this year.

Penarth under threat from hydraulic fracturing

The warning comes from Plaid Cymru Penarth and our UK Parliament and National Assembly candidates, Ben Foday and Dafydd Trystan Davies. 

Mr Foday said: "Fracking has been proved to cause environmental problems, including the release of climate-changing gases, air quality problems, water pollution and large numbers of lorry movements. Health concerns have recently been raised by the Medical Journal of Australia, including bringing radioactivity and heavy metals to the surface from deep underground through fracking, and respiratory problems resulting from air pollution. Fracking is also implicated in falling house prices, with some insurers in the US now refusing to cover fracking-related damages."

Communities across our country are uniting against fracking (image: Frack Free Wales) 

The UK Conservative-Lib Dem coalition has provided a series of increasingly generous tax breaks to shale gas companies in their unseemly rush to drill for gas. Conservative Chancellor George Osborne described his July 2013 tax breaks as the "most generous tax breaks in the world". The Labour Welsh Government is also known to be in favour of this controversial technique, which could take place in areas housing more than half of the population of Wales, with their most senior energy advisor stating they have a "strong interest" in fracking. 

The Welsh Government controls planning for onshore oil and gas, and could put in place a moratorium while it assesses the environmental and health impacts. The Republic of Ireland has just such a moratorium in place for the next two years. However, the Labour Welsh Government once again has shown it has no original opinions and appears to be keen to follow the Tories in London. 

The only party willing to stand up for the communities facing this threat is Plaid Cymru, the Party of Wales. 

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood, who is an Assembly Member for South Wales Central, which includes Penarth, said recently: "While the technology is untested and the harm to the environment is unknown, we cannot allow any part of our land to be fracked beneath our feet."

Ben Foday (left) and Dafydd Trystan Davies: Standing up for Penarth 

Dr Davies warned: "More than half of the Vale of Glamorgan is licensed for fracking, with three exploratory drilling licences already in the hands of fracking companies. The remainder of the Vale, including the whole of Penarth, Sully and Llandough, will be covered by licences due to be auctioned later this year. It's worth bearing in mind that companies will drill horizontally in order to frack, and that they can drill for distances of a mile or more horizontally. Fracking could end up taking place anywhere in Penarth, although it will be deep underground." 

"For the sake of the future generations in Penarth, for the old and infirm who would be most seriously affected by air and water pollution, and for a clean, green future powered by renewable energy, Plaid Penarth has called on the Welsh Government to stand up for the people of Wales and use its authority to implement a moratorium on fracking in Wales until we know the risks can be adequately managed."    

MAKE YOUR POUND A PENARTH POUND

Every pound spent in our local shops is worth twice as much to the Penarth economy than one spent in the supermarket, writes National Assembly candidate for Cardiff South and Penarth, Dafydd Trystan Davies...

Dr Dafydd Trystan Davies

My first experience of Penarth was a rather painful one. Rather foolishly a few years ago I signed up to run the Snowdonia mountain marathon and, living across the Bay, the hills of Penarth seemed very inviting (from afar!). Many hours of slowly trudging up and down the hill from the Bay to the centre of Penarth and, once I’d got a little more adventurous, down to the Pier too, I was ready for Snowdonia! But I’d also come to appreciate the wide range of independent shops in the town centre.

More recently, my Dad moved to Penarth, so the rather breathless window shopping when out running has turned into actual shopping and quite a few coffees and cakes at Foxy’s Deli! Foxy’s is a particular treat as a group of us - weather and light permitting - go for a short bike ride on Wednesday mornings, with a coffee and cake afterwards at Foxy’s most definitely the highlight of the ride!

Power is in your pocket

Shopping locally in Penarth is a pleasure but also really important to the wider economic success of the area. Though the economy of Penarth is certainly more robust than some other towns, the more that can be done to encourage people to do more shopping locally to help maintain vibrant high streets the better.

There’s a splendid book shop, Windsor Books, with a good range of books and greetings cards in English and Welsh. Pencerdd has a great variety of musical instruments for sale, though, thankfully for the musically inclined, my violin playing days are long over! Foxy’s Deli has an enviable display of ‘goodies’ and you don’t have to cycle up the hill from the barrage to earn a coffee and cake there! These local businesses deserve our support.

I am, as you’ve probably gathered by now, a keen cyclist and chair the social enterprise, Cycle Training Wales, which offers a wide range of cycle training bike maintenance courses and bike recycling. So I am naturally pleased that Penarth has the Bike Shop selling and repairing bikes in the centre of town. If you’re after a new bike then the Bike Shop is the place to go, while Cycle Training Wales’ Cardiff Cycle Workshop at Ely Bridge offers recycled bikes in monthly sales.

There are of course many more local traders in and around Penarth and I’m pleased that they have got together to produce a loyalty card to support local, independent traders and give offers and discounts to customers. The card is an initiative of Gwyrddio Penarth Greening and, as a keen environmentalist, I think this is just the sort of scheme needed to help our town centres.

Shop in Penarth, an initiative of Gwyrddio Penarth Greening

I wonder how many Penarth residents have this card and, while it may not have been a New Year’s resolution, how about making a St David’s Day resolution to shop more locally? 

Money spent in independent shops on the high street is money that stays locally, and it has been estimated that every £1 spent locally puts twice as much money back into the local economy as £1 spent in a supermarket. Local shops employ local people, are supplied by local businesses and create more jobs with their profits kept in the local community.

Wales has a strong tradition of food producers and craft businesses, and buying locally is the perfect opportunity to support them.

Just some of the mouth-watering Welsh produce available at Foxy's (Image: Penarth View)

But there is only so much individuals can do. There is also, in my view a responsibility on public bodies to choose local suppliers wherever possible. In Plaid Cymru, for whom I have been selected to stand in the next Assembly elections, we have been campaigning for some time on public procurement.

Currently, about 50 per cent of goods and services purchased by the Welsh public sector come from Welsh-based suppliers and I’d very much like to see this increased to 75 per cent to provide even more support for local businesses and local jobs. It’s been estimated that current public sector purchases account for nearly 100,000 jobs in Wales and an increase to 75 per cent would mean more than 45,000 extra jobs.

We have the opportunity to support our local traders in Penarth, to boost the economy and to encourage our councils and public bodies to do more to source their goods locally. We all have a part to play in this and, while you may not want to join me in running up and down the hills of Penarth (why not – it’s great fun!), I hope you will join me in continuing to support our local traders.

Top 10 Facts about shopping locally

TRIBUTES PAID TO PENARTH DIPLOMAT WHO FORGED LINKS BETWEEN WALES AND LITHUANIA

Anthony Packer (Image: Wales Online)

Tributes have been paid to a long-standing Plaid Cymru member, who was the Honorary Consul for Lithuania in Wales.

Anthony Packer, of Salisbury Avenue, Penarth, died at the age of 74 after battling prostate cancer at the Cardiff and Vale Marie Curie Hospice.

A man of many academic achievements, a loving family man and an entertaining raconteur, he had a host of friends and touched many lives. He was gregarious, happy to engage anyone in conversation and happy to argue that ‘black was blue’ - with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. One of his major achievements was to build links between Wales and Lithuania, helping to create an international identity for Wales in Europe.

He believed he could advance the cause of Wales by pursuing recognition of the nation, its language, culture and qualities and as a place in which to do business at an international level.

In particular, he sought to develop close links between Wales and the Baltic States, and he was one of the founding members of the Baltic Society in Wales in 1991.

Six weeks before Lithuania’s unilateral declaration of independence, he led a delegation to the country (repeated in 1993) to help the authorities de-Sovietise the country’s education system and other institutions.

Though the country was still under the control of Moscow, he visited the headquarters of Sajudis, the movement for an independent Lithuania, with a message of support from Plaid Cymru. It was a simple note of democratic regard and support for the movement’s objectives, and was the first such message to come from any British political party.

It was this act of disobedience that led to his initial acquaintance and subsequent friendship with Vytautas Landsbergis, the first President of an independent Lithuania.

During his time as Honorary Consul, he forged strong links between universities in Wales and Lithuania as well as organising the visit of Vytautas Landsbergis, the first post-Soviet President of independent Lithuania, to Wales.

He persuaded Landsbergis to publish his memoirs, helping to translate, edit and publish them, and was recently presented with the Order of the Diplomatic Star, the highest distinction in the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service, in recognition of his work.

Presentation of the Order of the Diplomatic Star in January (Image: Penarth Times)

Anthony Packer was born in Caerleon in 1939 and raised in Hengoed. He was educated at grammar schools in Pengam and Barry and studied at the University of Wales College, Cardiff (History), Cuddesdon College, Oxford (Theology), the London School of Economics (Social Administration) and the University of Liverpool (Psychiatric Social Work).

He began his career in London as a teacher before beginning work as a psychiatric social worker in local hospitals.

He later became the Chief Administrator for the Family Welfare Association and Chief Trainer for child counselling at the world renowned Tavistock Clinic in London.

Wanting to return to Wales with his wife, Ann, and his three children (later to become four), he took up a lectureship at Cardiff University. He initially split his time between the Department of Social Work and the Department of Education before moving on a full-time basis to the Department of Education from 1984 through to his retirement in 2001.

He taught himself Welsh and helped to advance its use in education and social work throughout Wales.

He was for four years the joint editor of the academic periodical, The Welsh Journal of Education, and for two years the chairman of the Department of Economics and Sociology of the Welsh Guild of Graduates.

Anthony served as the Treasurer of the International Round Table for the Advancement of Counselling (IAC-IRTAC) from 1983 to 1992.

He was also a trustee of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs and the Treasurer and Deputy Chairman of the United Nations Association in Wales.

He also represented the Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff on the steering committee of the UK 3 Faiths Forum.

As President of the Consular Association for Wales and its Secretary for six years, he presided over its significant expansion and the advancement of its aims towards the active promotion of business and cultural links between Wales and the countries represented by its 29 members.

Anthony Packer is survived by his wife Ann, his mother, Gleeda, children Rhiannon, David, Cerian and Tomos, daughters-in-law Frida and Sasha, sons-in-law Tony and Geraint, and grandchildren Kajsa, Oliver, Tomos, Elis, Alys, Annest, William and Steffan.

PENARTH'S SECRET ROLE IN WELSH HISTORY

An event to commemorate the 90^th anniversary of the first meeting of Y Mudiad Cymreig/The Welsh Movement, which led to the formation of Plaid Cymru the following year, is being held in Penarth in January.

The historic meeting was held at 11 Bedwas Place in Penarth on the evening of January 7, 1924, and the commemorative event is being held at the Windsor Arms on Tuesday, January 7 (7.30pm).

It is being organised jointly by the Plaid Cymru History Society and the Penarth Branch of Plaid Cymru.

The guest speaker will be Professor Richard Wyn Jones, the eminent historian, political commentator, author and broadcaster. At the 1924 meeting, a small group of nationalists, led by the lecturer and playwright Saunders Lewis, began drawing up a set of aims and policies intended to rescue Wales from political and cultural oblivion.

As well as Mr Lewis, that first meeting was attended by the historian, Ambrose Bebb, and the owners of the house, the historian and Welsh scholar G. J. Williams and his wife, Elizabeth.They were joined at a later meeting, on February 5, 1924, by D.J. Williams and Ben Bowen Thomas and at their March meeting by the Treorchy minister, the Rev Ffred Jones, the grandfather of folk singer and former Plaid President Dafydd Iwan and of Assembly Member Alun Ffred Jones, who will be chairing the anniversary meeting.

The group met in secret throughout 1924 and, at about the same time, another group of nationalists were meeting in Gwynedd.

Saunders Lewis

Early in 1925, the leader of the northern group, H.R.Jones, contacted Saunders Lewis to invite him to help with the creation of a new political party. The two groups stayed in close contact and, on August 5, 1925, Mr Lewis and the Rev Ffred Jones travelled to Pwllheli to join H.R. Jones and three others – Rev Lewis Valentine, scientist Moses Griffiths and carpenter D.E. Williams - at a meeting which established Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru as the National Party of Wales.

Some of the policies which were forged in Penarth by the Welsh Movement have been long abandoned, but the vision of a party with, in D.J. Williams’ words, “the specific aim of delivering to Wales, in the fullness of time, self-government and its own parliament, along with all the privileges of a free nation” became a reality.

The rebirth of Wales as a self-governing nation can be traced back, in no small part, to those secret discussions at Bedwas Place in 1924.

It is hoped that guests at the commemorative event will include descendants of the Welsh Movement’s principal members and representatives from the Pwllheli branch of Plaid Cymru.

Tickets (£10 a head to include buffet) are available from Rowland Davies, of the Penarth Branch, at ardbear@btinternet.com or on (029) 20702603 or 07769 195025, or from Alan Jobbins, of the Plaid Cymru History Society, at asjobbins@btinternet.com or on (029) 20623275 or 07790 868686.

RÔL GUDD PENARTH YN HANES CYMRU

Bydd noson arbennig yn nodi 90^ain pen-blwydd cyfarfod cyntaf Y Mudiad Cymreig, a arweiniodd at ffurfio Plaid Cymru'r flwyddyn ganlynol, i'w gynnal ym Mhenarth ym Mis Ionawr.

Cynhaliwyd y cyfarfod hanesyddol yn 11 Bedwas Place, Penarth ar noson Ionawr 7^fed, 1924, ac fe fydd y digwyddiad coffa yng ngwesty'r Windsor Arms Nos Fawrth, Ionawr 7 (am 7.30pm).

Trefnir ar y cyd gan Gymdeithas Hanes Plaid Cymru a Changen Penarth o'r Blaid. Y gŵr gwadd fydd yr Athro Richard Wyn Jones, sy'n hanesydd, sylwebydd gwleidyddol a darlledwr o fri.

Yn y cyfarfod yn 1924, dechreuodd grŵp bychan o genedlaetholwyr dan arweiniad y darlithydd a dramodydd Saunders Lewis lunio polisïau ac amcanion oedd â'r nod o achub Cymru rhag difodiant diwylliannol a gwleidyddol.

Yn ogystal â Saunders Lewis, mynychwyd y cyfarfod cyntaf gan yr hanesydd Ambrose Bebb a pherchnogion y tŷ, yr hanesydd ac ysgolhaig Cymreig G. J. Williams a'i wraig, Elizabeth.

Mewn cyfarfod diweddarach ar 5 Chwefror, ymunodd D.J. Williams a Ben Bowen Thomas ac ym Mis Mawrth daeth gweinidog o Dreorci, y Parchedig Ffred Jones, tad-cu canwr gwerin a chyn-Lywydd Plaid Cymru Dafydd Iwan a'r Aelod Cynulliad Alun Ffred Jones, fydd yn cadeirio'r cyfarfod pen-blwydd.

Bu'r grŵp yn cwrdd yn gyfrinachol drwy gydol 1924 tra fo grŵp arall o genedlaetholwyr yn cwrdd yng Ngwynedd tua'r un adeg.

Saunders Lewis

Yn gynnar yn 1925, cysylltodd arweinydd y grŵp gogleddol, H.R. Jones, â Saunders Lewis i'w wahodd i helpu wrth greu plaid wleidyddol newydd. Fe gadwodd y ddwy garfan mewn cysylltiad agos ac ar Awst 5, 1925, teithiodd Mr Lewis a'r Parch Ffred Jones i Bwllheli i ymuno ag H.R. Jones a thri arall - y Parchedig Lewis Valentine, y gwyddonydd Moses Griffiths a'r saer D.E. Williams - mewn cyfarfod i sefydlu Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru yn fudiad cenedlaethol i Gymru.

Cafodd rhai o'r polisïau a luniwyd ym Mhenarth gan y Mudiad Cymreig eu rhoi o'r neilltu ers llawer dydd, ond daeth ei weledigaeth o blaid annibynnol i Gymru ei gwireddu, gyda'r bwriad penodol, yng ngeiriau D.J. Williams, “o roi i Gymru, yng nghyflawnder amser, hunanlywodraeth a'i senedd ei hun, ynghyd â holl freintiau cenedl rydd.”

Mae modd olrhain dadeni Cymru yn genedl hunanlywodraethol i raddau helaeth yn ôl i'r trafodaethau cudd hynny yn Bedwas Place yn 1924.

Gobeithir y bydd y rhai yn y digwyddiad coffaol yn cynnwys disgynyddion prif aelodau'r Mudiad Cymreig yn ogystal â chynrychiolwyr o Gangen Pwllheli o Blaid Cymru.

Ceir tocynnau (£10 y pen i gynnwys bwffe) oddi wrth Rowland Davies o Gangen Penarth, ardbear@btinternet.com neu (029) 20702603 a 07769 195025, neu oddi wrth Alan Jobbins o Gymdeithas Hanes Plaid Cymru, asjobbins@btinternet.com neu (029) 20623275 a 07790 868686.