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Here is a rough translation for all the non-Welsh-speaking people. UNWQ Talk Before I begin, may I say that I speak for no one but myself? I am not a member of any organisation or party; everything I say is my own ideas. On the eve of the election, I want to reassure you that I am not a politician, councillor, or academic, nor do I work for the media. Therefore, I will not preach lies, at least not intentionally. ………………………………………………………………………… My name is Terry Evans. I am a former quarryman from Blaenau Ffestiniog; I worked in Llechwedd, Maenofferen, Cwt y Bugail, and Croes Dwy Afon. And I want to dedicate this talk in memory of my great-grandfather, Dafydd Hughes. A Miner who went to work in 1899 at the Oakley Quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog, he went there in his twenty-ninth year. He and his partner were widening a chamber. After counting the holes firing, he returned to look at the results, then a hole that had misfired, reignited, killing him on the spot. His wife was pregnant with her first child. His death had severe consequences for the wife and child. This child grew up, through hardship, to be my grandmother. But we are here today to commemorate our predecessors in general, namely the slate quarrymen of North Wales. Close to here, in April 1874, they took the brave step to secure their rights and dignity by forming a Union to represent them and stand against challenging working conditions and poor living standards. So, they united and formed the North Wales Quarry Union, a sign of hope and a united voice for the men. There was no ideology behind this; it was just a fight for the truth, better working conditions, and fair pay. And the fundamental right to be heard and have a say in their own life and future. As a result of this, the lock-out took place on the eighteenth of June of the same year. It is difficult for us today to think that only forty per cent of men over the age of twenty-one were given the right to vote in that period. The right to vote was limited to a small minority, those who met requirements beyond the reach of most miners, and no vote for women. Therefore, only a tiny minority of men enjoyed the right to vote. The journey for justice for the quarrymen was a long and difficult one. The 1884/85 strike was memorable in the Blaenau, and the great Penrhyn strike of 1900/03 was extremely torturous for that area. Many others exist, but I do not want to mention these today. However, it was not until 1918 that all men were given the right to vote, and full suffrage was not given until 1928. But having a vote does not mean that your voice is heard. An American politician called (Boss Tweed) once said, "I don't care who is elected, as long as I can choose the candidate." So, later, in 1985/86, there was a strike against Cwmni Llechi Ffestiniog for 7 long months. ………………………………………………………………………… Today, we are at a similar crossroads. Although past struggles have paved the way for many of the freedoms we enjoy today, we still face obstacles. The fight to ensure that ordinary people's voices are heard again falls on deaf ears in Wales. In a world that often ignores the needs and ambitions of ordinary people, we find ourselves again listening to a platform that does not represent the majority of us, only the minority. As we honour the memory of these early miners and their indomitable spirit, let us draw inspiration from their example. Let us recognise the power of unity and the need for representation. I can create a future where every Welshman feels that he is heard and respected. So, in the spirit of our forefathers, let us strive to give a voice to the Welsh. A voice that echoes the strength, determination, and resilience that has always protected and defined us. The path may be long, but united, we can create a future that truly reflects the will and needs of our Welsh communities. ………………………………………………………………………… I would also like to discuss the lack of respect that the Blaenau suffered through the destruction and theft of their most unique historical, industrial and cultural places over the years. Not to mention the lies that are being peddled about it regarding the society's relationship with the slate companies in these tourist areas. Go to the cemetery in Bethesda in Manod and see the age on the tombstones of men who died before her time, not to mention the young children listed on these tombstones too. These are places where the workers and their families suffered hardship, disease, and loss of life, and turning them into places of shallow commercial entertainment worries me a lot. This belittles their historical importance and the physical and social sacrifices made by past generations. Negligence of this kind reflects a lack of respect and sensitivity towards our culture. Prioritising economic gains above preserving heritage and historical accuracy is insulting and short-sighted. ………………………………………………………………………… Another aspect of this is the tendency of incomers and visitors to change their names or original places for more appealing English names. This is now common in all areas of the quarries. This change is an interference with our identity and a loss to our unique industrial history. These place names are essential to our history, culture, and heritage. They have a deep meaning; they tell our ancestors' stories and anchor our roots. When the original names are replaced by appealing English names, we forfeit our heritage and our connections to our identity, which is an integral part of who we are. Preserving our language becomes challenging if we cut our connection with the places that bear witness to our past. Our language and these places are intertwined, incorporating us into the industrial landscape that has shaped us for centuries. Unfortunately, we must also recognise the lack of action taken by our Welsh institutions to tackle this challenge. Despite many debates and campaigns over the years to protect our Welsh place names, it appears that the organisations responsible for our representation have not taken sufficient steps to prevent these changes. A lack of strong leadership and dedication to protecting our heritage has put us in a tight spot. It is not enough for politicians to come into sight when an election is in progress; long-term support must be given. This lack of action is disappointing and a disservice to our culture. We need to encourage our leaders and organisations to take concrete steps to protect the legacy of the old quarries. It is not right to restore only oppressive Norman castles, noblemen's mansions, and the great houses of quarry owners; steps must be taken to protect the heritage of the ordinary people. Changing a name on a map is a start, but not enough; Eryri and the Banau Brecheiniog have been given their correct names. But how many tourists and people outside Wales use these words? We can't do anything outside of Wales, but we must stop the arrogant and demeaning attitude these 'movers in' have towards our language and our heritage. ................................................ .............................................................. So, let us strive to protect and maintain our quarrying heritage. I ask for the 'powers that be.' Do we, the ancestors of those who shaped most of the landscape of North Wales, ‘do we’ not deserve the respect and the chance to keep our culture and heritage that the climbers and ramblers love so much? I also call on politicians and state institutions to be more willing to support us - because they are our paid representatives - and I call on them to fight for what is right to honour the memory of our ancestors. We are here today because of the endurance of the quarrymen, the smallholders, the farmers, and the miners of old. Not because of politicians sitting on their buts in luxury seats, 'Virtue signalling' in Westminster and Cardiff. Thank you very much.

Rwyf wedi ei gywiro nawr, diolch am sylwi.

Yr alaw a'r geiriau Saesneg wedi ei sgwennu gan merch o Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Rita MacNeil

Will Tan, from Anglesey.

Thank you we look forward to it you will find us in the pub most wednesday nights

Methu cofio pan ges i 'Lock-in' ddiwethaf.

@@terryfawr byddai’n werth ei gofio gyda chanu rhagorol gel hyn

And, to a fussy muso like me, they are so accurate in pitch and rhythm. Wonderful stuff. It's noticeable how much more "Gog" GBRh sounds when in an informal setting.

Gjfhfhbjeguhnjfehe

Twinned with Rawson, Argentina but you would have to have a brain to know that. 🤣🤣

@@terryfawr De iawn ti Terry!!