Balchder Cymru

Balchder Cymru (Pride of Wales) is a Welsh political campaigning group first formed in 2000. It was led by Dennis Coslett as a figurehead. A meeting took place in Flintshire on 10 January 2004 between representatives of Balchder Cymru, Cymru 1400, Medi 16, and the Red Dragon Movement. It was agreed during the meeting that all four organisations should amalgamate to form a stronger nationalist-republican movement to strengthen the struggle for an independent Welsh republic. The new movement was named 'Mudiad Rhyddhad Cymru' with the aims of campaigning for an independent Welsh republic and defending Wales, its language and culture.

Balchder Cymru was reformed as a political pressure group in May 2006. Based mainly in North-East Wales, the group organises and attends various events throughout Wales.

In 2009, the group organised a parade through Abergele, North Wales, to mark the 40th anniversary of the deaths of the 'Abergele Martyrs', George Taylor and Alwyn Jones, who were killed on the evening of 30 June 1969, whilst attempting to place a bomb outside government offices in Abergele in protest at the investiture of Charles Windsor as Prince of Wales the following day.

Another notable event organised by Balchder Cymru is the annual Glyndwr event in Hope, Flintshire. The group also attends the Cilmeri event annually.

In September 2012, Balchder Cymru came to public attention after it was reported by the Western Mail newspaper that the group had shared a public platform with leader of Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood, the previous year. It was reported that Wood had sworn an oath to the Welsh republican tricolour, during an event for Cardiff Bay Republican Day, and that Balchder Cymru were also in attendance, the latter having contributed some nationalist views which a Plaid spokesperson described as 'abhorrent'. In response, Balchder Cymru chair Adam 'Balchder' Phillips distanced his group from association with Plaid Cymru and regretted the impression given to Western Mail readers that they were somehow closely allied.^[1]

On 1 September 2013 members of Balchder Cymru re-painted the Cofiwch Dryweryn wall that had been defaced the previous month COFIWCH DRYWERYN . With the Vice Chair of Balchder Cymru Russell Morris stating "Everytime it gets defaced , BC will be back to redecorate this Iconic Welsh Monument" .

On 5 October 2013 Russell Morris became Balchder Cymru's only their second chair in their history whilst Adam Phillips became life President of Balchder Cymru .

References

External links

• Balchder Cymru Official Webpage