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Growing Support for the Owain Lawgoch Monument Project

Tue, 26 May 2026 16:05:47 GMT

Over the past year, support and awareness for the Owain Lawgoch Monument Project has continued to grow across Wales, and we would like to take a moment to sincerely thank the organisations, groups, and individuals who have helped us gain momentum and spread awareness of this important cause.

In particular, we would like to thank the Welsh Battlefields Association and the Owain Glyndŵr Association for their encouragement, historical knowledge, and continued interest in helping raise awareness of Owain Lawgoch and the shared Welsh–French history connected to his legacy.

We would also like to thank everyone who attends the annual Cofio Llywelyn commemorative weekend gathering in Cilmeri. The passion shown by those who continue to honour Welsh history and identity year after year has been a major inspiration to us. Events such as these demonstrate that there is a growing appetite across Wales for greater recognition of the figures and stories that shaped our nation.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everybody who has donated to the project so far. Every contribution, no matter the size, has helped us continue raising awareness, travelling between Wales and France, building connections, and keeping the vision of a Welsh monument to Owain Lawgoch alive. The support we have received from ordinary people who care deeply about Welsh history and identity has been both humbling and inspiring.

As our campaign continues to gain attention both in Wales and internationally - particularly through our links with Mortagne-sur-Gironde in France, where Owain Lawgoch is already commemorated as Yvain de Galles - we hope to see more institutions and local authorities across Wales recognise the cultural and historical significance of the project.

We understand that formal processes can often take time, but we firmly believe this is a project of national importance that deserves wider support and recognition. The growing public interest surrounding Welsh history, combined with international attention coming to Wales through events such as the Tour de France, presents a unique opportunity to celebrate and promote an important part of our national story.

It is also important to remember that this movement is not something new. In 2028, it will be 25 years since representatives connected to the Welsh Government and Welsh cultural organisations supported the establishment of the monument to Owain Lawgoch (Yvain de Galles) in Mortagne-sur-Gironde, France, using Welsh slate. At that time, the importance of commemorating Owain Lawgoch abroad was clearly recognised. A quarter of a century later, we believe the time has now come for Wales itself to honour that same legacy here at home.

Through continued community support, passion, and dogged determination, we remain committed to ensuring that Owain Lawgoch finally receives the recognition he deserves here in Wales.

Kevin's Welcome at Mortagne-Sur Gironde 2025

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:31:25 GMT

Kevin's Welcome at Mortagne-Sur Gironde 2025

On the 22nd of July 2025, the date of Owain Lawgoch's assassination, Kevin and the team were honoured to receive a warm welcome from Mayor Stéphane Coutier and the staff at the tourist office in Royan, Mortagne-sur-Gironde. Their hospitality and interest in Owain Lawgoch’s story remind us how widely his legacy reaches beyond Wales. One day, we hope to see a lasting tribute here at home as well — a monument in Wales dedicated to honouring Owain Lawgoch’s life, courage, and enduring place in our history.

With the help from local businesses here in Wales, we are helping to build roots and share the history of our two great countries and towns. In the video below we see the mayor of Mortagne-sur-Gironde reading a letter from Christiane Racine, the owner of a Welsh vineyard: Sticle Vineyard offering for him to come over to Wales and celebrate Owain Lawgoch and strengthen the bonds between our two regions.

Below you can read the letter that mayor Stéphane Cotier is reading in both English and French, offering a meet and greet here in Wales to share the history and culture of our two regions.

What a welcome Kevin had at Mortagne sur Gironde in 2024

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:30:59 GMT

Kevin welcomed at Mortagne by Mayor Stephane Cotier

Kevin’s epic 1600-mile cycle ride to Mortagne sur Gironde and back last year was to start fund raising for a monument in Wales in recognition of 14C Welsh soldier Owain Lawgoch to match the fantastic one they have at Mortagne sur Gironde. (See picture)

Kevin (and back up driver Jim) was given a huge welcome on arrival and hospitality was generously provided for Kevin for the duration. . They were accompanied by a group of local riders from Royan to Mortagne, followed by a welcoming party and reception by the Mayor Stephane Cotier.

At Mortagne there is a special interest in forging links with Wales with such an important historical Welsh connection. In 2003 a very successful fund-raising effort in Wales enabled the monument to be erected at Mortagne (with a terrific joint ceremony there as well). This continuing effort by Kevin Bowen follows years of trying to raise interest in getting a monument here in Wales.

Not deterred by the very modest interest so far by authorities here in Wales last year, Kevin and his whacky musician pals are revisiting Mortagne this July to continue their quest to raise funds but are not cycling. They are instead driving down with stops both in the UK and France. They have contacted many interests and supporters and will be arranging publicity and music at these stops en route. They plan to stay at Mortagne for a few days around the date of Owain’s assassination on the 22nd. July.

It is hoped this will further raise interest and set in motion a serious fund-raising activity for a monument to Owain Lawgoch

More details will be available soon about the trip on this website and in the meantime, Kevin will be continuing his efforts publicizing it with meetings of interested parties and the media. He will be contacting the Mayor at Mortagne again and hopes that an event can be set up with suitable publicity there.

The departure dates are :-

Ferry Plymouth - Roscoff………17July 2025
Mortagne for a few days around …22 July Event 2025
Ferry Roscoff - Plymouth…..31 July 2025
Return Celebration Parkmill Heritage Centre, Swansea (to be announced )

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Growing Support for the Owain Lawgoch Monument Project

Kevin's Welcome at Mortagne-Sur Gironde 2025

Kevin's Welcome at Mortagne-Sur Gironde 2025

What a welcome Kevin had at Mortagne sur Gironde in 2024

Kevin welcomed at Mortagne by Mayor Stephane Cotier

The departure dates are :-

Publicity/music stops along the way in UK and France.