What a welcome Kevin had at Mortagne sur Gironde in 2024

We recently had the pleasure of travelling with the Llandeilo Twinning Association on their visit to Le Conquet in Brittany, where we received a wonderfully warm welcome. We would particularly like to thank Catherine and Jean-Jacques for receiving us and for the interest they showed in Owain Lawgoch (Yvain de Galles), his remarkable story, and our campaign to establish a monument to him here in Wales. The visit provided another fantastic opportunity to spread the word about what we are trying to achieve and to strengthen the connections between Wales and Brittany. We were delighted by the interest shown in the project and are hopeful that the visit may lead to further links between our communities. One particularly exciting idea discussed was the possibility of encouraging children from the two towns to communicate with one another on a pen-pal basis. This could be a wonderful way for younger generations to learn about each other's history, culture and language while building friendships across the Channel. We would also like to give a very special thank you to the children who performed the Breton national anthem as part of the welcome. It was particularly special for us as Welsh visitors to hear it, as the Breton anthem, Bro Gozh ma Zadoù, shares the same tune as the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. It was a wonderful reminder of the close cultural connections between Brittany and Wales and a memorable moment during our visit. Our sincere thanks go to Catherine, Jean-Jacques, the Llandeilo Twinning Association and everyone in Le Conquet who made us feel so welcome. Visits like this help us continue spreading awareness of Owain Lawgoch while building the kind of cultural connections between Wales and our friends across the Channel that are at the heart of what we are trying to achieve. Diolch yn fawr – Merci beaucoup!

We recently had the opportunity to attend the National Eisteddfod of Wales, where we spent time talking to people about Owain Lawgoch (Yvain de Galles) and our campaign to establish a monument to him here in Wales. It was fantastic to speak with so many people who showed a genuine interest in Owain's story, what we are trying to achieve, and the links between Wales and France. Many wanted to learn more about the project and were keen to see greater recognition for this important part of Welsh history. Every conversation helps us spread the word a little further, and the interest we received at the Eisteddfod was another encouraging sign that awareness of Owain Lawgoch and our campaign continues to grow.  Diolch yn fawr to everyone who stopped to speak with us, listened to our story, and showed their support!

Remembering Owain Lawgoch – 22 July 22 July marks the anniversary of the assassination of Owain Lawgoch (Yvain de Galles) in 1378 – a pivotal moment in Welsh history. This year, we were pleased to see the anniversary marked with a celebration at the Gower Heritage Centre , bringing together people who share a passion for Welsh history and the legacy of Owain Lawgoch. It is always encouraging to see growing interest in remembering one of Wales' most significant, yet often overlooked, historical figures. As our campaign continues to build support for a permanent monument to Owain Lawgoch here in Wales, events such as these help to ensure that his story continues to be shared with new audiences and future generations. They also highlight the importance of recognising the historical links between Wales and France, where Owain is commemorated as Yvain de Galles . We would like to thank everyone involved in organising and attending the event for helping to keep Owain Lawgoch's legacy alive. We'll be adding more photographs and information from the day in the near future, so please check back soon for further updates. For more information about our campaign, visit https://www.lawgoch.org/ .

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.