Cymdeithas Fighting for sustainable Welsh Communities on the Eisteddfod Field.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg from from it's unit (401-402) on the National Eisteddfod field will be leading the campaign for sustainable Welsh communities. Menna Machreth, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:"It is impossible to escape from the fact that this year's National Eisteddfod is within shouting distance of Llyn Celyn. The drowning of the Tryweryn Valley in the early 1960's made the people of Wales realise for the first time how weak and defenceless our communities were and how great the challenges that faced the Welsh language. Even though many campaigns have been won since then we must realise that the future of our Welsh-speaking communities is still very precarious."That is why we have chosen 'Sustainable Welsh Communities' as the theme for our activities on the National Eisteddfod field this year. It is also the tittle of a public meeting which we shall be holding in the Societies Tent at 2 o' clock on Wednesday August 5th. We shall also during the week invite the public to create a logo for the new Welsh Federal College which will hopefully be up and running within the next two years. Yet again this year the language Act campaign will also throw its shadow over all we do. Adequate powers must be transferred from Westminster to the National Assembly before the next General Election, or we will have to go through the whole process again. Time is not on our side and that will be the message of our demonstration which will be held on the Eisteddfod field at 2 o'clock on Friday. Following all the campaigning on the Eisteddfod field there will be an opportunity to relax in the gigs held throughout the week in 'Pabell Tafod' next to the Leisure Centre and at the Plas Coch Hotel on the Tuesday evening."

There follows a short introduction to our work on the Maes during the week.LAUNCH OF LOGO COMPETITION FOR WELSH FEDERAL COLLEGEThe Welsh Federal College Belongs to all of us!2pm Monday August 3rd(Unit 401 -402)Official launch and workshop with language activist and cartoonist Angharad Tomos. Future students aged from 7 to 70 are invited to join in the task of creating a logo for the proposed Welsh Federal College which will hopefully be set up within the next two years. We shall also open a register for future students.Public Meeting: Sustainable Welsh CommunitiesDr Carl Clowes, Ffred Ffransis, Dyfed Wyn Edwrds (Leader of Gwynedd County Council). Chair: Menna Machreth2 pm Wednesday August 5th Societies Tent. We will be looking at ways of encouraging and empowering local communities to revitalise themselves within the guidelines of the Local Development Plans. Special attention will be given to the Penllyn area.'The Tryweryn Festival: Sustainable Welsh Communities'1pm - 7pm August 6. On the shore of Tryweryn Lake.The drowning of Tryweryn in the 1960's showed more clearly than any other event how defenceless our Welsh speaking communities were. There will be an opportunity at this festival to draw attention to the political significance of Trtweryn with the help of poets, rappers, and musicians. Bob Delyn, Gwilym Morus, Gareth Bonello, DJ Lembo and author Dewi Prysor will be among those taking part.Demonstration: Transfer The Powers to Wales2pm Friday August 7th(Unit 401 - 402)Big Ben will have travelled all the way from London to take part in this demonstration! He will visit the Eisteddfod field to show that time is running out for the Welsh Language LCO. Powers have to be transferred from Westminster to Cardiff before the next General Election or the whole or the whole legislative process collapses. Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain has offered to meet us to discuss this issue. Hywel Williams MP (a member of the Welsh Select Committee) will also be meeting us on the Eisteddfod field to discuss the matter. We must make sure that the politicians don't drag their feet and that the rights of the Welsh people are ignored once again. Sian Howys, Menna Machreth and Bethan Williams will be leading the demonstration.