Balchder Cymru

Balchder Cymru (Pride of Wales) was a Welsh political campaigning group first formed in 2000. It was led by Dennis Coslett as a figurehead. At a meeting in Flintshire on 10 January 2004 between representatives of Balchder Cymru, Cymru 1400, Medi 16, and the Red Dragon Movement, it was agreed 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 ("Wales Relief Movement") 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 organised and attended 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 the 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 the 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, and had 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 repainted the Cofiwch Dryweryn wall that had been defaced the previous month COFIWCH DRYWERYN. The Vice Chair of Balchder Cymru, Russell Morris, said: "Everytime it gets defaced, BC will be back to redecorate this iconic Welsh monument".

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

Since then the organisation does not appear to have been notably active.

References
  1. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/09/18/plaid-cymru-leader-leanne-wood-attacked-over-welsh-republican-meeting-91466-31855077/ Plaid cymru leader Leanne Wood attached over Welsh republican meeting, Western Mail, 18 September 2012

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