Making music with Belarus youth

PRESS RELEASE

Dafydd spent this afternoon talking and singing to a party of young people from Belarus, all of whom have suffered serious illnesses due to the Chernobyl disaster. They are spending some time in Wales to help them recover, thanks to people like Olwen Davies (4th from the right), who is Vice-Chair of CND Cymru.

Endorsement from Janet Ryder AM

"Dafydd has helped to reconnect the party with its members and has restored confidence at a time when we needed it. There is still much to do to build the party up for the coming elections and this can only be achieved by forward looking policies from a president committed to building up the party and party members. I feel confident that Dafydd can fill that bill. That is why I will be supporting him for president."

Janet Ryder AM

50 years in Plaid

A big thankyou to all who came to the Plaid stand on the Eisteddfod field on Friday to join me in celebrating 50 years in Plaid Cymru. Yes, many of us have been campaigning rather a long time, but the message is that we have to keep on doing it for some years yet before we reach the ultimate goal of a free, fully self-governing Wales. Thanks once again, and here's to the next 50!

The anniversary party followed on from a very successful President's Club meeting at the new Plaid head office on Thursday evening, where my special guests were Mari Gravell and her daughters Manon and Gwenan. The address was given by actress Lis Miles, who entertained us with her experiences as a nationalist and diligent Plaid campaigner, and Cardiff singer Heather Jones completed the evening with some wonderful songs.

Anglesey Show

Dafydd Iwan today joined Dylan Rees, Prospective Plaid Parliamentary Candidate for Ynys Mon, on the last stage of his protest walk around the post offices of Anglesey threatened with closure. They both arrived at the Anglesey Show in Mona where they were met by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM for Ynys Mon, and a crowd of supporters.

Free Tibet

The opening of the Olympics was an opportune moment to restate my call for the right to self determination of the people of Tibet and an end to human rights abuses. The decision by the Chinese authorities to ban all flags of stateless nations is, of course, linked to the Tibet question. Welsh athletes should be able to fly the ddraig instead of the union jack, if they so choose. The only way to ensure they can in future is to have our own Welsh olympic team.

Jill Evans MEP backs Dafydd Iwan in presidential race

DATGANIAD I’R WASG – PRESS RELEASE – DATGANIAD I’R WASG Jill Evans ASE / MEP

Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales in the European Parliament

for immediate release

Jill Evans MEP backs Dafydd Iwan in presidential race

Plaid MEP Jill Evans has given her backing to Dafydd Iwan in his campaign to win the Party Presidency, for which a series of hustings meetings is under way.

Jill said today:

"Dafydd Iwan has always been an inspiration to people throughout Wales and beyond. I have worked with him on many campaigns including a number involving the peace movement. His commitment to Wales and the Welsh language is matched by his passionate belief in peace, justice and human rights.

"For the past four years I have worked alongside Dafydd in my capacity as Vice President of Plaid Cymru. He has played a vital role in the growth of Plaid Cymru as a dynamic political force in Wales. Dafydd is the link between the grassroots party members and the leadership team and it is essential that he continues this work".

Dafydd Iwan has set out his manifesto on his web site: www.dafyddiwan.com

Jill Evans was re-elected unopposed in July as Vice President of Plaid Cymru. She represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament.

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Cilfynydd By-Election

Next Thursday (14th August) sees a council by-election in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The election has come about because the Liberal Democrats put up a candidate who was unable to take up his seat. Plaid is receiving a very warm reception from the people of Cilfynydd, a small village just outside Pontypridd. I was very encouraged by the response when I was there on Monday.

Our candidate is Stuart Fisher, a long term Plaid activist who has worked hard both for the party and his community. Good luck Stuart - I know you'll make an excellent councillor.

If you are available to go canvassing in Cilfynydd over the next week, get in touch with Geraint Day on 07769657122.