Historical Society

THE society begins its new season of indoor meetings at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 13 September, at Neuadd Goffa, with a talk by Jon Parry on “Frongoch: the internment of Irish Prisoners in Merioneth 2016.”On Easter Monday, 24 April 1916, Republican groups attacked Dublin in what was known as the Easter Rising. The Republicans held out for six days before surrendering.The British authorities arrested a large number of men, many of whom had not been directly involved in the attack.A significant proportion of these ended up in a camp at Frongoch that had previously held German prisoners of war.Among the internees were Michael Collins and others who would play a key part in the Irish revolution. There were a maximum of 1800 Irish prisoners at the camp, but by August 1200 had been released.The rest were freed just before Christmas. This short period of time was of considerable significance to Irish history because prisoners from several different Republican groups were held together and could freely mix.They also organised classes on everything from Welsh to military strategy and tactics, and Frongoch has become known in Ireland as the ‘University of Revolution’.The talk will examine the internment of the prisoners taken to Frongoch after the Easter Rising and discuss the way in which this important episode has been remembered in Ireland and in Wales.Jon Parry conducted postgraduate research at Aberystwyth University and has taught both Welsh and Irish History.He has lived in Harlech since 1979 and has worked at and been Chairman of Coleg Harlech.He currently works at the Royal Veterinary College in London. As always, all are welcome to attend the talk and refreshments will be served at the end of the discussion. Immediately following this will be the Annual General Meeting of the society to which prospective new members are cordially invited.Summer show trophy winnersTHE coronation trophy for highest total points in vegetable classes: R O Edwards; The Alun Williams cup for class 19, tomatoes: R O Edwards; A NVS Medal for best exhibit in vegetables: R O Edwards; The Ralph Highly Memorial Cup: T Lampert; The Proctor Cup for highest total points in Dahlia classes: E M Jones; National Dahlia silver certificate for best bloom in the Dahlia classes: E M Jones; Cwpan Goffa Owie Jones and national Dahlia bronze certificate for best vase of Dahlias: E M Jones; The Cadwgan Cup for winner of class 48: R Aneley; The Harlech Horticultural 2012 Cup for highest points in Chrysanthemum classes: E M Jones; The best vase: E M Jones; The “1950” Cup for highest total points in cut flower classes excluding Dahlias: E M Jones; The Ellerker Trophy for highest total points in floral art: P Elford; The Floral Art Cup for best exhibit in floral art: P Elford; The Maidment Prize for winner of class 71: P Elford; Harlech WI Trophy for highest total points in cookery section: G Jones; Best exhibit in wine section: G Jones.