CONTENTS OF THE CURRENT ISSUE

‘IEUAN HIR’ - FFARWEL- FATHER JOHN FITZGERALD

MEIC STEPHENS on the life of Shropshire-born Carmelite friar John FitzGerald an accomplished poet in both Welsh and English who undertook the translation of the Catholic Liturgy into Welsh.

RUDOLPH HESS - THE WELSH CONNECTION

UNRAVELLING A WARTIME MYSTERY
Rudolph Hess, Hitler’s sometime deputy, spent three years in captivity near Abergavenny following his dramatic flight to Scotland in 1941. DAVID JONES discovers that the 'Prisoner of Spandau’ had an even more intriguing connection with Wales.

FFLINT: AND THE UPRISING OF 1294

A LITTLE-KNOWN POST CONQUEST CLASH
KEITH NURSE uncovers the story of a little-know but ferocious Welsh uprising of 1294 which engulfed Fflint Castle and the surrounding region causing the English military occupation, just a few years after the ‘subjugation of Wales, to wobble under its impact.

FEATURED COLUMNISTS

Roy Noble - An annual pilgrimage to honour an old friend
Patrick Thomas - Death of a Prince: reflections on the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd

HERITAGE
Restoration work continues on Caldey Island’s medieval priory

TRAVEL
Galicia: Sparking land with Celtic echoes

CULTURE
CHRISTOPHER MEREDITH; JOHN IDRIS JONEs: Essays and Reviews

POETRY
New work by Welsh poets

ART
PETER LORD on Winifred Coombe Tennant

THEATRE
DAVID ADAMS on Sarajevo

GARDENS
CAROLINE PALMER on Margam Park

DIARY
IDRIS R. JONES casts an eye over contemporary Wales

MOTORING
JOHN A. EDWARDS on Costin and BMW

FOOD
DOROTHY DAVIES on local Welsh specialities

HOTELS
Hotel and restaurant news

DIRECTORY
The best places to eat in Wales

New articles...

The Nazi Rudolf Hess in Wales

Twenty years ago, a man who during the Second World War was described as Britain’s public enemy number two, committed suicide at the age of 93. Top Nazi Rudolph Hess had been incarcerated in Spandau Prison for more than forty years but prior to his trial at Nuremberg, he was also held captive amidst the tranquil beauty of the Welsh countryside. And his three years spent here is but one episode that links the Deputy Fuhrer with Wales.

Welsh Stories - March

MARCH AB MEIRCHION was lord of Castellmarch, in Lleyn. He ruled over leagues of rich land, tilled by hundreds of willing and obedient vassals. He had great possessions, fleet horses, greyhounds, hawks; countless black cattle and sheep, and a great herd of swine. (But few possessed pigs at that time, and their flesh was esteemed better than the flesh of oxen. Arthur himself sought to have one of March's sows.).

Galicia Stories -The Honest Prince
Once upon a time, a very long time ago, in Galicia, a very powerful king reigned. Under his reign the country lived in peace, the craftsmen worked very seriously, the merchants were honest, soldiers guarded the boundaries of the country and the king would have been happy if something hadn’t bothered him. Read More >>

Upcoming Events

Abergavenny Football Abergavenny will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of its football club on 25th May. The stadium is part of the community fabric, not only for football - bring a picnic to this family event, enjoy amongst a host of others Owen Money, 'Elvis' and the Mafia, the Beaufort Male Choir, music, dance and entertainment. Gates open at 4 pm. Funds raised will be donated to Wales Air Ambulance, In the Pink and Long Town Mountain Rescue. For more information, tickets or to support call 01873 855353.