For the second time since the Covid-19 Pandemic, crowds returned to the iconic site of the battle of Cilmeri last weekend, where Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last native Prince of Wales, was defeated and killed by the forces of the English King Edward 1 in December 1282.

The Cofio Llywelyn event, organised by historian Dr John Davies of Llandysul & Ms Sian Meredydd of Llandrindod included a Latin Requiem Mass at Llanynys Church, to commemorate the hundreds of fallen soldiers who also died under Llywelyn's command, at the hands of the English forces, including a powerful address by Rev Fr Mark Beaton. Following a gathering and restorative lunch at the Prince Llywelyn Inn, at the heart of the village, the assembled company progressed along the A483 to the Prince Llywelyn Memorial. There followed a solemn ceremony, in poetry, prose and music to mark the anniversary of Prince Llywelyn's death. Speakers included well known Welsh historian Dr Elin Jones.

Longstanding supporter of the Cofio Llywelyn Commemoration,  former Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd member for Mid & West Wales Cllr William Powell, was also in attendance, alongside Gail Davies, mother of the late Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for South Wales East, Steffan Lewis.

In her contribution, Dr Elin Jones spoke of the importance of unity amongst those striving for Wales' language, history, culture and democracy to be respected.

That seemed, more than anything, to sum up the spirit of Cofio Llywelyn 2023.