For the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic, crowds returned to the iconic site of the Battle of Orewin Bridge last weekend, to commemorate the defeat of the last native Prince of Wales.

This site at Cilmeri, near Builth Wells, is where Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last native Prince of Wales, was defeated in December 1282.

The event, organised by historian Dr John Davies of Llandysul, included a Latin Requiem Mass at Llanynys Church, to commemorate the fall of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last native Prince of Wales, who was defeated in December 1282.

The service also paid homage to the hundreds of fallen soldiers who also died under Llywelyn’s command, at the hands of the English forces.

Following a gathering and restorative lunch at the Prince Llywelyn Inn, at the heart of the village, the assembled company processed 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 historian Dr Elin Jones, Rev Guto ap Gwynfor & Cllr William Powell, former Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales.

Longstanding stalwarts of the Commemoration, former Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon & Radnorshire, Roger Williams was also in attendance, as was Sian Meredudd of Llandrindod Wells.

In their contributions, both Dr Elin Jones and William Powell spoke of the importance of unity among those working for Wales’ history, culture and democracy to be respected, citing the words of the late Jo Cox MP, who was assassinated in June 2016: “We have more in common than that which divides us.”