Introduction

On 21 June 2009, a plaque was laid on the top of Primrose Hill to mark the site of the first meeting of the Gorsedd of the Bards of the Island of Britain in its modern form and to commemorate its founder, Iolo Morganwg.

Iolo Morganwg was a poet, political radical and one of the founders of the Unitarian movement in Wales. The Gorsedd now lives on as part of the annual cultural festival, The National Eisteddfod.

Consultation and outcome

A consultation to determine whether the plaque should become a permanent feature on Primrose Hill, ran from early July to the end of September 2009.

Following careful consideration of all responses, it has been decided to re-site the plaque within hardstanding as part of planned re-landscaping at the viewpoint, no more than 20 metres from its current position. In the meantime, the plaque will remain in its present location.

Thank you to everyone who shared their views. A summary of consultation responses is available below.

Summary of Consultation Responses

A total of 40 responses were received; 19 in support of the plaque and 21 against.

Reasons given in support of the plaque are summarised as follows:

The plaque maintains an important cultural link between London and Wales.

Iolo Morganwy is worthy of this commemoration and plays an important part in Welsh history, culture and tradition.

The National Eisteddfod is an institution of national and international cultural importance and as such is worthy of this commemoration.

The plaque is specific to Primrose Hill as it marks the inaugural National Eisteddfod.

The local planning authority has taken the view that intervention in the landscape was minimal and that planning permission was not required.

It is of potential significance to the Welsh diaspora and may therefore add to the wider London experience for such visitors.

The plaque is of high quality.

Sample comments in support of the plaque include:

"I would urge your good selves to not only make this plaque permanent but also to improve its visual impact, as I believe this could add to the educational and tourism attraction of the park."

"As a native Welsh speaker, educated in Wales but now working in London, I am very conscious of the tremendous contribution this eccentric genius made to Welsh culture and to the cultural life of London also. There can hardly be a more influential eighteenth century figure. As a leading scholar, poet and historian, Iolo Morganwg has long deserved this recognition, and I am delighted that the monument has been raised with such widespread support from the Welsh community in London. The monument will provide lasting interest and adornment to Primrose Hill and will remind generations to come of the importance of the site to Welsh history and culture."

"I write to express my wholehearted support for its siting at the top of Primrose Hill. You will know that this is the location of the historic first meeting of the Gorsedd of Bards in its modern form over two centuries ago. The person responsible was Iolo Morgannwg who was himself an outstanding literary figure in late 18th Century Welsh letters. He was the leading expert on early Welsh poetry and also a considerable poet in his own right."

"Iolo Morganwg's contribution to Welsh culture and indeed the culture of Britain should be acknowledged, and the unobtrusive memorial stone at the spot where the first Gorsedd was held is ideal."

Reasons given against the plaque are summarised as follows:

Primrose Hill is an unsuitable location for any memorial. It should remain an open space with no clutter, with nothing to distract from views.

It sets a precedent for future memorials.

It is inequitable to single out Iolo Morganwy for commemoration when there are other individuals who also have a significant link to Primrose Hill.

Iolo Morganwy is an unsuitable character to be remembered in this way.

There are more appropriate methods of commemorating the history of the Hill such as an illustrated board at the entrance gates.

It is wrong to concrete over grassland. The plaque would be more appropriate set into the pathway.

There is a maintenance liability to The Royal Parks.

It is too large.

Sample comments against the plaque include:

"Primrose Hill is a place of natural beauty, a precious rarity in Central London. Its unspoilt character should not be sacrificed by erecting permanent plaques or other monuments , which intrude and alter the character of the Hill as a natural feature.

The placing of a plaque commemorating Iolo Morganwg alias Edward Williams is a particularly regrettable example of promoting individual interests of groups of particular political or (quasi-)religious convictions. The Hill is a place for all to enjoy irrespective of politics or creed."

"We feel that it should be removed. The general idea of setting large stone plaques in the grass is a poor one, especially at the summit of the hill, where many people want to sit on the grass. Planting a tree somewhere less busy and placing a small wooden or brass plaque close by would be more appropriate for a Royal Park. If the stone plaque has to stay, at least move it to an area already covered by tarmac."

"I am wholly opposed to the plaque on the top of Primrose Hill to commemorate Iolo Morganwg. My stance is not based on his being Welsh or a Druid but that there should be no memorials on Primrose Hill at all. It has always maintained a natural look with grass, trees and paths. Any inscription should be at the gates only."

"Furthermore if there is to be one plaque why not more; there are many inhabitants and regular users of Primrose Hill who have fought battles over its being left open at night, who have written about it, painted it and deeply loved it who would all be as deserving of having a plaque there. If I had thought there was any possibility of having a plaque on the hill I would have asked for one in memory of my husband and would choose to have my own memorial there."