Welcome to the Pre-war Minor Network’s 2027 Rali Glyndŵr page. The spelling and pronunciation of the rally title immediately give away in which region of the United Kingdom our 17th rally will be held. It won’t be our first foray into the Principality; that occurred during our COVID-blighted 2021 Marches Rally when the Welsh border was crossed at least twice on the Saturday tour. However, next June we will be heading northwest to Aberystwyth, which our volunteer (he might say pressganged!) host Jeremy Evans has selected as our rally base. Now I know from recent firsthand experience that the terrain in this part of Wales will test our Minors (perhaps less so the Hornets and M Types), but the payback in terms of vistas and general scenery will make the extra effort worthwhile. So, a huge ‘thank you’, Jeremy, for taking on this mammoth task. What follows below are his background notes, designed to persuade/cajole/bully you to download the rally’s entry form, and to block out 11th-13th June 2027 in your diaries and then to get your entries posted!
Chris Lambert – August 2026
Rali Glyndŵr – Friday 11th to Sunday 13th June 2027
Why Rali Glynŵr?
The Rally takes its name from Owain Glydŵr, who was a Welsh nobleman and military commander. Owain was born around 1359, in Wales. He was educated in England and could speak both Welsh and English.
By 1384, he was active in the British army, serving in Scotland and also in the war with France. Owain had indirect connections with both Richard II and Henry IV. However, towards the end of the century, Owain disagreed with Lord Grey, who was the King’s aide in North Wales, residing in Ruthin. Grey wrote to the King, resulting in Owain being accused of theft and treason; needless to say, Owain didn’t take this too well!
By 1400 there was growing unrest along the English/Welsh border, with skirmishes between the British forces and locals. This, and his treatment by Lord Grey, prompted Owain to suggest that he was the person to save Wales from an English invasion. Owain led his supporters in a 15-year fight with the British Crown, proclaiming himself as Prince of Wales.
Aberystwyth Castle
In 1404, Owain took Aberystwyth and Harlech Castles and established a Parliament in Machynlleth. Owain was at this time in effect, the de facto ruler of Wales, his influence spreading throughout the principality. He planned on building two national universities and establishing an independent Welsh church. He also wanted to re-introduce the traditional Welsh laws of Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good)
Despite its early successes, the rebellion quickly began to falter. Under the pressure from the greater numbers and wealth of the English forces, Owain managed to evade capture. However, his wife Margaret and two of his daughters were captured and put in the Tower of London, where they perished in 1413.
Owain continued his guerrilla-style war against English forces throughout Wales and the borderlands. In 1413 he led his last successful ambush in Brecon, where he captured and ransomed a prominent supporter of King Henry IV. This was the last time that Owain was seen alive.
With the passing of the British throne to a more conciliatory Henry V, the tensions eased. However, Owain stalwartly refused to accept this new approach and, to avoid capture, went into hiding. It is assumed he died in 1415 or 1416, although the location and place of his burial are not known definitively.
Our Saturday rally tour takes us very much along paths trodden by Owain and his supporters all those years ago. The core route starts in Aberystwyth and travels through some amazing countryside, north to Machynlleth.
In Aberystwyth, the remains of the castle can be seen at the south end of the promenade.
Whilst Owain made it a base in 1404 it was built by Edward I, between 1277 and 1289. Charles I established a Royal Mint in the castle in 1637. However, as it was considered a royalist symbol, in the Civil War it was largely destroyed in 1649 by Oliver Cromwell’s troops.
Aberystwyth, with the advent of the railway in 1860, became a bustling Victorian seaside resort. Its mile-long promenade is lined with Victorian buildings, and at this time the Royal Pier was also built. There are famous pictures of the show elephants “Salt and Pepper” bathing in the sea. In the background of this photo you can also see the cliff railway at the north end of the promenade.
Aberystwyth University was founded in 1872 and the National Library for Wales in 1909. Aberystwyth has been considered a centre for culture and learning ever since. Today, Aberystwyth can boast that it was chosen as the first Welsh town to be included in the UNESCO City of Literature network (October 2025).
Owain’s Parliament building in Machynlleth still stands and is now partly a museum and partly a cafe. The museum should be open during our visit to the town for those interested.
RALLY H.Q.
Rali Glyndŵr will be based at the Aberystwyth Park Lodge Hotel. The hotel has 37 rooms and a good-sized car park with trailer parking facilities.
It’s located on the edge of Aberystwyth town and is easy to find yet within easy reach of all town amenities.
The hotel has a good restaurant and bar should you wish to use it for our Friday and Sunday evening gatherings. We will have the use of a separate function room for the Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Saturday.
We have negotiated a group booking rate of £165 for double occupancy and £155 for single occupancy per night.
To book, please ring 01970 636333 and quote PWMN2027. Initially, the hotel has reserved ten rooms for us, although more will be available at the same rate, up and until the hotel is fully booked.
June is a peak period for hotels in Aberystwyth and the surrounding area. We have also been competing with a Vale of Rheidol Steam Railway event which has seen several hotels booked out already, both in Aberystwyth and Devils Bridge. So please don’t delay in booking your accommodation.
Rali Glyndŵr will be based at the Aberystwyth Park Lodge Hotel. The hotel has 37 rooms and a good-sized car park with trailer parking facilities.