RETURN OF WELSH ARTEFACTS 'NOT PART OF CURRENT STRATEGY' The Director of Museums Archives and Libraries of Wales (CyMAL) has written to the Celtic League to say that the return of artefacts to Wales is not part of current Welsh Government strategy. The League's General Secretary (GS) has been in correspondence with the Welsh Government to establish if they would be prepared to call for the return of the Rhaeadr Gwy/Rhayader Treasure. Part of the treasure consists of a gold ring, armlet and necklet has been held in the British Museum since its discovery in Rhaeadr Gwy/Rhayader in Cymru/Wales in1899 and is currently being exhibited in
the town, together with another find from the same period, for the first time. The email from Director Linda Tomos of CyMAL explains that even though the Welsh Government is not prepared to call for the return of Welsh artefacts that are being held elsewhere, they intend to work with UK institutions to ensure that
material is accessible to the people of Wales. The Scottish Government on the other hand are not only calling for the return of Scottish artefacts that have been removed from Scotland and being exhibited or stored elsewhere, like the
Lewis Chessmen for example, but are also working with UK institutions for artefacts to be exhibited in Scotland for the benefit of the Scottish people. It is shameful that the Welsh Government is not following the Scottish Government's
lead on the matter. The full text of the email from Director Tomos can be found below. Dear Mr Tal-e-bot Thank you for your email of 25 July. It is not part of current Welsh Government strategy to campaign for the return of artefacts to Wales. The Welsh Government will continue to work with UK National institutions, and invest in developing museums across Wales to ensure that such material is accessible to the people of Wales through localn exhibitions. Yours sincerely Linda Tomos
Director
CyMAL: Amgueddfeydd Archifau a Llyfrgelloedd Cymru
CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales
Llywodraeth Cymru/ Welsh Government This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact: Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884
M: 0044(0)7787318666 rhisiart.talebot@
gensec@ J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League 16/08/11 The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues. TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609 Internet site at: (voir le site)
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