Rebels

Co-founder and leader of the Free Wales Army (FWA), William Julian Cayo-Evans (1937-1995) was born in Plas Glandenys, where he bred horses. “Cayo”, as he was known, was the son of a former High Sheriff of Cardiganshire and was educated at an English boarding school, where his Welsh nationalism developed. Infuriated by the flooding of Capel Celyn, he was instrumental in the campaign of 'direct action' during the 1960s-1970s. Charming, eloquent and good-looking, he was an excellent publicist for the FWA, staging rifle practice for journalists using dummy guns and marching in Dublin for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966. Sentenced in 1969 for conspiracy to cause explosions surrounding Prince Charles’ Investiture, he served 15 months in prison. Cayo has inspired many books and songs, as well as a pub: The Cayo Arms on Cathedral Road in Cardiff. Plas Glandenys is also the setting of the short story The Lovers' Graves by Bethan Phillips, which is inspired by a real-life romantic scandal involving the former owner William Jones and his much younger wife. The house is not open to the public, but an apartment in the house is available for holiday lets. Explore the footpaths to the north of Silian which lead to the FWA training grounds.

Photographs - copyright Helen Cayo-Evans