'prison made me eat only potatoes'
A VETERAN language campaigner claims he was banned from taking a Welsh Bible into jail and forced to eat only potatoes while behind bars at Bridgend's Parc Prison.
Carmarthenshire Welsh activist, Ffred Ffransis, of Llanfihangel-ar-arth, was sentenced to five days at Llanelli magistrates on Monday for refusing to pay an eight-year-old fine of £100.
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However, the 60-year-old campaigner, who was released at 8.30am on Wednesday, said he was appalled at the lack of effort to serve the Welsh community.
He claims he was reduced to eating only potatoes because he refused to fill in an English-only form to request vegetarian food. And he claims he could not get a Welsh language Bible.
The prison is managed by Group 4 Securicor on behalf of the Prison Service. A spokeswoman for G4 Securicor denied the allegations. She said: "The prisoner was offered his own personal Welsh speaking officer to assist him at the time but it was refused. We offered everything we could provide."
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by Ivor, Auckland New Zealand
Friday, July 03 2009, 4:54PM
“Lose the language and lose the Nation. The language is a vibration that comes from the soul.
Maori learnt that lesson very quickly as they were overwhelmed with English Kultur, they have kept the language alive and vibrant and hence they are too.
Thank God for the Welsh Patriots .. Criminals? Bah!”
by geoff, mumbles
Monday, June 08 2009, 7:12PM
“All very well fred has written on this website in reply to us normal honest hard working taxpayers having our say on this story that should not have even seen printed paper.why is the post letting criminals have their say ANYWAY!!!!!!!”
by Margaret, Llanfihangel-ar-arth
Monday, June 08 2009, 4:54PM
“I have great admiration and respect for Ffred's stand. He is our conscience and his actions show his commitment to the language and those who wish to speak Welsh in their everyday lives.
Da iawn Ffred. Rydym yn gwerthfawrogi eich safiad yn fawr iawn”
by Nicholas, Swansea
Sunday, June 07 2009, 6:42PM
“Well done Ffred for sticking up for your principles.
Some of the comments here are so ignorant, it makes you think if these people really do live in Wales? They are also obviously anti-Welsh bigots, who thankfully, are on their way out!
Ffred took part in a peaceful protest back in 2001 in Cardiff. He was fined £50 but decided not to pay the fine as nothing has changed in the last 8 years, i.e. the Welsh language is still invisible on our high streets. For refusing to pay the fine he was sent to prison for 5 days. He fully accepted the responsibility for his actions, and spent the time in jail.
Whilst in jail, he noticed, yet again, that all forms etc were in English only, and no Welsh language bible was available. He therefore gave this information to the press.
It is the Evening Post who have decided to go with this stupid headline!!
From what I have read elswhere Ffred has spent more than 4 years in jail over the last 30 years after taking direct action in campaining for the rights of the people in Wales to the Welsh language. He spent 2 years in jail in the 70's for conspiracy to climb a mast during the campaign for a Welsh language telivision channel S4C. He didn;t even climb the mast, he only drew the map of where the mast was located!
I read elsewhere that Ffred is a pacifist, and a strong Christian, and beleives that everyone in Wales should have the right to see, hear, learn and speak the Welsh langauge in every aspect of life.
He is a gentleman, and has my utmost respect.”
by Annoy, Carm
Sunday, June 07 2009, 5:03PM
“Well if he wanted welsh food why did he not eat seaweed and lavabread, its people like him that gives wales a bad name. or if the Jail wanted some Painting done just give him a tin of Spray paint. and he can then spray welsh slogans on the walls. as they do now.”
by OAP, Carms
Saturday, June 06 2009, 1:24PM
“Welsh activist, Ffred Ffransis-- is showing what the welsh nationalists are ( Plaid), they are still the same, and always will be welsh nationalists. is this is what wales wants, is this Going to be there Home Rule in wales. its like the 60s and 70s all over again. i know.”
by Heather, Mumbles
Friday, June 05 2009, 9:01PM
“Well the Muslims are allowed their prayer rooms and the Koran. So what is the difference? Why shouldn't this man have been allowed access to a Welsh Bible.
As for you Bob, Swansea, you're living in the wrong country aren't you. I understand why the (wannabe) Welshies are so anti the language, after all most of you are incomers anyway - hardly Welsh which is a shame for you really isn't it?
Some of you are pathetic!”
by Lee, Expat
Friday, June 05 2009, 6:01PM
“I think the point he was trying to make is.. That if he was a Muslim he would be allowed a copy of the holy Koran as statute. He was not allowed a copy of the welsh bible, I guess his stubborness didnt help but he has raised a point for the welsh language and welsh nationalism. If he couldn't speak a word of English then the prison authoritys would have to translate every document for him... In a way I appreciate his stubborness, I am not a welsh speaker myself but he is obviously on a mission for a greater cause.”
by Sian, Neath
Friday, June 05 2009, 5:40PM
“He seems to think that he's some kind of martyr....NOT! He's an idiot that should not be allowed to say lies. He was not forced to eat potatoes. And ummmmm I thought prison was a punishment???”
by Keith, Bridgend
Friday, June 05 2009, 4:16PM
“As a matter of consistency, I told every officer in the prison that I would not be signing any English-only forms
so you will fill a comment in english on an english only site
but not a menu list for the food you want to eat
Ffred dont you think thats just a sad”