Bala & Cynwyd in Wales, U.K.

Many of the original settlers of this area came from the towns of Bala and Cynwyd which is located in the lake region of northern Wales.

Bala is derived from the Celtic “Belago” meaning the efflux of a river from a lake. Bala, Wales is situated at the northeast tip of Llyn (Lake) Tegid where the water flows into a nearby stream.

Bala is an attractive market town deep in the Welsh countryside. The picture shows its large lake 4-5 miles long and 1 mile wide which is very popular and used for winter sports of all kinds.

Cynwyd is a personal name of a Welsh saint/confessor who was the son of Cynfelyn ab Arthwys, of the race of Coel Goedebog. Cynwyd was one of the “Men of the North,” who were all warriors, and was Saint of Babgor Catwg at Llancarfan, Wales.

Picture of the Bridge House located at the entrance to the hamlet of Cynwyd

The dragon has been recognized as the emblem of Wales for well over a thousand years and it is therefore entirely appropriate that it should be featured on the Neighborhood Club’s logo. The earliest written record of the red dragon as a national emblem of the Welsh is to be found in “Historia Brittonum,” written during the ninth century and long attributed to Nennius. It tells the famous story of the battle of the red and white dragons that raged beneath the site of Vortigern’s fortress in Snowdonia, the red dragon at first having the worst of it but finally overcoming the white. Merlin explained that the combat symbolized the struggle between the Britons and the Saxons, foretelling that the Britons, after long years of oppression, would one day drive the Saxons back across the sea whence they came. From that time the fiery dragon became linked with the great Welsh leaders, especially perhaps Cadwaladr, traditionally known as the last king of Britain, and thus was favored by Henry Tudor. Born at Pembroke Castle, Henry claimed descent from Cadwaladr and in establishing the Tudor dynasty finally united England and Wales. Yet it was not until 1807 that the red dragon was officially declared to be the Royal Badge of Wales and not until 1959 that the Queen approved a recommendation that the national flag of Wales should show the red dragon on a green and white field.