Opera tells story of 1936 RAF arson attack in Wales

Summarised from North Wales Live's report · Updated 5 Nov, 10:35 · Archive

An opera director is calling for Welsh schools to teach more about a 1936 arson attack on RAF Penrhos near Pwllheli.

An opera director has called for Welsh schools to teach more about a landmark 1936 arson attack on RAF Penrhos near Pwllheli, saying he was surprised how few pupils knew about it. Patrick Young, founder and artistic director of OPRA Cymru, has written to the Welsh Government's Education and Welsh Language Cabinet Minister Anna Brychan with his request.

The arson attack was carried out by prominent Welsh nationalists Saunders Lewis, DJ Williams and Lewis Valentine in protest against the airfield, which was used as a bombing school. The three men drove to a nearby police station to give themselves up and were later convicted at the Old Bailey. They were jailed for nine months and greeted as heroes by a 15,000-strong crowd in Caernarfon on their release.

Young's call comes as OPRA Cymru prepares to stage a new opera, Fflamau Penyberth (The Flames of Penyberth), commemorating the attack. The production will premiere in Pwllheli on 19 November, then visit other Welsh towns including Bangor, Aberystwyth, Barry and Brecon. OPRA Cymru has launched a £15,000 crowdfunding appeal for the £170,000 production.

Read the report

• Historic arson attack on RAF 'bombing school' near Pwllheli shoould be taught in Welsh schoolsOpera director surprised at how few had heard about RAF Penrhos attack in 1936 when three prominent, 'God-fearing' Welsh nationalists set fire to buildings thereNorth Wales Live · 5 Nov, 04:07

In this story: Patrick Young · Saunders Lewis · DJ Williams · Lewis Valentine · RAF Penrhos · Pwllheli · OPRA Cymru

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