A PLAQUE has been unveiled at the Penarth home of one of the founding members of Plaid Cymru, Saunders Lewis.

A leading playwright, poet, historian and literary critic, Mr Lewis lived in Westbourne Road for 30 years before his death.

Former MP and assembly member Lord Dafydd Wigley unveiled the plaque on Thursday.

Guests were welcomed by Penarth's Plaid Cymru branch chairman, Adrian Roper, and the current householder, Granville John, who has preserved some of Mr Lewis' original furniture.

Two grand-daughters of Mr Lewis, Siwan and Bethan Elen Jones, were also in attendance.

There were also representatives from the Roman Catholic church, party members and supporters, including chief executive Rhuanedd Richards and members of the party’s history society.

Assembly Member Bethan Jenkins, the party’s culture spokeswoman, said Mr Lewis had been at the very heart of the party and was a key part of its history.

Lord Wigley suggested it was time to sweep away the campaign of "character assassination" he said had been waged against Mr Lewis over the years.

In the evening, Mr Wigley gave a speech at Evenlode Primary School about Saunders Lewis, as well as Plaid Cymru generally.

Describing Mr Lewis as “a one of the giants of Wales”, Mr Wigley said: “It is always important that a nation remembers its leaders in the fields of literature, drama, history, philosophy, religion or politics.

"It is particularly timely that we should, at this juncture, remember the European vision that he brought to Welsh politics.

"The time is ripe to re-assess his contribution and to see him as a mainstream European politician, way ahead of his time in Wales.

"He was a great man whom we should - as a nation and across political boundaries - be proud to salute.”

Adrian Roper said that Plaid Cymru in Penarth, which organised the event with the party’s History Society, was extremely grateful to everyone who made the day such a success.

He said: “I am particularly grateful to Granville John and his wife, Philippa, for their support and hospitality and to all the people who attended the unveiling and the evening meeting.”

"We are always happy to welcome new members and anyone interested can come and meet us at one of our monthly meetings, which are held at the Albion, Glebe Street, Penarth on the first Tuesday of each month from 7.30pm.”