On Saturday 14th September YesMachynlleth members marched through Machynlleth, with 500 other people, at the 'Wales is Not For Sale' rally organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith (The Welsh Language Society). The purpose of the rally was to emphasise the need to get to grips with the problem of second homes and holiday homes in the area, and to stop the flow of young people leaving the community..

YesMachynlleth were involved in the preparations for the rally, with several members speaking, stewarding, or helping out on the day. As well as this, members had been very busy beforehand, distributing leaflets advertising the rally door to door throughout the valley, and at the local agricultural shows.

Simon Jones, a spokesperson for YesMachynlleth said:

"The rally was a lot of fun, and an important opportunity to emphasise the need to sort out the local housing problems. We’re very proud to have been able to help organise the event, and to state clearly that the best way to solve our housing crisis is independence, with all the necessary powers in the hands of the people of Wales."

The crowd set off from the car park on Maengwyn Street, and as they passed Owain Glyndŵr’s parliament house, a choir of local children sang one of the songs from Cwmni Theatr Maldwyn’s recent performance of the musical Y Mab Darogan, about the life of Glyndŵr. The march then moved along Maengwyn Street to the Plas, where they were entertained by Linda Griffiths from the band Plethyn. It was a busy day in Machynlleth, with lots of visitors in town, so we made quite an impression, with several asking what the rally was about, and expressing their support.

There were speeches by Dafydd Morgan Lewis of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Delyth Jewell AS, local councillor Alwyn Evans, the author Mike Parker, and the housing activist Catrin O’Neill, who also sang, before drawing the rally to a close as everyone sang the national anthem. There was a very lively music session in the Wynnstay Arms after the rally, with everyone joining in the singing.