Gwynfor Lwyd

Baron Rudolf von der Drau

The tree is hewn, the glass is broken;
Gone are you from these, our shores.
Master Gwynfor, Peter Ryan,
Make ye merry evermore;
Bright Valhalla's gained a hero;
Bring the rains, though, we're made poor.

Baron Cormac Leneihan
A few thoughts on a friend who passed away this morning, and in keeping with the spirit of the man I won't keep it brief, and will begin with a digression.

If you are reading this on Facebook you will have probably seen a link to an article called "6 harsh truths that will make you a better person". The title is misleading, there was really only one harsh truth, which can summarised as "Get off your arse and make something of yourself". If there is one person I knew that epitomised this it was Peter. When Peter wanted to do something he set about learning how to do it. I never once heard him complain about not being able to do something because it was too hard, he just knew that if you worked at something long enough eventually the skills would come.

One of the things that Peter also worked hard on was including others. Despite the fact that he described himself as naturally introverted, he made every effort he could to include those around him in whatever activity he was involved in, and by dint of these efforts he contributed a huge amount of energy to the groups he was involved in.

If there are two lessons I could pass on from Peter's life the first would be don't make excuses. Don't give up after the first try with the excuse "I'm no good at it", don't avoid saying hello to people because you are naturally shy, and above all don't avoid doing something because you think failure might make you foolish, Peter really hated the "too cool to try" ethos. The other lesson is don't smoke.

Peter did more in less than a half century of life than I think I could in a full century. He was and will continue to be an inspiration to me and others, and I know that once my sadness has passed I will be able to look back and say "He lived his life well and I am fortunate to have had the chance to know him".

Mistress Kiriel du Papillon
Vale Gwynfor - you will live on in the memories of those who loved you, and in the form of the community that you had so much influence in shaping. Miss you mate.

Awards from the Kings, Princes and Barons of the SCA
West Kingdom
Award of Arms
Leaf of Merit
Pelican
Queen's Cypher
Western Lily

Principality of Lochac
Princess' Cypher
Silver Tear

Kingdom of Lochac
Golden Sword
Knotted Sword
Court Barony
Prometheus
Augmentation of Arms

Barony of Stormhold
Baronial Commendation
Silver Drakkar

and other awards