A LETTER of condolence is being sent from Cardigan Town Council to the city of Fredericton in New Burnswick, Canada where four people – including two police officers – were shot dead last week.

Strong links exist between the two towns as 27 families emigrated from Cardigan aboard the brig Albion on April 9, 1819, arriving in Saint John in June 1819. They then made their way to Fredericton and within a few weeks many of them petitioned for land grants in what would become the Cardigan settlement.

According to the land survey maps of that period, lots were granted based on the family requirements – with 200 acre lots given to men with families and 100 acre lots to single men.

Many of the descendants still live in the area and celebrate their Welsh heritage and some were able to join Cardigan at its 900th anniversary back in 2010.

The letter to Fredericton mayor Cllr Mike O’Brien from Cardigan town clerk Wynford Jones reads:

“I have been requested by the Town Mayor, Cllr John Adams-Lewis, and all serving councillors to forward the sympathy and heartfelt thoughts of the people of Cardigan to you following the recent shooting incident which left four fatalities.

“Condolences are offered to the families who have been directly affected by this sad manifestation which seems to be prevalent even in the most enlightened locations of society.

“As you are aware, emigrants travelled from Cardigan aboard the brig “Albion” in 1819 arriving in Saint John where they were duly welcomed by the Mayor. They made their way thereafter to Fredericton and established the Cardigan settlement. It is understood that many of their descendants still live in the area and, hopefully, still celebrate their Welsh heritage.

“The townspeople here are justly proud of their Canadian connection and consequently share your concerns and sadness as you strive to come to terms with this appalling incident. We are sure that the community spirit generated by the good and decent people of Fredericton will prevail.”