Dr Evans was also a prolific writer. After his retirement from active politics he penned several volumes on the history of Wales. Current party leader Dafydd Iwan yesterday said his predecessor felt that knowledge of Welsh history was a prerequisite to a nation achieving self-government. "He used to say that a nation that didn't know its own history was like a man who'd lost his memory. "It was important for a nation to know its own history in order to better understand today "Gwynfor is by now a part - and a large part - of Wales' history.. He was an inspiration to generations." A softly-spoken and courteous man, who could bite when called upon, he was rarely shown the same courtesy in return. He became a reviled figure among many Labour Party activists and MPs, concerned that their century-long monopoly on the politics of the southern valleys might be threatened by Evans' upstart party.. He suffered particularly bilious attacks at the hands of the late George Thomas, one-time Welsh secretary and former speaker of the House. Yesterday his successor as party president Dafydd Wigley recalled, his eyes often welling with tears during the service, how difficult it was for Evans to get his message across when he was his party's lone MP in London. "Parliament was a very lonely place for Gwynfor in the 1960s, but his success soon inspired the Scots to follow suit by electing Winnie Ewing (the SNP's first MP) to join him in the battle" he said.. "We rejoice in that he lived to see some of his aspirations realised." Gwynfor forced the Thatcher government into a rare U-turn in 1980 after it reneged on a manifesto promise to create a Welsh-language TV channel. After he threatened to fast until death, the government, eager to avoid creating another Ulster-type flashpoint on its doorstep, caved in. Ms Ewing was among the congregation yesterday - as were representatives of all the main parties. IAN PARRI | 
