Blogs
Following the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein, the vivid account of the life of Second World War soldier Elfed Davies (1919-2002) from Cardiganshire and his time as a young soldier in the North African Campaign has been published in a new book, called Salem Soldier.
Salem Soldier is a tale of two halves, as it is the story of a father and son, Elfed and Brian Davies, both raised in the tranquillity of north Cardiganshire hamlets, Salem and Penrhyn-coch. They lived dramatically different lives: Elfed Davies recalls his journey from north Cardiganshire to the ravages of war, when he served his country in Egypt, Libya and Italy during the Second World War. When he returned to Salem in 1945, the place and his world had changed dramatically.
Higher education provided a gateway to a career in outdoor education for Brian, and the means to travel extensively - from Penrhyn-coch to the Alpine ranges of Europe, the Far East and the extreme ends of our planet in South Georgia, Antarctica, Svalbard and Iceland. But, just like his father, the longing to return to the area was paramount in his mind. Salem Soldier portrays Salem and the surrounding north Cardiganshire area through the eyes of two generations as Elfed and Brian Davies tell of how our world changed.
During one particular journey with my father to Machynlleth some years ago, we took a detour and started reminiscing, said Brian Davies. My father recollected needing to borrow a copy of Old Moores Almanack before planning local concerts or eisteddfods in the old days, to find out the night of the full moon a clear night would illuminate the journey for the participants and audience alike.
I suggested that these recollections should be recorded and shared, and some time later I was presented with a moving, detailed account of my fathers early years, explains Brian. My own memories of a childhood within this caring community then came to mind. My fathers formative years, his wartime separation from the community, his marriage and my own birth, and some of my own memories, have led to an appreciation of the significance of cynefin to the Cymry cefn gwlad.
Brian Davies was born in 1946 and was educated at Ardwyn Grammar School, Aberystwyth and Cardiff College of Education. He has spent most of his career teaching at outdoor education centres and was chairman of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, 19992002. His interests lie in mountaineering and walking, photography, wildlife, travel, fishing and the local history of north Cardiganshire, especially the lead mining industry.
Christmas is traditionally a time for sitting around a log fire and telling ghost stories. These days central heating has mostlyreplaced the log fire but what about theseasonal ghost story? Is that also going the same way? From my list of 3,763 Mutual Twitter Followers I could only find a handful prepared to tag their work as 'ghost stories'. Is this because the ghost story is seen as old hat or has this particular sub-genre been immersed in the ever growing Paranormal and Fantasy genre? I'd be interested to know what you think.
Ibelieve a well written ghost story can send shivers down the spine like nothing else. The imagination is probably the brain'smost powerful attribute.The images that can be conjured in our mind by a creaking door or a flickering candle far surpass the most graphic description that can flow from a writers pen. That's why I find it so sad that when we think of great ghosts stories we invariable have to delve into the past.
M.R.James is one who immediately springs to mind as a master of the craft. As evidence of my claim you may wish to view Robert Powell's reading of 'The Mezzotint' .
5. " The White and the Black " by Erckmann-Chatrian Two of my favourite ghost stories are Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' and W.W. Jacobs 'The Monkey's Paw' . If anyone has not read or seen an adaptation of Henry James 'The Turn of the Screw' where have you been? This is definitely a must read. More authors synonymous with ghost stories include many great names in the history of English literature:
Algernon Blackwood Ambrose Bierce Washington Irving Shirley Jackson Edgar Allan Poe Edith Wharton
Where are the indie authors to take up this challenge? Well, I've found a few.
| Read A Ghost Story This Christmas | |
 Mardi OrlandiA Secret Society An Abandoned Church And a Shadow Brought together by their mysterious gifts, seven teenagers have been stranded in no-time by their Secret Society. In an abandoned church they find a gathering of ghosted orphans, trapped for over one hundred years. To free these ghosts they will need to discover each of their identities, and to do that, this group of misfits will need to face the secrets that have haunted their own lives. It is the only way they will survive. And time is running out. A haunting fantasy, Secrets of Ghosts will intrigue those of us who like to seek amongst the shadows. |  |
 Peter Shapiro Peter David Shapiro was born in Montreal, Canada, and emigrated to the US after completing graduate school at Stanford. Before writing his debut suspense novel, Ghosts on the Red Line, he toiled as a management consultant serving clients around the world. Harry West, his protagonist in Ghosts on the Red Line is by amazing coincidence also a consultant. Harry West also plays the leading role in The Trail of Money, the prequel to Ghosts on the Red Line, a suspense novel about money laundering and murder in Hong Kong that was released in October 2012. |  |
 Suzy Turner Adopted sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane are polar opposites, but when the same strange 'tattoo' suddenly appears and winds its way up their bodies within days of each other, they soon realize there's more to their relationship than they could ever have imagined.Sent off to London for two weeks of 'work experience', the Morgan Sisters soon find themselves being initiated into the ancient Praxos Foundation, one that protects the innocent while fighting evil, both human and supernatural. At the same time, Lana Beth and Emma Jane must also investigate why the sweet but sometimes pesky ghost of Josiah Grimshaw just won't leave them alone. |  |
 Douglas R Cobb Join the world's best-known and most beloved terrier/pterodactyl, Lily, her fourteen-year-old "owner," Celeste Quince, and the rest of PAWS (Private Army of Warrior Sleuths), Fuzzy Wally MacGee (a Chinese Crested/rhino), Lucy armosetHiggins (a Great Dane/orangutan), and Prince Alphonse Saed (a miniature dachsund/Mountain Lion) as they attempt to foil the latest plans of the scarlet Macaw Frankie Sinister and the Scarlet SNURFLES. The claim they want to develop an alternative energy source, but when the ghosts of Arkansas start disappearing from their favorite haunts, it looks like it's a case for Lily, Celeste, and PAWS. How can they say "No," when the request comes from the "Bandit Queen," the ghost of Belle Starr? Read about their exciting and often humorous sleuthing adventures as they travel throughout Arkansas encountering ghosts (both good and diabolically evil) ! Also, be sure to read the first book in the exciting new series, Lily, Unleashed! |  |
 William Meikle Between 1878 and 1879 the small town of Amherst in Nova Scotia sees of one of the strangest cases of poltergeist activity in history.A local girl, Esther Cox becomes the focus of night terrors, rappings, unexplained fires and more.What is the cause of this outbreak of psychic disturbances? No one knows. But Esther has a secret. And that secret might just destroy her. |  |
 Dr Ann Nyland Am y Stuart is a journalist and blogger for a paranormal magazine.Shedoesn't wear black leather; she can't kick butt; she doesn't have supernatural powers.But she does have one skill: while wearing shapewear and with her reading glasses perched on her nose, she can out-research the best of them, especially when her caffeine levels are high.When sent to England to write articles on Sir Francis Dashwood's Hellfire Club, Amy uncovers a link between the alchemist Nicholas Flamel, the nineteenth century occultists and the Hellfire Caves which endangers her own life. Can her research skills save the world from at least one dastardly killer? The Dashwood Haunting is the first book in the Amy Stuart Occult Mystery series. |  |
| What do you do when a phantom needs your help?A small plane crashes into Jase's backyard, and before long, he realizes the ghost of the pilot is haunting him. Jase needs help to rid himself of this supernatural visitor. When he sees his friend, Stevie, entering the town's legendary haunted house, he's certain she's the one who will have the answer to his problem. But will she help him? |  |
 Phil Rowlands For media mogul Clinton Ebenezer Scrooge III this Christmas Eve will be unlike any other. He is about to embark on the most terrifying journey of his life. It is a journey in which he must confront a painful past before he can begin to right terrible wrongs, before he can know redemption. A journey that leads to a place he left long ago, a place where hope abandoned alost child forever. Tonight Scrooge will discover that the past cannot be erased by power but is he prepared to pay the price demanded for his salvation? |  |
| Manhattan Plays Host to Contemporary Urban Adaption of Dickenss A Christmas Carol. Adapted and published by Welsh writer, Philip Rowlands, A Christmas Carol: Revisited is set to make its debut concert reading in New York this December. Thrusting Ebenezer Scrooge into modern day Manhattan, could Rowlands adaption open a new chapter for this timeless classic? Tonypandy, Wales Like all good things in life, the passage of times bring a need for change. Nobody believes this more than Welsh author Philip Rowlands, whose contemporary adaption of Charles Dickenss A Christmas Carol is taking the literary world by storm. In fact, the story has been so popular that it is about to make its debut concert reading in New York City. A Christmas Carol Revisited takes Dickenss original story and drops it into to modern-day Manhattan. Ironically, the storys concert reading will take place in the same city, being performed at The House of the Bar on December 19 th However, before making its impressive trip across the Atlantic, Rowlands adaptation enjoyed an abundance of home-grown success. The book was featured on BBC Radio Wales last November, being awarded a positive critique by radio host Roy Noble. As Rowlands explains, the positive feedback generated an urge to spread the word Earlier this year I decided to email the secretaries of Charles Dickens Societies around the world. The most exciting of all the responses was the one received from The Entertainment Committee of the New York City Bar Association. They requested permission to sponsor a Concert Reading of my book, which has now been planned for this December, he says. The performance is taking place on a one-off, non-commercial basis, with attendees being asked to voluntarily contribute something in a '5' denomination for a children's charity. Rowlands is delighted that his book is getting the attention and acclaim many feel it deserves, something he hopes Dickens himself would approve of. I tried to consider what issues Dickens would have written about today, hence my decision to set the story in New York and not London. America has long since assumed the mantle once worn by the British Empire and has been at the heart of most of the major global events of the 21st Century, he adds. Attention has even been garnered by noted figures in the literary world, including writer Nigel Crowle. He commented, I thought it was very, very, good indeed. Phil put a new twist to it. It was great. .He's got some great imagery. . .fantastic. . . I loved it. The Concert Reading of A Christmas Carol: Revisited will take place at The House of the Bar on December 19 th , Manhattan, New York City, between 18:00 20:00. To mark the event and in support of the children's charities involved FREE copies of A Christmas CarolRevisited will be availableon AMAZON this December. PRESS RELEASE | |
I now have some of my work for sale online at The Bevere Gallery, Worcester . Thanks to everyone who has welcomed me to Americymru and commented on my work. Still raining here in Ceredigion!
"Sam asked Noah what was 'is business,
And t'ould chap went on to remark
That, not liking the look of the weather,
'E were thinking of building an Ark." Noah builds an ark...
There is a theory that the varied type of weather in the UK lends itself to becoming the central point of all discourse, and the great myth of British "reserve" has been compounded by the ability to talk inanely for hours without ever breaching a personal issue..... Well, I have just put that theory and therefore the statement "there is a theory" is 100% true....
It may not be a good theory, but as I wake this bright November morning and look at the rain pouring downthe bedroom window, snuggle under the bedclothes as I recall switching off the central heating last night in a vain attempt to reduce the forthcoming horrific fuel bills (and thank you Mr Cameron for deciding that we should all pay an additional 95 per household to help the energy companies invest in more green resources!!) my thoughts dwell upon mycolleaguesin the re-enactment and Live Roleplay & Fantasy Trading circles who are out this weekend trying to ply their trades.
Ludlow Christmas Fayre is on this weekend, just over the border from Wales, many still hold that it belongs to us, after all it still says "Croeso i Loegr" as you enter England, "Welcome to the Lost Lands".Many friends are there and by all accounts the rain did not let up at all yesterday and the winds were horrific. Martin, of Martin's Jerked Meat (Newport) lamented that the "Trade has gone cold" and from his ramblings I don't think that was all that was cold !!! Suddenly, finishing trading at the end of October all seemed to make a little more sense, even if the money was not coming in!! Still, Caerphilly Castle at Christmas to look forward to on 8th December - I will give them that long to get the weather sorted out again - I am not an unreasonable person. [ Link to Caerphilly Fayre ]
So, it may not be Hurricane Sandy, or even Hurricane Dai, but the weather reports show a record number of weather warnings including 4 "death threatening" levels.
Though in some senses I prefer this version which has a hint of simplicity about it ...
As I look out of my bay window in Llanelli, it is currently sunny here - I hear that my Granddaughter is holding a memorial service this afternoon for Goldie the Goldfish who sadly passed away after consistent over eating - no flowers please... monetary donations only .... and I wonder whether I should wish that it be dry for the mourners, or wet in memory of poor Goldie......
Never an easy decision for the Barkeep .....
AmeriCymru: Hi Becca and many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. When did you start the Welsh Gift Shop ? 
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| An early Christmas present from The Welsh Gift Shop. Order unique Christmas gifts from Wales with a guaranteed 10% discount. This offer is exclusive to AmeriCymru members and readers. The discount code is 'americymru10%'. Just quote this when ordering for instant reductions. Offer lasts until December 10th. |
Interview by Ceri Shaw Ceri Shaw on Google+
Fact for t h e day... the word "Trigger" used for all our guns originated from the word TREKKER from the Dutch. [Dutch trekker , from Middle Dutch trecker , from trecken , to pull .]
T his may not seem to be a very important fact, but I was more interested that I learned it in the middle of the night while sitting at my computer, on a pop up message from a very nice and attractive young lady who had possibly imbibed a little too much of the Mead, and who decided that the early hours of the morning was a good time to contact her favourite Barkeep and discuss early century firearms. Granted that the last time I met the young lady was at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross when she pointed a very large, and unloaded I hasten to add, blunderbuss sized weapon at me - and smiled with a rather demonical look in her eye .....
It seems that it was not a blunderbuss - her weapon, which she knew with anatomical knowledge predated such a piece of mechanical engineering by a laughable number of years, and though the communication was through the little box called "Chat" upon a Facebook page, with an annoying little "Ping" sound after every T was dotted and I was crossed, it was quite clear that the tone of the missives contained an air of "You don't know even the basics !!! What kind of imbecile would make that sort of mistake !""
I'm even pre matchlock
I suppose that if you are the Barkeep to a Re-enactment and Live Action Roleplay Historical and Fantasy Tavern, then you just have to expect being delighted by the rich tapestry of people that you meet across the country - even if it also involves having the occasional weapon pointed at you.
I am sure that my friends and associated in the USA will support the principle that every young lady in medieval gown should have the right to bear arms. I certainly support that it makes for a more varied lifestyle - life does not get boring when surrounded by people who are involved in their hobby, and though this is the "down" season here in the UK, well for me at any case as I have no intention of putting up canvass and camping out in the rain and snow at the moment - (though arguably I did last year!!) it is a delight to still have access to the varied characters that have been our customers and friends over the last 10 years.
Oh, she also shared another interesting fact - it is the sort of thing that you do in the early hours of the morning - apparently a snail's orgasm lasts 30 minutes.....
Well that was sort of a conversation stopper!!!...
The decking of the traditional fir tree is one of the highlights for young and old as part of the Christmas preparations. However, there is one Christmas tree in Cardiff which will have more significance than most again this year. The Tree of Hope, located outside Stafell Fyw Caerdydd Living Room Cardiff, is being lit up at 6pm on Wednesday, 12 December 2012.
The tree offers an opportunity to attach a star enclosing a message of hope as a way of celebrating freedom from addiction, honouring persons successfully achieving recovery, to dedicate rays of hope to those still struggling in their illness and those working in the field, and to commemorate lives lost to this tragic and misunderstood disease
We would encourage as many people as possible to give an hour or two out of their day in the run up to the Christmas celebrations to help those who are recovering whilst also remembering those who were not so fortunate.
After the Tree of Hope ceremony there will be curry and carols to round off the evening.
Recovery Cymru is delighted to be part of the Tree of Hope event. We believe that celebrating recovery and the different paths we take, whilst paying tribute to those we have lost along the way allows us all to recognise how special recovery is and to share that message to others. We would like to dedicate our involvement to our dear friend Matt. We look forward to seeing you there. Love, The RC team.
To have a special message inscribed on an individual star of hope, please call Living Room Cardiff on 029 20493895 or email info@welshcouncil.org.uk by 9 th December 2011.
This event is organised by the same team that brought you the first ever Welsh National Recovery Walk in 2011.
Coeden Gobaith yn gwreiddio yng Nghaerdydd
Mae addurnor goeden binwydd yn ddigwyddiad y maer hen ar ifanc fel ei gilydd yn edrych ymlaen ato fel rhan o baratoadaur Nadolig. Ond mae un goeden Nadolig yng Nghaerdydd eto eleni gyda mwy o arwyddocd nar mwyafrif. Maer Goeden Gobaith, wedii lleoli yn Stafell Fyw Caerdydd - Living Room Cardiff, yn cael ei goleuo am 6pm ar ddydd Mercher, 12 Rhagfyr 2012.
Bydd cyfle i lynu seren ir goeden syn cynnwys neges o obaith fel ffordd o ddathlu gwellhad un annwyl, i ddangos diolchgarwch am gymorth mewn gwellhad personol, ac fel ffordd o gofior rhai au collwyd yn sgil dibyniaeth.
Gobeithio y bydd cymaint o bobl ag syn bosib yn ein helpu i fod yn llusern ddisglair o obaith ir rhai syn dal i frwydro yn erbyn dibyniaeth, ac i anfon neges o ddiolch drwy roi seren ar ein Coeden Gobaith.
Yn dilyn seremonir Goeden Gobaith bydd cyfle i ganu carolau a mwynhau mochyn wedi ei rostio.
Mae Recovery Cymru yn falch i fod yn rhan or Goeden Obaith. Rydym ni yn credu fod dathlu adferiad ar gwahanol lwybrau rydym yn eu cymryd, tran talu teyrnged ir rhai hynny gollwyd ar y ffordd, yn caniatau inni gyd sylweddoli pa mor arbennig yw adferiad. Ac I rannur neges honno I eraill. Hoffen gysegun hymrwymiad In cyfaill annwyl, Matt. EDrychwn ymlaen at eich gweld yno. Cariad. T m RC.
Er mwyn cael neges arbennig wedi arysgrifio ar seren obaith unigol, ffoniwch Stafell Fyw Caerdydd ar 029 20493895 neu e-bostiwch info@welshcouncil.org.uk erbyn y 9 o Ragfyr 2012.
So on this day in 1963, Dr Who first appeared on BBC 1 - a step forward in TV history that would change generations. There have been many Doctors and, like James Bond, everyone seems to have their favourite and though I am an old traditionalist and loved the original story line of a Grandfather trying to get his granddaughtera decent education in a local Earth School who kidnaps two of the teachers.
I can think of a number of teachers today who would gladly up sticks and jump into a floating Police Box and it may be that the original concept was inspired by the desire to escape the classroom.
Indeed - it has inspired the escapist fantasies of generations since that time.
Though I have watched most Doctors from the original back in 1963, the nearest we have come to the TARDIS is Caerphilly Castle a couple of years ago when we took the Crimson Moon Mead Emporium to the InnerBailey and looked up at the main tower to see a Blue Box shining in the most unlikely position!!.
It may have been a publicity stunt - but staying in the old Castle overnight - with the TARDIS as a Beacon shining down upon us was and interesting experience.
The TARDIS on the main tower at Caerphilly Castle and the view up through the arch at the Crimson Moon Mead Emporium and the North Tower.
So back to the present and we spent a night in the UK being battered by seriously strong winds. As one correspondent upon the Book of Faces commented - "We have been hit by Hurricane Dai!!"
But this morning the sun is trying to break through and thought I would not call it warm - we are not subjected to the wind whistling through the dog flap - and stealing all the heat out of the house.
A breakfast of home made bread, with home made cream cheese and home made apricot jam - may not be the most healthy in the "less fattening" style but I can be assured of noadditives, and itcertainlytastes better. A cup of coffee may not be the most healthy either, and is fairness it is not my normal drink - tea being the preference for most days, however - it seemed to be right to go with the breakfast.
So plans for the day?
Just enough time - after all it is Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey...
Taken from the .. Barkeep's Blog
As the acclaim piles up for their third LP, Anglo-Welsh-American psychedelic rockers Howl Griff give London a double-header this weekend with FREE gigs both north and south of the river.
On Friday 23rd November the band are playing at Ryan's Bar in Stoke Newington , and on Saturday 24th it's the Queen's Head in Brixton . Entry to both is free; maps and details at http://www.howlgriff.com/gigs.html
The ' Fragile Diamond ' album has been universally adored by the critics, with radio plays worldwide including BBC 6Music and being BBC Radio Wales's Album of the Week . The Line Of Best Fit said "HG sprinkle cuteness where it fits into the compositions but leave them alone when it doesnt... effortlessly marrying indie rock and endearing songwriting . In other words, you can be adorable without descending into hipster irony."
Louder Than War said " Trust me on this, you should hear this band . Its an album you should have your life will be a tiny bit shinier for hearing it" while the Western Mail said "you could be forgiven for thinking that Howl Griff are the result of some genetic experiment in a laboratory undertaking pioneering research into the creation of the perfect melody ."
Music News simply says Howl Griff are very, very good , developing their songwriting to a place that is as good as anyone around today . There isnt a duff number or a filler on the album, while Stuff magazine called it "The perfect antidote to autumn's inexorable onset, warm, fuzzy and saturated with summery charm ".
You can read more quotes and hear the album - at http://www.howlgriff.com/
Fragile Diamond follows Howl Griff's critically-acclaimed eponymous Welsh-language debut (which Clash magazine called the work of a Welsh Brian Wilson) and English-language LP The Hum which yielded much coverage on BBC 6Music including an MPFree of the Day, a BBC Radio Wales Single of the Week and being hailed as bloody lush by Lauren Laverne .
Lead single Fragile Diamond sees the band swinging melodically through a song that examines the fragility of life against a backdrop drenched in lush three-part harmonies . Elsewhere, theres the epic Meet My Maker (based on singer Griffs experiences of going blind while driving down the fast lane of the M4), the blistering riff-based 70s rock of She Walks On By The Flame , thumping disco beats of Sharkfins In The Sky (with more real-life lyrics, this time about a murder at an ice rink underneath the bands studio) and "maritime cowboy" anthem Rose of Emily (must be the influence of the Texan bass player). More track info and lyrics can be found at http://www.howlgriff.com
Howl Griff are:
Hywel Griffiths, lead vocals and guitar
Gary Parkinson, guitar and backing vocals
Steve Kennedy, bass and backing vocals
Nick Moore, drums and percussion
Press/photos: Ffion Davies at AltPR
ffion@altsounds.com 07889 355 051
TV / Radio Promotion: Ron McCreight
ronmccreight@btinternet.com 07775 663 537
Record label: Dockrad
post@dockrad.com www.dockrad.com 07950 938 227
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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/HowlGriff
Merchandise: http://howlgriffshop.spreadshirt.net
We are: Hywel Griffiths, Nick Moore,
Gary Parkinson, Steve Kennedy and you
Gododdin : The Earliest British Literature published by Gomer Press is Professor Gwyn Thomass classic translation of the odes, or awdlau as they are known in Welsh, that commemorate the encounter of 300 Britons with a vast army of Angles at Catraeth. This conflict, which occurred towards the end of the sixth century, ended in the defeat of the Britons. But this was a glorious and heroic defeat and the poems include a series of elegies to the brave Britons who died fighting an army of thousands.
As well as being the title for these collection of poems attributed to Aneirin, Gododdin also refers to both the kingdom in Yr Hen Ogledd, the Old North (southern Scotland and northern England) and the tribe of British people living there.
Gwyn Thomass rhythmic rendition conveys the raw emotional power of the original Primitive Welsh text and along with his enlightening and authoritative Introduction, the author and poet offers a memorable perspective on this resonant poetry of European significance. There is much debate between scholars as to when exactly Gododdin was composed but it could be argued that some of these odes are the oldest British literature of all.
A former National Poet of Wales and Emeritus Professor of Welsh at Bangor University, Professor Gwyn Thomas is a prolific author and poet. He has published 19 volumes of poetry, several volumes of work as a literary and cultural critic and commentator as well as volumes of adaptations and translations of medieval Welsh tales.
Gododdin: The Earliest British Literature is available from
all good bookshops and online retailers.
For more information, please visit www.gomer.co.uk
