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Llangollen town looks set to honour the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfods 65th Anniversary by erecting a Hollywood Style Sign in the Beautiful and Iconic Hills over looking the Festival Site.

Last night (31st March) the councils planning applications sub committee gave the go ahead for a 500,000 sign to be built in the breathtaking vista above Llangollen town amongst the Berwyn Mountains. The sign will mark the councils gratitude to thousands of competitors and visitors the Eisteddfod brings to Llangollen each year.

Cllr. Joe King deputy chairperson of Llangollen Towns planning applications secondary sub committee, said: This new landmark for Llangollen is a fitting tribute and celebration of the millions of people who have visited the Llangollen Eisteddfod over the last 65 years. Cllr. King went on to say It is a sign of this countys gratitude to these exceptional people who organize the Eisteddfod year after year and it will stand as an iconic Welsh monument marking how music and culture can bring people from all walks of life and all nations together.

The proposal is promoted by the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and Mervyn Cousins, Chief Executive of the Eisteddfod was thrilled by the result. Some members of the board were worried that we might have opposition to the sign from some locals, but it just goes to show that yet again, this small town can pull together and make a big difference. Local shopkeeper Faye Kinnit, who helped the campaign for the sign has said I grew up wanting to live in Hollywood, but with all the global superstars who come to Llangollen every year theres never been a need for me to make the move. Its only fitting that the sign has been approved.

This years music festivals has attracted a host of stars including McFly, Russell Watson, Lulu and Julian Lloyd-Webber. There will also be over five thousand singers, dancers and instrumentalists from around 50 countries perform to audiences of more than 100,000 over the 7 days of the event.

Reprinted with permission from David Western's blog, all material 2011, David Western --

There's only one week left in our 'help design the spoon' contest! So jump up off your backside, grab a pencil, unleash your creative 'inner-self' and sort out an entry or two - one of the easiest art projects you'll ever do. Seriously, the circles we need filling are only 2 inches in diameter each!! If you've been thinking about....its time to stop procrastinating and start scribbling! You could win a book AND the admiration of all and sundry!!!! C,mon...you can do it!!!!

If you have already entered...well done!! If you haven't...keep this one important thought in mind.....once we pick the winners, you'll never be able to say, "pfffft, I could have done waaaay better"....because frankly, you didn't!!!! So get in there, scratch out some lines and be part the fun!!!!

To motivate you, here's my contribution...none of which will appear on the final product even though I'm pretty pleased with the stylized Eagle and will definitely use it somewhere. The Beaver is pretty cool but any half-way competent NW Coast artist would likely only give me a C for effort and probably wouldn't be that impressed by my handling of line and form....and the stylized leek???? Well, it didn't exactly turn out like I hoped. SO, there you go, I've hung myself out there for all to see and now its your turn to enter some really motivated ideas and consign these to the bin.

From Dave's "editor": We'll choose the winning designs next weekend so this is your last chance to submit some Welsh designs, Celtic symbols or Celtic designs and to be part of creating this incredible piece of original Welsh-Canadian art. Winning designs will be part of Dave's creation and will be displayed at the West Coast Eisteddfod Welsh-American Arts festival in Los Angeles. Submit yours and be part of Welsh Arts and Welsh Culture at this year's West Coast Eisteddfod!

This blog can be found in its original format with pictures at http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/ and www.crapwifeblog.co.uk

I apologise if it appears as though I'm plumbing the depths but I'm getting desperate,I believe in the expression 'God helps them who help themselves', I don't believe in standing idly by watching everything going to pot, but doing nothing is not negative, it is neutral and cheap, whilst paradoxically, doing something can cost, therefore, as in my case, mainly ink & petrol, expensively negative. More than a year out of work, the money my mother left me has gone up in smoke as has the contemptible contents insurance; I am left with nothing except hundreds of photos that no-one wants. The good news is that on April 9 the pub will be cleaned out ready for work to start on the rebuilding, the bad news is that, if as likely, the bar won't be ready before the end of the year my problems will be almost insurmountable without financial support. I have just bought two new tyres with post-dated cheques, my car insurance runs out tonight, I have electricity & water bills, plus a personal loan to pay back. I need money now! There must be someone out there, benefactor, sponsor; saviour, who can help to keep me afloat; I should have earned enough money at Easter, Whitsun and the Summer, but it looks at present as though that has been put off for another year. Now I've got that off my chest I'm going to try and switch off for an hour or so to see how Sir Percy Blakeney aka The Scarlet Pimpernel escapes from prison, which I suppose he will. Thank goodness for my books & my friends.

If there is anyone who can help me until I get back on my feet; Paypal to my e-mail: bynwalters@libertysurf.fr or cheque to Byn Walters, Tavarn Ty Elise, 29690 Plouye, Bretagne/Brittany

Apologies again if this appears unseemly.

Dewi and I left Madison yesterday morning and spent the night outside Toledo, Ohio--it was a long day of driving with only a couple of stops. It was sunny and quiter warm--even had the car windows down when I was in town.

Today we drove from Toledo to Akron (usually 3 hours) in about the same 9 hours--we took the scenic route along Lake Erie to begin with, driving under (hand to God, these place names are true) Fangboner Rd., on the way to Put-in-Bay, which is near Port Clinton. You connect the dots and creat your own punchline.

We also went to Lakeside--a quaint littletown that hosts a Chattaqua in the summer, but is like aghost town this time of year--not even a place to get breakfast! Then we went to Marblehead to see the lighthouse, whichwas pretty, but would have been more interesting if it had been open.

Also, it was noticeably colder, greyer and windier today. By time I stopped for lunch at 1 pm, there were even a few stray snowflakes coming doiwn! I wanted to go to a paper warehouse (don't ask) so that took a couplw hours after lunch. By time I finished there, we were having a real blizzard--it snowed 3-4 inches in about 4-5 hours and driving the last hour took me 2 hours and it was near-white-out conditions! This is the part of thge trip where we cross River Styxx Road--now who would name a road that? And put houses there? Did not see the Boatman. He probably thgought Hell was freezing ovder. The snow finally let up, but everything is covered-it looks like a Christmas card and the roads are all slushy.

If SJ is reading, we may have photos of Dewi in another Welsh-naamed town--if we can get credit for "Valley City, OH"--it is no more a city (less of one, even) than Valley, Wales. We made a U-turn just for the photo op outside the old train depot. Let me know--photos will probably have to wait til the end of April. We also came across a Muffler-Man-like thing up by the lakeand took a photo--don't think it was an actual Muffler Man, but similar.

Visited a couple of cousins tonight, then founda cozy hotel. More cousins tomorrow and maybe Friday morning, then on to Cleveland for the NAFOW planning meetings.

Stay tuned for any other interesting sightings. And, photos later.

Mona and Dewi

Seren News - April 2011

Welcome to the all-new Seren News! In this issue we bring you an insight into our latest titles. Find out where your favourite Seren authors will be reading in the next couple of weeks.

Ruth Bidgood Shorlisted for Roland Mathias Prize!

Ruth Bidgood's Time Being has been shortlisted for the Roland Mathias Prize 2011. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Ruth Bidgood, who lives in Powys, has published twelve volumes of poetry. Her descriptions in Time Being are credited as Sharp and memorable, tending to a cool accuracy. The Award Ceremony for the Roland Mathias Prize 2011 will be held at The Guildhall, Brecon on Friday 8th April 2011.

Latest Titles

The Colour of Grass by Nia Williams Helens family is falling apart. There are no answers from her husband. She can't communicate with her daughter. So she turns to other relatives: the ones who are dead and gone. Straightaway she finds herself floundering in a new world of friends, secrets, enemies and family history enthusiasts. A story about families, past and present, and lifes unexpected connections. Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115393

Poor Mans Parliament by Martin Shipton Did you vote 'Yes' for the new law making powers in the National Assembly? Read this incisive account of the first 10 years of the Welsh Assembly. Its packed with eye-catching drama those who think that nothing happens at the Assembly will read Poor Mans Parliament and wonder how they could be so wrong. Paperback 12.99 ISBN: 9781854115164

Sound Archive by Nerys Williams The strikingly original first collection of poems from Nerys Williams. Using formal strategies similar to modernist painting: abstraction, dislocation, surrealist juxtaposition, the poet conjures a complex music, intriguing narratives, and poems full of atmosphere that query identity, gender, and the dream of art as a vehicle for emotion and meaning. A thoughtful, subtle and fascinating first collection. Paperback 7.99 ISBN: 9781854115386

Coming Soon

The Dragon and the Crescent by Grahame Davies In the early twenty-first century, the relationship between the West and Islam has, due to recent political events, become the subject of intense study, curiosity and tension. But to understand contemporary anxieties, we need to trace their historical roots. Grahame Davies' The Dragon and the Crescen t does this for one small European nation, revealing for the first time, the full and surprising story of the Welsh relationship with Islam. Publication April 2011 Paperback 12.99 ISBN: 9781854115577

Noteworthy by Bruce Cardwell Music makers are the focus of Bruce Cardwell latest book of black and white reportage and portrait photography. Practitioners of acoustic and vocal music folk, gospel, opera, choral, classical and ethnic in Wales over the last decade of the twenty first century, make a rich and diverse gallery of talent. Publication April 2011 Hardback 14.99 ISBN: 978185411540

Meet the Author

Monday 28th March, 7.30pm. Martin Shipton, author of Poor Mans Parliament , talks at the London Welsh Centre. Lower Hall, London Welsh Centre.

Friday 1st April, 7 pm. Ruth Bidgood will be reading at Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown with Jan Fortune-Wood.-Ruth's most recent collection Time Being is shortlisted for the Roland Mathias Prize.

Saturday 2nd April, 12pm. Bruce Cardwell exhibits his new book, Noteworthy: Images of Welsh Music at Moma Wales. Mavis Nicholson will open the exhibition.

Tuesday 5th April, 5.30pm. Nia Williams launches her latest novel The Colour of Grass at George & Delila Caf, 104 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1JE

Wednesday 6th April, 7 pm. The Other Room reading series with Carrie Etter, author of The Tethers , Ken Edwards, Alec Finlay, and, by live stream, Derek Henderson, The Old Abbey Inn, 61 Pencroft Way, Manchester M15 6AY. Free admission.

David Hurn and John Fuller present Writing the Picture :

Thursday 7th April, 7.30pm at the Media Point Room, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff and Tuesday 12th April, 7.30pm at The Drill Hall, Chepstow. Entrance to both events is 2.00 (redeemable against the price of the book)

Competition

Seren have five proof copies of Daniels Beetles by Tony Bianchi to give away!

What is the key to happiness? Is it a job at www.happinesstheexperience.com ? Daniels Beetles , out at the end of April 2011 is an absorbing, unnerving novel about memory and forgetting, stories and lies.

Send an email with 'Daniels Beetles' in the subject line to seren [at] serenbooks [dot] com for your chance to win. Closing date 4th April 2011 Terms & Conditions

Follow Seren

If you like Seren News and you think that some of your friends would too, why not forward it on to them? Just ask them to email us so we can include them on the next monthly newsletter, keeping up to date on all events, prizes, new titles and news from Seren.

this blog can be viewed in its original format at www.crapwifeblog.co.uk and http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/

Yesterday was a strange day, I realised in the shower that Im about 2 cinnamon bagels and an ovarian cyst away from having to wash with a sponge on a stick. This is of course a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.

That is why the Assembly Government is pleased to be providing 15 million to help make this campus become a reality. The Universitys research shows the project has the potential to create thousands of jobs for the region and pump millions into the local economy. Of course our funding will be subject to a business case appraisal and the University demonstrating its ability to fund the ongoing operation of the project. Innovation is key to our future in Wales. It is what can pave the way to success both in our businesses and academia. That is our path to further prosperity as we adapt to stay at the forefront of developments. For that reason, this development will be a significant step forward.

Professor Richard B Davies, Vice Chancellor, Swansea University said,

This is a bold and innovative project. It promises to be a global exemplar of universities and industry working together, creating high technology clusters and hugely enhancing the career opportunities for students. We have a number of multi-national companies as partners, but a project of this massive scale could not have proceeded without the assistance of the Welsh Assembly Government. We thank in particular the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones for his support and encouragement and for allocating funds from his own department budget to make the whole project financially feasible.

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Those of you who read my blogs will know how strongly I feel about recycling, regeneration and sustainability in Swansea and Gower. (Particularly Gower).

This is the type of news we welcome as it promises so much for the future sustainability of the region.

When highly intelligent individuals come to Swansea to study they more often than not fall in love with the beauty of Gower and the Swansea coastline. This is very good news indeed because often they decide to live and work here after their student days are over. In choosing to live and work here they boost the economic climate and the vibrancy of the area!

What should the planners be doing to help to make the region attractive to this group of individuals?

One thing they should be attempting is to bring vision to planning the recreational infrastructure. What currently tends to happen is that we train these high-worth individuals, and sometimes we incubate their businesses only to find that when they reach a point where they are viable and begin to employ workers themselves, they transport their business to The Cardiff Bay area where it is deemed to be trendier.

What is the solution? Please feel free to leave your opinion in the Comments section below.

Acclaimed Hollywood star Michael Sheen has given his support to the Healing The Wounds charity which helps treat sufferers of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).

The actor has agreed to become a patron of the charity.

Its a wonderful gesture, said Healing The Wounds charity secretary Carol Richards.

We met Michael the other day and he was very interested in the work of the charity.

He was delighted to accept our invitation to become one of our patrons and we are sure that he will help us put the charity firmly on the map in Wales.

Sheen is currently working on a production of the Passion Play in his hometown of Port Talbot over Easter.

He is famous the world over for his film roles, which include playing Tony Blair, David Frost and Brian Clough.

Carol Richards added: Michael Sheen is a big box office star and a person who obviously cares very passionately about his home community in Wales. We are all looking forward to working with him in Healing The Wounds.

The Healing The Wounds charity was set up in January 2010 to help provide PTSD treatment for members of the armed forces and veterans. It aims to set up a Welsh base for the treatment of PTSD. It is already arranging treatment courses and building a team of counsellors who can treat PTSD.

This post can be found in its original format at www.crapwifeblog.co.uk and http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/ with pictures and video.