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I say! I'm not much of a Kinema chappie. Much prefer live gels with long legs and the chance of an immediate liaison. However I chanced upon a rollicking production the other day concerning a spirited gel called Crofty or somesuch. Reminded me of the mem sahib in her prime. But I digress. This Crofty wallah apparently has an interest in ancient artifacts - this put her immediately in my good books being one meself - but has nothing of the starched corsets one would usually associate with her ilk. I remember givin in in a fit of exasperation after attempting to remove Myrtle Trubshaw's drawers during a particularly damp summer in Bognor. I was very young of course. Around thirteen I should think but even then I had a particularly excessive libido.Now where was I? Ah yes the Crofty creature. Imagine my horror when I enquired after the gels antecedents only to disover she was a Hun from Hun stock. It's very hush hush but apparently she tries to hide the fact by sporting a different moniker. Julie or somesuch as opposed to Volker. Too bloody close to valkyrie for my liking.Well I must come to the point. I was wondering if anyone knew where I could reach the gel.
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After his autobiography became the bests selling book in Wales last Christmas, Chris Needs is now publishing a second book this time about his comic creation: The Jenkinssssss: Waless First Family , and aims for similar success. The hilarious escapades of the Jenkinsssss are written through the diaries of the familys matriarch, our Gladys, and will be published this week. The revealing autobiography, Like It Is, published in 2007 by Y Lolfa told of Chriss traumatic childhood, his showbiz and charity career as an accomplished pianist and vocalist, and his life more recently as an all-round celebrity.
However, this book is a completely different kettle of fish. In her riotous, humour-filled diaries, Gladys tells of her struggle to keep the familys crazy, mixed-up lives together. Mams task isnt easy though. Her husband Dai is work-shy, son Philllip has a handbag, daughter Shantelll is preggers and dog Christopher or is it Christine? has had puppies. Just as well Elsie next door is accommodating she agreed to an adjoining door so they only pay one TV licence.
Follow the family from their humble beginnings in the valley community of Ponty Pantin to the sun-kissed Mumbles Bay and foreign parts (including Western Super Mare). Crammed full of outrageous valleys humour, this is an ideal Christmas treat for all of Chriss fans and anyone else who needs a good laugh. The book is illustrated with eye-catching colour cartoons by Mark Davies.
Chris Needs is a much loved radio presenter with a high profile thanks to his popular weeknight music and chat show on BBC Radio Wales. His cult fan club The Garden has over 40,000 members worldwide.
See below for details of when you can catch Chris making personal appearances at book signings and events in the period leading up to Christmas.
Thursday 4 December 12.30-1.30 WH Smiths Merthyr Tydfil
Friday 5 December 11.30-12.30 WH Smiths Llanelli
Friday 5 December 2.00-3.00 Waterstones Carmarthen
Wednesday 10 December 12.00-12.45 WH Smiths Swansea
Wednesday 10 December 2.00-3.00 WH Smiths Neath
Thursday 11 December 12.00-1.00 WH Smiths Bridgend
Thursday 11 December 2.00-3.00 Waterstones Cardiff
Monday 15 December 1.00-2.00 Borders Cardiff
Wednesday 17 December 12.00-2.00 WH Smiths Pontypridd
Thursday 18 December 12.00-1.00 WH Smiths Caerphilly
Thursday 18 December 2.00-3.00 Waterstones Newport
Friday 19 December 12.00-1.00 Borders Fforestfach
Friday 19 December 2.00-3.00 Waterstones Swansea
Monday 22 December 1.00-3.00 Borders Llantrisant
Tuesday 23 December 11.00-1.00 Waterstones Abergavenny
Tuesday 23 December 2.00-3.00 WH Smiths Cwmbran
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David Western's Portland Eisteddfod Lovespoon 
After a rather frustrating 'down time' due to a computer virus, I've got my photo file back and can resume spoon blog entries!
I've now glued a photocopy of the spoon design to the wood and have roughed out the overall shape of the spoon with a scroll saw. Unfortunately, you can't see much yet as all the good stuff is hidden under a layer of paper. But for me, I can see the wood left behind and I have a good idea of what awaits me when I start carving! When I flip the piece over, the proportions seem right and I am confident that the various vagaries of the wood grain will line up where I want them.
The second picture is a close-up showing an old dowel which must have linked the panel this spoon was cut from to another in bygone days. The dowel won't be seen when viewing the final product from straight-on but it will be visible on the side view. I have decided not to bother trying to remove it and repatching it with a walnut plug though. This old dowel's inclusion in the spoon won't do any harm structurally or visually, but it will lend some quirky charm and will be a good talking point! After all, how many people have a dowel which is potentially a hundred and fifty years old in their lovespoon!!
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An appeal to anyone with javascript skills. I want our new marquee to stop scrolling onmouseover. The standard :-onmouseover="this.stop()" ;onmouseout="this.start()"; doesnt work!!! Any suggestions?
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This site is now a member of the Entrecard network. Any bloggers out there will know what that means. Please support us ...and we'll support you! Our dropbox can be found in the right hand column just below the Left Coast Eisteddfod ad.Entrecard can be found HERE .
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Frost in the morningIce in the nightChill of the windSnow falling brightCrispness of airSheen on the landChildren all playingSounds of a bandJingle and jangleSkiing and skatesSprinkling snowdropsCrystalline shapesGlow of the street lightsHush of the darkSnowmen collectingMore flakes in the parkGreen of the hollyMistletoe funCream on the puddingWhiffs of warm rumChimings and carolsCalls of good cheerTrimmings and stockingsTime of the yearSensing excitementLights on the treeThe Wonder of winterThat is Christmas Eve.Ian Price 2007
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You may have noticed the addition of a new ( and possibly irritating ) feature this morning. I refer of course to our Scrolling Marquee. In the event of vociferous complaint we will remove it after the Christmas season.Meantime we thought we might experiment with some tacky seasonal greetings and yuletide graphics for your delight and delectation. As you can probably tell, we are not 100% committed to this new feature. Please let us know your thoughts either by commenting on this blogpost or bombarding my inbox with bile, vituperation and spleen.
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Now look here!It's all very well your Boer visiting God's own in abject humility but I must say I took the gravest exception to them presuming superiority at HQ yesterday . Bad form don't cha know.When I visited The South African Embassy last week - cheque book in hand - I believe an arrangement had been procured wherin your Boer was to take the same attitude he had in 1900 and quietly return to his farm in utmost servitude.I must say that the scoundrels reneged on a gentleman's agreement and handed out a thoroughly undeserved thrashing to the cream of English rugby. It's this kind of uppity attitude that sent Rhodesia to the poor house.May I remind my chums in the Broederbund that I have substantial holdings in De Beers and Rio Tinto Zinc and could, if I wished, reduce the whole Rainbow State to ashes within a month.But Noblesse Oblige. I have it on the highest authority that every man jack in the England side were suffering the most appalling flu symptoms. Brought on by the gals in my entertainment booth on the eve of the game no doubt.So there you have it. A mere misunderstanding.By the by I believe the Taff and those other sheep people had a ding dong somewhere to the west. Memo to self ' Must keep the colonials happy for a while'.Pip Pip.QWT
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The Man
Americymru member, musician, broadcaster and author Chris Needs is a well-known face and voice of Wales. In broadcast radio for decades, today Chris Needs delivers "The Friendly Garden," late nights on Radio Wales, to audiences all over the world.
The Interview
You've been a presenter or host with BBC Radio Wales on the BBC since 1996. For Americans, what is Radio Wales?
Americymru member, musician, broadcaster and author Chris Needs is a well-known face and voice of Wales. In broadcast radio for decades, today Chris Needs delivers "The Friendly Garden," late nights on Radio Wales, to audiences all over the world. Chris, originally from Cwmafan near Port Talbot, published his autobiography last year ("Like It Is"
) which became a number-one bestseller in Wales. He is an accomplished pianist and has accompanied many artists, including Bonnie Tyler. He speaks five languages :- English, Welsh, Spanish, Dutch and German . He has also been awarded the M.B.E.
Chris Needs new book "The Jenkins's" can be found HERE. ) which became a number-one bestseller in Wales. He is an accomplished pianist and has accompanied many artists, including Bonnie Tyler. He speaks five languages :- English, Welsh, Spanish, Dutch and German . He has also been awarded the M.B.E. | |  | |
You've been a presenter or host with BBC Radio Wales on the BBC since 1996. For Americans, what is Radio Wales?
Radio Wales is the national BBC station for the principality of Wales. It now serves the world as it is broadcast on the air, online, cable, sky satellite, download etc, etc, etc.. The service is in the medium of English, although it plays music in lots of languages. How did you come to be at Radio Wales? I was on a local station in Cardiff and I won the Sony radio awards in London.[that's' like an Oscar in radio terms] and I was approached by the BBC to join them. I did and never looked back. You now have a late night show called "The Friendly Garden" - where did that name come from and what does it mean?
My nightly show on Radio Wales is called [in full] "the Chris Needs Friendly Garden associated affiliated ltd twice, sounds crazy I know, but it's one of the biggest shows in Wales and I have approximately 50,000 members called flowers. There are fabulous females and mere males, I give out numbers and badges and car stickers . We are now a big community in Wales and the rest of the world and we strive to help each other and bring back old values.
What is the format of this show?
The format of the show is ME, someone on the phones, great music - from opera to punk, as long as it's good. We chat in between songs and put the world to right., that's one job that need to be done.
Your show is listened to by people all over the world and the Friendly Garden has members all over the world - how did your show become internationally known? What about it do you think appeals to so many people from so many places?
The members are from all walks of life.it's not just little old ladies .........all walks of life from all over the world...and you can join by phoning the programme, by text by email by letter or at a road show or a variety concert .
You also have animals that are Garden members? Do people sign up or propose their pets for this? Why?
Pets are part of the family here in Britain and they should not be left out. They are important to the person and so we respect that.
The Friendly Garden has members, who are your members, how and why do people join and what is membership in the Friendly Garden? How many members do you have?
The show is listened to by all types from all over the world, and I believe the success is due to "being included" and being able to reach other people, just by picking up a phone.
What genre or type(s) of music do you play on your show?
The music....Oh My GOD !!!!! This is all over the place, euro pop, opera, punk, latin/spanish , french, german, dutch, instrumental, choirs, hymns - you never know what is coming next. On the last Friday of each month we have a WELSH NIGHT. Only Welsh artistes, [Shirley] Bassey, Bonnie Tyler, Tom Jones, etc, etc, etc. That goes well.
I do play my own music on the show, classical piano and I sing, also. I have recently performed duets with Steve Balsamo from Jesus Christ Superstar, Gillian Elisa from Pobol y Cwm.
Do you currently work or perform as a musician?
I still perform as a musician.when I have time, sometimes on TV but quite often in theatres., ie, tribute to Liberace, Russ Conway, Winnifred Atwell, etc, etc, etc. - even Les Dawson, playing out of tune, which i did at my 40 years concert in St David's hall Cardiff. That went well. I don't have time to teach.
How did you become a musician?
I studied piano from the age of five......took to it like a duck to water.
What was your career as a musician (you played with Bonnie Tyler?)
I played with Bonnie Tyler, Anita Harris, Roger Whittaker, Dorothy Squires, Paper Lace, The Peddlers, Pickerty Witch, Madeline Bell, Elkie Brooks, Jimmy Helms, Shirley Bassey, the list is endless.
You've also been a music teacher/piano teacher, do you currently do that or have students? Did you teach in a school or on your own?
I used to teach in a school but the big world of entertainment beckoned me.
You head a charity called the Chris Needs Hospital Appeal, what is that and how did it come about?
I started [the Chris Needs Hospital Appeal] to help diabetics and generally health in Wales.....It's so hard fund raising but I have some great help from wonderful Colleagues. David Emanuel is a great support me. The charity has enabled people to have an easier life, we like to buy the product, ie - a bed for a patient, and then we can see exactly where the money goes. We try not to give to a fund if possible.
You were awarded an MBE (Membership of the Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 - for Americans, what is that and what does it mean?
The MBE is called here a "GONG" it's a title...and the Queen gives this title in an investiture....it was so mind blowing meeting speaking and shaking hands with the Queen. It meant a lot to me.
How did you come to receive that award and how did it feel getting it?
I felt like a little boy on Christmas morning. The Queen made me feel as if she really DID want to meet me. I told her that the Radio was better that the TV. I truly believe that.
How many languages do you speak and how did you come to learn them?
I speak 5 languages and I still don't understand people half the time ! I lived is Spain for 20 years, worked as an entertainer and a translator. I loved it. Languages were a way out for me to get a brilliant and different type of job. I speak Welsh, English, Spanish, Dutch and German .
Will Wales win the Grand Slam this time around?
I hope Wales will win the Grand Slam. Fingers crossed.
You may have seen Americymru's Top Ten Hardest Welshmen Poll. Who gets your vote?
Hardest ...Welshman.......Joe the boxer !!!!!
When will the Jenkins's's's's join Americymru?
Standby, the jenkins's's's's's Will be joining you, once they've had a couple of injections.
Buy Chris' new book HERE.
My nightly show on Radio Wales is called [in full] "the Chris Needs Friendly Garden associated affiliated ltd twice, sounds crazy I know, but it's one of the biggest shows in Wales and I have approximately 50,000 members called flowers. There are fabulous females and mere males, I give out numbers and badges and car stickers . We are now a big community in Wales and the rest of the world and we strive to help each other and bring back old values.
What is the format of this show?
The format of the show is ME, someone on the phones, great music - from opera to punk, as long as it's good. We chat in between songs and put the world to right., that's one job that need to be done.
Your show is listened to by people all over the world and the Friendly Garden has members all over the world - how did your show become internationally known? What about it do you think appeals to so many people from so many places?The members are from all walks of life.it's not just little old ladies .........all walks of life from all over the world...and you can join by phoning the programme, by text by email by letter or at a road show or a variety concert .
You also have animals that are Garden members? Do people sign up or propose their pets for this? Why?
Pets are part of the family here in Britain and they should not be left out. They are important to the person and so we respect that.
The Friendly Garden has members, who are your members, how and why do people join and what is membership in the Friendly Garden? How many members do you have?
The show is listened to by all types from all over the world, and I believe the success is due to "being included" and being able to reach other people, just by picking up a phone.
What genre or type(s) of music do you play on your show?
The music....Oh My GOD !!!!! This is all over the place, euro pop, opera, punk, latin/spanish , french, german, dutch, instrumental, choirs, hymns - you never know what is coming next. On the last Friday of each month we have a WELSH NIGHT. Only Welsh artistes, [Shirley] Bassey, Bonnie Tyler, Tom Jones, etc, etc, etc. That goes well.
I do play my own music on the show, classical piano and I sing, also. I have recently performed duets with Steve Balsamo from Jesus Christ Superstar, Gillian Elisa from Pobol y Cwm.
Do you currently work or perform as a musician?I still perform as a musician.when I have time, sometimes on TV but quite often in theatres., ie, tribute to Liberace, Russ Conway, Winnifred Atwell, etc, etc, etc. - even Les Dawson, playing out of tune, which i did at my 40 years concert in St David's hall Cardiff. That went well. I don't have time to teach.
How did you become a musician?
I studied piano from the age of five......took to it like a duck to water.
What was your career as a musician (you played with Bonnie Tyler?)
I played with Bonnie Tyler, Anita Harris, Roger Whittaker, Dorothy Squires, Paper Lace, The Peddlers, Pickerty Witch, Madeline Bell, Elkie Brooks, Jimmy Helms, Shirley Bassey, the list is endless.
You've also been a music teacher/piano teacher, do you currently do that or have students? Did you teach in a school or on your own?
I used to teach in a school but the big world of entertainment beckoned me.
You head a charity called the Chris Needs Hospital Appeal, what is that and how did it come about?
I started [the Chris Needs Hospital Appeal] to help diabetics and generally health in Wales.....It's so hard fund raising but I have some great help from wonderful Colleagues. David Emanuel is a great support me. The charity has enabled people to have an easier life, we like to buy the product, ie - a bed for a patient, and then we can see exactly where the money goes. We try not to give to a fund if possible.
You were awarded an MBE (Membership of the Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 - for Americans, what is that and what does it mean?The MBE is called here a "GONG" it's a title...and the Queen gives this title in an investiture....it was so mind blowing meeting speaking and shaking hands with the Queen. It meant a lot to me.
How did you come to receive that award and how did it feel getting it?
I felt like a little boy on Christmas morning. The Queen made me feel as if she really DID want to meet me. I told her that the Radio was better that the TV. I truly believe that.
How many languages do you speak and how did you come to learn them?
I speak 5 languages and I still don't understand people half the time ! I lived is Spain for 20 years, worked as an entertainer and a translator. I loved it. Languages were a way out for me to get a brilliant and different type of job. I speak Welsh, English, Spanish, Dutch and German .
Will Wales win the Grand Slam this time around?
I hope Wales will win the Grand Slam. Fingers crossed.
You may have seen Americymru's Top Ten Hardest Welshmen Poll. Who gets your vote?
Hardest ...Welshman.......Joe the boxer !!!!!
When will the Jenkins's's's's join Americymru?
Standby, the jenkins's's's's's Will be joining you, once they've had a couple of injections.
Buy Chris' new book HERE.
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ARGLWYDD MAWRThe game in Cardiff had something of a pantomime about it. The Welsh responded to the Haka by adopting a stance that one usually sees on bouncers outside particularly seedy night clubs. Such was the macho posturing that calls were sent out for bromide tablets to quell any untoward coupling in the rucks.In the first half however the pills had obviously not taken effect as the Welsh went at the New Zealanders with the kind of fury that had magistrates sharpening their pencils and thousands of women penning marriage proposals in the hope of repeating the kind of sexual gratification they were now experiencing; hope and promise reigned supreme.In the second half it soon became apparant that the pills had suddenly taken effect as Wales started to play like a pack of prissy prima donnas who had lost their mojo in some particularly unmemorable back alley grope. The All Blacks on the other hand had obviously partaken of Ambrosia and Nectar; they swatted the Welsh with the imperiosuness of the gods.And so it remains. Fifty three years without a win against the All Blacks.Wales and New Zealand are famous for at least two things - rugby and lamb. However it appears that one of us is the lamb whilst the other farms it.
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