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Excerpt from my blog It started inauspiciously, with a where are you phone call, where I was is on the Sofa, freshly full of Paella and quietly knackered after a day on the hacking-off pneumatic gun smashing the shit out of a friends house re-furb.Lacking the ability to raise my arms beyond shoulder height, Id already mentally prepared for an afternoon of blissfull rest, but the boys were having none of it. Three separate mobile phone prompts had me togged up and wheeling the bike out of the shed in short order.So somewhat reluctantly I led the brigade into the valley. It all started quite sensibly and wellAfter fuelling up, we patiently posed through the villages, speeds and noise at a responsible minimum. 26 miles later wed disposed of a couple of streetfightered fireblades and navigated through traffic light enough to break up the flow and the group. Regrouping at Brecon, we again meandered through the spring sunlit market town and out into fairly deserted b road country.Upping the pace a little, we leave responsibility back in the town where it belongs. 5 miles in we blitz an unsuspecting sportsbike, making his own sweet way, till he gets swamped by the superbike pack in a first corner me first feeding frenzy. The road is ours for an uninterrupted hoot all the way to the next way point.The road gets all combat ready as we blip and blast across the MOD ranges of the Epynt, Red flags mean the real boys are out with real toys, just out of sight of the road (and out of range we hope). With no real straights for 12 miles or so, were butt shuffling, shoulder dropping and short shifting on roads that coil and uncoil like a sleepless rattlesnake. Part farm track, part tank addled tarmac and some perfectly resurfaced swiss army bends, useful for anything as long as its sideways.Crashing back into A road civilisation for a few short miles, its now officially competitive. No overtakes, but theres plenty of Front Wheeling in my mirrors as the faster boys demonstrate their intent to the slower riders at every opportunity. Sweeps and swoops as we gallop through and over the mountains, keeping near perfect formation, I feel like the wing commander of a fighter flight, headlights in attack order as we seek opponents for a dogfight.Denied our enemy, we spill onto another b road and peel through some roller-coaster scenery and arse crimping corners as they tighten on us like thumbscrews. Slowing very occasionally for the blind crests and farm entrances. Now hunched over the tank, now stood up and braking hard, heeling over, knee pointed at the exit, bike wiggling on the power as the bend is apexed, and the next, and the next.We plot up in a pub carpark for a giggle and a smoke, touch warm tyres and tut-tut at close overtakes and fumbled lines. Short spin for a cuppa and fill up, then were on the home stretch, or at least pointing back in the right direction (ish).Its always faster on the way back, weve passed the psychological midway point and theres a beer at the end of this road rainbow. Up and over again, little traffic resistance, we pass a couple of ancient Austin 7s full of cardigans, knitted hats and snotty kids enjoying a slow dawdle through the breathtaking scenery. To us its a road with a green blur for a border.We retrace our steps a little back through the ranges, descending to then rising up the Beacons once more, now were proper fast, proper confident, slicing and dicing the traffic, were in the groove, settled in formation, not stupid fast, not bullying ,but making progress and scaring squares, eyes stuck in tin box travel mode swivel to follow us as we waft past, all leather and noise.More tea and meets with mates at the burger bar with views to die for, we see friends freshly setting out for an evening spin, as were arriving most are leaving for home, we sup up and head out.Past the lakes and up over bleak moors stained pale by early spring setting sun. Suicidal Sheep hold their death urges in check as the squadron barrel rolls through the remaining home bound traffic. Clear road views allow wrong side corner overtakes, we can see hundreds of yards ahead and the sheep mercifully stay away from our flightpath.Into the home run, with only four miles of down followed by five of up, its winner take all to be first back to the bar. I sneak a lead through snaky off camber bad tarmac, we totter responsibly through the village and head up again to the high country we know so very well.Mug the first car, hard on the gas and up through the gears, reeling in a mini close to the next corner, out past and in for the apex leaving no room for the following pack. Sit her up and gas it again for the next uphill left, Im giving away 70 horses and 30 kilos to the blades behind, but its all relative cos Im in front and theres more cars ahead. Once more Im blessed by timing as I stuff myself in front of the queue on a right hander, expecting lights fading in the mirror, theyre on me, that cant have been nice for the drivers they just beat up.Now were just proper silly, rushed overtakes late passes and two long straights between us and the destination, full gas, full lean, full commitment, fully crazy, fully loving it. Eventually a lone blade cracks past and brakes brickwall hard into the turn off.We got there. Then the adrenaline rush and back slapping, shoulder punching, bar room boasting that leaves our fellow drinkers wistful and wanting detail so they can get some vicarious kicks from our blast. But listening to a story aint like being in one.
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When it comes to sport, being a small country, Wales has managed to punch above its own weight over the years. Be it in rugby, athletics, football, boxing, snooker and even rugby league Wales has produced its fair share of heroes. A new book published this week will test how sport loving and how knowledgeable the Welsh public really are. So You Think You Know Welsh Sport? includes questions an all kinds of sports. The book has 50 rounds of 10 questions with the questions getting harder as you get along.
It is safe to say that the author Matthew Jones, a 29 year old chemist from Cardiff is a Welsh sports anorak. He spends his weekends travelling the length and breadth of Wales visiting sporting events and he has already published a quiz book on Welsh rugby. It was due to the success and the enthusiastic feedback to So You think You Know Welsh Rugby? that Y Lolfa decided to commission the new book. Matthew Jones said about his new book,
If you struggle to only get a couple correct then your knowledge is probably equivalent to a drunk dart player however if you manage to get ten out of ten then you are the trivia king of Welsh sport!
The book includes questions like:
Which Middle East country appointed Terry Yorath as their manager in 1995?
Who recorded Glamorgans best ever bowling figures of 7-16 in a one day contest, against Surrey in 1988?
In 1990, whose 27 year Welsh 100 meters record did Colin Jackson break?
Which future rugby union international scrum half was Welsh schools champion in the high jump in 1969 and 1970?
So You Think You Know Welsh Sport? is published by Y Lolfa and will be available in bookshops and on www.ylolfa.com , from Saturday the 8th of June for 3.95.
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During the long dark winter nights in the Rhondda valley, long term married men and those who are otherwise bored gather in small groups to put the world to rights. They often congregate around snooker tables or dart boards pints in hand with opinions on every subject known to man. Inevitably when a band of brothers meet regularly there is a tendency to see themselves as a unique entity apart from the general rush of society. In such a climate it is often the case that secret societies are formed. In the wider world we see exemplar organisations such as the Masons or the Buffs. In small villages lesser known societies exist. Some time ago a group of local men decided that, as they were all members of the local darts team, allotment holders and pigeon fanciers, there were grounds to form their own arcane association. For reasons that defy explanation they called themselves The Order of Whippets. Their aim was to provide a sanctuary for fellow thinkers and a collective means of support for themselves and their families.As with all such associations the means of entry was by invitation only and shrouded in mystery. Taking the Masons as their guide but without their resources our trusty crew managed to book a room above a public bar in which to perform their initiation ceremonies. From time to time the locals at The Marquis of Bute public house were treated to a strange cacophony of bumps and thumps on the ceiling above their heads. This was regarded as a minor annoyance by landlord Sam Owens as the amount of beer consumed during these ceremonies more than offset the irritation of an hour or so of shenanigans.And so it was in late January of 1972 that the monthly meeting took place. Two new members were to be initiated. Messrs Charlie Ellis and Evan John had been given the all clear by the Grand Whippet Iestyn Morris for inclusion into the hallowed ranks. They arrived at the pub at seven sharp and to the bemusement of the great unwashed were blindfolded and led upstairs. It wasnt long before the thumps and bumps started.Meanwhile downstairs the bar had started to fill up. Included in the ranks of the local sumpers were Mrs Phyllis Pugh, Mrs Evan John and Mrs Stella Ellis. Mrs Pugh was a staunch no nonsense woman who had single handedly brought up six children. She was listening incredulously to the two other women waxing eloquently about the status their husbands would achieve in the village after they had received the rank of Initiate Whippet. What are they doing up there? said Pugh. Having caught her attention the other two proceeded to regale her with details of the ceremony that was taking place upstairs. I must swear you to secrecy said Mrs John Evan told me its a very dignified affair that involves oaths and .. she was interrupted by a loud thump from upstairs . oaths and signatures. THUMP! Really? Mrs Pughs eyebrows were fully arched. THUMP! Yes replied Mrs Ellis They have to put their Sunday best on . THUMP! .. and recite some beautiful poetry .. THUMP! Theres money in it . Before she could complete her sentence there was an almighty crash behind them. They turned around to see a man dressed in a duck costume laying flat out on the pool table surrounded by debris. Above him was a hole in the ceiling he had created and peering down through it was what appeared to be a chicken, a panda and a dog. The duck let out a strangled cry STELLAAAAA STELLAAAAAH. Stella Ellis could only get a quick Christ Almighty out before the duck said GET AN AMBULANCE.AAARGH! MY LEG.By now the entire bar was looking on trying to make sense of the sight before them. The landlords jaw was nearing the floor and refused to lift. When it did recover he looked up to the ceiling and howled IESTYN. Im going to bloody well murder you. Get down here and bring those tossers with you.After giving The Grand Whippet a dressing down that incorporated every swear word in the English language, Sam Owens managed to glean that the initiation ceremony involved the men dressing up in costumes and leaping from table top to table top whilst consuming a pint of beer at every stop. Ellis had lost his footing and missed a table after drinking six pints and had hurtled at the speed of sound through a weak spot in the ceiling.When word got around the village, The Order of The Whippets ceased to be. The members just couldnt maintain an air of mystery when everyone was laughing at them and so they joined the local bowls club instead. It was a safer bet in the long run.Sometime in the late seventies there was an attempt to revive The Order of Whippets but it was short lived. Charlie Ellis had been appointed Grand Whippet and had devised an initiation ceremony that involved walking along a six inch wide protecting rail that ran the length of a bridge. For some reason he failed to take into account the thirty foot drop to the river below and when the inevitable happened the police made it quite clear that anymore nonsense of this kind would lead to arrests for all manner of legal infringements. That unfortunately put paid to The Order of Whippets once and for all. We shall never see their likes again. More's the pity.
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Ceri Rhys Matthews is producer of the Smithsonian Folkways CD, "Blodeugerdd: Song of the Flowers" , being released at this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival and which has been described as "a really beautiful concept piece featuring some people who have either never been recorded before, or who were trying out new combinations for the recording."
Americymru: H ow did this project come about? Who participated in it, in what capacity?
Americymru: H ow did this project come about? Who participated in it, in what capacity? Ceri: Betty (Belanus, Smithsonian Folklife Festival curator) and Ceri Jones - who was 'Project Manager for Wales at the Smithsonian 2009' at the time - came to see me at a project I was working on in Dolgellau called Prosiect Ioan Rhagfyr; a twenty five year project which revolves around flute playing and flute making in the Dolgellau area. They asked if I would advise on possible participants for the music programme at the Smithsonian Folk-life festival. I guess they knew they would get 'alternative' suggestions from me. So, I became part of their curatorial team. During this process I became aware that a CD was going to be released on the Smithsonian Folkways label to be released at the Festival, and so I alongside many others put forward a proposal. And I won the tender. My idea was to record a few of the many thousands of musical tales that could be told of and in; around and about Wales. But I wanted these to be the 'unheard' stories - stories by people who do not 'represent' Wales or any faction in Wales, but people who have nurtured and kept alive a musical narrative, quietly - maybe in their kitchens, or with friends in intimate music making moments. They carry the stories that are never heard above the usual hubbub and hullabaloo of celebrity, fame, radio, tv and the mass media.
So, I hired a Tudor gate-house in the Preseli hills, worked out a timetable and asked about twenty musicians or so to come singly, in pairs or trios to come and record a track of their choosing. Anything they were concerned with at the time. The results were astonishing and inspiring, not least because of the interaction between the individuals and the nature of the building and its surroundings. The building itself is after all, a kind of portal. And the music recorded was a key to something that is heard less and less these days; something magic, inspired, at times unearthly, and also very intimate. It's not party music as someone pointed out to me on listening to the recordings. It's not party music in either sense of the word. But it is the music of the people. Or at least, some of them. I could have made three or four CD's and it was an onerous task to leave people out.
I think it's fitting that it is to be released on the Folkways label. A label that always recorded the ordinary people; those without an official voice. But whose collective voices became a vehicle of cultural expression for millions, beyond commercial consideration.
The musicians on the CD are:
1. Mary Hopkin
2. Anne Marie Summers and Helen Wilding
3. Ceri Jones
4. John Morgan, Diarmuid Johnson, and Chris Grooms
5. Linda Griffiths
6. Ceri and Catrin Ashton
7. Daniel Huws
8. Christine Cooper
9. Llio Rhydderch and Tomos Williams
10. Cass Meurig and Nial Cain
11. Jo Cooper and Elin Lloyd
12. Jem Hammond and Tom Scott
13. Max Boyce, Christine Cooper, and Llio Rhydderch
14. Julie Murphy, Sille Ilves, and Martin Leamon
So, I hired a Tudor gate-house in the Preseli hills, worked out a timetable and asked about twenty musicians or so to come singly, in pairs or trios to come and record a track of their choosing. Anything they were concerned with at the time. The results were astonishing and inspiring, not least because of the interaction between the individuals and the nature of the building and its surroundings. The building itself is after all, a kind of portal. And the music recorded was a key to something that is heard less and less these days; something magic, inspired, at times unearthly, and also very intimate. It's not party music as someone pointed out to me on listening to the recordings. It's not party music in either sense of the word. But it is the music of the people. Or at least, some of them. I could have made three or four CD's and it was an onerous task to leave people out.
I think it's fitting that it is to be released on the Folkways label. A label that always recorded the ordinary people; those without an official voice. But whose collective voices became a vehicle of cultural expression for millions, beyond commercial consideration.
The musicians on the CD are:
1. Mary Hopkin
2. Anne Marie Summers and Helen Wilding
3. Ceri Jones
4. John Morgan, Diarmuid Johnson, and Chris Grooms
5. Linda Griffiths
6. Ceri and Catrin Ashton
7. Daniel Huws
8. Christine Cooper
9. Llio Rhydderch and Tomos Williams
10. Cass Meurig and Nial Cain
11. Jo Cooper and Elin Lloyd
12. Jem Hammond and Tom Scott
13. Max Boyce, Christine Cooper, and Llio Rhydderch
14. Julie Murphy, Sille Ilves, and Martin Leamon
Americymru: How would you describe the final result?
Ceri: On compiling the tracks we realised that the CD had a shape. That the individual narratives contained in the tracks made a larger more encompassing story. We likened it to honeybees returning to a hive and telling their individual tales, but those tales painting a picture of the source of their nutrition - of fields of wild flowers. From these wild flowers we pick a posy. The Song of the flowers, literally; Blodeugerdd in Welsh, Anthology in Greek. Without pinning anything down, a shape may be discerned from the individual narratives and the songs seem to cluster into 'themes', or 'tendencies' which may be characterised thus
1. Remembering
Mary Hopkin sings a song that is imprinted on the cultural DNA of the people, and yet it is a surprise to hear her sing it. Well known internationally for her popular song, this is where she started, in her and our youth.
Anne Marie Summers and Helen Wilding Smith live on the porous border between modern England and Wales. Both have strong Welsh family and childhood connections. Being outside, they remember a cultural inheritance, and give a forgotten dance form, the estampie, back to the giver of that inheritance.
Ceri Jones was born and raised in Canada but this summer came to visit his grandmother in Llangrannog for the first time. He remembers his inheritance in a different way.
A reverie between John Morgan, Diarmuid Johnson and Chris Grooms. From the quiet and abstract opening notes, the musicians conversation is like the dawn, from which we can read the signs of the day to come. Here are elements of the memory, magic, song tunes, instrumental music and emotion which will unfold thought the rest of the anthology.
Linda Griffiths remembers how a lover hurt her.
Ceri and Catrin Ashton moved away from Conwy to Sheffield. The dance tunes they play, they played as young girls at home.
2. Describing magic
Daniel Huws sings of the mystical nature of the nativity, in a plygain carol from Anglesey that has been unsung for some generations.
Christine Cooper sends a bird as a love messenger, or llatai, from a winter-like desolate, treeless place without love, to a lover. Wait, the lover says, wait until May.
Llio Rhydderch and Tomos Williams improvise on a forgotten tune. They explore the tune like dancers, with two of the instruments of the forest.
Cass Meurig and Nial Cain engage in a mystical dialogue with the cuckoo about the nature of time, a story Cass sings to her children, and then brings us into the world of dance.
3. Dance and celebration
Jo and Elin play triple time hornpipes from the border, as Jo prepares to make a new life abroad.
Jem and Tom have some light hearted fun with flutes.
4. Emotion and the fabric of life
Max Boyce, with Christine and Llio, explores the fabric of sentiment and emotion, and ask the question; what is loss?
Julie, Martin and Sille compare the different emotions men and women feel in love.
These small individual narratives are the grains of sand in which the whole of the land may be seen, with its towns, mountains and beaches; its rivers, rocks and stones; its lovers, friends, families and homes. Taken together, these songs make a snapshot of a hive of activity. The story of a posy of wildflowers.
1. Remembering
Mary Hopkin sings a song that is imprinted on the cultural DNA of the people, and yet it is a surprise to hear her sing it. Well known internationally for her popular song, this is where she started, in her and our youth.
Anne Marie Summers and Helen Wilding Smith live on the porous border between modern England and Wales. Both have strong Welsh family and childhood connections. Being outside, they remember a cultural inheritance, and give a forgotten dance form, the estampie, back to the giver of that inheritance.
Ceri Jones was born and raised in Canada but this summer came to visit his grandmother in Llangrannog for the first time. He remembers his inheritance in a different way.
A reverie between John Morgan, Diarmuid Johnson and Chris Grooms. From the quiet and abstract opening notes, the musicians conversation is like the dawn, from which we can read the signs of the day to come. Here are elements of the memory, magic, song tunes, instrumental music and emotion which will unfold thought the rest of the anthology.
Linda Griffiths remembers how a lover hurt her.
Ceri and Catrin Ashton moved away from Conwy to Sheffield. The dance tunes they play, they played as young girls at home.
2. Describing magic
Daniel Huws sings of the mystical nature of the nativity, in a plygain carol from Anglesey that has been unsung for some generations.
Christine Cooper sends a bird as a love messenger, or llatai, from a winter-like desolate, treeless place without love, to a lover. Wait, the lover says, wait until May.
Llio Rhydderch and Tomos Williams improvise on a forgotten tune. They explore the tune like dancers, with two of the instruments of the forest.
Cass Meurig and Nial Cain engage in a mystical dialogue with the cuckoo about the nature of time, a story Cass sings to her children, and then brings us into the world of dance.
3. Dance and celebration
Jo and Elin play triple time hornpipes from the border, as Jo prepares to make a new life abroad.
Jem and Tom have some light hearted fun with flutes.
4. Emotion and the fabric of life
Max Boyce, with Christine and Llio, explores the fabric of sentiment and emotion, and ask the question; what is loss?
Julie, Martin and Sille compare the different emotions men and women feel in love.
These small individual narratives are the grains of sand in which the whole of the land may be seen, with its towns, mountains and beaches; its rivers, rocks and stones; its lovers, friends, families and homes. Taken together, these songs make a snapshot of a hive of activity. The story of a posy of wildflowers.
Americymru: What is planned for its release and where will it be available?
Ceri: The CD will be on general release coinciding with the folk-life festival. There will be a launch concert during which six of the musicians who appear on the CD will take part. I don't know that all dates and times are finalised yet. The musicians appearing in Washington will be Ceri Ashton, Catrin Ashton, Linda Griffiths, Christine Cooper, Sille Ilves and Martin Leamon
Americymru: Will you be appearing at the Folk-life Festival?
Ceri: Yes, I'm pleased to say I'll be performing mainly in a duo with Christine Cooper. But also, and this is very exciting, different combinations of musicians are encouraged to collaborate with each other throughout the festival, so expect some exciting combinations. Last night, a group of seven of us got together that will be playing for a twmpath one evening. Musicians are getting together with storytellers, poets etc. in all sorts of great combinations. But I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to play some really straightforward beautiful flute and fiddle tunes with Christine.
Americymru: How did you come to be a musician, what lead you to music? What instruments do you/have you played and what was your musical education?
Ceri: Well, I don't know that I am a musician. At least I was always told by my teachers in school that I wasn't one, so I've never really believed that I am, or counted myself as one. I suppose I play music. And I love music. And I love listening to it - I love listening to other musicians, and so I suppose that's how I started. There was no-one playing the music I wanted to hear- so I had to play it myself. I met a man called Jonathan Shorland who had made a pibgorn and some pipes and he showed me how to get started... And so I did. I played pipes and things. Then when we started fernhill, the group I play with, we needed guitar sounds, so I had to do that, learn to play the guitar. Then wanted to play the flute - more than anything else, really (except singing) and so I learned to play the flute, and make the sounds I wanted to hear and the tunes I wanted to hear.
Americymru: You've recorded and performed both solo and as part of an ensemble, you formed fernhill and collaborated with Christine Cooper, including on your 2005 solo CD, 'yscolan' . What has been the path of your career as a musician and where do you intend it to go?
Ceri: Ha! career!! To career is to lurch about, out of control isn't it? If I have a career it's not a normal trajectory I'd have to say. I don't know. I went to Art School where I learned that everyone is an artist. This really fitted in with my idea of what folk music is about. And so my career is to get as good at playing tunes as I can - as often as I can. So I don't have a job or anything - and I don't earn enough money, but I think I'm getting better at playing music. And sometimes people ask you to play for them, and that's brilliant. And every so often like a painter has to make a painting, a musician has to make a record, and so if we can we do. I've been really lucky in that my music has found patronage with some inspired people. Wyn and Richard Jones at Fflach records and Tim Healy at Beautiful Jo records. They are truly enablers, and friends of musicians. Geniuses in their way and kind and generous souls. Where do I intend it to go? To play as much music with Christine and fernhill and all my friends as well as new people I meet, as is humanly possible.
Americymru: What performances are you most proud of in your career?
Ceri: Well, performance and the sort of narrative music that I'm engaged in don't really sit comfortably. I'd have to say that when the listener and the player connect, then something special happens. It often happens between musicians and that's magic and what keeps you going. When it happens between the listener and the player, it's like you're dancing with each other. That's happened a few times. It's quite rare and special and happens in unexpected places often. Bessie's in Cwm Gwaun has had many special moments. And my time piping in Libya with Berber musicians was special. But piping along the via Dolorosa in Jerusalem to al-Quds university with thousands of Palestinians roaring and dancing still makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
Americymru: What would you most like to achieve as a musician?
Ceri: To attain the freedom I hear in musicians who can hear things which seem unreachable to me. People like John Coltrane or Micho Russell. And singers, like say, Bjork or like Mary Hopkin, or Tymon Dogg or Otis Redding - They all make me cry. I'd also like to earn my place in the anonymous pantheon if that's not an oxymoron.
Americymru: What's next for you and where can people see you play and find your music?
Ceri: Well, the folk-life festival comes up soon. Then there's my regular teaching at Dolgellau, and at Canolfan William Mathias in Caernarfon. I run a music retreat in Pembrokeshire three times a year for all types and abilities of musicians - but musicians who want to get closer to the essence of their own musical voice - the next one's coming up in August. Gigs around Wales with Christine and some exciting fernhill dates on the horizon too. We need to record some sounds too, but it's harder and harder to do so these days what with the ugly commerciality that chokes everything. Still, if we can raise some money we will. So that's a big thing that needs doing soon.
www.yscolan.info/
http://yscolan.blogspot.com/
www.youtube.com/user/yscolan
www.myspace.com/ceriandchristine www.fernhill.info/
www.myspace.com/fernhillmusic
http://www.fflach.co.uk/
http://www.bejo.co.uk/
www.yscolan.info/
http://yscolan.blogspot.com/
www.youtube.com/user/yscolan
www.myspace.com/ceriandchristine www.fernhill.info/
www.myspace.com/fernhillmusic
http://www.fflach.co.uk/
http://www.bejo.co.uk/
More info about the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2009 here:-
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Americymru Events Page
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Executive Director of Llangollen expresses delight in “excellent early ticket sales...”
By Ceri Shaw, 2009-06-02
Llangollen Festival to benefit from the British staycation
With many British holiday-makers opting to holiday at home this year due to the economic downturn, the town of Llangollen, North Wales is set to receive a record number of visitors as it plays host to one of the worlds most vibrant Festivals, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, which this year takes place from 6th to 12th July.
Llangollen ywr gyl yn gwyliau!
Gyda chymaint o Brydeinwyr yn dewis cael gwyliau adref eleni oherwydd y dirwasgiad, mae tref Llangollen, Gogledd Cymru yn barod i dderbyn y nifer fwya o ymwelwyr wrth ir ardal eu croesawu i un o wyliau mwyaf blaenllaw, sef Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen, syn digwydd y 6ed ir 12fed o Orffennaf.
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Penderyn Distillery will be featured in a report on the BBC's The One Show tomorrow night. The show starts at 7pm.
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Ieuan The Lion’s Memorial Fund helps to support the Terminally ill ,Disabled and Sick children of South Wales.
By Wayne Yendle, 2009-06-01
Help To Support Ieuan The Lion Memorial Fund When You Shop and Search Online Ieuan The Lions Memorial Fund helps to support the Terminally ill , Disabled and Sick children of South Wales. We have teamed up with fundraising website easyfundraising and Id like to ask whether you would consider supporting us by using this fantastic new site.The way it works is simple. All you have to do is use the links provided on the easyfundraising site - http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ieuan - whenever you shop online and, at no extra cost to you, well receive a free donation of up to 15% from every purchase you make!You still shop as normal and there are over 600 well known retailers to shop with, including Argos, NEXT, Amazon, Debenhams, John Lewis, Boots, ToysRUs, M&S and many more. Best of all, easyfundraising is completely free to use and it doesnt cost you a penny extra to raise funds for us when you shop online using this innovative fundraising service.You can book holidays and flights, make DIY purchases, buy books, CDs, DVDs, gifts or flowers. Theres an extensive clothing & fashion section, sports & outdoors, broadband, insurance, motoring, mobile phones, electrical items and lots more. You can even raise funds by making business purchases such as computer equipment from DELL, PC World, Apple or HP or stationery from Staples and Viking. Raise funds when you search the web You can also support us by searching online with easysearch, a new charity search engine where Ieuan The Lion Memorial Fund will raise funds when you search the web. Use easysearch instead of Google or any other search engine and you could raise around 20 a year by searching just 10 times a day.And, just like easyfundraising, easysearch is completely free for you to use!Whats more, easysearch is a super search engine which tracks down the most relevant and accurate results from several search engines - Yahoo!, Windows Live Search, Ask.com and many more. This means you'll find what you're looking for quickly and easily every time - in one easy search.Please support us by shopping online with easyfundraising http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ieuan and searching the web with easysearch http://ieuan.easysearch.org.uk You can support Ieuan The Lion in many ways, from making a donation to hosting a charity event, from corporate sponsorship to a cake sale at your local school all donations no matter how small will go directly to children who need your help.Here are just a few ideasDonations you can donate securely through this website, using your credit or debit card or your PayPal account. Just click on the Donate button on www.ieuanthelion.com .Activity challenges are a great way of involving friends and workmates in a worthwhile cause: Sponsored ascents of one of Wales famous mountains, cycling marathons, organised abseiling, dragon boat racingthe list is endless. And of course well help you promote your fund raising event through our website.Corporate sponsorship. Companies can gain valuable branding and profile benefits through sponsorship of Ieuan The Lions Fund, while at the same time ensuring that they are supporting a fantastic cause. For more information about what your company can do, contact us by email at wayne.yendle@ntlworld.com or by phone on 01633676286Non uniform day. Schools can help by allowing students to make a donation to attend school in their own clothesThe list is endlesstrivia quizzes, fancy dress day at work, guess the baby competition, concerts, fashion shows, car boot sales, sponsored silence you choose.And of course well help you promote your fund raising event through our website.Thank you for your attention.PLEASE VISIT www.ieuanthelion.com
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Click to enter the Welsh Country/Stories in Welsh Stone competition.
An Interview with Kath Rhodes editor of Welsh Country : "the pan Wales magazine that is essential reading for those that are passionate about the countryside of Wales, Welsh Food, Welsh Property and the history of Wales."
Americy mru: What is Welsh Country magazine and what is it's mission? Kath: Our W elsh Country magazine mission is to promote the wonderful Welsh countryside to visitors and locals too. We want to ensure that everyone, wherever they live, k nows what an amazing country Wales is and how much there is to do and see here.
Kath: In November 2009 Welsh Country celebrates its fifth birthday and it's amazing how quickly that time has gone. My partner and I had been living in Wales and were in partnership with a super equestrian publication until the owners wanted to alter its direction, which we didn't think would work, so we had an amicable parting of the ways and they are still great friends of ours. So the question was: 'What do we do next?' We spent over six months researching a magazine idea and spotted a gap in the market for a pan-Wales magazine. More research, endless meetings including with Visit Wales, Forestry Commission, National Trust in fact any Welsh group or body that we thought might or should support us in our efforts!! Meetings and yet more meetings and we were still convinced that not only was there a huge market in Wales for the type of magazine with the format that we had planned, but also a massive market abroad with expats.
Americymru: What does Welsh Country magazine have for its readers, what does it offer?
Kath: I was looking for an eclectic mix, hoping that anyone - whatever their age, taste and passion, will find something of interest in our pages. We cover both countryside and lifestyle, all we need is a Welsh link and we'll try and cover it. We also listen to our readers and really appreciate their feedback and suggestions. Our advertisers are of course as important as our readers and we work with them as closely as possible to ensure they get the most out of Welsh Country to grow their businesses. We pride ourselves in 'thinking outside the box' which is possibly the reason so many Welsh Government agencies aren't always as helpful as they should be with us - but hopefully they'll take their blinkers off very soon and we can work together and help each other!! It's so important that we make a huge effort with our advertisers because we want them with us for the long-term and to develop good relationships with them and us. Many advertisers now sell Welsh Country magazine for us whether it is in their art gallery, farm shop or coffee shop , this is a big help in our direct distribution and also gives them an extra source of income. Again it's another way to work together and help each other.
Americymru: Tell us about a typical issue, what articles and features would readers find?
Kath: BBC's Mel Doel has been with us from our early days and writes her feature about what's happening in the Welsh countryside with topics as diverse as bee keeping, Post Office closures, Barry Swan Rescue Centre, how Wales is suffering in the climate change, the Welsh milk industry meltdown, Welsh piers and the allotment lottery - those are just samples of topics Mel has covered. Tom Hutton does our walking pages and encourages us to enjoy Wales on our feet. He tries to find walks around Wales and Tom's another freelance writer that was with us from the start. Occasionally we look at equestrian events and I have recently returned from Badminton following Australian Matt Ryan who has been living in Abergavenny for many years and is swapping nationality to Britain . Also riding there was Monmouthshire owner/rider Sara Squires who did amazingly well at her first attempt, actually beating Olympic Gold medallist Matt............. We have more Badminton news on our website www.welshcountry.co.uk
Our fishing expert Moc Morgan takes care of those who love spending time and enjoying the peace and quiet on Welsh riverbanks. Geoff Brookes, again another writer who has been with us for years producing and preserving tales of sadness and sorrow as he uncovers stories behind old gravestones. His first book is now out - Stories in Welsh Stone' - and I'm pleased to report sales are going well. Richard Cain of Penlan Perennials is another long-term stalwart who keeps up up-to-date in the garden and takes some superb photos so we always have a really colourful and inspiring feature. Steve Judd , astrologist, star-gazes for our readers and sends in horoscopes - but maybe like me, you 'only believe horoscopes if his prediction is good!' Then of course we have Welsh food - another topic we are so passionate about. We started promoting Welsh food in our early days, really before many then got on the bandwagon. We then ran an ongoing ' Buy Local - Eat Local Campaign' that was followed by a 'Best Of Welsh' guide which lists lots of excellent food producers and I'm pleased to say many of them now do mail order, which is so important for many people living in rural areas or perhaps have just very busy lives. This guide is not only helpful for end-users, but for hotels, delis, coffee shops etc. who are wanting to show our visitors how good Welsh local produce is, whilst of course reducing food miles. One of our food producers was so delighted with the work we have done to promote local produce that she recommended me as a Local Hero in last year's Countryside Alliance Awards - I didn't win, but the nomination was a huge boost for me and my team. We also cover news in Wales, music, book reviews, beauty products, clothing, motoring, interviews and history, as I said it's eclectic........................
Americymru: How is Welsh Country different from other magazines?
Kath: Although people still think we are either fully funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) or funded by Visit Wales, we are the only pan Welsh magazine that is not funded by WAG. Welsh Country has always been produced, published and printed in Wales. Mind you being loyal to Wales does cost though, as we could print in France and it would be far cheaper!!
There is a pan Wales magazine that is very political but we at Welsh Country want to show Wales in the best possible light so we never publish any negative comment at all except in the 'Grumpy Old Geezer' feature, where he whinges about the price of diesel, the closure of Tourist Information Centres etc. That certainly does not mean that Welsh Country does not see problems within government both local and national, as we are constantly contacted by smaller businesses that are having problems with Welsh bureaucracy of one sort or another. As a consequence Welsh Country have regular meetings with both Members of Parliament that sit in London and also Assembly Members and Ministers from Cardiff.
Its good to put something back into society and I personally cannot stand big bully tactics or unfairness and if we as a small part of the independent media can make our voice heard privately, rather than in print then I feel we are doing some good. I see that as an important role for Welsh Country, our behind-the-scenes work, and the People In Power know that if we can't change and improve things by talking - then we have the option of using print...........
Americymru: Do you accept freelance content or submissions from your readers?
Kath: Occasionally we do, but we are restricted in amount of spare space we have. In the past we have run a feature about Welsh Abroad - why a person, with Welsh connections moved abroad, their background, when they moved and what they are doing now. Of course we need to know what they miss most about Wales too, but with our growing appreciation of Americymru maybe we should bring that feature back. So dont hesitate to email me and you never know your story may be in print in the future.
Americymru: Any advice for writers and other would-be content submitters?
Kath: Yes please read Welsh Country first and then you'll understand what we are aiming for which is to entertain as well as inform. Would-be writers must get a feel of Welsh Country and only then email me with ideas first please.
Americymru: What's your day like as an editor?
Kath: Busy, busy, busy - oh for more hours in the day. The month after an issue has been printed and distribution has been done, we have a post-print meeting to see what queries have arisen in last few days before the printers, plus I get feedback from my team when they have at last got a copy in their hands. Then we talk about the next issue, which I will hopefully have lots of ideas for, but you can be sure my team will have lots great ideas too. A publication like ours could not survive, especially in these tough times, without the enthusiastic group of people that we have working for us - they are brilliant.
I also use that month to catch up on - yes, you've guessed it - meetings. These could be with our printer, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones, our local Member of Parliament Mark Williams, with a food festival or a producer, my list of meetings seems to go on for ever, but at least boredom is never a problem and variety is certainly the spice of life here at Welsh Country. The month before we go to print obviously gets very hectic as we are often chasing or querying features, promised images which have either not arrived, or simply aren't good enough quality for us.
Our Pamper pages are photographed in-house by Tony our talented designer, so they take some time to finalise, but feedback on those Pamper pages has been amazing, when we have been told by those in the beauty industry that we are as good as Vogue, that's a good incentive to keep us all working hard to maintain our high standards. Writing, proofing, tweaking, seems to be constant parts of my day, plus taking calls and dealing with hundreds of emails. I'd be lost without email that's for sure. Regular editorial meetings with my team are vital to keep everyone in the loop and ensure we hit our print date. Or I could be trying to sort out an interview with one of our Welsh celebrities or out with our tradestand promoting Welsh Country at Food Festivals or tourist events, it's a very varied day with no time to get bored.
Americymru: How can people in the USA get subscriptions to Welsh Country?
Kath: Visit our website www.welshcountry.co.uk is one way or you could tel: 00 441559 372010. Both take credit and debit card payments.
Americymru: Any final message for the members and readers of Americymru?
Kath: I'm so delighted to have made contact with you all at Americymru and looking forward to building a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with you as we both seem to be on the same wavelength. I know how much so many of you miss Wales and I really hope that by reading Welsh Country - your countryside magazine for Wales - we can give you another link to your homeland and you can get that longed-for taste and feel of Wales each issue.
Americymr u: Can you tell us about the history of the magazine, how it came to be?
Kath: In November 2009 Welsh Country celebrates its fifth birthday and it's amazing how quickly that time has gone. My partner and I had been living in Wales and were in partnership with a super equestrian publication until the owners wanted to alter its direction, which we didn't think would work, so we had an amicable parting of the ways and they are still great friends of ours. So the question was: 'What do we do next?' We spent over six months researching a magazine idea and spotted a gap in the market for a pan-Wales magazine. More research, endless meetings including with Visit Wales, Forestry Commission, National Trust in fact any Welsh group or body that we thought might or should support us in our efforts!! Meetings and yet more meetings and we were still convinced that not only was there a huge market in Wales for the type of magazine with the format that we had planned, but also a massive market abroad with expats.
Americymru: What does Welsh Country magazine have for its readers, what does it offer?
Kath: I was looking for an eclectic mix, hoping that anyone - whatever their age, taste and passion, will find something of interest in our pages. We cover both countryside and lifestyle, all we need is a Welsh link and we'll try and cover it. We also listen to our readers and really appreciate their feedback and suggestions. Our advertisers are of course as important as our readers and we work with them as closely as possible to ensure they get the most out of Welsh Country to grow their businesses. We pride ourselves in 'thinking outside the box' which is possibly the reason so many Welsh Government agencies aren't always as helpful as they should be with us - but hopefully they'll take their blinkers off very soon and we can work together and help each other!! It's so important that we make a huge effort with our advertisers because we want them with us for the long-term and to develop good relationships with them and us. Many advertisers now sell Welsh Country magazine for us whether it is in their art gallery, farm shop or coffee shop , this is a big help in our direct distribution and also gives them an extra source of income. Again it's another way to work together and help each other.
Americymru: Tell us about a typical issue, what articles and features would readers find?
Kath: BBC's Mel Doel has been with us from our early days and writes her feature about what's happening in the Welsh countryside with topics as diverse as bee keeping, Post Office closures, Barry Swan Rescue Centre, how Wales is suffering in the climate change, the Welsh milk industry meltdown, Welsh piers and the allotment lottery - those are just samples of topics Mel has covered. Tom Hutton does our walking pages and encourages us to enjoy Wales on our feet. He tries to find walks around Wales and Tom's another freelance writer that was with us from the start. Occasionally we look at equestrian events and I have recently returned from Badminton following Australian Matt Ryan who has been living in Abergavenny for many years and is swapping nationality to Britain . Also riding there was Monmouthshire owner/rider Sara Squires who did amazingly well at her first attempt, actually beating Olympic Gold medallist Matt............. We have more Badminton news on our website www.welshcountry.co.uk
Our fishing expert Moc Morgan takes care of those who love spending time and enjoying the peace and quiet on Welsh riverbanks. Geoff Brookes, again another writer who has been with us for years producing and preserving tales of sadness and sorrow as he uncovers stories behind old gravestones. His first book is now out - Stories in Welsh Stone' - and I'm pleased to report sales are going well. Richard Cain of Penlan Perennials is another long-term stalwart who keeps up up-to-date in the garden and takes some superb photos so we always have a really colourful and inspiring feature. Steve Judd , astrologist, star-gazes for our readers and sends in horoscopes - but maybe like me, you 'only believe horoscopes if his prediction is good!' Then of course we have Welsh food - another topic we are so passionate about. We started promoting Welsh food in our early days, really before many then got on the bandwagon. We then ran an ongoing ' Buy Local - Eat Local Campaign' that was followed by a 'Best Of Welsh' guide which lists lots of excellent food producers and I'm pleased to say many of them now do mail order, which is so important for many people living in rural areas or perhaps have just very busy lives. This guide is not only helpful for end-users, but for hotels, delis, coffee shops etc. who are wanting to show our visitors how good Welsh local produce is, whilst of course reducing food miles. One of our food producers was so delighted with the work we have done to promote local produce that she recommended me as a Local Hero in last year's Countryside Alliance Awards - I didn't win, but the nomination was a huge boost for me and my team. We also cover news in Wales, music, book reviews, beauty products, clothing, motoring, interviews and history, as I said it's eclectic........................
Americymru: How is Welsh Country different from other magazines?
Kath: Although people still think we are either fully funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) or funded by Visit Wales, we are the only pan Welsh magazine that is not funded by WAG. Welsh Country has always been produced, published and printed in Wales. Mind you being loyal to Wales does cost though, as we could print in France and it would be far cheaper!!
There is a pan Wales magazine that is very political but we at Welsh Country want to show Wales in the best possible light so we never publish any negative comment at all except in the 'Grumpy Old Geezer' feature, where he whinges about the price of diesel, the closure of Tourist Information Centres etc. That certainly does not mean that Welsh Country does not see problems within government both local and national, as we are constantly contacted by smaller businesses that are having problems with Welsh bureaucracy of one sort or another. As a consequence Welsh Country have regular meetings with both Members of Parliament that sit in London and also Assembly Members and Ministers from Cardiff.
Its good to put something back into society and I personally cannot stand big bully tactics or unfairness and if we as a small part of the independent media can make our voice heard privately, rather than in print then I feel we are doing some good. I see that as an important role for Welsh Country, our behind-the-scenes work, and the People In Power know that if we can't change and improve things by talking - then we have the option of using print...........
Americymru: Do you accept freelance content or submissions from your readers?
Kath: Occasionally we do, but we are restricted in amount of spare space we have. In the past we have run a feature about Welsh Abroad - why a person, with Welsh connections moved abroad, their background, when they moved and what they are doing now. Of course we need to know what they miss most about Wales too, but with our growing appreciation of Americymru maybe we should bring that feature back. So dont hesitate to email me and you never know your story may be in print in the future.
Americymru: Any advice for writers and other would-be content submitters?
Kath: Yes please read Welsh Country first and then you'll understand what we are aiming for which is to entertain as well as inform. Would-be writers must get a feel of Welsh Country and only then email me with ideas first please.
Americymru: What's your day like as an editor?
Kath: Busy, busy, busy - oh for more hours in the day. The month after an issue has been printed and distribution has been done, we have a post-print meeting to see what queries have arisen in last few days before the printers, plus I get feedback from my team when they have at last got a copy in their hands. Then we talk about the next issue, which I will hopefully have lots of ideas for, but you can be sure my team will have lots great ideas too. A publication like ours could not survive, especially in these tough times, without the enthusiastic group of people that we have working for us - they are brilliant.
I also use that month to catch up on - yes, you've guessed it - meetings. These could be with our printer, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones, our local Member of Parliament Mark Williams, with a food festival or a producer, my list of meetings seems to go on for ever, but at least boredom is never a problem and variety is certainly the spice of life here at Welsh Country. The month before we go to print obviously gets very hectic as we are often chasing or querying features, promised images which have either not arrived, or simply aren't good enough quality for us.
Our Pamper pages are photographed in-house by Tony our talented designer, so they take some time to finalise, but feedback on those Pamper pages has been amazing, when we have been told by those in the beauty industry that we are as good as Vogue, that's a good incentive to keep us all working hard to maintain our high standards. Writing, proofing, tweaking, seems to be constant parts of my day, plus taking calls and dealing with hundreds of emails. I'd be lost without email that's for sure. Regular editorial meetings with my team are vital to keep everyone in the loop and ensure we hit our print date. Or I could be trying to sort out an interview with one of our Welsh celebrities or out with our tradestand promoting Welsh Country at Food Festivals or tourist events, it's a very varied day with no time to get bored.
Americymru: How can people in the USA get subscriptions to Welsh Country?
Kath: Visit our website www.welshcountry.co.uk is one way or you could tel: 00 441559 372010. Both take credit and debit card payments.
Americymru: Any final message for the members and readers of Americymru?
Kath: I'm so delighted to have made contact with you all at Americymru and looking forward to building a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with you as we both seem to be on the same wavelength. I know how much so many of you miss Wales and I really hope that by reading Welsh Country - your countryside magazine for Wales - we can give you another link to your homeland and you can get that longed-for taste and feel of Wales each issue.
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Wales opened their summer tour of North America with a hard-fought win over Canada at York University, Toronto.Chris Czekaj's early try raised the hope of the inexperienced tourists, but James Pritchard kept Canada in touch with 13 points in a 100% kicking show.A Sean Duke score shook Wales after the break, Tom James responding with a try before an excellent Ed Fairhurst strike kept things alive in the final quarter.Wales were thankful for Dan Biggar's 22 points in a flawless goal-kicking show.Wales - who have lost just once to Canada in 13 games - looked rusty in the opening exchanges and centre Ryan Smith penetrated the visitors' midfield defence with a fifth-minute break.That resulted in a penalty in front of the posts for Pritchard, the Bedford full-back successful with that kick and a second shot at goal five minutes later.Turnover ball sparked the first Wales score, Gareth Cooper spotting space behind and putting in a long kick over the defence.Duke covered on his own line but fumbled under pressure from Andrew Bishop, allowing Czekaj - winning his first cap since a serious leg injury on the 2007 summer tour - the simplest of tries, converted superbly by Biggar.A lost line-out in their own 22 piled the pressure on the Maple Leaves, Luke Tait killing the ball and being sent to the sin bin, allowing Biggar to extend the lead to 10-6.The fly-half added two more penalties against one from Pritchard during Tait's absence, then - with half-time looming - Wales put together their best move of the match.Gareth Cooper was injured on the stroke of half-timeYoung Scarlets debutants Daniel Evans and Jonathan Davies combined well down the right as Wales drove to the Canucks' line.The home side conceded a penalty, Wales choosing to go for a scrum, only to see Cooper just denied a try in the corner.The scrum-half took a heavy knock in his attempt to score and was replaced at the break by Dwayne Peel.The tourists opened the second period brightly, before Robin Sowden-Taylor attempted to exploit a huge overlap with a loose pass to the wing.The ball went astray, Canada quickly counter-attacking as Fairhurst found Duke on the right wing.The University of Victoria three-quarter made up for his first-half error with a stunning sprint to the line, Pritchard's conversion levelling the game at 16-16.James soon got Wales back on the front foot with a superb midfield break, the forwards maintaining the pressure with excellent direct driving to create the space for James to cross for his first international try.Biggar maintained his perfect kicking return with the conversion and two more penalties.Winger Tom James scored at a crucial time for WalesBut the home side hit back with a delightful break down the blind-side, sweet handling getting the ball to captain Pat Riordan whose pass back inside sent Fairhurst over for the try.Pritchard converted with style to get his team back to within a score at 29-23.Wales brought on Craig Mitchell for his first cap as they encamped in the Canada half, and the Ospreys prop was denied a debut try by the video referee as he knocked on as he crossed the line following a period of intense pressure.But Wales had already been awarded a penalty, Biggar's kick taking the lead to nine points with seven minutes remaining.That allowed Wales breathing space and Jonathan Spratt was brought on for his first cap.But the buoyant home side - boosted by a lively crowd of over 8,000 - kept battling to the end, denying James a second score from long range.Wales' two-Test tour concludes with a game against the USA in Chicago next Saturday.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Canada: Pritchard, Hearn, van der Merwe, Smith, Duke, Monro, Fairhurst, Tkachuk, Riordan, Tiedemann, Burak, Tait, Dala, Kleeberger, Carpenter.Replacements: Spicer for Duke (62), Sinclair for Monro (40), Evans for Fairhurst (73), Pletch for Tiedemann (60), Hotson for Tait (61), Wooldridge for Dala (69). Not Used: Mack.Sin Bin: Tait (21)Wales: Evans, T. James, J. Davies, Bishop, Czekaj, Biggar, Cooper, D. Jones, Hibbard, Yapp, B. Davies, D. Jones, D. Jones, Sowden-Taylor, R. Jones.Replacements: Peel for Cooper (40), Williams for Hibbard (76), Mitchell for Yapp (61), Spratt. Not Used: Gough, Warburton, Robinson.Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)Att: 8,450
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