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For the past three years I've been working on a documentary about Wales' first Hollywood star, who was also my grandmother's cousin!My documentary mainly deals with his life after Hollywood, when he spent fourteen years with the Paiutes of Pyramid Lake Nevada! He was known to them as Brother David, they had no knowledge of his former stardom!Long before he give up his acting to become a priest he was known to millions of his adoring fans as Gareth Hughes!He was very good friends with Hedda Hopper! Who wrote about her dear friend back in December 1963, in one of her very last columns! They had known each other for years, and had met when they were both young actors during the silent movie era!He began acting at a very young age, firstly here in Wales, then later at 17 years of age he was allowed to go to London to pursue his passion for acting. After a time, he joined the Welsh Players and travelled on tour with them to America. (There was another actor from Llanelli called Eleanor Daniels on the tour) When they returned to the UK (the tour was a flop) he decided to stay on in America and became very successful on Broadway.He appeared in many productions such as Little Miss Llewellyn, Change and a play by J.M.Barrie called The New Word, and later went onto star in a film based on another book written by Barrie entitled Sentimental Tommy, which was made in 1921. Even though he had already appeared in many films before, he always regarded Sentimental Tommy as his favourite and most successful. In total he made forty five films spanning 1918 to 1931, and was also the Welsh dialect coach, on The Corn Is Green made in 1945 starring Bette Davis (another welsh connection)."Sheer genius and poetry," Wilder wrote to describe Gareth Hughes. "And when his glasses are off, he is the divinest thing to look upon that I have ever seen."Thornton Wilder (1897-1975)Ceil.B.DeMille called him a young idealist.Fulton Ousler describes him as the charm boy to end all charm boysIve called him A Forgotten Welsh HeroAt the height of his popularity he was earning as much as $2000 a week.He was under contract to the big film studios of the time including Fox and MGM, who are still big players in the film world today.In 1929 like many others he lost his fortune in the Wall Street crash and was left penny less, but he carried on making films until 1931 when he appeared in Scarce Heads.He then decided to leave the world of film and return to theatre, which he had always been his first love. His last performance ran for 18 weeks in 1938 at the Hollywood Playhouse and University of Michigan where he starred as Shylock in the Merchant of Venice.In the early 1940s he decided it was time to leave this life style behind, having led a full and exciting but also lavish and selfish life he now wanted to change and instead give something back to others. Adopting the name of Brother David he became a missionary to the Paiute Indians on the Pyramid Lake Reservation of Nevada. He spent almost 14 years (1944 to 1958) with his children, as he liked to call them and is still loved and remembered as Bro to this day.In 1958 he decided to return to Llanelli to spend his last years here. But he longed for the sunshine of California and after 5 months he returned to the states.My documentary will be available for sale soon !Check out my website http:// www.desertpadre.co.uk for updates! Or drop me a line at desertpadre@hotmail.co.uk

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

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

BRITAIN GOT TALENT WINNER 2009 ISDIVERSITY

Canada 23 - 32(9 - 16) Wales RTries:Duke, Fairhurst Tries:Czekaj, JamesPenalties:Pritchard 3 Penalties:Biggar 6Conversions:Pritchard 2 Conversions:Biggar 2

The Gentle Good (aka Gareth Bonello) are appearing at the Smithsonian Institute Folklife Festival. If you'd like to hear Gareth talking about his work and performing then drop by here .Gareth's music is influence by lots of genres, not least American ones. If you're around Washington you'll want to see and hear him!

When it came to matters of superstition, the occult and the supernatural, Huw Griffiths was a sceptic of the first order. He had nailed his colours squarely to the mast of scientific explanation and would not be moved in his opinions of inexplicable phenomena as anything other than the fanciful imaginings of the weak minded. . His friend and confidant one Jack Protheroe was less inclined to be so brutal in his dismissal of the unexplained. This was because Jacks grandmother had been a practicing medium; through the years Jack had witnessed too many strange incidents including the manifestation of an image of his dead younger brother to match Huws all weather contempt for anything that fell outside the realm of the established natural scientific disciplines.The subject of the supernatural often came up in their conversations and so it was on a warm summers evening as they sat in the bar of a small local pub called the Pencelli Arms. Huw as always was the louder of the two as he found a great deal of pleasure in allowing everyone within a twenty foot radius to gain the benefit of his thoughts and voice. Its preposterous Jack he bellowed There are no such things as ghosts or spectres or phantoms. Its all the product of an over fertile imagination or drugs or probably both. You were duped by you grandmother and as for your assertion that supernatural phenomena is simply phenomena that hasnt or cant be explained by established scientific practices then I suggest that until it is it is nothing more than tosh.As he continued on a self important peroration a small but clear voice interrupted him. Excuse me. Huw turned and was presented with the countenance of a very elderly woman. Yes my dear? How can I help you? Huw said slightly embarrassed. The little old woman smiled at him and said I couldnt but help overhearing your conversation a minute ago and I was wondering if I could persuade you that you are wrong in dismissing those things you cant understand. Huw was now caught between being polite and being ready to launch into a tirade. However he restrained from his usual dismissive attitudes and asked the old woman what she meant. What if I can prove to you that you are mistaken? Would you be willing to change your views if I could give you proof? Huws mind started to whirr. Here we go. he thought Im going to be asked to attend a well planned sance where theyll attempt to tuck me up like a kipper. The old lady looked at him and said Its not a sance Mr Griffiths. Huw was momentarily fazed then thought Shes following the line of likely thought and made a lucky guess What do you have in mind? He said. Would you spend tonight alone in a house that I own? Its located at the top of the village in its own grounds. she replied. Haunted no doubt? Scoffed Huw. Would you? pressed the old woman It gets light at five thirty. I and your friend here will meet you at the front gate tomorrow morning. The entire bar was now looking at Huw to see if he would bottle out. He could feel them waiting for him to show fear. Of course I will he said. I bet its got more tricks in it than a fair ground ghost train he thought. Good said the old lady Itll be dark in an hour. We can go then. Oh! There are no electric lights installed in the house but there are candles and plenty of books to keep you amused if you cant sleep during the night.Huw sat down at the table and looked at Jack. Candles and books! Ive half a bottle of scotch in my jacket. Im going to get a good nights rest and Ill see you at five thirty tomorrow morning. I expect the old girls got the place rigged to give the gullible a fright or two. Well shes barking up the wrong tree here. I know every trick in the book.At around ten thirty that evening Huw, Jack and the old lady travelled to the top of the village. The last of the twilight was disappearing over the mountains when they reached the front gate of the house. Here are the keys. said the old lady Well be back tomorrow morning. Ok chirped Huw Ill stand you both breakfast. See you then.Huw made his way to the front door and opened it. The house smelled a bit musty but after lighting eight or nine candles he noticed that although the furniture seemed a little dated the place was quite cosy. There was a large settee in the lounge Thats for me. he thought. All around the room, as the old woman had said, there were a great many books. After orientating himself Huw decided to look around the place to see if there were any obvious signs of the chicanery that he expected to start at any moment. He went through the living room into the kitchen and upstairs through three bedrooms. It all seemed pretty innocuous to him and so he decided to retire to the settee and his scotch. It wasnt long before he started to doze and within the hour he was fast asleep. Some five hours later he was awoken by birdsong. He looked at his watch. It was five twenty five. Well he thought That was fun. What the hell was it supposed to prove to me? The old bat must be some kind of eccentric biddy. Huw doused the lit candles and walked to the front door opened it and locked it behind him. He could see the old woman at the front gate and some way behind her he could see Jack walking towards them along the street. Huw was smiling like a Cheshire cat when he reached the old lady. He was thinking of the fun he would have that night in the pub letting everyone know of the terrifying night he had spent in the house before ridiculing them all for being so gullible. He looked at the old lady in a very superior way and said Here are your house keys. I must say it was a .. The old woman raised a hand and simply said What house? Huw turned to face an empty lot. Thats when Jack heard him scream.

We are closing comments in the Left Coast Eisteddfod Submission groups this week in order to streamline procedure. All contest submissions are still open.If anyone has entries posted on comment walls please repost as discussions in the appropriate group.If anyone has any problem with this please let us know. Email americymru@gmail.com .We will move any remaining entries on comment walls by Sunday and credit the authors in the new discussion group posting. Diolch!

Hi All,We're all pretty chuffed having just got a 4/5 star review in the largest country music/Americana music magazine in the UK - sorry, just have to tell everyone!cheersGhost of a Dog

A collection of 12 reflective, original songs from the 'UK Songwriting Champion', 'USA Billboard', 'USA Unisong', 'USA Song Of The Year' Honourable Mention winner, Welshman, Darren Parry.Click on link below to buy album or individual tracks...

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