Blogs

Dave has done an original lovespoon every year for the past four years and together with Laura Jenkins Gorun for the past three years, and they've blogged it . This year, they incorporated a design by San Francisco Welsh-American painter, Jen Delyth , "The Celtic Tree of Life." If you've been following Dave's blog, you've seen it in progress and if you haven't, see it below. It's the most beautiful lovespoon, the most beautiful carving, I've ever seen.

From Dave's blog, with his permission:

DONE!!!!!

I've just put in a 3 day marathon carving session to get the West Coast Eisteddfod Lovespoon ready for its big day! I'm thrilled to bits with the result and I'm hoping that seeing it done will encourage lots of donations to our favourite cause!!

Remember, this beauty that Laura and I have slogged over for the last few months could be yours for one measly dollar!!! Every dollar you contribute to the West Coast Eisteddfod entitles you to a chance at winning what is surely our best effort yet! I defy you to find a lovespoon like THIS anywhere for a BUCK!!!!!!

I think that Laura has absolutely excelled herself with her gorgeous ball in cage detail. Check out those sinuous vine details!! At the start of this project, Laura was a bit of a grinder with the design and in her own words, 'fussed over every detail'. Now that it's done, you can see that her efforts were absolutely worth it! Laura and I are in love with this spoon and we don't really want to give it away...but give it away we will!

In case you're wondering why the spoon is sort of two-toned, its because Laura's section at the bottom was carved a couple of months back and is oxidizing. That rich amber tone you see on the bowl is what the whole spoon will have in another couple of months when my section at the top settles in a bit! This spoon is going to be a stunner!!!!!

Just to show that we didn't 'leave it all' on the front aspect, here's a picture of the back of the spoon (above) showing that all Laura's meticulous planning has continued onto the back!! Its like having 2 spoons for the price of one!!!

Man, I just love how Jen Delyth's 'Tree of Life' turned out! One day it would be fun to try a bigger one and go for a bit more detail on the roots and branches, but for now, this looks pretty sweet! Trying to remember where all those vines went around the heart, leaves and dragon made me scratch my head a few times and I had to call Laura for a sketch, but in the end its all good!!

And one last treat is this close up of Laura's beautiful work on that cage with the 4 balls (one for every year of the Eisteddfod) which shows just how 'touchable' her carving is!!
I'm totally PUMPED about this spoon...I hope that you will be too! Just remember that time is rapidly running out for you to get in on a chance to take it home!!! Please donate to help support the West Coast Eisteddfod today!!!! Just click on the box at the top right of the page...it's simple, safe, secure and you WON'T get hassled with any unwanted spam from any of us!!

Besides Dave's post and shots above, I'm including the one he sent me, to tell me it was done - those are Dave's hands holding the spoon, below:

Media Contact : Bob Titley

The Robert Titley Consultancy

roberttitley@aol.com

(917) 690 8418

Richard Burton Bared:

Richard Burton Trails in Wales,

Yales Richard Burton Diaries, Liz & DickLifetime/Lohan FlickAll Coming Soon

New York, NY October 3, 2012 Surrounded by the serene Welsh beauty of the Afan Forest Park, iconic Welsh actor, Richard Burton, has been honored with the 3-mile Richard Burton Trail that highlights the area in which this son of a Welsh miner was born; a second trail is due to open in nearby Port Talbot, where he was raised, in November 2012. The official website, www.visitnpt.co.uk/richardburton features interviews with his friends and family who share their memories of Burton, as well as a downloadable Trail map and guide.

Complementing this Wales-based initiative, are the imminent publication by the Yale University Press of The Richard Burton Diaries (edited by Welsh historian Chris Williams) and the airing on November 25 of Lifetime TVs movie Liz and Dick, starring Lindsay Lohan and Grant Bowler, scripted by Welsh director Chris Monger.

When Burton (ne Jenkins) was born in the tiny village of Pontyrhydyfen near Port Talbot in Wales on November 10, 1925 no one could have imagined that this twelve-pound bouncing baby boy would go on to become an Oscar-winning actor, as well known for his marriages to the dazzling Elizabeth Taylor as for his acting talent, rugged good looks and mellifluous speaking voice.

The Richard Burton Trail was the brainchild of locals who wanted to celebrate their most famous son. His younger brother, Graham Jenkins, who still lives in the area, was personally involved. The story of Burtons remarkable life is told in words and pictures on the way markers that can be found all along the route.

Early on, you pass Penhydd Street , home to many of Burtons family members. Then walk across the impressive Pontrhydyfen Aqueduct , high above the Afan River: The structure was built in 1825 by local iron works owner, John Reynolds. Burtons modest birthplace , which backs onto the river, housed Burton, his eleven siblings and their parents. Relish his honeyed tones as he recites passages from Under Milk Wood, and Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night both written by his favorite poet, Welshman Dylan Thomas. The interpretative trail zigzags along to the nine-arched Pontyrhydyfen Viaduct . Built in 1898, the splendid railway bridge carried coal from the Tonmawr collieries to Port Talbot docks to be exported worldwide. When you reach the life-sized sculpture of Burton at the picnic area, you can enjoy both a respite and the spectacular view. Then you double back to Bethel Chapel , where, in 1984, many celebrities rubbed shoulders with hundreds of everyday folk at Burtons memorial service.

A second Richard Burton walking trail is being developed in Taibach in Port Talbot, where Richard spent his childhood and teenage years. Points of interest will include his home, where he worked as a young boy, where he spent his free time and the school where his keen mind and acting potential were recognized by his teacher, friend, surrogate father and ultimately his guardian, Phillip Burton.

For information about everything that Wales has to offer: www.visitwales.com .

It's sounding good in my humble opinion

Cheers,

Mike

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For the first time in over half a century, Hitting and Stopping, the first book written by Jimmy Wilde, Flyweight Champion of the World, and arguably Britain (and Wales) greatest boxer has been re-published as a new, updated and expanded official edition. Previously this book was only available in its original form and cost upwards of 50. If you are a Welsh boxing fan, or want to find a great book for a boxing fanatic for Christmas it doesnt get better than this. Packed with rare photographs, bibliographical information and commentary, this is likely to be a highly sought after book amongst boxing enthusiasts :


'Jimmy Wilde was one of the greatest fighters the world has ever seen. He fought hundreds of times on the fairground boxing booths while still in his teens, often battling opponents nearly twice his size. Wilde went on to win his first 100 professional fights, most by way of knockout and defeated much larger men throughout his professional career. By 1916, Jimmy Wilde was universally acknowledged as the Flyweight Champion of the World, and held the title until 1923.

Wildes devastating punching power was such that he is regarded by The Ring magazine as being the third greatest puncher of all time. Boxing historian Nat Fleischer rated him as the No. 1 Flyweight in boxing history. Jimmy Wilde was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990 and is today celebrated as one of the most gifted fighters to have stepped into the boxing ring.

First published in 1914, Hitting and Stopping reveals the combative insights of a true boxing master. Jimmy Wilde explains the unorthodox methods and strategies that enabled him to emerge victorious on hundreds of occasions. Illustrated by many rare instructional photographs of Wilde demonstrating his techniques, this book is a must for any sports historian or boxing student hoping to understand the life and career of a man who was called The Ghost with a Hammer in his Hand due to his devastating punch and his uncanny skills in evading his opponents.

This new official edition of Hitting and Stopping How I Won 100 Fights contains further additional written material and commentary as well as numerous photographs of Jimmy Wilde that have not been included in any previous edition.

160 pages
ISBN : 9780957034211
12.99

Email peerlesspress@gmail.com for more information and to order your copy direct from the publisher. Peerless Press ships worldwide.

Shipping :

United Kingdom : 2.80

Europe: 4.10

World Zone 1 : 6.10
(North America, South America, Africa, Middle East, Far East & S. East Asia)

World Zone 2 : 6.30
(Australia, New Zealand, etc)

If ordering from outside the United Kingdom, to check which World Zone your country falls into please check the following link :

Royal Mail Worldwide Zones 1 & 2 Country List

Ceri and I are hoping we can go to Wales next year. Ceri hasn't been home in years and I've never been. He'd like to get to see his family and I'd like to get to meet them and I'd just like to see it. The only places I've been outside the US are Tijuana and Vancouver BC. Vancouver was gorgeous but nothing really different and Tijuana was sort of a depressing version of the part of LA I was living in at the time. There's some things I already know I want to see in Wales but I know there's a lot I don't know anything about.

if you haven't been to Wales, where would you like to go there? When would you like to go? What do you want to do and see in Wales and why?

If you have been there, what brought you there? Where would you tell someone else to go? What would you tell other people they should see and do there and why? Is there anything you'd like to go back and do or see and why?

The guest speaker at the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club was Carwyn Matera-Rogers, the manager of Theatrau Sir Gr Carmarthenshire Theatres.

Mr Matera-Rogers gave a hugely entertaining and informative talk on the new Ffwrnes theatre complex currently being constructed in Llanelli town centre.

He was welcomed to the meeting by Llanelli Rotary Club president Alan Owen, see picture below.

The vote of thanks for the talk was given by Rotarian Alison Evans.

Weblink -
http://www.carmarthenshiretheatres.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128&lang=en