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Although outwardly the world sees the Scots with their kilts, their bagpipes and their power of legislation,and the Welsh not openly displaying anything, we are now returning to our traditions that were for a while laid aside, we are wearing the kilt and are forming pipe and drum bands. Wales is the older country by far, so we have been fighting for much longer, even if at times we have been on the back foot, and to outsiders we don't look any different to the English , there is something that the Welsh have always had, besides the Red Dragon, our National Flag, we have our Language; it must do something to the Scottish psyche to know that their two National tongues are both foreign in origin. A Welsh person has always had two faces, whether it be at home or in anglicised countries such as The States, we show our outward worldly face, no different to any other man (or woman) in the street, but our other face is of a fierce pride in our roots and, amongst ourselves, those of us who are fortunate enough, can temporarily turn our backs on Anglo-Saxon society and, through our Language can return to one of the most ancient lineages of this modern world, Richard Burton was a perfect example of this. Cerys Matthews of Catatonia said that every day when she wakes up she thanks the Lord that she is Welsh, or words to that effect; of course it's not a sentiment held by everyone; when my next door neighbour at the age of five discovered that he wasn't English he burst out crying.

And the winner is...Alisha Bowen! The winning entry was selected by line number from the email account we set up especially for this competition . We have contacted both the winning entrant and Welsh Country Magazine and she should shortly be in receipt of both a free years subscription to the "Welsh Country Magazine" together with a signed copy of "Stories in Welsh Stone" by Geoff Brookes. Congratulations/Llongyfarchion Alisha!

Subscribe to 'Welsh Country' magazine.

'Stories in Welsh Stone' by Geoff Brookes

Hi Folks, I'm Harry the Welsh owner of Wise Choice British Foods located in Huber Heights, Ohio. just 8 miles north of Dayton. We also operate a website, www.wisechoiceuk.com and ship to all parts of the USA, Canada and points around the world. Why don't you take a minute or two to view our website and get to know me a little better. Click on the ' About Us ' button on the top of our home page and read the very personal section of our website. After reading our story and meeting my wife, myself and my family, place an order with us with full trust that you will receive the most personal, efficient, friendly service. Our business is large enough to provide excellent choice and selection, but small enough to retain personal attention to your needs.Please blog us with your comments, we'd love to hear from you.

Friday Nights Concert with Jesus Presley , Western Aerial , Runaway Norm and The SlimJims

The Rev Tony Hughes of Jesus Presley

Jesus Presley on stage at the Crystal Ballroom

Western Aerial at the Crystal

Geoff Metts of Western Aerial

Edward Channon pipes Western Aerial on stage

All photographs courtesy of Buko.net except the last which was kindly provided by Paulette Channon

Saturday - The Mayors Visit

Chris Needs pictured with Eisteddfod organisers Gaabriel Becket and Ceri Shaw.

Chris Needs with members of the Portland Welsh Society .

Portland's Mayor Sam Adams with Chris Needs and Ceri Shaw..

Chris Needs records an interview for the Mayor's blog ..

Mayor Sam Adams with genetic genealogist Emily Aulicino .

Many thanks to Paulette Channon for the above photographs.

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Known for its bold, extravagant, and odd style, the zoot suit is a double-breasted suit that existed since 1930s. The wrapped jacket usually features for wide lapels overly elegant padded shoulders extending past the hips. Its purpose is to basically cover the pleated pants billowing out before the fine cuffs. It is being worn and frequently associated to African- American, Puerto-Ricans, Mexican Americans, Filipino Americans, and Italian Americans.Today zoot suit came in bold and vibrant colors and patterns that can be worn on any special occasion. It is also a perfect choice for wedding occasions like a wedding tuxedo . Black people are used to wear this for worship and any religious activities. As you can see, they are not just designed to show off their extravagance in terms of styles and fabric but their ability to function in every special occasion.Hiphop buffs who aimed to pursue a formal hiphop chic, you can explore your sense of fashion by wearing zoot suit . You can also refer from your favorite hippy icons and celebrities that love to wear this kind of suit. The fabulous attire is not complete without fashionable accessories that they used to complement on the suit such as neck ties with vibrant colors and designs, oversized elegant hats, pocket watch on chains, and double-soled shoes. If youve got all the accessories that you needed, you are now ready to hit the party!Zoot suits are widely available and accessible on the internet. Online shopping is the easiest and most convenient way to buy what we urgently need with just few clicks away. Megasuits is your trusted mens online store. We are glad to give you our high quality, elegant, and luxurious suits at very affordable price. Browse our online catalog so you can choose from our wide suit collections.Fine, elegant, and sophisticated mens suits fashioned from high-grade quality fabric. Megasuits give nothing but customers satisfaction. Our mens suits are the reflection of excellent craftsmanship, refinement, and style!

Reprinted with permission from David Western's blog , all material 2009, David Western --

It gives me great pleasure to announce the winner of the first Left Coast Eisteddfod lovespoon is Howard Evans! Howard was very generous in his support of the Eisteddfod and is a more than worthy winner of this traditional, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind Welsh lovespoon!

As the designer and carver of this spoon, it has been very heartening for me to see people support the inaugural Left Coast Eisteddfod through their kind donations and to personally have been the recipient of so many kind words of praise from many of you. I would, therefore, like to take this occasion to announce that I will be back with a new spoon design to support next year's edition of the Left Coast Eisteddfod!! Lots of lessons have been learned from the whole process of trying to initiate a great Welsh cultural event here in North America and although it has not been without its challenges, I believe next year's version will be bigger, better and even more widely supported than this years!

I look forward to designing next year's spoon and to showing its progress on this blog and I hope you will continue visit me and support the Left Coast Eisteddfod as well!!

So congratulations, Howard!!

A message from Peter Thabit Jones .... Adjudication It was good to see the range of poetic forms and subjects submitted for the Competition. Each poem offered something to the reader, be it an imaginative mind-picture, an original phrasing of an emotion or a striking statement. Poetic devices (such as alliteration, internal rhyme and repetition) were handled in a confident and effective way. Those poets that tried a specific form displayed a control of stanzas and rhyme-patterns, which contributed to a sense of rhythm in their poems. I really enjoyed entering into the world of each poem. I reduced the large batch of entries to an impressive short-list of twelve potential winners.*****************************************I feel the following poets deserve a mention for their very good poems:Bee Richards, Jolen Whitworth, Stephen Hughes, Heidi Falk and Elnaz Rezaei Ghalechi.*************************The RUNNER-UP of the Left Coast Eisteddfod 2009 Poetry Competition (English language Category) is Lines on Mt. Washington by Peter Lewis.**************************It is a poem that builds up steadily and climaxes in an excellent and appropriate last line. The tone of the narrator engages; and there is some quite skilled sound-texturing throughout the work.*************************The WINNER of the Left Coast Eisteddfod 2009 Poetry Competition (English language Category) is Imprint by Sherry Weaver Smith.********************************It is a poem that presents an emotional and very human experience in a striking and original way. The poet controls the unfolding of the poem with admirable confidence. She utilises language for maximum effect and her poetic voice is powered by a quiet integrity. It is a poem that calls one back to it time after time and it still retains its obvious strengths. It will be a real pleasure to publish the poem in Januarys Issue 11 of The Seventh Quarry Swansea Poetry Magazine.Peter Thabit Jones, August 2009Congratulations to Sherry and Peter....

A message from Lloyd Jones .....

Thank you for inviting me to judge the Americymru short story competition - I wish I hadn't agreed now because choosing a winner proved very difficult!I'm afraid that I discounted the autobiographical stories because they didn't fit the short story criteria, but I urge the authors to carry on with their work and produce complete autobiographies beacuse their stories are interesting and well-written.Some of the other stories I discounted because they were fragments, or tended towards the sentimental.The whole process is entirely subjective and one person's delicacy is another's poison, so please forgive me if you disagree with my choice - and for heaven's sake don't stop writing if your name isn't featured in the winning line-up: tastes vary enormously and another judge might choose a completely different line-up. That's right - it's a lottery!I ended up with a shortlist of five, namely: Care and Feeding of Clutter Blobs by Jennifer Brodeur The Fortuneteller's Fate by Elizabeth Addie A Touch of Class by Beryl Ensor-Smith A Flurry in Time by Linda Lenehan Coppers' Cash and Convenience by Ian Price.I chose Care and Feeding of Clutter Blobs as the winner simply because it's the most entertaining.The Fortune-teller's Fate I picked as runner-up by a whisker from the others.Well done the lot of you - and do carry on writing!

Congratulations Jenniffer..

Dic Jones.docx