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We hope you will forgive our deafening silence over the past few days. We are still exhausted after the exciting events of the weekend. Full reports on the Eisteddfod and announcements of competition winners will be posted tomorrow and over the next few days.

AmeriCymru's Left Coast Eisteddfod has been planning celebrations over the last twelve months to highlight the talents of the Welsh and Celtic communities in Portland, Oregon, USA , and had been expected to welcome thousands of Celtic cousins from all over the world. But due to an increase in seasonal flu and concerns over the Swine Flu Pandemic , events had to be curtailed and disappointment was had by all. Welsh performers Chris Needs and Bruce Anderson flew over 5000 miles to be part of the celebration, only to be disappointed along with the other artists and craftspeople. The main show has been postponed until a later date.

However you want to spell it; Tydfil, Tedvil, Tudfyl or Tudful: for the Merthyr diaspora, which is at least equal to any town in Ireland, today is her day, so let's drink together and think of home.

Glyn Rowlands wedi marw ddoe 12.45 p.m. R.I.P.

* Accueil* Prsentationo Le village de Kerdlo* Le spectacleo Approche du scenarioo Un spectacle bilingueo Saint TELO+ Telo, son histoireIl tait une fois TeloUr wech e oa TELOSon et lumire du 26 au 29 aut 2009afficheUn son et lumire, avec pour dcor naturel la jolie chapelle de Saint TELO, niche dans son crin de verdure en contrebas de la montagne du PrieurRien de moins pour fter les vingt ans du jumelage entre les communes de PLOGONNEC et de LLANDYSUL (Pays de Galles).Une cration originale joue en direct par 80 figurants et une belle palette dacteurs professionnels qui sont galement des chanteurs et musiciens de talent,Un spectacle bilingue comprhensible par tousEt une histoire, celle de TELO, qui dut quitter sa Cambrie natale (lactuel Pays de Galles) pour sauver de la peste jaune un grand nombre de ses compatriotes en les conduisant jusquen Petite Bretagne (lArmorique). Ctait au sixime sicle Pas si loin de nous Les doutes et les choix de TELO rejoignent luniversalit de ltre, et son souvenir reste ancr dans les paysages Bretons et Gallois, entre lgende et ralit.Publication du 26.05.09 | Nonclass|Article Tlgramme du 1er aot 2009presse01aout_bArticle paru dans la presse rgionale. Vous pouvez lire larticle du Tlgramme de Brest paru le 1er aot 2009 en cliquant sur limage. ()Quils soient lus en herbe, ou bnvoles, de nombreux habitants de Plogonnec se mobilisent pour le futur spectacle son et lumire programm fin aot()Publication du 02.08.09 | presse|Article Ouest-France du 24 Juillet 2009Les costumiresp6130117Lquipe des 25 costumires, dirige par Marie-agnes Pennanach travail la cration et la confection des costumes qui seront ports par les comdiens et figurants au cours du spectacle des 26 au 29 At prochain. Plusieurs centaines de pices de costumes sont couper, assembler. Pour que les couleurs conviennent, il faut aussi procder la teinture !Publication du 07.07.09 | Nonclass|Week-end figurantsp6270163Les 27 et 28 Juin, les figurants ont effectu leur premier week-end de dcouverte des mouvements et actions quils auront a effectuer au cours du spectacle Il tait une fois Telo .Chacun stait muni dun bton qui leur servira pour se dplacer, comme outil ou encore darme. Thomas Cloarec, metteur en scne, son assistante Arzela Abiven, aids par Erwan Cloarec leur ont enseign lart de se dplacer, de se poser, de [Lire la suite]Publication du 29.06.09 | spectacle|TELO, le 8 saint fondateur de la petite BretagnePremire lectureDimanche 21 juin a eu lieu en prsence des comdiens professionnels et des comdiens bnvoles la premire lecture du texte crit par Yann Ber Rivalin.Une premire distribution des rles a t effectue.Les bnvoles figurants vont eux se retrouver pour un premier travail samedi 27 et dimanche 28 juin prochain sous loeil de Thomas CloarecPublication du 24.06.09 | Informations|spectacle|Figurants et bnvolesNous recherchons encore quelques bnvoles gs de 18 45 ans, pour faire de la figuration dans la spectacle son et lumire Il tait une fois TELO .Nous recherchons encore des bnvoles aux comptences diverses pour participer diffrentes tches avant, pendant et aprs le spectacle.Les principaux travaux sont en relation avec laccueil du public, la restauration, les costumes et lhabillage, la fabrication des dcors, le montage de la [Lire la suite]Publication du 20.06.09 | Informations|80 costumes en cours de ralisation05juinArticle paru dans la presse rgionale. Vous pouvez lire larticle du Tlgramme de Brest paru le 5 Juin 2009 en cliquant sur limage. Les premires mains par lesquelles passe un candidat la figuration sur le son et lumire Il tait une fois Telo sont celles des couturires ()Publication du 19.06.09 | Nonclass|Suite Copyright 2009 |Il tait une fois Telo | | Se connecter | Fil d'actualitPowered by WordPress Atahualpa Theme by BytesForAl

Q & A with Welsh author Niall Griffiths ( From the Portland Alliance Newspaper )

The novelist reveals thoughts on health care, the graphic detail of his works, and how his writing process works.....more HERE.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams Speaks at the Left Coast Eisteddfod ( From Portlandonline, the Mayors official site )

Mayor Sam Adams will be at the Left Coast Eisteddfod at the Crystal Ballroom on Saturday, 22 August to speak at the announcement of the AmeriCymru International Film Festival in 2010 and the first US screening of Chris Needs' award-winning short film The Jenkin's's's's's's......more HERE.

Portland, Oregon Mayor Sam Adams will be at the Left Coast Eisteddfod at the Crystal Ballroom on Saturday, 22 August to speak at the announcement of the AmeriCymru International Film Festival in 2010 and the first US screening of Chris Needs' award-winning short film The Jenkin's's's's's's .

BBC Wales' presenter Chris Needs, is the creator of "The Friendly Garden," with an estimated listernership of 8 million worldwide and a fan club of more than 50,000 members. His film, "The Jenkins's's's's's's' was adapted from his book of the same title and won the Swansea International Film Festival Best Animation award in 2008.

The Left Coast Eisteddfod Arts Festival 2009 runs Friday 21 August through Saturday, 22 August, at McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom, 1332 West Burnside in Portland, Admission to daytime events is $5 per person 13 and over, under 13 admission is free.

Forgive me for being a pessimist, but i believe Meriwether was a bit too old to have landed on the moon with Armstrong and Aldrin. Although, this could have been one of the later missions...they al look alike in their suits. kim

The Kingsland Rugby Club has been set up by John Porteous of Kingsland, Auckland, New Zealand; the home of EDEN PARK. The Kingsland Rugby Club was active in Auckland, New Zealand in the 1920's. Rugby Football is the national sport in New Zealand where the number one team is know as the world famous All Blacks. Residing in the suburb of Kingsland in Auckland New Zealand is the iconic stadium Eden Park which has been host to countless international rugby events. On the 20th June 1987 the inaugural Rugby World Cup final was held at Eden Park with the All Blacks victorious over France by 29 points to 9. On Sunday 23rd October 2011 Eden Park will again host the Rugby World Cup Final. We in New Zealand are excited about this and would dearly love to see the All Blacks take the field in this final also and of course, the victory. We have never won a world cup final since that great day in 1987 so expectations are high that we repeat the 1987 win again in 2011. This will not be an easy task, we know this, but with the final being played back at the place where it all began we give ourselves a good chance of bringing the cup back to the place where it all began 24 years previously. While The Kingsland Rugby Club is no longer active as a playing club it has been resurrected in this social networking portal to give a voice to the people who put their 'bums on seats' at rugby matches and are in fact the life blood of the sport. While the media have an obsession with the talents of rugby stars both individually and collectively and the 'powers that be' make decisions 'for the good of the game' on behalf of the global mass, the truth of the matter is that without the dedication, the support and the interest from the normal everyday fans of the sport there would be nothing for the stars to accomplish or the power brokers to engage in. This website is focussed on the Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand from September 9th to October 23rd 2011. This site has a specific interest in the matches to be held at Eden Park, Kingsland, Auckland during the tournament. The business owners and residents of Kingsland have been encouraged to join this site thereby becoming affiliate members of the Kingsland Rugby Club. Through this site business owners will be able to announce promotions and special deals and residents will have the opportunity to offer their homes for 'home stay' to visitors coming to Kingsland to enjoy the 2011 Rugby World Cup. There is some time to go between now and kick off when New Zealand play Tonga on Friday September 9th 2011 but time will fly and the event will be underway before we know it. Here we have a great opportunity for those coming to New Zealand to enjoy the world cup to sign up on this KRC web thus becoming an affiliate member of The Kingsland Rugby Club. Through targeted social networking available on this website people will be able to become acquainted, share blogs and videos, arrange affordable accommodation, plan social functions, and know about various events and promotions on offer well before they step one foot in Kingsland as they come to watch their favorite teams battle it out on the hallowed grounds of mighty Eden Park. Of course, while Kingsland is the place where Eden Park is located, there are other areas in close proximity to the park that will have their businesses and residents contributing to the website also. By natural consequence people in other suburbs of Auckland, and other provinces of the country will no doubt set up groups to promote their own offerings for visitors coming to participate in the magnificent event that will be The Rugby World Cup 2011. Because we want only those who are really interested in the sport of rugby there is a one time joining fee to be able to have full access to the portal. This fee will be minimal to begin with then will increase in monthly increments culminating in September 2011 as the event comes to life and the celebrations begin. At the end of the day we will have a network of rugby fans communicating with each other at an event extraordinaire in a manner not otherwise possible. To conclude, in no specific order, the following countries are participating in the 2011 Rugby World Cup: NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, ENGLAND, FRANCE, IRELAND, WALES, SCOTLAND, ITALY, USA, TONGA, SAMOA, FIJI, ARGENTINA and possibly JAPAN and other qualifiers yet to be decided. Matches will be played from Friday September 9th to Sunday October 23rd 2011 at the following centres in New Zealand: [North Island] AUCKLAND (Eden Park in Kingsland), ROTORUA, NORTH SHORE (at Albany on Auckland's North Shore), NEW PLYMOUTH, WELLINGTON, WHANGAREI, HAMILTON, NAPIER, PALMERSTON NORTH. [South Island] CHRISTCHURCH, DUNEDIN, NELSON. and, INVERCARGILL. Want to get involved? Join THE KINGSLAND RUGBY CLUB today. If you love rugby and want to get close to the action before and during the 2011 World Cup of Rugby then this is the place to start. So, whether you intend coming to New Zealand to enjoy the 2011 Rugby World Cup or you are staying home to watch it all on TV but want somehow feel part of this big event then go to http://www.kingslandrugbyclub.co.nz now to join up; we are waiting to welcome you!

I have just returned from my holiday in France and found that there had been some activity in my absence about Hedd Wyn, the Welsh Poet who was killed in the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. I was pleased that there was recognition for him, for he is a highly significant figure, another artist of huge potential cut down before his potential could be realised. But I was alarmed that his family home is under threat, as if Ellis Evans somehow no longer has relevance for us today. How wrong that is. We need to remember our past and preserve what we have, or the future will forget. And if the future does forget, then it will be our fault.Look at Huw Davies' pages on Americymru and you will find out more about the threat that hangs over the family farm, Yr Ysgwrn.In November 2005 I wrote an article for Welsh Country Magazine and I thought it would be appropriate to put it here so that those who are unfamiliar with him and what he represents can find out a little more.Hedd Wyn The Black BardOur grave this month takes us overseas. To Belgium and the site of the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. But it is a journey that begins on the hills of North Wales above Trawsfynydd. For this is the story of the Black Bard.We visited his grave on a cold February afternoon. Artillery Wood cemetery, at Boesinge just outside Ypres. A mass of white headstones, each an individual life snuffed out too soon. The occasional poppy left by a relative who can now never have met the fallen. So many lives. I am sure it was only the biting wind that made our eyes water.But one grave stands out. More acknowledged than the rest. And the grave register too is full of childrens projects and tributes.For this is the grave of Private Ellis Humphrey Evans, 61117, Royal Welch Fusiliers, the great Welsh poet. He became known as The Black Bard. But to begin with he was known as Hedd Wyn. White Peace.He was born in January 1887 at Penlan in Trawsfynydd and he spent his childhood on the family farm, Yr Ysgwrn. He left school at 14 and worked as a shepherd but was determined to continue with his education. He would walk to Bala to borrow books from the library and he would spend his days on the hills writing poetry. His bardic name of Hedd Wyn was awarded at a local poetry festivalHe did work as a miner in the South Wales coalfields for a while but he realised that his vocation was out on the hills, writing poetry. His reputation grew and he won his first chair at Bala in 1907, followed by others at Eisteddfodau at Llanuwchllyn, Pwllheli and Pontardawe. It was his ambition to win the National, and in fact he came second at Aberystwyth in 1916. Always his bardic name was Hedd Wyn.Evans did not embrace the war. He was a pacifist. Here are the first two lines of his poem Rhyfel (War.)Gwae fi fy myn mewn oes mor ddrengA Duw ar drai ar orwel pell(Woe is my life in such a bitter age,/ As God fades on the horizons canopy.) There is no sense of glory or triumph here. Only the thought that God had turned his back on man.He had no desire to join the army and was protected initially by his occupation. Some farm workers were exempt on the basis that theirs was a vital occupation.But even in the hills the war scarred families, their sons never to return home. His contemporaries were dying and he was writing poems in their memory and working on he farm. However as casualties mounted, the rules were changed and Ellis Evans fate was sealed. The army needed more men and there was not enough work at Yr Ysgwrn to keep all the Evans boys at home. Someone had to go.In order to spare his more enthusiastic younger brother he joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers in February 1917 as a private. From Wrexham Barracks the new recruits were sent to Liverpool but cut unconvincing military figures. Coming down from their farms they would have seemed like foreigners, reluctant to speak English and all at sea in an alien world. Soldiers they were not. It was said of Ellis, He was a silent fellow. It would appear he could speak but little English, or if he could, he did not. The army represented a world he did not wish to join. He was only there out of duty and he was more concerned to complete his poem Yr Arwr (The Hero) in time for the National Eisteddfod in September.It was to be held in Birkenhead. Outside Wales of course, but home to many Welsh people working in the city, either in essential war industries or teaching and nursing.His chance to refine it came when he was sent home after basic training for 7 weeks. This was the last time he would see his family and his home.Private Ellis Evans, of the 15th Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers, was despatched on active service to Flanders on 9 June 1917. It was a grim place. He wrote in a letter home, Heavy weather, heavy soul, heavy heart. There was, he said, a curse upon the land. He wrote in his poem Y Blotyn Du.We have no right to anythingBut the old and withered earthThat is all in chaos.The rhythm and the certainties of the seasons that he knew so well and that he had just left, had been replaced by mud and blood.The poem was submitted just in time, sent from France on 15 July 1917. It describes the realities of war for both the soldiers and their families at home. It escaped censorship by the army since, naturally, it was written in Welsh. All the subalterns were English.It was his misfortune that the 15th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers was part of the 38th Division which had been selected to lead the assault on Pilckem Ridge. This would be the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele. The division was regarded as having under-performed in the action at Mametz Wood in the Battle of the Somme. This was a chance for them to redeem themselves.They practised their role on a replica of the German trenches built behind the front line in France during June and they were moved up for the attack on 30 July. In the assault the 15th Battalion were required to attack a regimental headquarters and a telephone exchange. They succeeded in this objective, but every officer in the battalion was killed. So was Evans. General Haig described it as a fine days work. 31,000 soldiers were casualties on that fine day.A plaque made of Welsh slate on a brick wall at the Hagebos crossroad now marks the place where the wounded Evans was taken on 31 July 1917. The first aid post received him with chest wounds from shrapnel. He died 4 days later. Although his first language was Welsh, his last words are said to have been English. I am very happy. And so he died, so far away from the hills of north Wales. In their peace and solitude he had reflected and written. In the noise and chaos of Flanders he died, like so many others.Back in Liverpool a group of refugees from the Belgian town of Mechelen were given warm hospitality. One of them was Eugene Van Fleteren who made reproduction furniture. In an act of gratitude for the help he had received, he made the traditional carved chair for the National Eisteddfod. It was to be awarded on Thursday 6 September 1917. A Flanders chair for a Flanders casualty.As a day of celebration it was not a success. Of the two choirs from the Royal Welch Fusiliers who had sung to such acclaim two years earlier, only the conductor had survived and he was badly injured. And when Archdruid Dyfed announced the winner of the bardic chair, for his work Yr Arwr, there was no reply, for Hedd Wyn had died six weeks earlier.Instead of the usual chairing ceremony the chair was draped in a black pall amidst death-like silence and the bards came forward in long procession to pace their muse- tribute of englyn or couplet on the draped chair in memory of the dead bard hero. (The Western Mail.) Hedd Wyn. The Black Bard.After the ceremony the chair was taken away by train and cart to the family farm, to a room set aside in his memory.At the end of the war Hedd Wyns poems were published as Cerdir Bugail (Shepherds Songs) and a statue was erected in Trawsfynydd, not as a soldier but as a shepherd, which is probably how he would have liked to be remembered. It was unveiled by his mother in 1923. A petition to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was granted so that his grave in Artillery Wood does not read simply as E.H. Ellis but Y Prifardd Hedd Wyn -Principal Bard, Hedd Wyn.He has not been forgotten. His old school in Trawsfynydd is now called Ysgol Hedd Wyn in his honour and school projects take children to his graveside. A Welsh -language film of his life was nominated for an Oscar in 1992 and in the same year, on the 75 anniversary of his death, a joint venture between the people of Trawsfynydd and Ypres produced a slate plaque on a wall at Hagebos crossroads, where he received his fatal wounds. In Welsh, English and Flemish it is a fine Welsh slate on fine Flanders brick. Made to last, like memories.At the base of Ellis Evans statue in Trawsfynydd there is a tribute he wrote for a friend killed earlier in the war. He could have written this about himself.His sacrifice will not be forgottenHis face so dear will ever be rememberedThough Germanys iron fist by his blood was stained.Every November our thoughts turn to the past, to the awful destruction of a generation. The world would never be the same again. We should never forget what happened and what the world lost. All that potential, all those possibilities, snuffed out. Forever. Andamongst all the other things we lost, Wales lost a great poet.Published in Welsh Country Magazine, November 2005 (reproduced here with permission.)Since I wrote the article I have come across some additional information which is held in the National Museum of Wales. It is an interview from 1975 with Simon Jones of Aberangell, who saw Ellis fall on the battlefield."...we were going over the top at half past four. We started over Canal Bank at Ypres and he was killed half way across Pilkem...I saw him fall and I can say that it was a nosecap shell in his stomach that killed him. You could tell that. You couldn't stay with him - you had to keep going you see...there were stretcher bearers coming up behind us, you see. There was nothing - well, you'd be breaking the rulkes if went to help someone who was injured when you were in an attack. Your business was to keep going."In Trawsfynydd there is a memorial to Hedd Wyn. I shall include some pictures of it on My Page.