Blogs

Now look here!I'm all for giving your celt a fair shake of the whip providing that I'm doing the shaking but I think it's a bit rich havin' the English Lions being dominated by the Taff and Mick.There were days when we took along a few of the Celtic fringe as mascots but all this democracy has got well out of hand. I remember the days of Billy Beaumont who managed to lose every test as captain in South Africa in 1980. I think he was given a knighthood for that having have to deal with the Boer at his front and the Celtic Johnnies in the rear. And of course there was Saint Lawrence of Dallaglio ( I think he was English) and that Johnny Wish you were here Wilkinson Blade.Fine Saxons to a man and born leaders. Where are they now? Buried that's where by that Jocko Brown and his ilk. BAH! I say.

A message from Martin Allman, Editor of Welsh Art Now.

" We are pleased to announce the publication of issue 2 of the online art Welsh art magazine WelshArtNow www.welshartnow.org . In issue 2 Kevin Grey packs his bags, visits Belfast and takes in a bit of street art. We feature the humorous and erotic art of Ruth McLees, in her 'China vagina collection'. Swansea artist Fran shows her wonderful portraits that move beyond surface appearance. Fran currently has an exhibition at Swanseas Elysium gallery - well worth a visit. Sarah Alex Carter explains what 'Book art is, an art form that is becoming increasingly popular."Martin AllmanEditor

Welsh singing sensation Duffy, has been honoured by the RHS, and has a Daffodil named after her - to be know as the "DUFFYDIL".Duffidil was launched last week at the RHS show in Bute Park Cardiff, and although the bulbs are not yet ready for harvest, customers flocked to the stand, and pre-orders of Duffydil tubes ran into the thousands.if you want to get your hands on a Duffydil - all of which are grown here in Wales by the team at Really Welsh, have a look at www.reallywelsh.comRichard

A message from Lydia Morgan for all our members who will be in Wales on April 25th.Hello Ameri Cymru,Please find press release attached: Unique Welsh Mass launches a series of celebrations for Saint John Roberts: St. Fagans 25th April 2009Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas looks forward to an important event in Wales historical and religious calendar.We would like to offer Sue Roberts - Vice Chairman of Cylch Catholig (Catholic Circle) to be a guest on TV and radio programmes before the Mass, and for any press interviews.Press / news welcome to record / film the colourful procession on the 25th April in St Fagans, interviews will be available after the Mass. If you could kindly let us know if you plan to attend.Description of images attached:* Saint Teilo Church (Please credit: Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales)* St. J.R. Brawd Gilbert Iconic painting of the Saint John Roberts by the late Dom Gilbert, a monk and artist from Prinknash Abbey, Cheltenham. He was 96 years old when he produced this painting.* Saint John Roberts Coat of Arms as displayed in Downside SchoolInterviews and additional images available from the Mr Produce office. Another press release and images will follow following the 25th April.This press release is also available in Welsh (Maer datganiad yma ar gael yn y Gymraeg hefyd).Many thanks,LydiaHelo,Wedi atodi; mae yna ddatganiad wasg parthed: Offeren Gymraeg unigryw yn lansio cyfres o ddathliadau Sant John Roberts: Sain Ffagan 25ain EbrillYr Arglwydd Dafydd Elis-Thomas yn edrych ymlaen at ddigwyddiad pwysig yng nghalendr hanesyddol a chrefyddol Cymru.Hoffwn Gynnig Sue Roberts - Is Gadeirydd Y Cylch Catholig fel gwestai ar raglenni teledu a radio cyn yr Offeren, ag ar gyfer cyfwleiadau i'r wasg.Croeso i'r wasg / newyddion dod i recordio/ ffilmio'r Orymdaith liwgar ar yr 25ain yn Sain Ffagan, ac mi fydd cyfweliadau ar gael wedi yr Offeren. A wnewch chi pls adael i ni wybod os fyddwch yn bwriadau mynychu.Lluniau wedi atodi. Disgrifiadau:* Eglwys Sant Teilo (Angen Cydnabod: Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales)* Darlun St. J.R. Brawd Gilbert: Llun eiconaidd o'r Sant gan y diweddar Dom Gilbert, mynach ac arlunydd o Abaty Prinknash, Cheltenham. Roedd yn 96 oed pan wnaeth y gwaith yma* Arfbais Sant John Roberts llun or Arfbais yn Ysgol DownsideCyfweliadau a mwy o luniau ar gael oddiwrth swyddfa Mr Producer. Mi fydd datganiad arall a lluniau i ddilyn wedi yr 25ain.Maer datganiad yma ar gael yn Saesneg hefyd (This press release is also available in English).Diolch,Lydia

The fairytale castle built for the 3rd Marquess of Bute is well worth a visit. Castell Coch

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

Thank you for your welcome to my joining Americymru. I have recently retired from working for Wales Tartan Centres in Swansea, albeit still acting as a consultant, to the company.After reading various blogs on this site and elsewhere I am very happy to have the opportunity to put forward my feelings about whether the Welsh should have family named tartan and wear kilts. The controversy over this has been going on since the Welsh decided that, as they were Celts, they too would like to have their own family named tartan and yes.wear kilts!Tartan has been produced for over four thousand years in China, in Europe, across the Atlantic..just about everywhere. It would be hard to believe it was the idea of our Celtic cousins in the North.In many parts of the world where Celts dominate, the wearing of tartan and kilts is acceptable and has been for hundreds of years. In Spain there is evidence that the King of Galicia (Galaecia) and his soldiers wore tartan garments that can only be described as kilts (knee length) in the 3rd century BC. Kilts are worn in Brittany (Breton), Cornwall and once again in Galicia. Evidence supports that kilts made of tartan have been worn all over Europe far longer than some are prepared to admit. In reality the fashion came back to Scotland..what goes around, comes around.I am happy for others input and all publicity is good, furthering the great news that the Welsh have there own family tartan and wear kilts. Incidentally all authentic Welsh tartan should be woven in Wales and this is the case of Wales Tartan Centres. Other tartan is produced elsewhere purporting to be Welsh, but it is hard to understand or merit. Sadly, for commercial reasons, not all Scottish tartan is woven in Scotland, but imported.Finally the argument that Welsh Tartan was motivated by commercial decisions is simply not the case. The demand came from across the world for family named tartan and no more so than from the United States of America. With forty nine names accounting for over ninety five percent of Welsh named people, due to the patronymic naming in Welsh recent history, who could deny those who wanted this?Please visit the the Welsh Tartan Gallery and see a few of those the company has made happy and proud to be Welsh wearing their tartan regalia!Websites:Welsh Tartan Centres Welsh Tartan Gallery

RUNAWAY NORM http://www.myspace.com/runawaynorm

Just wanted to say a kind thanks for all the welcomes to Americymru!Diolch!GOAD

David Llewellyn's song about a coal miner's young son's first day in the mine, "Take Us Down," is up for Best Folk Song in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest - go here and listen for yourself and please vote for him if you agree it was the best! http://www.jlsc.com/vote.php David emailed me (and lots of other people) this about the contest:"Still 2 weeks left to vote!!!!!!"Hey guys, if you haven't voted yet, or have only voted once - there are still 2 weeks for voting!"If you'll vote for me everyday, I'll . . . (pick one)Cut your grassMarry your ugly sisterPaint (some of) your houseKiss your dogCook you pancakesUnblock your toiletDo your taxes (opps too late)Detail your lawn mowerTalk your boss into letting you have three weeks off for KerrvilleRemind you to floss dailyBe eternally thankfulLeave the toilet seat down(Your suggestion) . . . . . . . . . .COME ON VOTE VOTE VOTETHANKK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOUHugsDavid(ps) just kidding "So come on, VOTE VOTE VOTE