Blogs

It has been an excellent month for blog content on AmeriCymru and we would like to congratulate all our contributors and our Top Blogger winners. We are not awarding discretionary points this month because we feel there has been little to distinguish our winners in terms of the quality and frequency of their postings. Diolch everyone and happy Fourth of July

So without further ado here are this months winners:-

1. Gillian Morgan 81 points ( 81 ranking points View Gillian's blog on AC here )

2. Swansea Jack 42 points ( 42 ranking points. View SJ's blog on AC here )

3. Margo Lloyd Beckham 31 points ( 31 ranking points. View Margoo's blog on AC here )

Fabulous digital prizes will be awarded to our three winners today and Gillian is entitled to receive a copy of Jonathan Hicks', The Dead of Mametz . See next months Top Blogger prize below. To view the current weekly leaderboard and peruse the rules of the competition go to this page

If you would like to congratulate our winners please feel free to do so in comments on this page

Author Biography:

Jayne Joso is passionate about writing both fiction and drama. Her first play was commissioned in celebration of Chinas Childrens Day, and her first novel, Soothing Music for Stray Cats, published by Alcemi in 2009, was predicted by the Times Literary Supplement to be one of the great, eccentric London novels'. She is also author of the childrens book How do you Feel?, and has recently finished working on a new play for adults called I Fed the Birds. Joso has a huge fascination with Architecture which developed largely from her time living in Japan and China; she has written for publications such as Architecture Today magazine and German publisher, Prestel Art; she draws on her encounters with the world of the star architect for this, her second novel.

Further Information:

"A work of stunning orginality and deftness of prose in which Jayne Joso explores what becomes of the broken hearted with delicate skill and rare empathy." Cathi Unsworth

Set in the dazzling and eccentric world of star architects, Perfect Architect follows the journey of Gaia Ore, the widow of one of the worlds most famous and successful architects. Following her husbands death, Gaia finds a bundle of letters from another woman, Seline, and determines to find out more about her. This however, unwittingly opens out Gaias route to recovery from grief and from what she will later acknowledge was an empty and fruitless marriage. Through her friendship with an older woman she gradually regains her confidence and eventually decides to build her own dream home. Out of her own respect and passion for the work of great architects, Gaia embarks on a competition and invites a small number of her late husbands adversaries to bid for this commission.

Through the competition, the novel opens out onto a broad tapestry of architectural styles and cultures; we see each candidate designing in their home county, allowing the novel to flow between Spain, Italy, the US and the UK, and their own and varied influences: Oriental, Greek, Modern European. There is an intricately interwoven subplot involving Gaias postman Tom, who appears to have been one of the only close friends of her late, and highly misanthropic husband. Tom's family provides the necessary counter to the extraordinary lives of the Alpha male architects and adds to an already vivid array of characters, voices, and warmth. As Gaia finds her way to recovery, she enters her new vigorous role as architect of this grand competition. She finally emerges with her intellectual strength renewed and her faith restored in friendship and the kindness of others, most notably Tom, the older woman, and a particular architect with enough charisma for several.

By the end, and with the competition at its climax, a rather shy and unassuming Gaia is architect again of her own life, now mapping out a fresh curiosity and confidence in both the romantic and erotic.

With controlled shifting viewpoints not unlike Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, this novel moves towards an uplifting and celebratory ending. A life-affirming read filled with warmth, great characterisation and humour, about the nature of erotic and artistic obsession and the quest to find the right place, be that geographical, physical, material or psychological.

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Want to party? Come on down, then,to the Preselis.Yes, that's right. Forget La La Land. The Preselis is where it's at, believe me. Bring a sleeping bag and you canboogy woogy with the best of them, every Friday and Saturday night, all year round.

Glandwr, Hermon, Hebron, Rhydlewis, Pentre Scagal, Penybont, Rhydyybont, Cwmscwt.Lay your head under any convenient kitchen table, or on someone's settee- (chuck the cushions on the floor and presto! double the sleeping accommodation, a bit like the Great Bed of Ware, in which fifteen people were crammed; they were twtsin those days.)

Well, the examinations are over, you see, not that they've hinderedmy twingrandsons when it comes to the weekend jollies, no, not at all. They're Party People. Regular Fries.

They've sailed through their course work and examinations, dim trwbwl o gwbwl,if you listen to them, that is.

Take the course work. Meant to be spread out over a few terms,it so happened that one day, by happy chance,one of them remembered there waswork they'd forgotten about.It had to be in by

1 o'clock the following day.

'How much is there leftto do?'

'Quite a lot.'

'Quite a lot?'

My voice wenta bit squeaky. I wasasked what I was stressing about. There were twenty four hours left, after all.

'What about bed?' I enquired,only to be met withamused looks.

(That old joke about the doctor who failed his examinations because they werea day early came into my mind. But we were talking late, not early.)

The boys commandeered the kitchen table, one at each end. At eleven o'clock the weary parents were told to stop fussing and ordered to bed. My grandsons had puta mattress on the floor, and were going to take turns in having a rest;the cat was already stretchedout overhalf of it.

11.10 pm anddisaster struck. The Pritstick(glue) ran out. The front door had to be unlocked, unbolted, unchained. The boysranto Tesco.Back by 11.30, they'd boughtsandwiches and Red Bull to keep them going. The door was locked, double bolted, chained again.

Next morning,9.30am when I arrived, things were still on-going and hope hadn't faded, not with Harry and Oliver, anyway.

'No worries, we'll get it in'.

My daughterlooked hollow eyed and kept asking 'How did this happen?', over and over again,but otherwise showed remarkable constraint.

Iwas showna receipt for computer cartridges. Tesco again, 4.20 am.

I looked at the two of them. They read my thoughts. The door, the locks, the chain. . .

'We climbed over the back wall (ten feet high) so wedidn't disturb Mum and Dad withthe front door'.

'How did youclimb back in?' (The drop the other side is steeper). One 'hwped' the other up and hereached down and pulled his brother up.

Incidentally, the work got in on time.

'What did your tutor say?'

'She seemed surprised'.

'Incredulous, youmean?'

'You worry too much.'

'Ie, siwr'.

My daughter gave me a piercing look: 'D'you understand now why I feel tired?'

'They're Genius', I replied. 'They could havehigh-powered jobs. They've demonstrated they can work under pressure without cracking'.

'Mum, are you mad? You're alwaysexcusing those two. They need to do some work.'

Never mind. They're off to art school in September.

Pob lwc, bois. Somehow,you'll manage.

Over the last two years I have beencreating an exhibition of pencil drawings, pen and ink drawings and paintings in water colours and acrylics all based on the life of Dylan Thomas. Resently The exhibition went on display at the Gallery in Tapestri Swansea, where there was a re-enactment of one of my paintings 'Dylan's BBC Broadcast from the Grove Uplands 1949. Adrian Metcalf played the role of Dylan and was brilliant in character. My collection of artworknowconsists of26 works, the first one is a sketch which shows Dylan and the Old Grammar School, Swansea. Apart from the painting of the broadcast, the one that really drew attention at the exhibition was that of Dylan and Swansea blitz. I thought I would take this opportunityto share with you some of my works from this exhibition and to show you myinterpretation of some ofDylan's life. .

I've had my binoculars trained on the Pembrokeshire beaches this summer.I'm watching out for someone. The Prime Minister's cousin, Harry Mount, no less. He swam in Freshwater West last summer. Advisedpolitely by a Lifeguard that he wasin a dangerous part of the sea, he rather took the huff.

Sending a letter to the 'Western Telegraph' he explained that, as the 'Prime Minister's Cousin' , he did not need informing that the sea could be dangerous.Furthermore, Mr Mount had noticed that the Lifeguards swaggered around the beach as though they were angels of mercy. They wore sunglasses(!!!) probably to make themselves more appealing to girls.

I, and many others, e-mailed the paper.

I declare an interest. My grandson is a Lifeguard and, like all the otherswho patrol the beaches in summertime, undergoes a tough monthly swimming test.

They are trained in the basics of Health and Safety, including wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes, suncream to protect the skin, how to administer oxygenand so on.

I know from reading the paper, that my grandson has been involved in rescuing a 65 year old who panicked in his kayak. Without stopping to ask him his lineage, two of them swam out, fixed ropes aroundhis vessel and their boards, and swam back to shore with the kayak in tow. They gave the man oxygen and a cup of tea. He was gracious in his thanks.

Last yearthe Pembrokeshire Lifeguards alerted the Coastguards to people stranded on rocks, dealt with heart attacks and strokes, re-united parents and lost children, administered emergency first aid andvarious similar situations.Most of them areaged eighteen to early twenties. They are making the beaches safer places. Let's support them.

Dal ati, bechgyn! Keep at it, boys.

Rhianne and Swansea Jack have set me thinking about the song, 'Myfanwy' . It has been sung by Bryn Terfel andRhidian, the Morriston Orpheus choir, Donny Osmond and many others.

What is it that makes this song so enduring?

The words are thatof a lover, addressinghis dear one, Myfanwy. Hewants to know why she is angry and the sadness in the words is echoed in the strains of the music.It isabout romantic love that encounters misunderstanding.

Not everyone believes in romantic love. It is a concept full of difficulties.In the Age of Chivalry the troubadors travelled around castles serenading fair ladies who sighed with longing when they heard them. This wascourtly love, not beastly or carnal, but romanticised.

Shakespeare said that 'love is not love that changeth when it alteration finds', but I disagree.

Idealised love cannot admit reality. Everyonechanges, sometimes causing their loverto leave them. The problem with romantic love is that lovers fail to see each others faults at first. Later, whenthingssag and creak, love can change to hate.

In 'Starburst' I have described this situation:

'Love is a jewel', you sighed, splattering

Crystallised blossoms, emerald on the grass.

Diamond dew drops, my lips glittering

As I lie, whispering: 'All things are brass'.

I love, you love, we love love, love you, too;

Clasped in lovers' knots and forget-me-knots.

Sapphires pledge fidelity, berry-blue

Eternity, when stars are merely dots.

I tossed the diamonds into the bin.

If I stop loving you, it ain't no sin-

You've got to learn: the moon is only tin.

Sour cherries, sour cream, sour dough.

Love is a jewel, by now I should know.

A locally brewed bitter has seen production double since its successful launch in October 2010 and now producers are hoping for a surge in sales as competitors from around the globe descend on Llangollen for the 65 th International Musical Eisteddfod.

Llangollen Bitter, which was brewed and created by Steven and Ynyr Evans of Abbey Brewery, will be available to samples at the brewerys stand on the festival site and purchased in local establishments around the town.

The brewery is sponsoring Folk Friday a vibrant day devoted to British and world folk music on Friday 8 th July. For the first time, a special line-up of folk artists will entertain crowds gathering on the field. The programme aims to compliment the competitive performers drawn from around the world.

Ynyr Evans says: Were thrilled with the response to Llangollen Bitter since it was launched at the end of last year and hope that it continues to grow and grow. The beverage will be available throughout the week on the field and at Llangollens pubs but it could also be the perfect accompaniment to Folk Fridays entertainment.

Mervyn Cousins, Chief Executive of the Eisteddfod, adds: This Eisteddfod is able to continue each year and attract competitors from all over the world thanks to the support and generosity of local businesses, like Llangollen Bitter. Were thrilled that theyre supporting the festivals latest addition, Folk Friday. Were hoping the line-up, which includes Mabon and the Cornish Shantymen, appeals to folk lovers who may want an early start to their weekend at the International Eisteddfod.

Tickets for Folk Friday can be purchased in advance via the ticket hotline on 01978 862001 or on the website www.llangollen2011.co.uk Alternatively, tickets will also be available at the entrance gates.

"Bloody lush... a new band we love" 6music's Lauren Laverne on Howl Griff

Welcome to July, and isn't it (intermittently) lovely? We'll be spending some of it in fields, some in pubs and some in the studio. Sounds good to us.

NEW SINGLE
Having already had extensive BBC Radio airplay, the summery splash of Sunrise is released as a single on Mon 11 July. It's available at iTunes < http://tinyurl.com/iTunesHowlGriff > and if you can't wait a week or so, get some sunshine in your life by listening at HowlGriff.com < http://HowlGriff.com > or watching the video on our YouTube channel < http://youtube.com/HowlGriff >. Smiles guaranteed.

GIGS
Having already racked up four festival appearances this summer we've got a couple more this month, our biggest so far.

Next weekend we're playing at the Penn Festival in Buckinghamshire with Dodgy and The Farm. We're playing early evening on the Saturday (July 9) which is fine by us, we can get drunk after that - we'll be there all weekend, come and say hi.
< http://www.pennfestival.com/ >

Two weeks after that we're off to Devon to play Chagstock, supporting headliners The Magic Numbers. Again, we're on early Saturday evening (July 23, 6.45pm) so that's dandy.
< http://www.chagstock.info/ >

In between times, on Thu 14 July we're back at the White Lion in Streatham, and we may well be tempted to unveil some of the new songs we've been recording this month.
< http://www.whitelion.org.uk/ >

NEW STUFF
Yep, we've spent some time recording with the excellent Ollie and Gareth at The Fold Studios in South London, and it's coming along nicely.

We've recorded basic tracks for a dozen doozies, including some which are already live staples (including Puppet Operation Time, Leave On Your Own and Fragile Diamond ) and some which will doubtless become so (including Runaround , which isn't about the Mike Reid programme, and International Dateline , which is about the, er, international dateline).

There's more to come we've got those lush harmonies to record yet, and various "toppings" instruments but it's already sounding so ace, we're jumping up and down with excitement. Maybe you will, too.

Thanks for your support. Keep in touch via Twitter, Facebook and the HGHQ (see links below) and spread the word. See you soon!

SUMMER DATES (see http://howlgriff.com/gigs. html for more info)
Sat 9 July Penn Festival, Buckinghamshire
Thu 14 July White Lion, Streatham
Sat 23 July Chagstock Festival, Devon
Sun 7 Aug Cloud Cuckoo Land, Somerset

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You may have heard of the plans to build 2500 homes in Bodelwyddan. There is absolutely no local requirement for these homes, but they have to be built somewhere because of the stipulations of the planning system. We know, of course, that they will mostly be bought by commuters who can buy cheaply in Wales, and commute over the border.

On Saturday 2 ^nd June, there will be a rally held outside the County Hall in Rhuthun, organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith. Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM will be addressing the rally - this Assembly Member has called for the ending of the rules which force councils to encourage developments which only appeal to incomers. This is your chance to raise your voice against this ridiculous plan.

And finally, Arfon Jones, Plaid Cymru Councillor in Wrecsam, asks for your help:

"The Statutory Consultation on the proposed new school in Gwersyllt has opened and this is the last step in the process prior to the Minister of Education making a final decision. There is however a danger that supporters of the school believe that the school is a reality, this is not the case and we cannot take it for granted, there is a NEED for everyone to respond to this consultation. You can do this on-line at http://stwnsh.com/gwersylltwelsh or in writing to Dafydd Ifans, Senior School Improvement officer, 16 Lord Street, Wrexham LL11 1LG by the 8th September 2011. "

Thank you for your support, and for standing firm for Wales.

In the early years of the twentieth century,the High Street in Haverfordwest offered a wide selection of shops.

Although'ready- to- wear' clothes were becoming moreavailable, many ladieshad their garmentssewn by skilledseamstresses.

J. Llewellin Phillips soldchildren's and ladies 'undergarments' as they were euphemistically called.

Corsets were expensive, but essential for the 'hour glass' shape that many young and not-so-young ladies aspired to.

By 1913 the motor car, open-topped then, was becoming popular with the more affluent.

Lady passengers oftenkept theirwide brimmed hats on their heads by securing them with ribbons. Thehats sometimes sported veils that came over the face to protect the eyes from dust.

Miss Flora Phillips ranamillinery business from 29, High Street and other milliners in the town included Miss Emma Simlett in North Street and Mrs Kate Llewellin in St. Martin's Place.

The 'Pembroke and County Guardian' of 18th July, 1914, caught a hintthat fashions in Londonwere adapting to the new mode of transport.

West End milliners were making soft little hats for summer, with or without a motoring veil. The brim had shrunk to 'a mere nothing' andthe prettiest models were in a 'flattering shade of mole, lined with exquisite delphinium blue'.

Mr Tom Davies,ran the 'County Clothier' at the top of the High Street, selling men's clothes. Lower down, atNumber 16, Arnold Abraham had bicycles for sale at 4-10 shillings. Most young boys, and many girls, yearned for one, but only the richer people could afford them.

The architecture of the High Street is varied and elegant. Prosperous merchants lived in some of the houses during the eighteenth century and County families also had homes here, enjoying extravagant balls and parties during the winter months. W.H. Smith traded from a building which had survived from the sixteenth century.

The High Street is steep and tinkers often beat their sick animals when they could not pull heavy loads up the hill. This resulted in prosecutions, reported in the local papers.

An enchanting tale of magic and imagination, The Cloud Horses , published by Pont Books, is a delightful new childrens book, which captures the enduring bond between grandmother and granddaughter.

Nain is the keeper of a very important secret.

Once a year, and only ever once a year, the cloud horses gallop down theWhiteBridgeto earth. No one knows when. No one knows where. Except for Nain that is.

But Nain is getting frail and she knows that the time has come to pass on this important secret to Rhian, her granddaughter, who will soon have to take on the role of keeper.

To become the keeper, Rhian must learn to read the clouds, and only Nain can teach her. This means climbing to the top of a steep mountain when the weather conditions are exactly right. But with Nains physical frailty increasing, will they be able to complete the journey?

Nain and Rhians close relationship is key to the development of this enchanting story. It is a tale of magic, imagination and shared responsibility, with the theme of passing of knowledge from one generation to the next something that many families will be able to relate to.

The Cloud Horses is author Jerry Hunters own adaptation of his Welsh language story Ceffylaur Cymylau, which he originally wrote for his two young daughters. It was their enjoyment that encouraged him to seek a publisher, and following the success of the Welsh language story, he was thrilled to be asked to translate the story and publish The Cloud Horses .

Beautifully written, The Cloud Horses is a sensitive and charming story that is sure to be enjoyed by children all over the country, and is an ideal book to keep children busy during the school summer holidays.

The Cloud Horses is available from all good bookshops and online retailers.

For more information, visit www.pontbooks.co.uk

Bibliographical Details:

The Cloud Horses ISBN : 9781848513181 Price : 4.99pb

Jerry Hunter Published by Pont Books.

About the author: Author Dr Jerry Hunter is a Celtic scholar with an international perspective. Born inCincinnati,Ohio,USA, he studied English atCincinnatiUniversity, and was introduced to Welsh literature as part of his degree course. Inspired by the richness of the language and its literature, he decided to come toWales and learn the language. He is an enthusiastic advocate for the Welsh language and its literature. A previous winner of the Wales Book of the Year Award, he also won the prestigious National Eisteddfod Prose Medal in 2010.