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I was walking in Hill Street, Haverfordwest, recently. Gwen and Augustus were educated in College House. Nearby is a mounting block, whichriders could climb to get on their steed.
A few yards further on is the 'Green' (now a car park).
In his book 'Chiaroscuro', Augustus relates how he and Gwen enjoyed going to the May and October Fairs, held on the Green. They were warned that gypsies stole children and he wondered why, considering they had so many of their own, they wanted more.
Gypsies held a lasting fascination for John.Theylived outside the conventions of the strait-laced Victorian societyin whichJohn had been brought up.
As an adult, away from Pembrokeshire, Augustusadopted a bohemian lifestyle, too, and Gwen lived in Paris for many years.
If the brother and sister had returned toHaverfordwest in the early years of the twentieth century, they would have seen changes in transport occurring.
Sir Hugh J.P. Thomas was the first person in the town to own a motor car. In December, 1903, he was given the registration DE22. The speed limit in the town was set at 20 mph.
Ten years later, in 1913, Pembrokeshire County Council, recognising an increase in motor traffic allowed 40 p.a. to be spent on keeping the approaches to the County Bridge in good repair.
Roundsmen like bakers and milkmen continued to deliver their goods driving a horse and cart, often into the 1940's.
The 'Welsh Merlin' of politics, David Lloyd George, had many Pembrokeshire connections.
Lloyd George's ancestors marched to Bosworth with Henry Tudor and, for their services,were rewarded with grants of land in Pembrokeshire.
During the nineteenth century, Lloyd George's father, William, was articled to Dr. Brown of Haverfordwest.
Finding medicine a disagreeable profession, he turned to teaching and opened a school in Mathry, a small hamlet between Fishguard and St. David's. One of his earliest pupils was Augustus John's father.
William George's first wife was Miss Huntley of Haverfordwest. They were married only a short while before she died and was buried in the churchyard of St Thomas a Beckett.
William then married Elizabeth Lloyd, who became David Lloyd George's mother.Their son was born in Manchester in 1863.
After his father's early death, Elizabeth tookherfamily to live in Caernarvonshire, with her brother, a cobbler.
David Lloyd George became a solicitor andhad a keen understanding of social injustice and poverty.
While still practising as a solicitor, he was elected as a Liberal MP for Caernarvon Boroughs in April, 1890, the youngest MP to sit in the House.
In 1908, there was a bye-election in Pembrokeshire, in which Walter Roch won a Liberal victory.
Roch was warmly congratulated by Lloyd George who sent a telegram: 'Bravo! Feel prouder of my native land than ever!'
Lloyd Georgehated the old Poor Law system, which allowed only a little financial assistance to the needy. He fought for a more egalitarian society. Although Asquith had introuced the Old Age Pension Act, Lloyd George is regarded as the founder of the Welfare State.
Lloyd George's Budgets of 1909 and 1911broughtin payments forthe sick, the infirm and theunemployed, too.
From 1916 to 1922, Lloyd George became Prime Minister of a coalition government.
Later, he was to take the title '1st Earl of Dwyfor'. It has been claimed that Lloyd George,the first Welsh Prime Minister, was also the most influential poloitician of the twentieth century.
With apologies to George Gershwin (Well not really)
Summertime
And the livin' ain't easy
The state's a-burnin'
And the temps are way high
Asphalt melts
The car handle's searing
It burns off your fingers
Makin' you cry.
Ah, Arizona in June... Four major wildfires now getting under control at last. Time for the chubascos--the summer thunderstorms--to start rolling in. But first we'll have two or even three weeks of teasing clouds and building humidity.
Believe it or not, I love it here in June. Yeah it's hot, but everything slows down for the heat. My son and I went to the movies Sunday morning, and when we came out of the theater (frozen) the searing sun honestly felt great--for the first fifteen seconds, anyway. If you turn your oven on broil and stick your hand under the element (no, don't touch it!) you'll get an idea of what I mean. Seriously, the sun feels that close.
We forget how hot summer gets like a woman forgets the intensity of labor pains--the memory comes back real fast each time you go through it. We forget about door handles and seat belt buckles until that first touch again. Tucsonans fight for tree shade. We ALL buy windshield screens. We keep potholders or towels in the car, wrap carseats in lambswool or terrycloth, and never, ever, ever leave a pet in a vehicle. You can tell the newcomers by the way they think leaving a window partway open will make a difference. HAH! Noobs. And just a reminder: it's a $25,000 (yes 25K) fine to leave a pet in a car in AZ, plus criminal charges if it dies. Sadly, people leave babies and children in their cars, and we all get to read those tragic stories of stupidity.
Anyway, 114 yesterday at my office, 117 on the car thermometer. You know you've become a true Arizonan when 95 feels balmy, like it did last night at 10PM.
Still, I'll take this any time over 80 degrees and 90% humidity.
Summertime
And the livin' is easy...
Meteorite
I met him on the 'plane:
Transatlantic, restrained,
A patron of the Arts.
His friends say he is
A smashing guy. Others
Just that he is shy.
His family arrived
Via the Urals,
One hundred years ago.
Not yet acclimatised,
His grandfather sews
Their leather shoes.
He took his MBA
At Yale. She works
For Calvin Klein:
London*Paris*New York.
The opening was due to be carried out against the backdrop of a South Wales Junior Cricket Under-16 match between the Wanderers and Pontarddulais but a classic summer deluge put paid to that part of the entertainment.
VIP guests, including Glamorgan bowler Huw Waters and Carmarthen Town Deputy Mayor Phil Grice, were forced inside the new clubhouse, but at least it gave them chance to explore the new pavilion.
More than 150,000 has been spent on dressing rooms and a lounge bar next to the nets at Trinity Fields.
The new clubhouse is a great example of partnerships at work, said Carmarthen Wanderers chairman David Roberts.
Mr Roberts said the key partners in the project were the University of Wales Trinity St David, the ECB English Cricket Board of England, Cricket Wales, Carmarthenshire County Council, Cwm Environmental Services Limited and Castell Howell Foods Limited.
Mr Roberts said the new facilities would provide an excellent platform for Carmarthen Wanderers Cricket Club. He said the club was already producing junior internationals and he looked forward to the club producing Glamorgan and England players of the future.
The Wanderers owe their name to the fact for 50 years they had no facilities, no proper ground to call their own.
That changed in 1983 when the club signed a lease with Carmarthen Rugby Club to use its ground at Abergwili.
In 1998 it relocated to Ystrad and the Trinity Fields and commenced its innovative partnership with the then Trinity College.
The club fields three senior sides and six junior teams from under 9 to under 16,-with under 7 age group fixtures to be played shortly.
Both the club's under 13 and 15 teams are in the Welsh Cup finals which will take place at Newport Cricket Club.
The club website is at -
http://carmarthenwanderers.play-cricket.com
Even the swallows, flitting high in the gathering dusk, seemed to agree. This was music to send the soul soaring.
Yes, it rained. But this is the Tywi Valley in mid June. And any artist familiar with the stunning Aberglasney Gardens knows that to make a watercolour you first need water.
This was billed as a celebration concert to mark the creation of the University of Wales Trinity St David. But it was much, much more.
It celebrated our greatest Welsh singer, our most popular tenor and one of the brightest stars in Welsh music.
Indeed, Eilir Owen Griffiths, as chorus master and composer, very nearly upstaged Messrs Terfel and Evans.
For this is a musician at the top of his game who handles not one but three choirs, Cor y Drindod Dewi Sant, CF1 and Cor Gorder Garth.
The evening saw the world premiere of his Requiem, with words by award-winning Welsh bard Meredid Hopwood.
With references to some of our greatest hymn tunes, this was a work which should elevate Eilir Owen Griffiths into the public consciousness.
Filled with passion and emotion, the Requiem tugged on the heart-strings on a night when the Aberglasney faithful were told that one of the gardens trustees, Brian McSweeney, had died.
The emotions were stirred further by a triumphal performance of O Beata Trinitas, a work commissioned from our greatest living composer, Karl Jenkins, to celebrate Carmarthens Trinity College gaining university status in 2009.
The massed ranks of the three choirs and the orchestra took centre stage for a while, weaving rich textures and harmonies for the 1,500 audience at the Aberglasney Gardens.
But boys will be boys and it was the two guys who provided the showpiece moments from a memorable evening.
Wynne Evans always revels in his rendition of his mums favourite, Gweddir Arglwydd. And he had the audience on their feet for his Nessum Dorma.
Bryn Terfels set saw his first public performance of Anfonaf Angel, a work dedicated to the Wales Air Ambulance Service and with words by celebrated Welsh broadcaster Hywel Gwynfryn.
Terfels Te Deum from Tosca was a taster for what Covent Garden will hear in a week or two, while his Stars from Les Miserable was perfectly timed for that sunset moment at Aberglasney.
The bass baritone legend and the tenor had combined during the Eilir Owen Griffiths Requiem, but they were brought back for the stunning duet from Bizets Pearl Fishers, Au fond du temple.
The audience demanded more and they got it with an encore of Granada, which featured two of the finest pieces of Welsh beef battling it out in bullfighting style on stage.
The concert was recorded by S4C and will be broadcast soon.
Officers from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service swum 36 nautical miles in aid of Healing The Wounds, the charity which supports Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families and members of the civilian emergency services.
One of the event organisers, Watch manager Gareth Davies, said he was delighted with the success of the swim and hoped that the event would raise 10,000 for the charity.
We know that 3,500 has already been pledged and we hope that further promises of cash will bring the total up to 10,000.
The swimmers set off from Ilfracombe at 10am on Saturday, June 25th, and by swimming in relays managed to cover nearly a mile an hour, reaching Mumbles by 3pm yesterday (Sunday).
Mr Davies said: Wed trained hard for it, but it was still a massive test of stamina and willpower.
Overnight, we had to lay-up for a short while as we were being pounded by a Force Five storm. At least two waves crashed over the boat at one stage and it was very scary, to say the least.
Having said that, we completed the swim in glorious weather conditions and we were delighted with the warm welcome home we received when we landed at Knab Rock, Mumbles.
It was hard going, but it was well worth it for this important charity.
The firefighters chose to raise funds for Healing The Wounds after hearing about its work from a former serviceman.
As firefighters we understand that people who put their lives on the line need emotional and psychological support, and that is what Healing the Wounds offer, said Mr Davies.
Kevin Richards, executive director of Healing The Wounds, said: Firefighters risk their safety to help other people, so they are able to understanding the demanding nature of life in the forces.
Swimming the Bristol Channel was a huge undertaking, which really tested the firefighters. Their achievement was magnificent and we are all very proud of them.
If you wish to sponsor the firefighters, visit Mid and West Wales Fire Service or Virgin Money Giving websites and follow the links.
For more information on Healing The Wounds visit www.healingthewounds.co.uk
There are assorted pictures from the landing at Knab Rock, Mumbles, on the following weblink
https://picasaweb.google.com/robertapvincent/BristolChannelSwimForHealingTheWounds?authkey=Gv1sRgCIrJnOat8remqwE
The Healing The Wounds charity was set up in January 2010 to help provide PTSD treatment for members of the armed forces and veterans. It aims to set up a Welsh base for the treatment of PTSD. It is already arranging treatment courses and building a team of counsellors who can treat PTSD.
Donations can be made
By post:
To make your donation by post, please send a cheque payable to Healing The Wounds, together with your name address and post code to enable us to claim gift aid, to Healing The Wounds, 26, Enterprise Centre, Bryn Road, Tondu, Bridgend, CF32 9BS.
Give in person at Barclays Bank.
Call into any branch of Barclays and pay your donation into this account:
Healing The Wounds
Sort code: 20-84-41
Account number: 90516929
The charitys website is at http://www.healingthewounds.co.uk/
Contact numbers for charity officers - 01656 744880/07518063566/07714622328
The Carmarthenshire Warriors invitation sevens rugby team has a new backer in the shape of West Wales chartered accountants and business consultants Clay Shaw Butler.
The team proudly sported their new Clay Shaw Butler tops at the West Country Sevens at Keynsham RFC.
The event saw the Warriors make it through to their fifth final in five tournaments.
We are delighted to be playing our part in supporting the Warriors, said Clay Shaw Butler director David Butler.
Sevens rugby is a sport with a massive future - in fact, it will feature in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
At the West Country Sevens, skipper Arwel Davies took a strong squad to what was the second Super Sevens Series round of 2011. The Warriors also entered their development side, the Flamingos, in the Men's Open competition
The Warriors coasted through the group phase with wins over the Mavericks, Olurun Phantoms and PA Trust. Andrew Jones (Newcastle Emlyn) and Wil Davies (Whitland) made their 2011 debuts with Jones crossing for a try against the Phantoms.
The Flamingos - featuring newcomers Ifan Beynon (Aberystwyth) and Johnny Morgan (Narberth) were impressive in appalling weather conditions against the military side PWRR, bristling with South Sea Islanders.
Rhys Goslin, Paul Mason (Carmarthen Athletic) and Lee Pearson, scoring his first try for the Carmarthenshire outfit, assisted in the 33-0 rout.
Another victory against Eggcatchers but a defeat to Glantaf Goats sent the Flamingoes into the Bowl competition where they unfortunately crashed out 33-0 to the Stash Sharks.
Again, veterans Barry John and Jamie Williams (both Carmarthen Athletic) led by example alongside promising Llandovery College youngsters Jack Thorburn and Scott Maynard.
The Warriors progressed to a semi final against strongly fancied side P.O.D, overcoming the Godfathers in the quarter final.
The semi proved to be a classic taken to 'Golden Try' extra time following a fantastic solo effort by Rhys Lewis.
With just a few minutes of added time played, former Ystradgynlais and now Carmarthen Quins scrum half Ryan Jones fed Ystalyfera's Gareth James who broke down the left and crossed in the corner and seal another major final appearance for the Warriors.
Unfortunately, the Smith's Shotguns were too strong for the West Wales outfit outscoring them by 5 tries to two.
Skipper Davies said: We're obviously disappointed. However, the Shotguns are by far the strongest side we've met this season and we shouldn't be too disheartened'
Players such as Rhys Lewis, Rhodri Davies, Rhys Thomas and Ellis Lloyd are really getting themselves noticed amongst the Warriors core players like Gareth James and Andrew Jenkins. With Andrew Jones returning and the likes of Tom James, and Ricky Thomas also part of the squad, we really have some quality strength in depth.
Pics attached of players in the new Clay Shaw Butler tops and the Warriors and Flamingos teams.
The team at Clay Shaw Butler can be contacted on 01267 228500 or through the website at www.clayshawbutler.com
It was a few months ago. I was in acafe in Fishguard, all Laura Ashleywallpaper, with a silver sheen, porcelain chandeliershanging from the ceiling and turquoise leather banquettes in the corners. Handmadechocolates were decorated with crystallised violets and squiggles of gold.Under a glass dome a ginger cake with lime and coconut frosting winked enticingly at me.
I was feelingcontentedand indulged, stirring the tea leaves in the pot,when suddenly I heard something that nearly made me burp. Two couples were sitting at a nearby table,middle aged, middle class, middle England. One of the men was speaking: 'The educational standard of most people around here is that of the average eleven year old'.
One of the women hissed, 'Hush'.
At the time I thought they were holidaymakers who probably imagined they were in a foreign country where the indigenous natives were backward and wild. What had been said seemed so preposterous I had to stop myself laughing out loud.
After this week's revelations that twenty per cent of Welsh eleven year olds are behind in key skills,
perhaps there was more than a grain of truth in the holidaymaker's observation.
Apparently, since the abolition of league tables showing the position of individual schools,standards have dropped.
I'm not sure who is responsible for this state of affairs, though politicians will, obviously, blame the previous government.
A small,educated elite rules this country but a recent report showed that many MP's,whatever they're political persuasion, are privately educated.
If we look at fee-paying schools, we'll find that they are not failing. On the contrary, their pupils continue to do exceptionally well.
Why is this? Smaller classes andbetter equipment all help but these schools attract enthusiastic teachers who know they are teaching motivated pupils. And why are the pupils motivated? Because when parents pay they want to see results. Therefore they take an interest in what is happening in class and support the teachers to ensure success.Homework is done on time and pupils take part in extra-curricular activities such as sport, music anddrama.
If there is one equation that always works it's this: Teachers plus parents plus pupils=Success.
There'syour answer. Simple. QED. Taken as proved.
"If even a distant memory of Welsh blood flows through your veins, you will doubtless have the soul of a Celtic warrior and yet a heart full of great compassion."
Phil Evans 2007
Who can tell me which Phil Evans this quote is from? The comedian, the politician, the milkman? It is a great quote and is of course why so many of us in America like to remember Wales even after our families have long since left. I for one would like to think this of myself, though I may be less a warrior and more a diplomat, at least until I hit 60, then watch out!
