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Was St Patrick Welsh?
It is believed that Saint Patrick was born c. 387 and died 17 March c. 460. The Anglo-Saxons referred to the indigenous Britons in areas not under their control as "Welsh" which comes from their word "waelisc" meaning, foreigner, or not one of us, so when we describe St Patrick as Welsh, it means, he may have come from an area including Strathclyde, Northumbria, all of modern day Wales or Cornwall and parts of Devon.
We do know that he was born in the Romano-British town of Banna Venta Bernia, but we do not know this town's location, many suggest it was in the Severn valley or St Davids, but there are also convincing suggestions that it may have been Ravenglass in Cumbria or in Strathclyde. We also know that he came from a wealthy family, Calpornius, his father, was a deacon and, his grandfather Potitus, a priest, but there is no evidence that as a youngster Patrick was particularly religious. Roman influence at this time was waning, in fact Wales had been virtually abandoned in 383 and Irish raiders were taking the opportunity to attack the undefended towns and take prisoners to use as slaves.
When he was about sixteen, Patrick was captured and carried off as a slave to Ireland, probably in County Mayo, where he spent six years working as a shepherd and turned to his Christian religion for solace. It was then according to his writing, a voice, which he believed to be God's, spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to return to Britain. He escaped by walking 200 miles to the coast and taking a boat back to his homeland, where he began religious training. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent back to Ireland, to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert those who were not Christian.
On this day, 2012 Wales won their eleventh Grand Slam
FEBRUARY 5th Ireland 21 - 23 Wales
FEBRUARY 12th Wales 27 - 13 Scotland
FEBRUARY 25th England 12 - 19 Wales
MARCH 10th Wales 24 - 3 Italy
MARCH 17th Wales 16 - 9 France
Born this day, 1943 in Ebbw Vale
Jeff Banks - who is a designer of clothing, jewellery and home furnishings. He is perhaps best known as the creator and presenter of the BBC television programme The Clothes Show.
The Iconic film "Grand Slam" was first aired on BBC this day in 1978.
On 16th March 1647 - Harlech Castle, the last Royalist stronghold of the English Civil War, surrendered to Parliament's forces after a 10-month siege.
Harlech Castle rests upon part of the Harlech Dome, a spur of rock almost 200 ft high, from which the land falls away sharply on the north and west, and a ditch cut into the rock protects the remaining approaches to the castle, it has been described as one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe.
In mythology, the site of Harlech Castle is associated with the legend of Branwen, a Welsh princess written of in the Mabinogion and it is thought that the site was later a Llys (Welsh royal court) which later became a castle of Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd.
1282 After Edward I's successful campaign in North Wales, he ordered the construction of a castle at Harlech
1289 Harlech Castle completed
1294 Harlech Castle besieged by Madog ap Llywelyn during a Welsh uprising, but the castle held out
1404 The castle was taken by Owain Glyndwr and became his residence and military headquarters for four years
1405 Owain Glyndwr held his second parliament at Harlech Castle
1408 English forces under the command of the future Henry V placed Harlech Castle under siege.
1409 Harlech Castle fell to the English.
1460 During the Wars of The Roses, Queen Margaret of Anjou fled to the castle and it was held by her Lancastrian supporters as their headquarters for the region.
1468 Harlech Castle was taken by the Yorkists after a month's siege, which is thought to be the inspiration for the song "Men of Harlech".
1644 Prince Rupert appointed a local Royalist, Colonel William Owen, as the castle's constable, and Owen was entrusted with repairing the fortifications.
1647 The castle was surrendered to Parliamentary forces after a 10-month siege, the last royal fortress to surrender in the war and Parliament ordered it's slighting to make the castle unusable, however, the orders were only partially carried out and it was not totally demolished.
1986 Harlech Castle gained World Heritage Status.
Born this day, 1751 in Orange County Virginia of Welsh descent
James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.
At the outbreak of the American War of Independence, Madison devoted to politics and afterward took a leading role in drafting what would become the basis of the U.S. Constitution, which led to him being called the “Father of the Constitution”.
On Thomas Jefferson's election as President in 1800, Madison became Secretary of State and oversaw the acquisition of Louisiana from France, which nearly doubled the size of the United States.
Madison was himself elected president in 1808 and his presidency was occupied with trade disputes between the United States, Britain, and France, which resulted in a war against Britain in 1812.
Madison left office in 1817 and although he had been a slaveholder, he campaigned for the anti-slavery cause and also helped Thomas Jefferson to found the University of Virginia.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers were founded on 16th March 1689
They were originally formed to oppose James II in the Williamite War in Ireland, fighting at the Battles of the Boyne and Aughrim. It was one of the oldest regiments in the regular army, hence the archaic spelling of the word Welch . Soldiers of this regiment were distinguishable by the five overlapping black silk ribbons on the back of the uniform, which was a legacy of the time when soldiers wore pigtails.
The regiment merged with the Royal Regiment of Wales on 1st March 2006, to form the Royal Welsh.
Born this day, 1834 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania ( the son of Welsh immigrants )
William Farrand Prosser, who was a Union colonel in the American Civil War, and later served in the United States House of Representatives.
Born this day, 1906 in Cardiff
Maurice Turnbull, who was the only person to have played cricket for England and rugby for Wales. A talented all-round sportsman, he also represented Wales at field hockey and was squash champion for South Wales.
During the Second World War, he was a Major in the First Battalion of the Welsh Guards and was killed instantly by a sniper's bullet during intense fighting for the French village of Montchamp after the Normandy landings in 1944.
Born this day, 1977 in the Rhondda Valley
Steve Jones, who is a television presenter, best known as the host of The X Factor USA
The Winter 2013 Edition of The Seventh Quarry Poetry Magazine is out now!
From the Editorial:- "This 17th issue features work from America, Cornwall, England, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Wales. It also includes a PROFILE of world-renowned translator Gregory Rabassa ; John Dotson's interviews with Americans Conrad Selvig and John Laue ; and poems from the endangered Ahtna Athabaskan language of Alaska by John Smelcer an American Native Indian poet."
It also includes the winning submission from last year's West Coast Eisteddfod Onilne Poetry Competition: When You Smile You'll Be A Dog No More by Paul Steffan Jones.
The editor of 'Seventh Quarry' , Peter Thabit Jones has adjudicated the WCE Online Competition since it began in 2009 and he will be the judge of this years competition. To enter the 2013 WCE Online Poetry Competition please go here:- West Coast Eisteddfod Onilne Poetry Competition .
SUBSCRIBE TO SEVENTH QUARRY HERE
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This is the second in an occasional series of interviews with accommodation providers in north Wales who are connected with the Celticos/AmeriCymru Trail Tour . This week we would like to thank Peter Lavin, proprietor of the Castle Hotel, Conway for agreeing to be interviewed about this superb vacation venue, its location, history and attractions. Visit the Hotel website here:- Castle Hotel
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Hunky Dory - US Premier March 22nd "..a Welsh blend of Glee and School of Rock"
By Ceri Shaw, 2013-03-15
Achingly bittersweet its hard to imagine any way Hunky Dory could get much better! Heartfelt interpretations of Seventies rock are only part of the appeal of this nostalgia-drenched high school drama. - The Hollywood Reporter
Charming a Welsh blend of Glee and School of Rock, with a great soundtrack. -The Daily Mirror
Audiences will be swept up as the greatest high school band in the history of music perform a selection of impeccable hits. -The List
DIRECTED BY - Marc Evans STARRING - Minnie Driver (Grosse Pointe Blank, Good Will Hunting), Aneurin Barnard (Citadel, Spring Awakening)
SYNOPSIS - Relive the summer of 1976 in this heartwarming British musical from the producer of Billy Elliot. Minnie Driver plays Viv, a fiery high school drama teacher determined to fire up her hormonal, apathetic students by putting on the best end-of-the-year show the school has ever seen a glam rock-infused musical version of Shakespeares The Tempest. But as the Welsh summer begins to heat up, can she compete with the typical teenage distractions of sex and drugs with some great rock and roll? Find out in this fantastic, rousing film- but remove all fears of the typical teen-pop covered high school musicals from your minds, as the songs in this film are from legendary artists like David Bowie, The Beach Boys, ELO, and The Byrds.
RELEASE DATE
In Theaters March 22nd, Available now on iTunes/VOD
| Opening 3/22: Community Cinema Opening 3/29: Opening 4/05: Phoenix @ Harkins Valley Art Columbus, OH @ Gateway Film Center Opens 4/06: Charleston, SC @ Great Park Opens 4/15: San Diego, CA @ Gaslamp 15 More Theaters Coming Soon!
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On this day, 1961 Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor married (for the first time) in Montreal.
It was while working on the movie Cleopatra, that Elizabeth and Richard (both married to others at the time), fell in love and their subsequent affair caused something of a scandal . They were married in a low-key ceremony at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Montreal, with only nine people in attendance.
They became Hollywood's most high-profile couple, but it was a famously tempestuous relationship and the couple divorced in 1974. However the following year, they secretly remarried in the remote village of Kasane, Botswana, but again things did not work out and divorced for the second time in 1976.
Monmout h's 13th-century stone gated bridge is Britain's only preserved bridge of this design and on 15th March 2004, a second bridge was opened over the River Monnow, thus allowing the old bridge to become pedestrianised.
Born this day, 1809 in Norfolk, Virginia
Joseph Jenkins Roberts who was the first and seventh President of Liberia
His father is said to have been a planter of Welsh origin and his mother Amelia, who is described as a mulatto ( a person who is born from one white and one black parent ), was the planter's slave mistress, Joseph Roberts was therefore estimated to be seven-eighths European and therefore classified as an octoroon, someone who could easily have passed for a white man. Amelia gave all of her children but one the middle name of Jenkins, which suggests that may have been the name of their biological father.
Amelia was freed by the planter and married James Roberts, a free black man who established a successful business transporting goods by flatboat. Roberts emigrated to Liberia in 1829 as a young man, where he established a trading store and became interested in politics.
When Liberia gained its independence in 1847, Roberts became its first president and in 1872, was elected as its seventh. His presidency is notable for Liberia attaining recognition from Great Britain, France and many German cities and for developing agriculture, shipbuilding and developing trade links for the country.
* Liberia's main airport, Roberts International Airport and the town of Robertsport are named in honour of Roberts.
* His face is depicted on the Liberian ten dollar bill introduced in 1997.
* His birthday, March 15, is a national holiday in Liberia.
Born this day, 1910 in Cwmbran
Tom Richards, who won the Marathon Silver medal at the 1948 Olympics in London.
An interesting note about those games was that the 333 male competitors of the GB team were each issued with two pairs of Y-fronts for “ease of movement”. Y-fronts were invented in the 1930s and would have been regarded as a luxury item in those days.
Geoff Charles, who died on 15th March 2002 was a photojournalist who was born in Brymbo near Wrexham in January 1909 and educated at Grove Park School in Wrexham and the University of London.
Charles began his journalistic career at the Wrexham Star and notably broke the story that the death toll figure of 100 miners lost at the Gresford disaster was a known underestimation and published the correct figure of 266.
Later Charles worked on the Welsh language newspaper Y Cymro and took many photographs of Welsh life and eisteddfodau. He also covered the drowning of the Capel Celyn community to create the Llyn Celyn reservoir to supply water to Liverpool.
Here's why (From the Wiki ):-
If England win against Wales, England will win the Championship, Grand Slam and Triple Crown.If England and Wales draw, England wins on championship points (England 9, Wales 7).
If Wales win:
If the margin is 6 points or fewer,England win on point difference.
If the margin is 8 points or more, Wales win on point difference.
If the margin is 7 points, each team will have scored the same number of points and the team with the greater number of tries in the tournament wins, otherwise the title is shared.
Wales go into the match with 7 tries against England's 5.
Get your scoreline predictions in now:-
http://americymru.net/group/grandslam2009group/forum/topics/march-16-wales-v-england-5pm-scoreline-prediction-competition
And lets hope John Good's prediction is right 
Try our 6 Nations Crossword Challenge here:-
http://www.storyforgestudios.com/americymru/directory/xwords/view/38-six-nations-challenge-2/16
Volent returns with a bumper three track single Broken Promises
The collection is set for release March 25th on Dockrad Records - Listen here: URL: https://soundcloud.com/volente
See below for videos links for each of the three tracks...
Festivals for All With a quirky sideways look, Volent offers up a nightmarish feast for the imagination. Electronics and the ethereal vocals combine to create a sound world that is at once contemporary and off-beat.
Buzz Magazine Volent is a lady of musical layers. On the title track of this EP, a liquid drumnbass line underpins soaring orchestral loops and a distinctive, floaty vocal that sets her apart from other outfits in the genre.
South Wales siren Volent is set to release a trio of tracks called Broken Promises, seeing her further develop her electronic credentials. Shes already received a host of critical acclaim and champions boundary blurring creativity and imaginative creativity.
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When she isnt spending her time being a full-time mum, Volent is an extremely talented artist, with many years of experience within the music industry. These tracks are a fusion of drum n bass, jungle, electronica, classical music and R n B, with the heavy element of dubstep thrown in for good measure.
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Broken Promises is a brutally honest bittersweet anthem with soaring operatic vocals, a fusion of classical music, electronic guitar, drum n bass beats and some dubstep thrown in the mix. Second track, So Many Times is an electro-ballad which showcases Volents stunning vocal range with a hint of Massive Attack-like elements. With her effortless amazing vocal range, So Many Times really showcases Volentes ability to create totally unique songs, while remaining true to her own style. A minimal but very powerful track!
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End of Times beats and vocals hit the listener like an arrow to a target! With industrial-like hooks, a heavy sub-bass, a bit of jungle and Volents mesmerising, beautiful, haunting vocals will take you to another level. End of Time is definitely one set for the dance floor! Compared by critics to the likes of Bjork, cult indie favourites The Sundays and Kate Bush, Broken Promises, once again all produced, written, arranged and performed by Volent herself, represents Volent at her best!
Volent will be playing a host of shows to promote Broken Promises including:
Fri 22nd March Warehouse 54, Newport
Fri 12th April Dublin Castle, London
Fri 26th April Buffalo Bar, Cardiff
Watch the Videos!
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Last week, South Wales electronic connoisseur, Volent, unveiled a video for each track on her brand new three song single, Broken Promises, which is bursting at the seams with elegant quirky, electro pop goodness.
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All three videos are shot beautifully, and offers a stunning visual to the emotionally charged tracks, Broken Promises, So Many Times and End of Time. All three were exclusively premiered last week on God is in the TV, Never Enough Notes and AltSounds.
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Watch the videos below and check out the exclusive features to learn more about each track!
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Volent Broken Promises
http://youtu.be/lxtGgr4CRiM
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Learn more about Broken Promises on God is in the TV, here:
http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2013/03/05/video-exclusive-volente-broken-promises/
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Volent So Many Times
http://youtu.be/gBjo2Z04Idg
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Learn more about So Many Times on Never Enough Notes here:
http://www.neverenoughnotes.co.uk/2013/03/nen-exclusive-volente-so-many-times/#.UTTxlTdBBhm
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Volent End of Time
http://youtu.be/kaQgTaeC7_M
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Learn more about End of Time on AltSounds here:
http://hangout.altsounds.com/features/156972-altsounds-exclusive-volente-time-official-video.html
Gigs and Festivals - "If you like Kate Bush, classical music, dubstep and beautifully written lyrics then Volente's new single "Broken Promises" is the must-have download of 2013. Boasting an exciting new sub-genre of electronic music, which intertwines drum 'n' bass beats with operatic vocals, this captivating singer-songwriter offers a chilling sound that will etch its way into your mind and seep into your subconscious long after you've finished listening"
Rogue Magazine - "A unique voice, both haunting and beguiling. One of the most interesting tracks I've heard for a while"
For more information, check out: www.volente.co.uk www.soundcloud.com/Volente www.twitter.com/Volentelloyd www.facebook.com/VolenteOfficialPage www.myspace.com/Volentelloyd www.dockrad.com
On this day 2012, it was announced that St Asaph was to be awarded city status.
St Asaph (Llanelwy) is situated on the River Elwy in Denbighshire, six miles south of Rhyl and close to the castles of Denbigh and Rhuddlan and has a population of 3,600
The earliest inhabitants of the vale of Elwy are believed to have been Paleolithic Neanderthals who would have hunted game during an interglacial period approximately 225,000 years ago. However, the modern day settlement first appeared in the sixth century around a Celtic monastery and church, later to become the cathedral, which was founded by Saint Kentigern, and passed on to his pupil Saint Asaph in 573. The existing building is largely 14th century with alterations made by Gilbert Scott in 1867-75 and has the distinction of being the smallest ancient Cathedral in Britain.
The Cathedral has had a fascinating history, Geoffrey of Monmouth served as bishop from 1152 to 1155, it was destroyed by Henry III in 1245 and by Edward I in 1282. It was rebuilt between 1284 and 1381 and burned during the uprising of Owain Glyndwr in 1402. During the rule of Oliver Cromwell from 1653 to 1658, the building was used to house pigs, cattle and horses. The Cathedral also keeps on public display, the original Welsh Bible translated in 1588, by William Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff and St Asaph.
Wales soccer legend Ian Rush was born in St Asaph, as was current soccer international, Neil Taylor, other notable people associated with the city are, the first archbishop of Wales, Alfred George Edwards and explorer and journalist, Henry Morton Stanley.
Born on this day 1969 in Seven Sisters
Geraint F. Lewis - astrophysicist, who is best known for his work on dark energy and galactic cannibalism.
Lewis, who was educated at Llangatwg Comprehensive, Neath Tertiary College and the Universities of London and Cambridge is a Professor of Astrophysics at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy and head of the Gravitational Astrophysics Group.
* Dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that is used to explain observations that indicate that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate.
* Galactic cannibalism refers to the process by which a large galaxy merges with another.
On this day, 2010, Welsh rugby international Andy Powell was arrested near Junction 33 on the M4, in possession of a stolen golf buggy
Brecon born Andy Powell was charged with drink driving after he allegedly took and drove away a golf buggy, in the early hours following a rugby international between Wales and Scotland. The golf buggy was taken from the Vale Hotel in the Vale of Glamorgan where the Wales team were staying. Powell later told police that he took the buggy to get some breakfast at the nearby motorway services and apologised without hesitation, saying that it had been a misjudgement. Powell was banned from driving for 15 months and fined £1,000, he was also dropped from the Welsh squad for the remainder of the championship.
Killed in action, this day 1916
Lou Phillips - former Welsh rugby international, who also won the Welsh Amateur Golfing Championship in 1907 and 1912.
Phillips was killed in action at Cambrai, on 14th March 1916, during World War I, whilst serving as a Sergeant in the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Born on this day 1959 in Llanwrtyd Wells
Barry R. Clarke - puzzle designer, theoretical physicist, comedy sketch writer and Shakespeare authorship researcher.
Clarke has written and directed several award-winning short films and comedy sketches for "Alas Smith & Jones" and "Little and Large". He also writes puzzles for several newspapers including The Daily Telegraph and also Reader's Digest.
I couldn't get a signal on the telly on Sunday night. After I twisted the setabout for a while I saw the aerial lead had come out so Istuck it back (into the wrong socket), so still no signal. I called Peter who saw immediately I'd put it in the wrong place.
Well, I've always known we have differentsorts of brain.Ifind it hard to be objective, leave alone technical.
Telling my younger daughter about this she came up with an explanation: women who are exposed to high levels of the female hormone oestrogen when in the womb think in a feminine way. If they have a high dose of testosterone (the male hormone) they have masculine brains.
It figures. I've never wanted to join the army, wear uniform (I hate prickly fabric next to me) or bark orders at anyone (my voice is quite quiet so I'dneed a loud hailer). I've never wanted to be a man.
TheTimes this week has been full ofwomen who struggled back to their jobs after having babies. (They didn't need the money, so I'm not pitying them.) Don't know their levels oftestosterone butthey think they're smashing through the so-called 'glass ceiling', but I'll not go into that now. Instead, I'll talk about a trait I've noticed in 'successful' women. They like blackor navy blue.
I won't go near black or navy blue if I can help it. I was sitting in the sunshine inCarmarthen recently and noticeda celandinehad pushed through a crack in a nearby wall. A young woman passed meand the first thing I noticed was the black suit and shoes. It was two o'clock and I guessed she'd had a mid-day break and was going back to wherever she worked.
I do not want to be reminded of the colour of working uniforms, though I realise they are useful, corporateand necessary. Careerwomen are dressing in a similar way to men because they want the identification with work that these colours give.
In Indian medicine, if you suffer from gallstones (I have) you should look at the colour orange, drink from an orange glass, sit on an orange cushion and eat orange food. (I'm fine now).
Now, back to masculine women again. Pink is a healing colour, the inside shade of a baby's ear, the blush of a rose petal:what I'm wondering is, how does the colour pink affect people's perceptions?
If career women had a good dose of pink would it cure them of wanting to fight their way to the top and make them more contenttolook after their own children? Honestly, I'm not being sexist.
