Blogs

My interview with Bede MacGowan, Editor of the Llanelli Star, for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

My interview with Mark Jewell of Carmarthenshire Library Services for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind -

Interview with Caru James of the Llanelli Heritage 6 Project, conducted for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind -

In the past three weeks Seren have been celebrating prize nominations from around the country. The Wales Book of the Year 2012 shortlist for fiction includes two Seren authors, Robert Minhinnick and Patrick McGuinness for the most prestigious literature prize in Wales.

Keep checking the Seren website, Facebook or Twitter for updates on how both authors get on in the next couple of weeks. All of us here at Seren are enjoying the celebration parties nearly as much as Patrick and Robert!

Diamond Jubilee Offer

To mark the Queen's Jubilee, we thought we'd celebrate the work of writers who, over the past sixty years, have made significant contributions to the cultural life of Wales.

We've selected six books by six distinguished veteran authors, which you can buy for 6 each (+ p&p) from our website over the course of the double bank holiday.

Emyr Humphreys The Woman at the Window
Mavis Nicholson What did you do in the War, Mummy?
Dannie Abse There was a Young Man from Cardiff
Ruth Bidgood New and Selected Poems
Tony Conran Eros Proposes a Toast
Dai Vaughan Totes Meer

This offer will be from 9am Monday 4th until 9pm Tuesday 5th June 2012.

New Titles Out Now

Forthcoming Titles

Hay Festival 2012

Meet the Author

Poem of the Month

'Witch'

Were in Domesday: meadow,
fallow, plot and gravel pit,

flintwork church a little to the east;
Great House and cherry grove;

damson orchards blemishing
the light; the river slick

with fish; those millsails beating
on the pent-up pond. Beyond

lies corn-earth draining
to the sea. Even on rafty days,

keen eyes can see five spires
Gods needles tacking up the dark.

My garden borders on the deadfold
where they murder down the lambs.

Witch is the title poem taken from Damian Walford Davies's new collection Witch

Bydd gan Y Lolfa stondin yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd , Eryri (stondin rhif 127-128). Os ydach chi neu aelod och teulu yn cystadlu, dymunwn bob hwyl i chi, a chofiwch fod croeso mawr i chi alw draw am sgwrs ! Bydd cyfle i brynur llyfrau sydd ar restrau fer Llyfr y Flwyddyn Pantglas (Mihangel Morgan) a Cofiant Kate Roberts (Alan Llwyd).

Dyma restr o ddigwyddiadaur Lolfa yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd:

Dydd Llun 4 Mehefin

Canu gyda Rala Rwdins yn stondin CBAC , caneuon or llyfr Caneuon Ffadldi-Rwla-La , rhwng 11 a 2 or gloch .

Cyfle i neud Cadw Mi Gei papier mache yn stondin Palas Print am 2 or gloch , ac i glywed Morgan Tomos yn darllen ei lyfr newydd yng nghyfres Alun yr Arth - Alun yr Arth yn yr Ysgol.

Dydd Mawrth 5 Mehefin

Angharad Tomos yn arwyddo copau oi llyfrau yn stondin Y Lolfa am 11 or gloch , ac yna yn stondin Palas Print am 11.30 or gloch .

Dydd Sadwrn 9 Mehefin

Gwennan Evans yn lansio ei nofel newydd yn stondin Y Lolfa am 2 or gloch !

Bydd gan Y Lolfa nifer o lyfrau newydd fydd ar werth am y tro cyntaf yn Steddfod yr Urdd, yn cynnwys:

Alun yr Arth yn yr Ysgol Morgan Tomos

Guto Ny thbrn Jeremy Turner

Gwastraff Catrin Jones Hughes (Cyfres y Copa)

Gyl Peter Davies (Cyfres y Copa)

Bore Da Gwennan Evans (Cyfres y Dderwen)

There is little doubt that Wales has a rich history of heroes and villains who are both idolized and despised in equal measures but Heroes and Villains in Welsh History published by Gomer Press compels us to question the virtues of those historical figures that we all thought we knew.

Like the previous book in this series, A New History of Wales (Gomer 2011), this publication is the result of a collaboration between the Western Mail and a group of twenty-two historians who form part of History Research Wales. First published as part of a series of articles in the national newspaper, the essays retain the clear, easy-to-read appeal, which made them so popular with readers.

The 24 accessible and entertaining essays profile a number of characters in Welsh history from politicians to sport stars and saints to soldiers. The cast of both heroes and villains range from well-known national figures such as Oliver Cromwell and Gerald of Wales to ordinary local heroes teachers, miners and rugby players. Yet not all heroes and villains come in the form of a man or a woman, some of the essays also discuss the hidden villains in Welsh history, such as disease and poverty, which have also plagued the country.

Be prepared for some surprising conclusions as the authors pull no punches in their assessments and cast a new light on our perceptions of the heroes and villains in Welsh history and ask us to reconsider their achievements.

Several events will take place at this years Hay Festival to coincide with the publication of Heroes and Villains in Welsh History . Editor Huw Bowen, Professor of Modern History at Swansea University, will be joined by various guests for thought-provoking discussions which are sure to surprise as well as entertain the audience (please see below for full details of these events).

Heroes and Villains in Welsh History is available from

all good bookshops and online retailers.

For more information, please visit www.gomer.co.uk

Discover who served Britain's Kings and Queens from King Charles II to King George V, from 1660 to 1924, at findmypast.co.uk
North Americans and others could find they have ancestors recorded in The Royal Household Staff Lists
Records feature an American who rose to heights at court of King William III and Queen Anne
'Chocolate Maker To The Queen', 'Keeper of the Lions in the Tower' and 'Moletaker' among some of the most extraordinary roles


Have you ever wondered who works in a Royal Household, or whether you might have a connection to someone who served the Royal Family? In celebration of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, family history website findmypast.co.uk , in association with the Royal Archives, has today launched the Royal Household Staff Lists, a detailed collection made available online for the first time.

Previously only accessible at Windsor Castle by appointment, these rarely viewed records cover royal residences across the UK including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and St. James' Palace, and include 50,000 staff records from the reign of King Charles II to King George V between 1660 and 1924. With details such as name, occupation, age, length of service and salary, the records paint a vivid picture of life in a Royal court, revealing what it takes to run a Royal Household and the wide range of duties involved.

North Americans and others of British descent will now have the chance to trace their family history back to forebears recorded in these Royal Household Staff Lists. The records also include the service of at least one American who rose from colonial origins to great heights at the courts of King William III and Queen Anne. Sir Steven Evance was born in New Haven, New England in 1654, before being sent as a teenager to London to apprentice to the Goldsmiths Company. He went on to become jeweler to King William III in 1697 and then to Queen Anne in 1702.

"He eventually went broke (as many royal creditors did)", said Professor Robert Bucholz, a renowned expert on officials of the Royal Household and Professor of History at Loyola University of Chicago. "His full story is an iconic but sad one. He is a colonial boy, who makes his way to London la Dick Whittington, rises to the financial and social heights a knighthood and position at court but he then descends into bankruptcy."

Debra Chatfield, family historian at findmypast.co.uk , commented: "To be able to view these records online for the first time is incredibly exciting not only for people worldwide with an interest in the British Monarchy, but also for anyone wanting to confirm family rumours about connections to those who worked for the Royal Household! With such a broad range of trades and occupations spanning nearly four centuries of Royal Household history, almost anyone could find theyre connected to those who served the Crown!"

Pages, physicians and the 'Chocolate Maker to the Queen'

A reigning monarch typically had 1,000 staff in the Royal Household. The biggest department was the Lord Chamberlain's Department, which had on average 700 staff and was responsible for the ceremonial and social life of the Court. Traditionally, employees in this department included the 'above stairs' servants such as pages, craftsmen, chaplains, physicians, musicians, watermen and Yeomen of the Guard. There are also a number of most unusual occupations listed among the Royal Household staff:

Extraordinary Job Titles in the Royal Household*

1. Chocolate Maker to the Queen
2. Yeoman of the Mouth to Her Majesty Queen Mary in the Pantry
3. Necessary Woman to the Corridor and Entrance Hall
4. Keeper of the Lions in the Tower
5. Moletaker
6. Master of the Game of Cock Fighting
7. Groom of the Removing Wardrobe
8. Groom of the Stole
9. Strewer of Herbs
10. Laundress of the Body Linen

Professor Robert Bucholz commented: "The court at Whitehall, St. Jamess and Buckingham Palace was not just the seat of the most powerful government in the world; it was also the political, social and cultural centre of the nation. Thus the records of Royal Household staff, preserved in the Royal Archives at Windsor and now made available online through findmypast.co.uk , are the record of their service to the British Crown."

Bucholz continued: "Professional historians have long had access to these records, but now ordinary citizens from around the world have the opportunity to track down ancestors here. Indeed, even I an American of German and Mexican descent found a namesake: one George Buckholtz, livery pony boy, undoubtedly part of the German contingent serving at the later Hanoverian Court."

Professor Bucholz has in the past corresponded privately with many Americans who have already succeeded in tracing their ancestry back to Royal Household staff using information now contained in this database, but previously more difficult to find. The release of the records online will now make it far easier for others to discover a similar link.

Debra Chatfield concluded: "People across the globe continue to be fascinated by the British Royal Family, as well as the relationship between 'upstairs and downstairs' life. In the year of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, this is the perfect opportunity to explore your family history and discover whether you have an ancestor who worked for the Royal Household."

For more information, please contact: Mick Thorburn: mick@thorburnpr.co.uk

Llangollen International Eisteddfod relies every year on its 800 strong volunteer workforce. To further enhance the work of the Volunteering team the Festival has secured funding this year to train their Volunteers through the unique WorldHostUK scheme which began during the Winter Olympics in Canada in 2010. Since then nearly one million people worldwide have trained using WorldHost which was developed to raise the standards and delivery of customer service.

Janice Hardie, WorldHost Training co-ordinator for Llangollen International Eisteddfod explained We have already seen 12 of our volunteers through the training course in Principles of Customer Service, and are putting another 30 through before the International Eisteddfod. In addition, we are putting another 100 people through the World Host Ambassador course on 2nd July, immediately before we open. The course means that their skills will be shared among the 800 volunteers, it also means that these skills can be transferred to their day to day lives and work places. We are always looking for new volunteers for many different areas, such as, Finance, Floral, Grounds, Hospitality, Marketing, and many more. If you are interested go to our website www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/support-us/volunteering/ ,

Christine Evans, External Contracts and Project Manager at Coleg Llandrillo said, 'WorldHost training is the customer service training of choice for the Olympics 2012 in London later this year. At Coleg Llandrillo we are licensed WorldHost training providers and we are delighted that Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod are working with us to set standards for welcoming the world here in Wales too by training all their team in advance of their prestigious week long Festival in July.'

Hawys Lebbon has completed her WorldHost Training in preparation for the 2012 International Eisteddfod. The World Host Training has an international status and shows Llangollen International Eisteddfods commitment to its volunteers and to the excellent standard of customer care. It is an honor for the Eisteddfod to be able to offer the course and exam. We learnt how to welcome and assist customers and how to go that step further to ensure they have an unforgettable experience.

Sian Angharad Davies and Haf Eleri Davies are two other volunteers who have benefited from their volunteering experiences with the International Eisteddfod. The sisters started volunteering with the festival 19 years ago.

Haf returns to North Wales from London every year to volunteer, she explains that she, Started in 1993 as a Steward. We both got involved with the Eisteddfod when I had nothing to do after sitting my GCSE exams and Sian thought a week skiving six-form was a good idea. Little did we know we would be getting up earlier than ever to go down to the Eisteddfod field at the crack of dawnbut we love it!

Sian Angharad Davies says that, Being involved with Llangollen Eisteddfod for so many years is like being with your extend family, so catching up with friends that you may only see once a year is definitely time for a party and socialising at every opportunity. Its also great just to do something that is completely different to my work life. Being part of a team and knowing we are making a difference is so rewarding.

Buy the book here:- http://www.blurb.co.uk/bookstore/detail/3273798

AmeriCymru: What is Coed Uchaf?

Simon: Coed Uchaf is a special wood where 100 trees were planted in 1885 standing alone overlooking Penrtefoelas were they planted to celebrate Queen Victorias Jubilee?

AmeriCymru: How did you come to create this project and to choose that spot as its focus? Did you choose the location for this project

Simon: The project was inspired by passing spaces seen in a brief moment from a car or train window, small woods in fields or on hilltops with a mysterious identity shaped by history.

I discovered the wood driving West along the A5 which gradually climb s until reaching the brow of a hill when the dramatic profile of Snowdonia unfolds clearly etched against the sky. The mountains of Eryri, the abode of the eagles. Snowdon, Crib Goch, Lliwedd and Siabod.

No more than a mile further on, a small but distinctive wood, Coed Uchaf, appeared on the right of the road overlooking Pentrefoelas.

AmeriCymru: Can you tell us about your process in creating the book? Was every step planned in advance or did it evolve organically as your work went on or something in between?

Simon: For o ver three years I photographed and researched Coed Uchaf, known locally as Coed y Nant, learning about woods, trees (specifically the Beech)and the history of Pentrefoelas.

The Upper Conwy valley is rich in history, a key route between England and the North Wales Coast and I discovered that Coed Uchaf would have been a lookout post as the Iberians, Celts, Romans, the Medieval Welsh, Kings and Queens all passed by.

AmeriCymru: Was your own view of Coed Uchaf changed as a result of creating this book? How?

Simon: I knew nothing about the wood when I first started the project and discovered a fascinating history and these unique landscape photographs reveal connections to a fascinating distant past including the Romans, Fairies, Queen Victoria and even a Vicar's daughter.

AmeriCymru: What do you hope readers will take away from the book? What effect will it have on them?

Simon: I hope the images inspire and encourage further exploration of the fascinating history of North Wales and Pentrefoelas . I want them to share the mystery and visual power of the Copse.

AmeriCymru: How has the response been to the book so far?

Simon: The response to the book has been very positive and being available on line has enabled over 1000 people to preview, particularly the various Welsh societies Ive contacted across the world. There was also an exhibition of prints in September 2011 at Llangollen Pavilion https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1802176050 and images from the show can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.173274709420448.43953.172966859451233&type=3

AmeriCymru: In addition to photography, youre also an independent media producer - what are some of your other projects?

Simon: Im currently developing photo documentary projects as well as continuing with my landscape photography. My website gives more details http://www.memorybox.org.uk/Croeso.html

AmeriCymru: Whats next for Simon Collinge?

Simon: After teaching Animation, film and photography for over 35 years, Im thoroughly enjoying practicing what I preached and planning further exhibitions of my work.

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the members of AmeriCymru?

Simon: Landscape Photographs really need a good story?