Blogs

Christmas Arrives Early On AmeriCymru!


By Ceri Shaw, 2012-10-23

We have launched our Christmas pages early on AmeriCymru this year.

Our Buy Welsh For Christmas page is available for anyone who wishes to advertise Welsh/Welsh-American gifts, books, music etc for sale on the site. Why not email americymru@gmail.com ( or reply in comments below ) to reserve your spot? Suggested donation price of $5 per ad. All ads will run till December 31st. Book now to allow time for transatlantic shipping etc.

Our Christmas In Wales page will feature a cornucopia of festive treats:-

#f00; font-seze: 150%;"> Croeso/Welcome to our 2012 Christmas page. We'll be packing it full of festive goodies as the big day approaches.

Meanwhile if you are looking to buy gifts from Wales or the UK, why not visit our Buy Welsh For Christmas page or visit our sponsor, Wise Choice British Foods . Christmas is traditionally a time of giving and we are pleased to offer our readers a chance to spread some holiday cheer to the children of the Welsh American community of Briceville, Tennessee .

Anyone who has anything they'd like to contribute, or that they'd like to see linked from this page, please contact americymru@gmail.com. Keep checking back for Welsh stories, features, recipes, music and more. Don't forget to wish everyone Nadolig Llawen/Merry Christmas on our Christmas Greetings page .

Posted in: default | 1 comments

Answer:   They drank beer and tipped it all over themselves. The following account from  Cambrian superstitions, comprising ghosts, omens, witchcraft ..., Volume 22   By William Howells reveals all!  



A 19th Century Puzzling Jug

 

More Info on Puzzling Jugs

Puzzle Jug - Wikipedia

The Book of Halloween

Grit In The Gears

 



 


 

Posted in: Halloween | 8 comments


rugby zombies last international As Halloween approaches, the Rugby Zombies are making a comeback in the most frightening village in Wales Aberscary.

The third book in the popular Rugby Zombies trilogy by Dan Anthony, The Last International , is published by Pont Books and with the rugby autumn internationals fast approaching, fans of the Welsh Rugby Zombies will be glad to hear that they are on fire to play

Since his recent glory against Aberscary and a hand-picked Invitation XV, Arwel is having problems with his self-image. His head is turned by sixth-former, Trish, who is eager to make a name for herself in the world of journalism.

Meanwhile, the Rugby Zombies still need to play a full international match to lift the ancient curse but Arwels makeover changes more than just his hairstyle. Can Martin, Glen and Beth make him see the error of his ways and help him lead the Welsh Rugby Zombies to victory one last time?

Dan Anthony, will be taking part in the first Penarth Book Festival on Tuesday, 30 October . The event will be held at the Lower Penarth Community Centre at 11am and the cost of entry is 3.

The author, Dan Anthony from Penarth, Cardiff, has written widely for children, working as a scriptwriter on CBBCs Story of Tracy Beaker and S4Cs The Baaas . A very talented and energetic young author, Dan also holds creative writing workshops for children in schools.For more information, visit his website:-

www.dananthony.co.uk

 

 

The Last International is available from all good bookshops and online retailers

 

For more information on the Penarth Book Festival, please visit www.penarthbookfestival.org.uk or call 07787848337 for booking information

 


Posted in: Books | 0 comments

Just to let you know that The Celtic Show is on Sundays on WRFG 89.3 FM, Atlanta. The programme airs from 5 7 PM EST and can be heard worldwide via live streaming at www.wrfg.org . (I use TuneIn to listen, but there are other radio apps.)

The 2012 Autumn (OK, Fall) pledge drive runs from 22 October to 11 November 2012. Our own Jenny Hubbard Young, whom many of you know from Cwrs Cymraeg, NAFOW, and a multitude of other Welsh events, be sharing the mike on 11 November. They've been on the air for almost 40 years, bringing the best in diverse programming and in particular, the finest Celtic music and insights. WRFG is supported in the greatest part by the listening community and friends who appreciate the benefits of non-commercial radio. The F stands for Free (Radio Free Georgia), but of course its not. Like any other non-profit entity, it needs sustaining through monetary contributions and volunteer efforts. They can keep doing this only with the strong support from the listening community and friends.

Can they count on you, please? Call 404-523-8989, during The Celtic Show on November.4 & 11 Make your donation to support independent radio and diverse programming and to continue hearing the music you love, handpicked from Wales and the other Celtic lands. You can have your name read on air as a special friend of WRFG and The Celtic Show, if you so wish. Alternatively pledge online at www.wrfg.org and still choose to support The Celtic Show.

Thanks so much for listening and for your support! Diolch yn fawr am wrando ac am eich cefnogaeth!

Hwyl! Cheers!

Posted in: default | 0 comments

2013 Walking with the Wounded Cumbria Challenge

Awesome opportunity! Walking with the Wounded Challenge--join the teams and hike the Lake District, or donate to support them! Check them out and see awesome stories and photos of other places they've trekked! Inspiring doesn't begin to cover it. One of the vets is a friend's cousin, too--yay, Steve! Very proud of them all!

http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/fundraising/cumbrianchallenge/

Posted in: default | 0 comments




Cwmcerrig Farmshop is on the shortlist for two prestigious Taste of Wales awards.
The awards are regarded as the Oscars of the food and drink industry in Wales.
Cwmcerrig features in two categories the shop is in the local sourcing section and the firms sirloin steak is in the beef section.
The popular Farmshop and Grill in Gorslas, Carmarthenshire, has its own herd of Hereford beef, which are reared at Cwmcerrig to high standards of animal welfare
One of the partners in the Watkins family business, Roland Watkins, said: We are delighted to be nominated for the Taste of Wales awards.
We have built up a great reputation for our meat here at Cwmcerrig and we take pride in producing quality, value-for-money products which are appreciated by our customers.
We also take great pride in making sure that the accent in our farmshop is on sourcing products locally.
The news of the Taste of Wales awards follows hot on the heels of Cwmcerrig being nominated for two prestigious UK Farm Retail Awards run by the National Farmers Retail and Markets Association (FARMA).
The 11th annual True Taste Food and Drink awards will be held at The Food Hall, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, on October 25.
The annual Welsh Government awards, held in association with Tesco this year, are designed to celebrate and highlight excellence in the food, drink and hospitality sectors. The awards also recognise the quality and range of produce and services in Wales.
This year, there were 830 entries from 250 different companies.
The Welsh Governments Deputy Minister for Food, Alun Davies, said: "The quality of the food produced in Wales can rival the best in the world. This list of shortlisted finalists also demonstrates the tremendous variety of what Wales has to offer.
"Not only is Welsh food emblematic of our rich heritage and culture, it is also extremely important to our economy and the Welsh Government are committed to ensuring a sustainable, viable and prosperous food industry for the future."

Cwmcerrig Farmshop first opened in 2009 with the aim of securing a sustainable future for the family farm and providing quality, value-for-money produce to the local community. There are 21 members of the Watkins family involved in the project. The Watkins family (Roland, Reuben, Stuart, Tom and Davina) have been farming at Cwmcerrig since the 1950s.

Weblinks
http://www.cwmcerrigfarmshop.co.uk
http://www.walesthetruetaste.co.uk/newsindex/2012/shortlistedfinalistsannouncedintruetasteawards1;jsessionid=dt17QBgDkP0BhMNc2TS34nkJJ1xlQFxyG6vT7P0zvB7S8X3xRzPX!-560317021?lang=en
or
http://ning.it/PFKcjL
Facebook: Cwmcerrig Farmshop and Grill (business)
Twitter: @CwmcerrigFarm
Contacts details:
Tel: 01269 844405
E-mail: info@cwmcerrigfarmshop.co.uk
Address: Cwmcerrig Farm, Gorslas, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA14 7HU
Posted in: default | 0 comments

Saturday 27th October the Burry Port Town Band will host 'An Audience with the Band' at the St Mary's Church, Burry Port (7pm).

The keynote feature of this event will be a discussion and performance of Tom Davoren's recently commissioned First Section National Finals music, Vivat!
Tom, a rising star of the brass band world, although still in his twenties, was commissioned to write this by the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and also has his own strong links with Burry Port Town Band, as when he was growing up on the Gower Peninsular he joined the Burry Port Youth Band before progressing to the Senior Band on Tuba.
Now studying for his PhD at Bristol University under Professor John Pickard, Tom is delighted he can spend some time with the band and take part in this exciting new format to present the true reflection of what a modern brass band can be.
Graham Howe, the Band's Chairman added "that we're excited by this new format event, we hope it will be really fulfilling for the audience, who will have the opportunity to ask questions about the band, it's instruments, the music and its format and its great opportunity to showcase all of the instruments with some great music,. To be able to bring Tom's new work, Vivat! to our audience in Burry Port after a thrilling performance of it at the National Finals is something we're very keen to do. Tom is a fantastic musician, and really engages with the audience through his music."
Tickets are available from Burry Port Premier Stores, Elgan Jones Butchers, Edmond John on 01554 833749 or online fromtickets@burryporttownband.co.ukand are priced at 5.00 'Early Bird' prior to the concert or 7.50 on the door, with children welcome free of charge.
Gareth John the Band's Spokesman commented that "It's a fantastic opportunity for our supporters to hear some great music, especially the new work of Tom's, who is a great friend of the band, and it's fantastic to see him doing so well in his career having grown up through the ranks at Burry Port."
Posted in: default | 0 comments


Tickets are going fast for a special concert to give a boost to the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal in South West Wales.
The Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert will be staged at The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on Saturday, October 27.
It will feature Cr Godrer Aran (above), the celebrated male voice choir from North Wales, and the renowned Richard Williams Singers from Tonyrefail.
The driving force behind the concert is Cerith Owens, the director of Loud Applause Productions, a firm which devotes a lot of energy to charitable causes.
This has been a summer of notable events and great celebrations, with everything from the Queens Jubilee to the Olympics.
But October is the time when our thoughts turn towards Remembrance Day and this concert will be a moving and stirring tribute to the fallen, said Mr Owens.
The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is a cause very dear to all our hearts and I hope the people of Carmarthenshire lend their support to such a worthy charity.
Hopefully, the concert will also attract visitors from outside Carmarthenshire as we have a very attractive concert programme.
The venue is very central in Carmarthen and I am sure the people of Llanelli will appreciate a stirring concert during an unusual lull while the town is without a major theatre until the new Ffwrnes takes over from the old Theatr Elli.
The guest soloist for the evening will be soprano Adele ONeill.
The evening will also feature the 215 City of Swansea Squadron Corps of Drums.
The MC for the evening will be Monro Walters, known to many as the stadium announcer at Parc y Scarlets, home of the Scarlets rugby region, and Stebonheath Park, home of the Llanelli Reds football team.
The evening will close with A tribute to the fallen.
Tickets are available from the Lyric box office on 0845 2263510. Prices are 11, 13 and 15, with a 2 child reduction.
  • Meanwhile, the Carmarthen branch of the British Legion is appealing for volunteers to help distribute collection boxes and man stalls in the run-up to Remembrance Day events. To help, call Elis Thomas on 07866921011.
Posted in: default | 0 comments


Lowri Davies, a legal assistant at the Cleddau Bridge offices of QualitySolicitors Redkite, has successfully completed her Level 6 CILEx Certificate in the Practice of Employment Law.
QS Redkite Managing Partner Luke Smith congratulated Lowri on her achievement and added: We work very hard here to make sure all our staff are given every chance to fulfil their potential.
Qualification successes such as Lowris show that we are constantly working to improve the quality of service we are able to offer our customers.
Lowri is a legal assistant supporting the employment and HR department at QualitySolicitors Redkite.
She assists in preparing contracts, handbooks and compromise agreements.
She graduated with an honours degree from the University of the West of England, Bristol and has also achieved her ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Employment Law and Practice.
CILEx is the professional association for Chartered Legal Executive lawyers and other members of CILEx.
It regulates its members in the public interest. CILEx provides education, training and the development of skills for its members, and those who wish to become more proficient and knowledgeable in the law.
Lowri Davies contact details
Tel:01646 689 326
email: lowri.davies@qs-redkite.com

Redkite team was this year delighted to be chosen as the only law firm in Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to join QualitySolicitors. Redkite was established in 2011 through the merger of two long-established law firms in South West Wales Lowless & Lowless and Morris Roberts.
The team at QualitySolicitors Redkite can be contacted on 01267 239000 and 01437 763332 or through the website at www.qualitysolicitors.com/redkite
The firm has 15 partners and a total headcount of 120, with seven offices spread across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.
Weblink-
http://www.cilex.org.uk/
Posted in: default | 0 comments

Welsh comics heading for Norway


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-10-21




Heard the one about the two Welsh comedians trying to get an export licence to Norway?
Well, Norway is about to get the joke as two of our finest comedians get ready to perform at the Oslo Comedy Club next week.
Phil Evans andIgnacio Lopez have been invited to perform in Oslo after receiving an invitation from friends in Norway. They will be on stage at the Oslo Comedy Club on October 26 and 27.
"It's something of a step into the unknown, but we are looking forward to it," saidEvans.
"I've performed internationally before, but never in Norway, so it will be interesting to see how we are received and how much the Norwegians appreciate our sense of humour."
Evans is the 'Hugmeister of Wales' and the man who has put the 'Cwtsh' back into comedy.
He isa favourite warm-up comedian for TV shows on BBC, S4C and ITV. He has just finished a very successful variety show tour of South Wales with the singer Paul Child.
Squeeze him for information on his favourite topic the Welsh cwtsh (hug) and he will explain why a cwtsh should always be spelt as cwtsh and not cwtch.
Press him for further information about how his comedy career started and he will tell you how he left school with 10 GCSEs . . . before the headmaster told him to put them back!
Cheeky, but never crude or offensive, Evans produces a very Welsh brand of humour.
http://www.philevans.co.uk
Twitter @philevanswales
Ignacio Lopezis billed as 'Half Spanish, Half Welsh, All Funny.'
The 25-year-old lives in Swansea and was one of the contenders on the ITV show Show Me The Funny.
Website http://www.ignaciolopez.co.uk
Posted in: default | 0 comments
   / 537