We all know that obesity is a major problem amongst the youth of today. Youngsters are often brought up on fast food to the detriment of their health. But the novel Mrs GwraK aims to strike back at this trend, by showing the disadvantages of the fast food they so evidently love and crave. So, heres the story an old-fashioned fable in a modern setting:

Theres a new cook in school and David is convinced that she is a witch. Not even his parents believe him when he says that she is deliberately trying to kill everybody with her sugary, grotesque Golden Food lunches, which makes everyone so fat that they can hardly move. David wont eat it and, armed with a sprig of witchweed, he tries to destroy the witch before she destroys everyone else. Will he succeed?

This novel is aimed at the 9-11 age group. It is also illustrated with scary drawings of the witch. The novel should strike a chord with those seeking to educate children about the disadvantages of unhealthy eating. And the odd celebrity chef or health organisations may have a thing or two to say about it too! In fact, the author was inspired to write the novel by Jamie Oliver and the turkey twizzler saga.

The author, Talybont based, Morgan Tomos trained as an animator and is the author/illustrator of over 20 books in Welsh. He has co-authored a book with school children and his proudest achievement has been making a metre-long triple bladed demon slayer sword of Owain Glyndr with his children. He has also made a life-size bust of the witchs head (shown below) and will tour bookshops and schools throughout Wales, if invited. The bust is made of recycled materials from the printing industry.

During the launch of the novel, at Siop Inc, Bridge Street, Aberystwyth on Saturday 5 March at 2 pm, there will be a competition to win a framed metal print of some of the illustrations from the book more details at the launch.

From the UK Telegraph:-

"Ajdabiya's inhabitants had been arming themselves with what they could. Some had guns but others came with machetes, axes, hammers, and in one instance a barbecue skewer. "We have come here to defend Ajdabiya," said Mohamed Abdrurrazeg, who grew up in Swansea. "It doesn't matter that I don't have a gun, because some of my friends do. I will just stand here with my people and die with my people."

Read more here:- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8357934/Libya-rebels-in-desperate-battle-to-hold-ground.html

Time to intervene?

I received this in an email and thought others might be interested:

Police plea after Cardiff fairy cake shop attack

Cake shop owner Sally Dodd (left) said glass units were smashed

Police are investigating after a shop worker was attacked by a shopper after she was told they did not have the cupcakes she wanted.

Read the whole sordid story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12620980

Residents of Maerdy are launching an appeal to create a memorial to commemorate the mining heritage of the Rhondda.

The Maerdy Gateway Memorial will be constructed at the foot of the mountain road to Aberdare.

Read and see more photos here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-12544750

The 2013 National Eisteddfod is to be held in Denbigh, organisers have announced.

The annual festival - which rotates between venues in north and south Wales - will return to Kilford Farm, where it was held in 2001.

Eisteddfod chief executive Elfed Roberts said local people had "been eager to host the eisteddfod for a while".

Read more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-12626521

Cymdeithas Aberaeron celebrates centenial of opening of Lampeter-Aberaeron Rail Line all year. Here is a great slide show, starting with the ribbon-cutting in 1911 to the present, with scheduled events listed in the captions: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-12607631

Two Welsh clergymen will receive one of Chile's highest honours for their part in returning a set of historic bells there.

The Bells of Santiago were transported across the Atlantic from All Saints Church in Mumbles last year.

The Chilean Ambassador to the UK, Tomas Muller Sproat, will attend a service at the church near Swansea later.

Read more and see more photos here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-12607117

New research has revealed Anglesey was still connected to the mainland less than 6,000 years ago.

Hunter-gatherer humans were giving way to settled farmers when the Menai Strait became a permanent fixture between 5,800 and 4,600 years ago.

Mike Roberts, a mature student from Amlwch, discovered this while completing a PhD at Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences.

Read about his discoveries and this interesting history here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/northwestwales/hi/front_page/newsid_9410000/9410706.stm

A drilling rig located in the Menai Strait faciltated the research