Blogs
The Second Severn Crossing was opened this day 1996, by Prince Charles
In July 1986, the Secretaries of State for Transport and for Wales agreed to build a bridge across the Severn Estuary to connect to the M4 on both banks, as well as to the M5 near Avonmouth. It took 4 years to build at a cost of £330 million and is approximately 3.2 miles, carrying three lanes of traffic in each direction.
As much of the estuary is mudflats at low tide, but at high tide can be covered by up to 14 metres of water, the engineers were presented with a unique set of problems and had to complete the work at times allowed by the tides.
Was Robin Hood a Welshman?
Stephen Lawhead's book, "Hood" published this day 2006, claims that he was.
In his book, Lawhead tells of a wronged nobleman turned heroic outlaw and names him not as Robin of Sherwood, but Bran ap Brychan, who becomes the rightful heir to the kingdom of Elfael after his father is killed by the Normans, but he quickly becomes a marked man and makes his escape. Lawhead suggests that Nottingham would have been too far and Sherwood Forest too small and well chartered, for him to hide, but he would have been able to remain undetected in the vast and then unknown forests of the Welsh March, where he meets the beautiful maiden Angharad, a wine-loving priest, a mysterious healer and a singing storyteller. He steals from the rich in order to raise the money needed to buy back his kingdom and free his people, forced into slavery by their new ruler, Count Falkes de Braose.
Born this day 1941 in Newport
Stuart Watkins , Wales and Lions rugby international, best remembered for a match winning, 75-yard intercept try against France in 1966 and for being a member of the victorious Newport team against the All Blacks in 1963.
Born this day 1964 in Cwmafon, Neath
Lyn Jones , former wales rugby international, later head coach for the Ospreys, London Welsh and Director of Rugby for Newport Gwent Dragons.
This year, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC is proud to host four Welsh performers as part of the One World, Many Voices: Endangered Languages and Cultural Heritage program. They will perform and celebrate the Welsh language though song, music, and poetry. The performers will include: Gwyneth Glyn (week two), a prolific singer-songwriter, poet, writer, and Welsh Childrens Poet Laureate 2006-2007, Ifor ap Glyn (week one), a poet, scriptwriter, broadcaster, and Welsh Childrens Poet Laureate 2008-2009, Twm Morys (all ten days), a singer-songwriter, poet, television/radio writer, and Welsh Childrens Poet Laureate 2009-2010, and Owen Saer (all ten days), a Welsh language teacher and choir director.
The Welsh participants will join other culture groups with endangered languages from around the globe at the Festival. This free event takes place from June 26 June 30 and July 3 7, 2013, from 11 a.m. 5:30 p.m. with evening concerts most evenings, and includes two other programs: Hungary: Roots to Revival and Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style and Identity . More information, including specific locations and times for the performances, can be found in the official Festival schedule, available on our website www.festival.si.edu .
RHYD Y GROES
On this day, 1039 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn defeated a Mercian army at Rhyd y Groes near Welshpool.
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1007–1063 or 1064) was the son of Llywelyn ap Seisyll, King of Gwynedd and Deheubarth, who claimed decendency from Hywel Dda. He is known as "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales".
According to an early story Gruffydd had been a lazy youth, but one New Year's Eve, he was watching a cook boiling pieces of beef in a cauldron. The cook was complaining that there was one piece of meat which kept coming to the top of the cauldron, however often it was thrust down and Gruffydd took this as applying to himself, and thus began his rise to power.
1023 On the death of Grufydd's father, Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig became ruler of Gwynedd.
1039 King Iago was killed and Gruffydd, who had already conquered Powys regained the rule of Gwynedd. Soon after gaining power, he totally defeated a Mercian army at Rhyd y Groes near Welshpool.
1041 Gruffydd defeated Hywel of Dyfed at the Battle of Pencader
1044 Hywel returned with a Danish fleet to try to reclaim his kingdom, but Gruffydd defeated and killed him.
1047 Gruffydd ap Rhydderch of Gwent expelled Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from Deheubarth after the nobles of Ystrad Tywi attacked and killed 140 of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn's household guard.
1052 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was active on the Welsh border, he attacked Herefordshire and defeated a mixed force of Normans and English near Leominster.
1055 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn killed Gruffydd ap Rhydderch and recaptured Deheubarth. He then allied himself with Aelgar of Mercia, who had been deprived of his earldom of East Anglia by Harold Godwinson and they marched on Hereford, defeating the force of the Earl of Hereford, Ralph the Timid and sacked the city, destroying its castle. Gruffydd was also able to seize Morgannwg and Gwent, along with extensive territories along the border with England.
1056 He won another victory over an English army near Glasbury and claimed sovereignty over the whole of Wales - a claim which was recognised by the English. Historian John Davies tells us that Gruffydd was "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales... and for about seven brief years, Wales was one, under one ruler, a feat with neither precedent nor successor."
1062 Harold Godwinson obtained Edward the Confessor's approval for a surprise attack on Gruffydd's court at Rhuddlan, Grufydd was nearly captured but escaped out to sea.
1063 Harold's brother Tostig led an army into north Wales while Harold led a fleet to meet up with him. Gruffydd was forced to take refuge in Snowdonia, and according to the Ulster Chronicle he was killed by Cynan ap Iago, son of Iago ab Idwal whom Gruffydd had killed in 1039. Gruffydd's head and the figurehead of his ship were sent to Harold.
Following Gruffydd's death, Harold married his widow Ealdgyth and his realm was divided back into the traditional kingdoms, so that when Harold was defeated and killed at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, so that when the Normans reached the borders of Wales, their task was made more difficult, because they were confronted by the traditional kingdoms rather than a single kingdom.
ST PETROC
Today is the feast day of Saint Petroc.
Saint Petroc Died c.564, was the son of King Glywys of Glywising and on his father's death, the people of Glywysing called for Pedroc to take on the crown of one the country's sub-kingdoms, however, Petroc wished to pursue a religious life and left, with several followers, to study in Ireland.
Some years later, Petroc returned to Britain, landing on the shores of the River Camel in Cornwall and founded the monasteries at Padstow and Bodmin, he also travelled widely through Devon, but, after thirty years he decided to go on a pilgrimage to Rome by way of Brittany and on his return he travelled extensively in Wales, spending time at Ynys Enlli (Bardsey) and founding churches at St. Petroc (Dyfed), Ferwig (nr Cardigan) and Llanbedrog (Lleyn). Back in Cornwall, he lived as a hermit in St. Petroc's cell, on one occasion protecting a hunted deer, hence he is often depicted with a stag. The legendary tales surrounding Petroc are exceptionally vivid and imaginative describing travels to India, taming of wolves and killing mighty serpents. He is one of the patron saints of Cornwall.
BORN THIS DAY - GWYNDAF EVANS
Born this day 1959 in Dolgellau
Gwyndaf Evans, rally driver, who won the British Rally Championship in 1996.
JULIE GARDNER
Born this day 1969 in Neath
Julie Gardner, television producer.She was an executive producer on the 2005 revival of Doctor Who and its spin-off shows Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
JUBILEE CONCERT
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert was held on this day 2012 on the mall outside Buckingham Palace.
Rob Brydon was one of the presenters and Welsh or Welsh connected performers included, Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey, Robbie Williams (Welsh grandparents, one from the Bala area the other from Flintshire), Kylie Minogue (Mother is Welsh) and Madness ( Suggs has a Welsh Mother)
Jaime has been interested in Wales ever since high school. Two years ago she got the idea for a Welsh-themed trilogy and started looking for a lake that her characters could visit She found Llyn Caerwych and the 'Copper And Cobalt Trilogy' was born.
Jaime: Thank you so much for interviewing me! I''ve been interested in Wales for a long time and writing my first series seemed to be a great way to explore and use that interest. I had my heart set on a Welsh theme for the trilogy. The beautiful Welsh language and area of Snowdonia the characters visit make the story come alive in an enchanting and unique place. I also feel that we don''t hear very much about Wales here in the US and I find that odd. It''s too interesting a place to not get noticed and talked about more.
AmeriCymru: Care to tell us a little about Lake Caerwych ?
Jaime: In Lake Caerwych, best friends Bridget and Celena learn that they share a haunting past in ancient Wales. They feel drawn away from their home in St. Louis, Missouri, to Snowdonia, where they begin to unravel the mystery of a Celtic necklace that Bridget found in a jewelry store. What they find is beyond their imagining when Bridget steps into Bryn Cader Faner, a Bronze Age cairn circle that takes her so far back in time that Welsh wasn''t even spoken yet! She and Celena find themselves in 500 BC speaking a tribal language and threatened by invaders, who they also find are not even their worst enemy – someone very near has discovered their secret and the present becomes more dangerous than the past.
AmeriCymru: Can you tell us more about the area in the Rhinogydd in which it is set?
Jaime: The area in which the story takes place is remote and secluded. The land is hilly and rugged, with many valleys and patches of forest. There is a working sheep farm there which doubles as a bed and breakfast. The lake itself, Llyn Caerwych, is a small body of water that's not very well known, but there are many other lakes nearby. From the farmhouse one can see the Dwyryd Estuary not far away, the mountains all around, ancient woods and rolling moorland.
AmeriCymru: Part Two of the trilogy, The Space Between Worlds is set in the US. How does the plot develop in the sequel?
Jaime: Actually, only some of The Space Between Worlds is set in the US. Much of it is set in Wales – and elsewhere! At this point in the story, the girls are learning to use to portal system more and they are able to “jump” to different places and time periods. In the sequel, we learn why the antagonist in the story seems to have a deep-seated hatred for the main characters, and how a pivotal, shocking incident in the past ties into ancient Wales in a very unexpected way.
AmeriCymru: How has the trilogy been received in Wales?
Jaime: So far the trilogy has been very well received in Wales. I''ve gotten many great comments, encouragement and positive feedback. My most recent Welsh reader lives 6 miles from Llyn Caerwych and he loves the series so far, which is definitely the best compliment I could ever have. The fact that people there are viewing the books favorably has made me feel honored. When I first started writing the trilogy, I figured there would only be two ways it could go: they''d either love it or they''d hate it. So far, it looks like the former is winning, which makes me very happy and proud!
AmeriCymru: What''s next for Jaime Conrad? When is part three due for publication?
Jaime: Right now I''m working on Isle of Apples, book 3, which I plan to publish in late summer of this year. While working on it I will continue promoting the trilogy and possibly look for a traditional publishing house.
AmeriCymru: Where can our readers go online to purchase your work?
Jaime: I'm on Smashwords and Amazon. The books are available in paperback as well as in the various e-reader formats. Smashwords Amazon
AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?
Jaime: Thank you for being here and for letting me be a part of this community!
KELLY JONES
Born this day 1974 in Cwmaman, near Aberdare
Kelly Jones, singer, songwriter and guitarist. Best known as the lead singer of the band Stereophonics.
JEFFERSON DAVIS
Born this day 1808 in Christian County, Kentucky (Both of his' paternal grandparents were from Snowdonia)
Jefferson Davis, leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President of the Confederate States of America.
BARMOUTH BRIDGE
Pont Abermaw - The Barmouth Bridge - was opened on 3rd June 1867. It linked Barmouth to the rail network for the first time.
The Barmouth Bridge is a single-track largely wooden railway viaduct that crosses the estuary of the Mawddach River, it was built entirely of wood, by the Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway and included a lifting drawbridge to permit the passage of tall ships, which was rebuilt in 1901 as a steel swing bridge.
THOMAS BECKET
On this day 1162, Thomas Becket was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury
Thomas Becket divided opinion in Wales.
It seems that many admired his stance against Henry II, but he angered others in his refusal to allow an archbishopric for St Davids, these contradicting viewpoints can be seen in particular from Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales), who was committed to freeing the Church in Wales from its subservience to Canterbury, but was also wore an ampoule of Becket's blood around his neck, saying of him "It is clear that, in our lifetime, Saint Thomas, as archbishop of Canterbury, won a glorious victory for the freedom of the church by fighting on until he was martyred".
1162 Thomas Becket was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury
1165 Henry II was gathering an army at Shrewsbury to meet the challenge of Owain Gwynedd who was renewing the struggle for independence and an independent archbishopric for St Davids but he did not have the support of Becket since this would involve a weakening Canterbury's influence over the Welsh dioceses. Owain had appointed his own Bishop of Bangor and was excommunicated by Becket for doing so.
1170 Becket was killed, The Brut y Tywysogydn, says of him 'a man of great piety and saintliness and righteousness.'
1173 Becket was canonized and the cult of St Thomas grew and prospered and there were many dedications to him in churches in Wales.
CHRISTIAN MALCOLM
Born this day 1979 in Cardiff and brought up in Newport
Christian Malcolm, athlete who was 200 metre World Junior Champion in 1998 and World Junior Athlete of the Year in the same year.
A fabulous day at Hay Festival yesterday. The sun shone down like honey, the event-organisers were so friendly and welcoming, and I had a lovely, attentive audience for my hilarious encounter with Professor Pratt!
Inserted is a picture of Gwynne House School's R'n'B Orchestra c1955 (before my time).Famous throughout Carmarthenshire for its association with Diwc Wellington, T-Bone Ifansand the artist formerly known as "Tywysog", a stomping good time was guaranteed by this "big band" (Jools Holland, eat your heart out). Duringmyown gradual rise from the triangle ranks through tambourine and recorder, to the conductor's dais,we touredthe clubs and dives ofthecounty (and who of uscould ever forgetthe night inFfostrasol?) in a bus which wasthe home of excess. I doubt there was anywhere at the time where more Tovali pop and Five Boys chocolate bars were consumed.
I won't give away anymore as I'm saving the seamier revelations for my memoirs.
On 2 June 1982, Pope John Paul II become the first reigning Pope to visit Wales.
The pontiff's message in Welsh of "Bendith Duw arnoch" - "the blessing of God be on you" - was received with enthusiastic applause from the crowds gathered in Pontcanna Fields, earlier in.the day he had been awarded the freedom of Cardiff,
On 2nd June 1869, the Mold Riots occurred
When John Young, the English manager of the Leeswood Green Colliery announced a pay cut and the banning of the use of the Welsh language underground, miners took him to the police station and all of his furniture to the railway station.
Seven miners were arrested and subsequently, Ismael Jones and John Jones, were sentenced to a month's hard labour. After hearing the verdict, a large crowd became incensed and began to through missiles at the soldiers escorting the convicted men to the railway station. The soldiers opened fire in retaliation and four of the crowd were killed.
The coroner's inquest into the deaths, which returned a verdict of "Justifiable Homicide" became a farce, as the coroner, who was partially deaf, had to use an ear trumpet to hear the evidence.
However, the tragedy forced the Authorities to rethink the way in which they dealt with public disorder in the future.
On this day 2002, the Llangernyw Yew was designated as one of 50 Great British Trees as part of the celebrations of the golden jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Llangernyw Yew resides in the churchyard of St. Dygain's Church in Llangernyw, Clwyd. It is over 4,000 years old, meaning it was planted sometime in the prehistoric Bronze Age — and it's still growing.
On 2nd June 1862, the Vale of Llangollen Railway Line opened to passengers, linking Llangollen to the rail network for the first time.
The Vale of Llangollen Railway was built as a spur from the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway at Ruabon to the town of Llangollen. It was initially opened for goods only on 1 December 1861 and to passenger traffic on 2 June 1862, and was worked by the Great Western Railway and subsequently the Western Region of British Railways. A portion of it survives as part of the heritage Llangollen Railway.
Just A Bit Of Banter, Like - An Interview With Welsh Author Christopher Westlake
By Ceri Shaw, 2013-06-02
His first novel ''Just A Bit Of Banter, Like'' revolves around the adventures and misadventures of Nick Evans:-
".... a young city-slicker with a trophy-girlfriend on his arm. Fast-forward just a day and he''s caught his girlfriend in an uncompromising position with his friend, accidentally sent a rude email to his boss - and he''s on his way home to South Wales with his tail firmly between his legs. Unemployed and single, life seems oh-so simple for Nick back in Southerndown, a coastal village where sheep vastly outnumber people."
AmeriCymru spoke to Chris about Just A Bit Of Banter, Like and his plans for the future.
...
AmeriCymru: You have won prizes in many international short story competitions. Care to tell us a little about these? What was your proudest moment?
Christopher: Winning the Global Short Stories Award will always have a special place for me because it was my first competition win. It gave me such a massive confidence boost. I''d enrolled on an online writing course a few months before and began small by writing letters to women''s magazines (yes, I am male). A few got published, I earned a bit of cash and, most importantly, my name was in print! I then entered a few short story competitions.
The Global Short Stories Award was the third competition I entered and coming first was just amazing. I recycled the setting for my short story, Welsh Lessons, in my first novel, Just a Bit of Banter, Like.
After winning the September Global Short Stories Award I entered quite a few competitions and didn''t come anywhere. Zilch. Writing can be quite isolated. You send off a lot of work and sometimes it disappears into a black hole when you get little or no response back.
The Stringybark Stories Awards has served me well. This is an Australian competition but they welcome overseas contestants. It is a great set-up because all short-listed applicants get published in their anthologies. I came first in the Erotic Fiction Award (the first overseas winner) and that felt great because the anthology was named after my short story, The Heatwave of 76. This was the first story that I had published in paperback. Holding a book in your hand that you contributed to was such a thrill!
AmeriCymru: Are your short stories available anywhere in print?
Christopher: My short stories are included in the Heatwave of 76, The Road Home and Fight or Flight anthologies and can be purchased in Kindle or paperback from the Stringybark Stories website. I also have a short story included in the Past Pleasures anthology, available from Amazon and Waterstones.
AmeriCymru: What real life events inspired you to write your first novel, ''Just A Bit Of Banter Like''?
Christopher: This is quite a difficult one! I don''t really think real life events inspired me to write the novel as such, but quite a few of the funnier scenes have definitely been inspired by real life!
I think it was time to write a novel and I concentrated on getting the basics right. I focussed on making the characters involving, the storylines intriguing and the book an enjoyable, interesting and funny read. The characters were a cocktail of people I''ve met along the way. My Nan and Gramps had dementia and this was definitely an inspiration for the deteriorating mental health of Nan in the novel. I grew up in rural Wales and moved to London (but I haven''t yet moved back to Wales!) and this inspired the two central settings. When I moved from London to Birmingham it was a difficult time as I left a decent job and then struggled as a temp. Nick has a massive fall from grace and struggles to rebuild his life. Like Nick, I''ve also examined what is important to me in life. That said, I am a chronic over-thinker and so I''ve examined pretty much everything in my mind over the years!
AmeriCymru: How would you describe the book?
Christopher: It started off as a light-hearted comedy but I realised that I wanted to explore deeper subjects such as dementia, drug abuse and missing people, which didn''t naturally fit in with the ''light-hearted'' category! Getting the balance between the humour and the darker subjects was one of the most difficult aspects. With most descriptions as I have cunningly used the term ''dark comedy'' but I am still searching for something that sounds a little more impressive, if you have any suggestions!
It is a story of family, friendship and discovering what is really important to you. The characters are central to everything. if the reader does not care for them then the overlapping storylines and the element of mystery are irrelevant.
AmeriCymru: The book is set in Ogmore and Southerndown. Can you describe the area a little for our American readers?
Christopher: Ogmore and Southerndown are neighbouring villages on the South Wales coastline. It is were I grew up, but like most things, I only started appreciating its beauty when I moved away. The weather in Wales can best be described as mild in the summer and freezing in the winter, and so the long stretch of beach is more suitable for leisurely walks with the dog than for sunbathing. The residents of each village are in the hundred. The sheep number thousands and they stroll around the greenery and often wander on to the road. The mouth of the river in Ogmore is bordered by pebbles and rocks on one side and sand dunes on the other. You can cross the stepping stones to the other side and a little further down river lies the old castle.
I have many happy childhood memories of both Ogmore and Southerndown.
AmeriCymru: What do you read for pleasure? Any recommendations?
Christopher: I love reading autobiographies because people fascinate me and learning about lives gives me inspiration for my characters. I enjoy gritty contemporary drama by novelists such as Irvine Welsh and John King. I''ve also become fascinated by Welsh literature, such as Ash on a Young Man''s Sleeve by Danny Abse.
AmeriCymru: What are you working on at the moment? Any new titles in the pipeline?
Christopher: I''ve started planning and researching my second novel. It is going to continue the welsh theme, this time focussing on the towns Merthyr and Porthcawl. I love researching welsh history and this novel will be a journey through the last few decades. It is going to be darker and grittier than Just a Bit of Banter, Like and a much bigger project.
My aim is to make each book better in some way than the last. In my mind, it makes sense that my very best work won''t be for at least another few books, but who knows?
AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru and the Welsh American Bookstore?
Christopher: I''ve only just discovered the site but it has been so welcoming I wish I had done so earlier. It seems like a dream combination for me. Obviously I love Wales but I also have family in Boston who we visited a few years ago and I had a fantastic time, and so America is close to my heart, too.
I am going to be roaming through books myself as I am sure there are titles that will grab my attention!
If you choose to read Just a Bit of Banter, Like, which naturally I hope you do (!) I would love you to provide me with feedback.
