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Fans celebrate Dylan Thomas at fall festival in Wales Source: sdnn.com
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September 20, 2009 at 7:24 am -September 19, 2009Welsh scholar to speak at WVU Tech about shared mining historyWest Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.By Susan WilliamsStaff writerAdvertiserMONTGOMERY, W.Va. --West Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.Thursday evening a noted Welsh historian will talk about those contributions, particularly through the eyes of one Welsh miner who later became a writer.Bill Jones, who earned his doctorate in Wales, is also co-director of the Cardiff Centre for Welsh American Studies. In his lecture that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Tech Center Ballroom, Jones will talk about the history of the South Wales coalfields, particularly as seen through the eyes of B.L. Coombes.Coombes, who died in 1974, wrote several books including "These Poor Hands: The Autobiography of a South Wales Miner." After its publication in 1939, Coombes gained an international reputation. In his writings, Coombes gives readers special insight into the underground world of the miner.Jones titled his lecture "With Dust in His Throat: Miner-Writer B.L. Coombes (1893-1974) and the History of Coal Mining in South Wales." South Wales is one of the most intensively mined areas in the world.Paul Rakes, an associate professor of history at Tech, said he and other planners at the college wanted to honor the late Otis K. Rice by naming the lecture series for him. Rice taught history at Tech and published many books including several on West Virginia history that are still widely used.Rakes, who started his work life as a coal miner, said Jones plans to give a brief overview of the history of coal mining in South Wales, then focus on Coombes' life and work.Rakes said Jones would show the many ways that Coombes' understated yet compelling voice emerged out of the mines of South Wales. Coombes also can be seen as one who speaks for the experiences of coal miners and mining communities everywhere, Rakes said.When he learned Jones would be traveling in the United States, Rakes contacted him. Rakes said Jones was happy to come to Tech, not only to point out the similarities between mining in West Virginia and Wales, but for a chance to walk in the mountains."He loves to walk in the mountains," Rakes said.Tech Provost Scott Hurst wants to make this first lecture "the kickoff for an annual event," Rakes said. Hurst has wanted to establish a series for some time, Rakes said, so Jones' visit to America gave them the opportunity to start the series.Jones has written many books and taught in several schools. He is currently the reader in Welsh history at the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University. He has also served as curator of the coal mining collection at the National Museum of Wales. In addition to writing, teaching and lecturing, Jones has also made several television documentaries about Welsh history.Rakes said he hopes people who attend the lecture will come away "with a greater appreciation of the similarities between the mining experience here and in Wales. Mining also influences an individual's thinking and changes the way one sees the world."The lecture is free and open to the public. Montgomery is east of Charleston on WVa. 61. The Tech Center Ballroom is near Old Main on campus.MONTGOMERY, W.Va. --West Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.Thursday evening a noted Welsh historian will talk about those contributions, particularly through the eyes of one Welsh miner who later became a writer.Bill Jones, who earned his doctorate in Wales, is also co-director of the Cardiff Centre for Welsh American Studies. In his lecture that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Tech Center Ballroom, Jones will talk about the history of the South Wales coalfields, particularly as seen through the eyes of B.L. Coombes.Coombes, who died in 1974, wrote several books including "These Poor Hands: The Autobiography of a South Wales Miner." After its publication in 1939, Coombes gained an international reputation. In his writings, Coombes gives readers special insight into the underground world of the miner.Jones titled his lecture "With Dust in His Throat: Miner-Writer B.L. Coombes (1893-1974) and the History of Coal Mining in South Wales." South Wales is one of the most intensively mined areas in the world.Paul Rakes, an associate professor of history at Tech, said he and other planners at the college wanted to honor the late Otis K. Rice by naming the lecture series for him. Rice taught history at Tech and published many books including several on West Virginia history that are still widely used.Rakes, who started his work life as a coal miner, said Jones plans to give a brief overview of the history of coal mining in South Wales, then focus on Coombes' life and work.Rakes said Jones would show the many ways that Coombes' understated yet compelling voice emerged out of the mines of South Wales. Coombes also can be seen as one who speaks for the experiences of coal miners and mining communities everywhere, Rakes said.When he learned Jones would be traveling in the United States, Rakes contacted him. Rakes said Jones was happy to come to Tech, not only to point out the similarities between mining in West Virginia and Wales, but for a chance to walk in the mountains."He loves to walk in the mountains," Rakes said.Tech Provost Scott Hurst wants to make this first lecture "the kickoff for an annual event," Rakes said. Hurst has wanted to establish a series for some time, Rakes said, so Jones' visit to America gave them the opportunity to start the series.Jones has written many books and taught in several schools. He is currently the reader in Welsh history at the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University. He has also served as curator of the coal mining collection at the National Museum of Wales. In addition to writing, teaching and lecturing, Jones has also made several television documentaries about Welsh history.Rakes said he hopes people who attend the lecture will come away "with a greater appreciation of the similarities between the mining experience here and in Wales. Mining also influences an individual's thinking and changes the way one sees the world."The lecture is free and open to the public. Montgomery is east of Charleston on WVa. 61. The Tech Center Ballroom is near Old Main on campus.AddThis

Emaciated, tired and confused following a daring escape from a prisoner-of-war camp, soldier William Roberts faced the prospect of being shot as a German spy on his return home to Britain - and all because he spoke Welsh.After four years in captivity, Mr Roberts thought he had reached safety when he boarded a British ship heading to Glasgow after fleeing the camp in Poland.But once on British soil he was arrested as a suspected spy when he responded better to the Scottish authorities in German and Welsh than in English.His daughter, Mid and West Wales Assembly Member Joyce Watson, has spoken of her father's ordeal and claimed she was not taught Welsh as a child because of his experience.Mr Roberts died nearly 18 months ago and it is only now that Mrs Watson is learning more about her father's wartime exploits.Mr Roberts, a farm worker from Llanbrynmair, near Machynlleth, Powys, was aged 21 when he was called up to the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1940.Joyce Watson AM (r) with her sister Irene Hansen and family friend Hedd Bleddyn Williams looking at old photos of Mr RobertsHe tried to converse with the Scottish authorities in bits of German and Welsh, but they couldn't understand himJoyce Watson AMThe first language Welsh speaker could speak very little English and received just three weeks' tuition before being sent to the frontline.It wasn't long before he was captured by the Germans at Dunkirk and became a prisoner-of-war (PoW).During his time as a prisoner he showed a flair for languages and learned Russian, Polish and German, and some French and Italian, said Mrs Watson.His knowledge of agriculture also landed him a job as a farm worker in a camp. The freedom this gave him led to his escape when he cut a hole through a fence one night, shortly before the end of the war.He was shot at and lost his big toe as a result, but eventually found a British ship which was setting sail for Scotland.Poor EnglishWhen the ship docked, his poor grasp of English marked him out as a threat and he was arrested as a spy when he was caught speaking Welsh.Mrs Watson said: "He tried to converse with the Scottish authorities in bits of German and Welsh, but they couldn't understand him."It was then that the authorities thought he was German and he was arrested."Fortunately, a Welshman was there when my father was arrested and he recognised the Welsh language and persuaded the authorities he wasn't a German spy."Mrs Watson added: "Just imagine what my father thought.He didn't want his sons to go through the same experience he had, so he spoke English to usJoyce Watson"He was seven stone in weight, he had been a PoW for more than four years, had escaped and travelled hundreds of miles and then faced the prospect of becoming a prisoner again in his own country."After the war when he became a father of four sons and four daughters, Mr Roberts' wartime experience led him to speak English at home because he did not want his children to go through the same thing."My father remained in the army after the war and like most people of his generation thought there would be another war, but this time with Russia," added Mrs Watson."He didn't want his sons to go through the same experience he had, so he spoke English to us."But Mrs Watson, Labour's rural affairs spokeswoman in the Welsh assembly, has since made a decision to learn Welsh.She has also seen, for the first time, some letters sent home by her father from his PoW camp.They were shown to her by a family friend Hedd Bleddyn Williams, from Llanbrynmair.

Pittsburgh hosts national festival celebrating Wales and its peopleMonday, September 07, 2009By Diana Nelson Jones, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteAmerican Festival of Wales at Point State Park.At some point in life, after it has sunk in that you are Welsh, you have to figure out what to do about it. One option is to do nothing; the Welsh are so well blended on the American palette as to be nondescript.Another option is to join the choir.It's exciting to walk into a gathering of people who all revere the same little place, especially knowing they can harmonize on pitch at the drop of a hat. The annual North American Festival of Wales -- held over the weekend at the Downtown Hilton -- felt like Wales in a jar. There were enough native voices to flavor the air, and even American-born voices had lilt.Garnet Roth, the outgoing publicity chair of the St. David's Society of Pittsburgh, began seeking publicity for the festival -- the first one in 20 years to be held in Pittsburgh -- several months ago. She had the good sense to pitch to a Jones.The red dragon flag of Wales flies over my front door, but Wales has always been just a fun idea, a thread of ancestry dragged through Appalachia for centuries on my father's side. Now, after two days of lurking about my fellow Welsh people, I feel the pride of tribe."It's a little bit the underdog thing," said Jeannine Lanigan of Edgewood. "I'm English and Irish, too, but they don't need me."As opening ceremonies began in Point State Park Thursday, she heard the Welsh national anthem played by Northampton County's Bangor Area High School band and hurried out of the hotel carrying her Welsh-English hymnal. A crowd of about 75 had already assembled, standing in song.David Siegel, 24, of Shadyside showed up, too. He lived in Wales as a foreign exchange student, he said."It was the best time of my life. When I saw this in the paper, I thought, 'I can't miss this.' "The festival in North America follows the annual singing competitions traditional to Wales. No one has a satisfying explanation for why the Welsh are such strapping singers; it's one of our mysteries. People walked along the halls of the hotel singing, some quietly the way people absently whistle, and some people hummed in the elevator.This festival included a bus tour of Pittsburgh, a trip to the Welsh Nationality Room, which opened last year at the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland, and heritage groups' displays of efforts to promote what's Welsh about the world.Cindy Durkee of Holiday, Fla., wore a black stovepipe hat she had made of felt and lace, and she cradled a dulcimer. Her husband, Clark Owen Parry, also carried a dulcimer. They are learning Welsh as members of the Welsh Society of the Sun Coast in Florida.The tradition of women wearing tall black hats comes from the days when Norsemen commonly invaded when they thought the men were away on fishing trips. When the men were away, the women wore these funny hats, which must have distracted the Norsemen from noticing anything beneath them.Rob Willis, a storyteller, said his mother was born in Greece, and on her side he is also Jewish, but the Welsh lines of his father are the reasons he dresses in a perched hat reminiscent of a beret, a kilt, leggings, a plaid blanket, belts and heavy pins. His shield depicts the red dragon symbol of Wales."This is not authentic," he said about his get-up. "I look around for things that could contribute to a semi-convincing fifth-century ensemble." He got his shoes, which have vented toes, from www.medievalmoccasins.com.The host of the festival, the St. David's Society of Pittsburgh (www.stdavidssociety.org), mails to about 500 people and counts 225 dues-paying members. Like all heritage groups, it longs for young members.Megan Landmesser, the 30-year-old president of the Plymouth Cambrian Society, has taken on that role in Wilkes-Barre, a stronghold of Welsh-Americans. In fact, Wales contributed more immigrants to Pennsylvania than to any other state. Most came to escape poverty and work in coal mines and iron works."My mother started dragging me to these things before I wasn't old enough to say no," she said. "I just have such a feeling for the culture, the music, the literature and the struggles the Welsh people have gone through.""Welsh was looked down on," said Sian Frick of Newark, Del.She grew up in England, completely Welsh on her mother's side, and as a child wondered why she could take French but not learn her mother's language."It wasn't good for job prospects," she said. "But today, you can go to court and have your case heard in Welsh, and many parents who haven't heard Welsh since their grandparents are sending their children to Welsh schools. The percentages [of Welsh speakers] are going up. Now it's a good idea to be bilingual."Ken Davies, a retired physicist, came to Pittsburgh from his native Wales in 1962 to work for the Westinghouse Research Lab. His singing voice could make you believe he has made his living singing. He is otherwise reticent, smiling politely when asked how it affects him to hear the hymns of his homeland. "The word is 'hwyl,' " he said.Does he miss Wales?"Oh yeah," he said, almost breezily. "The word is 'hiraeth.' "A person can feel hwyl if he is part Welsh or not Welsh at all. Ms. Roth read "How Green Was My Valley" in the sixth grade and would never be just Scots-Irish again, she said."I'm not Welsh, but I think I have been to Caernarfon Castle more times than the Prince of Wales."Diana Nelson Jones can be reached at djones@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1626.Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09250/996113-51.stm#ixzz0QPNz1y6Y

WalesOnline* Sunny Spells with only patchy cloud* 11C - 11 kph windUpdated 8:49am 5 September 2009:Welcome bynwaltersShirley Bassey is back with new album after 20 yearsSep 5 2009 by James McCarthy, Western MailSUPERSTAR Shirley Bassey is releasing her first studio album in more than 20 years this November.Now aged 72, the queen of Tiger Bay appears to have taken a leaf out of Tom Jones reinvention manual by recording an album of songs penned by young guns from the music industry. The Manic Street Preachers, Take That frontman Gary Barlow, The Pet Shop Boys, Kaiser Chiefs and Bond theme legends John Barry and Don Black have all stepped up to pen tunes for The Performance.The album producer David Arnold scored Bond films Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.The 47-year-old said: All these songs were just songs, until Dame Shirley Bassey sang them. Now theyre Shirley Bassey songs hopefully classic and contemporary, like that voice.Theres something about a Bassey performance that can knock the wind out of your sails, make you laugh, make you cry, let you in on the joke or be led to a more exotic place.I tried to make a record that made the most of that voice and one that could sit alongside her other classic recordings.There isnt a next Shirley Bassey, there never really was and I doubt if there ever will be. Shes as unique and wonderful today as she has ever been and I hope this record will reach an audience who may never have heard her before.Jo Mills is the widow of Gordon Mills, who wrote songs for Tom Jones, including Its Not Unusual.The 69-year-old, a huge fan of Dame Shirley, said: Mark, Toms son, did a fabulous job when he did Reload. I dont know whether Gordon, had he been alive, would have thought along those lines.It takes a young mind to think along those lines and someone has seen that and thought along the same lines [with The Performance]. Im sure they did.That was what brought him [Sir Tom] back into the young sphere and maybe she is trying to do that.HMVs Gennaro Castaldo thought the record would be huge but that stiff competition from the likes of Robbie Williams and X Factor contestants would keep her from topping the charts.She said: The timing is great with the run up to Christmas. It is the ideal gift for older members of the family and something the kids will maybe pick up, particularly with the collaborations with contemporary artists.It worked well for Tom Jones and Im sure it will work well for Shirley Bassey.None of the songs are duets but talks are underway about involving artists in promo videos.Dame Shirley impersonator Ceri Jones, who performs as Ceri Dupree, began pretending to be the star when he was in school.The 41-year-old, of Penarth, Cardiff, said: For all those artists to write all those songs, it goes to show how much of an icon she is.There are only a few singers they would do this for. One would be Streisand and another would be Tina Turner. Madonna has not reached that status.He added: Youve got the Bassey fans and youve got the fans of people whove written for her. Take That fans will buy it for Gary Barlow.Its got success written all over it.And the Manics song The Girl from Tiger Bay! I dont know what the song is like but the titles great.Dame Shirley, who has sold 135 million records and now lives in Monte Carlo, has just released new pictures of herself in a figure-hugging red dress, dripping with diamonds.The image consultant Wenda James-Rowe who runs The Style Team in Cardiff Bay, thought she looked great.The 41-year-old said: She has been around for a long time, something like 40 years, and she never lets you down in the bling and glamour stakes.The Performance is out on November 9.bynwalters wrote:40 years? She was making records in the 50's, and, I'm glad to say, my father was buying them.

Merthyr Tydfil Arts, Culture & Media Forum Fforwm y Celfyddydau, Diwylliant a'r Cyfryngau04/09/09Merthyr: A Literary Day OutCastle Hotel, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8BG.On Saturday 17 October 2009, Academi and Parthian Books will be holding a day of events in Merthyr Tydfil to celebrate two new Library of Wales titles set in the town.Glyn Jones The Valley, The City, The Village and Jack Jones Black Parade, bring alive a sense of place that is unmistakeably Merthyr Tydfil. This day of discussions, talks and tours will explore the Merthyr Tydfil of Jack Jones and Glyn Jones both born in the town - and look at the thriving literature scene in the town today.The Library of Wales collection has been created with Wales in mind and heart. The two latest additions to the collection join other Welsh classics by Raymond Williams, Gwyn Thomas and Margiad Evans amongst others. Professor Dai Smith, Series Editor, says: "The Library of Wales will keep in print the English-language literature of Wales in ways that will connect our past to our present. It will be an essential tool in the self-understanding required to build an emergent Wales. The world will note how we now sustain our common memory through literature and will share in our riches."The day will be held at the Castle Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil. Professor Dai Smith, Chair of the Arts Council of Wales will introduce a stimulating day including the Gwyn Jones Lecture delivered by Dr John Pikoulis, a walking tour of Merthyr Tydfil town led by Mario Basini and a discussion panel from a wealth of talented authors, including Rachel Trezise and Anthony Bunko.The event aims to celebrate the creative writing talents of the recognised historical literary figures in Wales including Glyn and Jack Jones, as well as highlighting the new talents of Rachel Trezise and Anthony Bunko.Prices:25.00 / 20.00 concessions including return coach trip from Cardiff, buffet lunch and all events17.50 / 15.00 concessions for all events and buffet lunchThe concessionary rates on day tickets are available for the unwaged, students plus Academi members and associates.Times:9am - 5pm - with the bus.10am - 4pm - without the bus.For more information and to book your place contact Academi on: 029 2047 2266 or email post@academi.orgAlternatively you can view the full timetable and more information on speakers on the Academi website: http://www.academi.org/Pictures:Mario Basini, Dai Smith, Rachel Trezise, John Pikoulis and Anthony Bunko.Gwesty Castell, Stryd y Castell, Merthyr Tudful, CF47 8BG.Mae Academi a Parthian yn cynnal diwrnod o weithgareddau ym Merthyr Tudful ar ddydd Sadwrn, 17 Hydref 2009, i ddathlu dau deitl newydd yng nghyfres Library of Wales a leolir yn y dref.Daw Merthyr Tudful yn fyw yn y teitlau newydd, The Valley, The City, The Village gan Glyn Jones, a Black Parade gan Jack Jones a gellir dysgu mwy am arwyddocd y dref hon ir awduron a aned yno, yn y trafodaethau, sgyrsiau a theithiau a gynhelir ar y diwrnod. Gellir hefyd gymryd golwg ar gymdeithas lenyddol y dref heddiw.Cymru yw ysbrydoliaeth a chanolbwynt cyfres Library of Wales. Maer teitlau mwyaf diweddar yma yn ymuno chlasuron Cymraeg gan Raymond Williams, Gwyn Thomas a Margiad Evans ymysg eraill. Dywedodd yr Athro Dai Smith, Golygydd y gyfres: Mi fydd Library of Wales yn cadw llenyddiaeth Saesneg o Gymru mewn print mewn modd a fydd yn cysylltur gorffennol ar dyfodol. Bydd hyn yn hanfodol yn yr hunan-ddealltwriaeth syn angenrheidiol i adeiladu Cymrur dyfodol. Nodar byd sut yr ydym nin cynnal ein cof gyffredin drwy lenyddiaeth a bydd yn rhannu ein cyfoeth.Cynhelir y diwrnod yng Ngwestyr Castell, Merthyr Tudful. Cyflwynir y diwrnod cyffrous gan yr Athro Dai Smith, Cadeirydd Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, gan gynnwys Darlith Gwyn Jones wedii draddodi gan Dr John Pikoulis, taith gerdded o amgylch tref Merthyr dan arweiniad Mario Basini, a phanel drafodaeth o awduron talentog gan gynnwys Rachel Tresize ac Anthony Bunko.Nd y diwrnod yw dathlu talentau ysgrifennu creadigol rhai o ffigurau llenyddol hanesyddol mwyaf cydnabyddedig Cymru, megis Glyn Jones a Jack Jones, tra hefyd yn tanlinellu dyfodiad talentau newydd yr ardal - Rachel Tresize ac Anthony Bunko.25.00 / 20.00 (gostyngiadau) yn cynnwys tocyn dychwelyd ar y bws o Gaerdydd, cinio a holl ddigwyddiadaur diwrnod17.50 / 15.00 (gostyngiadau) yn cynnwys holl ddigwyddiadaur diwrnod a chinio.Mae gostyngiadau ar gael ir digyflog, myfyrwyr ac aelodau llawn a chefnogwyr yr Academi.9yb - 5yh gydar bws10yb - 4yh heb bwsAm mwy o fanylion cysylltwch Academi: 029 2047 2266 neu ebost post@academi.org. Neu ymwelwch: http://www.academi.org/.Lluniau: Mario Basini, Dai Smith, Rachel Trezise, John Pikoulis and Anthony Bunko.Posted by Celfyddydau Merthyr Arts at 10:22Contact / Cysylltwcharts@merthyr.gov.uk(01685) 725382

WWII prisoners' publishing featBy Carl YappBBC NewsCymroThe magazine was available in the camp for 18 monthsThey were behind barbed wire in cramped wooden huts hundreds of miles from home during World War II.But some Welsh prisoners of war overcame adversity with a remarkable series of morale-boosting magazines about their homeland called Cymro (Welshman).They stole medicine to make ink, while their meagre rations were used to stick illustrations onto pages from school exercise books.It featured snippets of news from home taken from letters sent by loved ones, and was handwritten in English and Welsh from inside Stalag IVb, near Mhlberg in Germany, between July 1943 and December 1944.Now, as the 70th anniversary of the start of the war is commemorated, the National Library of Wales in Aberysytwyth has published its collection of the magazines online.Experts at the library explained how prisoners went to extraordinary lengths to produce Cymro.One edition of the magazine mentioned the then up-and-coming Welsh actor Stanley Baker, while others featured the history of different regions of Wales, such as Pumlumon in Ceredigion and the Llyn peninsula, and Welsh mythology.Home news in the CymroAlthough they were far from Wales, by writing about Welsh news and articles to do with Wales, they felt they were much closer to homeMorfudd Bevan-Jones, National Library of WalesClick here to view the full manuscriptStories carried by the magazine were designed to boost the morale of hundreds of inmates exposed to the deteriorating conditions in the camp, said the library.It held 30,000 prisoners and more than 7,000 were British, but it is unclear how many were from Wales.The library's Morfudd Bevan-Jones said: "The magazines give us an insight into the lives of the prisoners of war at Stalag IVb."It's awe-inspiring to think that the prisoners could create such attractive and interesting magazines under such hard conditions. The magazines remind us of the pivotal role played by Welsh soldiers during the Second World War."He added that Cymro reflected the importance of Welsh identity to the prisoners.'Surviving'"Although they were far from Wales, by writing about Welsh news and articles to do with Wales, they felt they were much closer to home," said Mr Bevan-Jones."Camp life was all about surviving and in their own way these magazines are also survivors and we are very fortunate to have the original copies here at the National Library of Wales and the digital copies available to be enjoyed online."The magazine's articles came complete with impressive colour illustrations. Inks were made from stolen materials like the anti-malarial and pain-killing drug quinine.The pictures were then stuck into place with fermented millet soup, kept from the meagre camp rations.Christmas editionAs for the news, editor William John Pitt, from Treharris, near Merthyr Tydfil, urged Welsh prisoners to "comb letters for news from home".Most of the magazine was written in English, but two pages were in Welsh.There were stories about actors of the day Emlyn Williams and Stanley Baker, and the boxer Charlie Bundy.The national library's collection includes three Cymro issues, a special Christmas edition and three supplements.The Stalag IVb camp was liberated by the Red Army in April 1945.