One Way Ticket is the third album to be released from Welsh songstress Lowri Evans and it follows on seamlessly from Kick the Sand and Clyw Sibrydion. Her first album Clyw Sibrydion (Hear Whispers) was recorded in the Welsh language whilst for Kick the Sand Lowri decided to record mainly in English. However two of the most popular tracks on Clyw Sibrydion turned out to be the bilingual version of U2s With Or Without You and one of her own compositions Merch Y Myny sung in the Welsh language.

It was during 2006 when Lowri was performing some Welsh language television shows that she first realised that she was missing out on performing to a significant section of her own people and culture. It was then that Lowri decided to translate her own compositions into Welsh and start singing in both the English and Welsh language. What makes Lowri Evans unique is her beautiful Welsh voice, distinctive and powerful delivering a highly original blend of blues, contemporary folk and pop. She has this wonderful ability to blend the two languages in both her live and recorded performances.

Lowri Evans (Loow-ree) was born in the Welsh market town of Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. These days she lives in Newport also situated in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. Although Ms Evans is well known in her homeland through concerts, television and radio appearances Lowri and her musical partner Lee Evans have now started to attract attention outside of Wales via endorsements from radio, TV and visiting artists.

One of the recent highlights of Lowris career was to appear as support to Richie Havens at the Queens Hall in Narberth where she received a standing ovation. And the man himself was very gracious and humble and gave an amazing performance. Richie is one of the many visiting music legends to choose Lowri as their support act when performing in Wales.

Join the Three Word Story group and contribute to our New Mabinoggion and you could be in line for one of our fabulous new digital prizes. Voting has commenced for our Three Word Bard of 2009. The winner will receive the Bardic Whoopee cushion ( displayed on their Americymru homepage ) together with a book of Welsh Jokes donated by world famous author and humorist Dilwyn Jeffrey Phillips. This never to be repeated offer ( until next year anyway ) is underway now in the Three Word Story group.

The 26th of October sees the launch of Nigel Owens autobiography Half Time . Nigel Owens is one of world rugbys leading referees and personalities and is the only openly high profile gay personality in British professional sport.

Before reaching the highest echelons of the rugby world, Nigel Owens had to come to terms with the despair that drove him to attempt suicide as he struggled with his sexuality, bulimia and an addiction to steroids. An inspirational story, his autobiography is a brave and honest account of his personal struggle to overcome fear and prejudice to become one of the most respected and well known personalities in international rugby.

Nigel Owenss warmth and humour shine through his story, which is brimming with anecdotes about matches he has refereed and players he has met along the way: from Gavin Hensons first match, to on-pitch altercations with Austin Healey, Lawrence, Dallaglios intimidation tactics, coping with live televised matches, and needing a police escort from the ground in Auch, France. He was in charge of the recent bloodgate incident and adds his thoughts to the debate.

Half Time by Nigel Owens is published by Y Lolfa and is available from www.ylolfa.com and bookshops for 14.95. Nigel Owens will be signing copies of his book in Cardiff on the 7th of November before Wales play the All Blacks. He will be in WH Smiths from 11 12:30 and in Waterstones from 1:30 2:30.

Singing sensations Only Men Aloud have hit the top note in the classical charts today reaching Number One with their new album Band of Brothers. Todays chart announcement also sees Welsh rock legend Bonnie Tyler receive her first ever classical Number One, following her collaboration on an arrangement of her 80s hit anthem Total Eclipse of the Heart which features on the second album from the Nations favourite choir.

The release of Only Men Alouds second album Band of Brothers comes a year on from signing their multi-million pound record deal with Universal/Decca following their victory on BBCs Last Choir Standing last summer. Tim Rhys-Evans, Musical Director of OMA, expressed his delight at the announcement of the albums number one spot This news makes me extremely proud, the boys have worked really hard and they deserve this success. When I was a child I used to wonder how ABBA felt being number one, but now I know how it feels!. Tim added, The publics continued support has been truly outstanding, thank you diolch.

In their new album Only Men Aloud go back to their Welsh roots, with traditional anthems such as Land of Our Fathers and Blaenwern. The choir also present interpretations of modern classics such as Somebody to Love, performed with Kerry Ellis who hails from the Queen musical We Will Rock You and has performed as the lead in Wicked in both the West End and Broadway. Demonstrating the choirs eclectic background and tastes, from opera through to rock songs, they are all truly great tunes despite being from varied sources.

Tim Rhys-Evans explained From the beginning I wanted this album to represent our wide ranging repertoire. The arrangements have a filmic feel and Only Men Aloud are very proud of Band of Brothers.

Also proud of the albums success is legendary Welsh rock icon Bonnie Tyler who, following a performance with the choir at their concert tour in Cardiff International Arena earlier in the year, stepped into the studio with OMA to re-record a new arrangement of her award-winning song Total Eclipse of the Heart. Bonnie Tyler said I am absolutely delighted that the album is Number One in the classical charts, this is a first for me! It just goes to show the strength of Jim Steinmans wonderful song, which can appeal across all genres of music.

Many people were saddened when they heard the news that Oceans Apart had broken up recently. Well...the good news is that John Good is back with a new musical venture and a new website. 'Tramor' can be contacted via the website HERE , and I am sure that you will all join us in wishing John the very best with his new venture. Pob lwc John!

From the website:- " Tramor (Overseas) is the new traditional music project of John Good. John is well known through out the West, South, Midwest and in his native Wales as a multi-instrumentalist, Welsh piper, singer/songwriter, composer and poet. Veteran of many Celtic festivals and concerts, including Estes Park, Chicago, San Diego and Denver, he brings the subtly different flavor of traditional Welsh music to the stage. Along with friends like mandolin virtuoso Billy Parker and the classically trained mistress of the harp Mary Bouley, a Tramor show is an event not to be missed."

Hear John perform 'Of Dogs and Cats Mice and Men' here:- Of Dogs and Cats Mice and Men.mp3

Dilwyn Phillips :-"Dilwyn was brought up in Pontarddulais and attended Pontardawe Grammar School. He has lived in Llandrindod, Machynlleth, Aberaeron and Talybont, Ceredigion. Many of his jokes derive from his experience as a civil engineer, teacher and salesman."

Americymru: You have published 4 collections of Welsh jokes and humorous stories. How do you go about collecting material for your books?

Dilwyn: It really started with me always keeping a few jokes up my sleeve for use in after dinner speeches or similar. Over the years I managed to collect many jokes which I saved. Whilst working for Y Lolfa, (as a Sales Manager) during one of our regular meetings we were asked for suggestions for topics in the Its Wales, series. I suggested Welsh Jokes and was asked if I would like to write a book.

I obviously didnt have enough material to complete the first book initially, but when friends, relatives and colleagues realised that I was collecting material I was inundated with anecdotes and stories that they had heard or been told.

Incidentally I have had 5 books published, but due to the content of one I used a pseudonym, however, after people read the first joke and noted the style I was found out.

Americymru: Do you think that there is such a thing as a specifically Welsh joke? What if anything distinguishes the Welsh sense of humour from others?

Dilwyn: I dont think there is a specifically Welsh joke, only that almost any joke can be adapted by using names and localities that are specific to different parts of Wales.

I believe that the Welsh have the ability to laugh at themselves and are not offended at references to their shortcomings and do not seemed bothered about political correctness, similar comparisons can be made to other Celtic races, i.e., the Irish and Scots.

Americymru: Gwyn Thomas is famous for observing that "There are still parts of Wales where the only concession to gaiety is a striped shroud." Do you think Wales has changed at all since Gwyn's time?

Dilwyn: Obviously Gwyn Thomas is talking of a different era and I would agree that in those days of hardship he may well have been right. From my own experiences as a child and young adult growing up in a mining community this didnt seem to be the case.

Americymru: You were born in Pontarddulais ( South Wales ) but lived at various times in Machynlleth, Aberaeron and Talybont ( Mid and North Wales ). What cultural differences did you note between North and South Wales? Were these reflected in the humour of the different regions?

Dilwyn: With integration through education and work there doesnt seem to be any noticable cultural differences. There has always been a great deal of jovial banter between the Gogs and the Boyos! There isnt a noticeable difference in the humour between the regions.

Americymru: You worked once as a teacher. Having had some experience of teaching in Wales myself, would you say that a sense of humour is an essential prerequisite for anyone taking up the profession in Wales? How much of the material in your books was gleaned during your time at the 'chalkface' or how much of it relates to your experience as a teacher?

Dilwyn: During my teaching practice I was told that every teacher should not be ashamed to be a clown and to make a fool of oneself in jest. If anything happened I always tried to turn it into a joke and this did gain the respect of the children.

Most of the material regarding education has been passed on to me, however, there is the odd incident during my teaching career which has been used in the books.

Americymru: You also worked as a salesman. Care to tell us more about your experiences in those days?

Dilwyn: This was a job I took in retirement and allowed me to travel all over Wales and meet many of the characters depicted in the books.

Americymru: You were also a civil engineer. What kind of projects did you work on?

Dilwyn: I worked on the Heads of the Valleys Road, Corby Steel Works, Gower Sewage Schemes and the Trostre Steel Works. I then joined Local Government as an Engineer.

Americymru: What prompted your retirement to Spain? Was it mainly the lousy weather back home?

Dilwyn: I retired to Spain to start a new life with my new wife, who as a retired Nurse, contributed to the Hospital Jokes Book? The weather was a major influence in our decision also the Costa Brava is the healthiest area in Spain, according to WHO, due to the abundance of Salt Lakes.

Americymru: Do you have any further books planned?

Dilwyn: Yes, I have submitted 4 books for publication and have been informed that Golfing Jokes will be published before the next Ryder Cup, which you are most probably aware, is being held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

Americymru: Any final message for the members and readers of Americymru?

Dilwyn: I quote from my last published book. Laughter can reduce stress, boost your immune system, help reduce your blood pressure and exercise certain muscles.

If you are looking for a quick way to work out, Laugh!

Some of the jokes I have contributed to the Humour section of Americymru , but dont let this stop you from purchasing any of the books. They can be bought online directly from the publishers at www.ylolfa.com

The titles are Welsh Jokes , Celtic Jokes, More Welsh Jokes , Welsh XXX Jokes and Hospital Jokes .

It was a hot Saturday evening in the summer of 1961, and Ianto had a date with Myfanwy. He arrived at her house and rang the bell. 'Oh, come on in!' Myfanwys mother said as she welcomed Ianto in. 'Have a seat in the living room. Would you like something to drink? Lemonade? Iced tea?' 'Iced tea, please,' Ianto replied. Myfanwys mother brought the iced tea. 'So, what are you and Myfanwy planning to do tonight?' she asked.
'Oh, probably catch a movie, and then maybe grab a bite to eat at the fish and chip shop, maybe take a walk on the beach..'
'Myfanwy likes to screw, you know,' her mother informed him.
'Really?' Ianto replied, his eyebrows rising.
'Oh yes,' the mother continued, 'When she goes out with her friends, that's all they do! Screw, again and again!!'
'Is that so?' asked Ianto, incredulous.
'Yes,' said the mother. 'As a matter of fact, she'd screw all night if we let her!'
'Well, thanks for the tip!' Ianto said as he began thinking about alternate plans for the evening.
A moment later, Myfanwy came down the stairs looking pretty as a picture, wearing a pink blouse and a hooped skirt, and with her hair tied back in a bouncy ponytail. She greeted Ianto.
'Have fun, kids!' the mother said as they left.
Two hours later, a completely dishevelled Myfanwy burst into the house and slammed the front door behind her.
'The Twist, Mam!' she angrily yelled to her mother in the kitchen. 'The f***ing dance is called the Twist!!!

Did you know that laughter can reduce stress, boost your immune system, help reduce your blood pressure, and exercise certain muscles?

One of the oldest and most famous coaching inns in Wales will be turning the clock back 200 years next week to mark the grand arrival of two large stagecoaches. The 17th century Grade II listed inn, The Grapes in the picturesque village of Maentwrog, in the Vale of Ffestiniog, will be marking the arrival of a coaching party engaged in a fund-raising tour in aid of injured servicemen and servicewomen.

The Grapes has been a must stop inn for centuries, but hasnt hosted teams of coaches and horses since the first half of the 19th century. This event will see us literally turning the clock back 200 years. Well see The Grapes as it was in its coaching heyday, said Andrew Roberts Evans, manager of hotel. The coaching party will include representatives of The Household Cavalry Charitable Fund. The party of drivers, assistants and passengers will be up to 26-strong. The Grapes will be an overnight stop en-route between Bala and Portmeirion.

We intend making sure that the occasion will be as historically accurate as possible, said Mr Evans. All our staff will be in period costume and the food on offer will hark back to 1809, marking 200 years of coaching at The Grapes. The money raised by this charitable event will go towards the Help The Heroes Fund and the Household Cavalry Charitable Fund. In addition to the coaching visit, we have regular fund-raising events at the pub which annually raise 2,000 for various charities. During the month of October the services charities will be our nominated causes and we aim to give them the very best of support. Mr Evans added: This promises to be a memorable occasion at The Grapes , a piece of living history. For many, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a famous coaching inn doing the job it was built to do.