Barry Walsh

That straight road through the village is actually called Roman Road. It’s part of the old Roman road from Neath to Brecon.

I do actually have an idea of what Banwen used to look like when the mine was open, because in the corridor in the Dove Workshop (an adult education and community centre, just visible in the opening shot among the trees, top…[Read more]

Yes, and not least among its attractions is that those houses in the terraces can still be had for less than £100,000.

The Valleys have always been famous for community spirit, though anyone who was alive when the mines were open will tell you that it’s not what it was. The mine at Banwen closed as long ago as 1964 (that pretty pond was once an…[Read more]

What a fabulous place. The film suggests a strong sense of community. Do you feel part of it as an “incomer”?

Not sure I’m representative, even though I am also (considerably) beyond 45. I don’t read as much as I did when I was, say, in my late-teens or early twenties. Then I could easily clear 3 or 4 books a week, sometimes 1 a day. I read pretty much every day. At the moment I am reading a book by somebody I know to provide a review. I have a vast pile…[Read more]

Great story Alex!

Thanks for the prompt @Seagreen. Gave me a chance to work out the back-story for one the main antagonists in my WIP.

Thank you both for entering and I’m so sorry to keep you hanging on like this. To be honest, I found it really difficult to choose; I liked both of them in different ways. On this occasion (and because if I don’t stop prevaricating we’ll still be here next week) I’m going with Alex.

You caught me on the hop ☺️
I’ll come back to these tomorrow.

Ted

The things that made Ted happy got a bit broken when he was little. After a while he grew accustomed to the fact that things wouldn’t go well for him, mainly because they often ended in bruises, or even the occasional broken bone. Nevertheless, in spite of everything, he grew strong. He soon discovered that if he didn’t want to go hungry he…[Read more]

OOPS, sorry, bad Ath posting as Admin!!!

Thanks, both 🙂

I’m afraid I’ve been listening to Carol Ann Duffy on BBC Maestro so you have her to thank (?) for my dipping of toes into the poetry waters. It was kind of  like painting a miniature with a 4″ brush.

Sorry chaps, a bit late.

Seagreen, a fabulous little poem that sums up so many early Januarys for me.

Alex, you conjure the odious, or indeed, odorous boss so well. What a very nice twist.

Who to pick? If only because my month started exactly this way, well done Seagreen.

Sorry chaps, a bit late.

Seagreen, a fabulous little poem that sums up so many early Januarys for me.

Alex, you conjure the odious, or indeed, odorous boss so well. What a very nice twist.

Who to pick? If only because my month started exactly this way, well done Seagreen.

ReSolutionary

Dreams and aspirations poise

Like Tom Daley

Arms outstretched and toes curled

Over a cliff edge promise of excitement and change

They dive

Into the New Year

Only to flounder in the shallows

Of dwindling discipline and morbid motivation

The old ways resurface

Smug-smiling

Safe for another year