Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru

The idea is to go to the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru tomorrow in Bala but the forecast is 'light rain', which means a very muddy 'maes' (field), which is by no means unusual for this national cultural, bardic and musical event. The white, blue and green robes of those in the Order of the Bards (Gorsedd) are a sight to behold. Really, they are. That says nothing of the way we will look in our sou'westers, oilskins and waders or similar.

The Eisteddfod is at the very heart of Welshness, at least amongst those who speak the 'language of Heaven'. That's the Welsh language. Well, it wouldn't be ancient Greek in Bala, would it?

Anyway, we will see if we make it. I am definitely going with work on Monday because WCVA is officially opening its pavilion, known as Spardun.

Cymru am byth!

A medley

I should expect London to be noisy, but this is ridiculous. I am in the Wellington Hotel by a main road junction very close to Waterloo station. I am provided with shampoo, shower gel - so far, so normal - and ear plugs! These would be great if I could hear my morning alarm with them stuffed in my ears. I may have to take the risk as the ambulance and police sirens are piercing and the buses moving off from the traffic lights growl like wild cats in a temper.

I had almost forgotten what a concrete and asphalt maze this bustling city is. There are oases of green here and there, which is a great relief. The description given to London by William Cobbett in the 1820s, as the 'great wen', is perhaps a little harsh, but there is truth in it nevertheless. A 'wen', of course, is a type of cyst or boil.

Maybe all this just means I have become the ultimate country bumpkin, a small minded peasant or village idiot, but I could not work in London again. Let me get home to north Wales to my family, my friends, my hens, my sea and my mountains. The Welsh word 'hiraeth' has no easy English translation but represents a longing for the spiritual home.

If I am truly honest, this spiritual home, for me, is Gloucestershire with its honey coloured limestone, its Morris dancing, its rounded rolling vowels, its scrumpy cider, its great sweeping River Severn and the secret Forest of Dean where I heard the pixies singing all those years ago. Don't ask - much too complicated. Yet this feels so long ago, as if in another life, another being.

Most of the time I love North Wales and I like conversing in Welsh. My own language of English is so dominant the world over, so vital as a language of business and commerce, that it inevitably imposes itself irresistibly within this island and beyond. However, I respect the Welsh culture and want to support and promote it by using the Welsh language, which is spoken by about 20% of the population of Wales. There are moments, though, when I feel put down for being English and that makes me indignant. I have as much right to be proud of my own culture as anyone else and I welcome the opportunity for us all to learn from each each other. A cosmopolitan world is an enriching world. I cannot cope with a parochial raise-the-drawbridge attitude which exemplifies intolerance and a victim mentality, shown by a few in North Wales, which will lead to an ever declining influence in the world and a besieged state. The words of the metaphysical poet John Donne spring to mind:

No man is an island, entire of itself
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main
if a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were
any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls
it tolls for thee.

We are all in this life together, so let's make the best of it for each other and for ourselves. I will reflect on all this as I lie in bed listening to the traffic through the night.
Hiraeth

Rosie's 50th - more

Saturday was a wonderful celebration of Rosie's 50th birthday, albeit it didn't actually fall on the right day. We were governed by when Piggin' Marvellous was able to do the lunch for family and the evening hogroast for a range of family, friends and neighbours. Simon, the roaster, was cheerful and efficient and, after roasting the pig, prepared mouth watering pork baps with coleslaw, new potatoes and Waldorf salad along with a roulade for the evening. This was supplemented with birthday cakes, the best made by a friend, and supplemented by 2 from Costco.
The lunch was lighter fare, with sandwiches, fruit kebabs, prawns in lettuce, chicken legs and so on.
The weather stayed fine for people to wander around the garden as well as mingling in the house and and there was some dancing. I gave various people lectures on chicken keeping (no surprise there) and I think some may take the plunge. The hens were very well behaved!
The last guests departed in the early morning and Rosie and I went over the day until about 4.45am to ensure we would remember it. We had a wonderful time so I hope all those who came also did. I think so. I just wish we could have extended the invitation list even further to encompass more people, but there have to be limits.

Rosie's 50th

We have just had a brilliant day celebrating Rosie's 50th birthday, starting with lunch and going on until now - 3.45am. Coastal Catering provided lunch (for family mainly) and the evening hog roast with salads. Put simply - excellent time!

There is something in the water

What makes people say and do eccentric, strange or unacceptable things? Yesterday my wife let out the chickens and then shut the hen house door. If you shut the door they can't get to the nesting box. If they can't get to the nesting box, where do they lay their eggs? Outside, right by the door, just to make the point, that's where. Poor girls! Rosie was suitably contrite and would probably have begged their forgiveness had her husband and daughter not been watching with wry smiles on their faces. These things happen. Maybe there is something in the water.

Then there is work. Most of the time things zip along smoothly with the usual little stresses, strains and challenges balanced in with successes and achievements. Normal. Then there are times when things go horribly awry. Normal too.
There is something in the water.

Deaths in Watford

I am finding it hard to stop thinking about the death of Pam Handley, after her short terminal illness. I think she was about 61 years of age. She was my mentor and Vice Chair at Watford Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) when I was chief executive there and she was such a steadfast and loyal trustee. Much of the third sector in Watford can give thanks to Pam for her wisdom, knowledge and support.

Much the same can be said of Geoff Harris of Watford, who was also a trustee of the CVS and a good friend with a quiet sense of humour. He was elderly and I understand he died after a fall.

Watford will miss these two special people.

Americans link up

I am pleased that my natural father's side of my American family seems to be strengthening its connections. My nephew Zak, who lives in Oregon, in the Pacific north west of the USA, is soon to fly east to see his uncle and cousins, in Maine, in New England. They live about 3300 miles apart so they don't see each other very often. Blood runs thicker than water.

Jobs at home

I have taken today off work and am doing small jobs around the house, like hanging pictures, whilst the glazier is replacing glass in a couple of doors and the floor man is replacing part of the top hall flooring because it became very bouncy, just short of being a trampoline.

The lethal drive to Carmarthen

I drove down to Carmarthen from Rhyl yesterday afternoon. I cannot believe it takes so long: hour after hour of curvacious A and B roads behind tractors; ancient behatted drivers driving at 40mph on the straight and slowing to 25 at every bend after something resembling an emergency near-stop; road works just around blind corners where you wait with bated breath at temporary red traffic lights praying that a speeding car won't race round the corner behind you and ram you up the rear; very young men in baseball caps driving at 80 in the middle of the road and straight towards you whilst making a phone call, lighting a cigarette and talking to the girlfriend who must think she is on a big dipper ride at the fair, at best, or a suicide mission at worst. The odd camper van or towed caravan is light relief after all this.
Mark my words, this journey is far, far more dangerous than driving on the motorway.
I came back to North Wales this afternoon after the Regional Policy Event, which was the point of my visit. I survived, this time.

jaded hens

The hens are looking a little jaded so I am going to administer various potions and powders this morning to see if that perks them up a bit. I have already put cider apple vinegar in their drinking water and moved their run to virgin grass. If only they would poo less, things would generally be more hygienic. Chickens will be chickens, so no chance of that.

Rycote Park post script

So, to do it proper justice, the dinner at Rycote Park was:

Lobster

Rare Roasted Fillet of English Beef, dauphinoise potatoes fresh pea purée, fine green beans and a wild mushroom sauce

Dark Chocolate Truffle Torte with lightly poached summer fruits coulis crème fraiche and an almond tuile

Tea/Coffee

Master of Arts celebration

Last Sunday we drove from Thame to the community centre in Stoke Hammond, Buckinghamshire, for another 'do'. This time to celebrate Jacqueline McGrath's graduation with an MA degree. She wrote her dissertation on a theme around men in child care. One thing which I found utterly counter intuitive is that more women commit child abuse than men. We didn't have time to explore the definition of child abuse which she was using, but I will ask her again about it when we see her and her family in north Wales soon. In the light of my involvement with the WCVA Criminal Records Unit, this is interesting.

The party was a most enjoyable and quiet celebration with a delicious buffet.

Then was the long trek home....four and a half hours I think it was.

Rycote Park

Saturday was another splendid occasion at Rycote Park, Thame, to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Bernard and Sarah Taylor. He and I were at Prep School together and he has a very successful career in company mergers and acquisitions. At least, I think that is what it is.

Bernard and Sarah have renovated the house and grounds into a most attractive estate, and the chapel is looked after by English Heritage and is open to the public at certain times.

On arrival we were ushered into a large marquee where we were greeted and mixed with the 300 or so other guests. Then we went through to the dining area and sat in our alloted places at the tables. The menu said we were to start with lobster, followed by rare beef (I can't remember the exact wording), and a pudding followed by coffee. Before we had what was to prove to be the most delicious meal, we listened to a small orchestra playing music which was associated with the house. Then we ate dinner and talked to our table companions, most of whom had been at Oxford at the same time as Bernard and Sarah and knew them from there. Only John and Fiona Smith, also on the same table, had known Bernard from being a young boy. At least I knew Oxford from my school days at Teddies.

It was also good to see others who I knew from school, 3 retired Army officers, an insurance broker in the City, one Royal Naval officer, an art dealer and so on. We went in different directions but I am glad we are all in touch.

I think the thing which stuck me most was seeing Bernard's armorial flag blowing gently in the light breeze over the house and the fact that both our taxi drivers had nothing but kind words to say about the Taylors, who are clearly have a positive local reputation.

My wife looked resplendent in her long dress and it was a pleasure to get my dinner jacket out of mothballs for this. I like black tie 'dos', but they don't happen all that often for me. No complaints, this Rycote experience just adds to the rich tapestry of life.

I will write about the celebration we went to the next day when I have a little more time.

USA and personal freedom

It is ages since I phoned my family in America so I must do it soon. I need to catch up with them. I still wonder what it would have been like if we had moved over there to live and work. It isn't easy, of course, because of all the immigration restrictions. However, we adore the USA and Canada and it does make a difference having so many relatives there. It is so BIG!
One thing that nearly pushed me over the edge and forced me to leave Wales was a suggestion, made recently, that drinking alcohol should be prohibited in order to save the National Health Service some money in treatment of alcoholism and related diseases. Ridiculous! This is way out of order and an infringement of personal freedom. Refuse to treat people with self inflicted damage, fine, but don't stop them doing it in the first place. That is centralised state control gone mad.

sunny and busy

It has been another sunny day and I have been extremely busy talking with Volunteering England about the forthcoming Olympics and Paralympics in London then telephoning a colleague to discuss the volunteering grant schemes in Wales.
We had a meeting of the North East Wales Spatial Plan Officers' Group over lunch time until about 3.00pm, when I met with our Equalities Officer to discuss it. Then I talked to our Senior Advisor who deals with the Department for Work and Pensions volunteering programme in Wales.
This was all interspersed with dealing with voicemail messages and emails.
No rest for the wicked.

Mate

Call me old fashioned if you like, but I hate being called 'mate' by complete strangers. It is bad enough from someone I know, albeit I don't know many people who would do it. From a scruffy young waiter in a Pizza Hut it is insufferable. Since when was I his 'mate'? Why does he think it is alright to say that? I am his customer and, as such, he should show a modicum of respect, particularly if he wants a tip. Oh, and my beer came in a bottle with no glass to pour it into, so I had to request one. He then gave me a choice of a straight one or a bulbous one, for which I suppose I should be grateful.
I am not asking to be called 'sir' by anyone, although I have just been called that in the hotel bar here, which was reassuring after this pizza-abuse.
In fact, I don't blame the dishevelled waiter, I blame his training, or lack of it. If he calls everyone 'mate', then why should he treat me any differently? Pizza Hut should know better though, particularly if they want their customers to feel valued and not inclined to rant on their blogs.
The intelligent reader of this will realise that I predict certain people now calling me 'mate' for a while, just to try to wind me up. That's OK, it's the penalty I will pay for honesty about how I feel.

Videoconferencing in the 21st century

I nearly forgot...Cardiff office has brand new videoconference equipment which is very 21st century. I saw it this afternoon. I can't wait to see what difference it makes to our TV reception in north Wales. However, Cardiff has a huge, and I mean huge, screen to see the one or two people we tend to have our end. We have an ordinary TV screen to see up to 12 people or so with whom I frequently videoconference when they are in Cardiff. This is not entirely sensible in my view. We need a big screen to see the bigger group. They don't need such a big one to see 2 or 3 people. We will see how it all goes...
I suspect the next time I chair a meeting of the Social Justice and Local Government Forum, on my own in north Wales, they will feel I am like 'big brother' breathing down their necks in Cardiff. My image will be more than life size.
I will have more to say on this anon...after I have experienced it all.
Overall, this is a brilliant innovation - just cut out the road noise and improve the acoustics in Cardiff and things will be hugely better.

Aberystwyth and Cardiff

Yesterday I drove down to the new WCVA Aberystwyth office, which is small and modern and in an attractive location. Unfortunately the satnav (GPS) took me to the local cemetery rather than the office so I hope that isn't some sort of premonition.
We had a meeting of all our public policy staff and then I drove on down to Cardiff with Bryan, the senior research officer.
Today I have been interviewing people who want to provide support to a youth volunteering national group and tomorrow I am travelling the four plus hours back north, via a visit to another new office. This time it belongs to a County Voluntary Council.
Overall, a constructive few days so far - and the sun is shining!

The donkey and the dog and a windy Woodfest

Poor Phil Walker, a friend in Belgium, witnessed a dog he knew being killed by a donkey yesterday. He sat with the dog as it died. What can you say?

Well, it is a cold and windy day today, for June. We were going to the Woodfest today with friends but that's off. Instead we will meet them for a coffee later.

Blogging vs Facebook

I have decided that I much prefer blogging to Facebook, but the latter has its value. Blogging is cathartic and a means of simply keeping a journal which others may choose to read, or not, and whether they do or not doesn't matter hugely. Facebook seems a bit more 'in your face', with a degree of social posturing which is uncomfortable - for me, at least. However, it has been good to discover people with whom I had entirely lost contact and I am pleased to have all the Facebook friends I have.
I shall maintain Facebook, but my blog matters to me more, for now anyway.