Jen Wilson (1944-2023)

Swansea’s Jen Wilson, who died in May, was a musician, writer and historian who lived a life packed with experiences, achievements and creativity. In 1986 she founded Jazz Heritage Wales …

Great train robbery

England/Britain/UK (take your pick, they’re synonyms) has been systematically stealing from Wales for centuries. Land, natural resources, water, minerals, language, culture, autonomy, self-determination, health, wealth, freedoms, lives – all have …

Cardiff Shame

With apologies to Noel Coward (1899-1973) ♫ To the tune of London Pride ♫ Cardiff shame has been foisted onto us.Cardiff shame’s in the foul air we breathe.Cardiff shame means …

The bad trip

1 It was early June 1987. Dewi was driving home from his morning cleaning job on a caravan site near Aberporth when he first saw Jimmy, hitching a lift on …

Pubocalypse 12

33 WINDSOR PLACEWindsor PlaceAn 1850 townhouse, used as offices for many years, was converted into the calculatedly posh Bar Essential by Brains in 1998 and all the corny trappings of …

Sorry, wrong number

All over Cardiff a not particularly important but still highly irritating misconception is rampant. The city’s area dialling code is 029, yet Cardiff phone numbers are incorrectly formatted everywhere you …

They also were thespians…

Nine years have slipped by since I wrote about Wales and film, so I reckon it’s time to supplement that blog’s coverage of the most famous Welsh actors with this …

Pob hwyl Rhun

Many congratulations to Rhun ap Iorwerth, Ynys Môn MS, who was elected unopposed as the new Plaid Cymru leader this month. He now embarks on the vitally important task of …

Back to normality

Any follower of Welsh football younger than 25 or so has only ever known years of success – qualification for tournament after tournament, thrilling wins, sparkling performances, great players, capacity …

Running riot

Whether last month’s disturbances in Ely, Cardiff’s far-flung western suburb, can be called a “riot”, as per the screeching, sensationalist coverage in the UK’s reliably dreadful media, is a moot …