A bit like Hogwarts.

In other parts of this blog I have reflected reflected upon my time at Bangor during the 1980s. Today I took my daughter to the open day at the university, and in particular to the English department. I was thoroughly impressed. There has been massive investment in the university, both in the halls of residence (which can hardly be bettered anywhere else), and the teaching areas. The new students' union building and arts centre open next year and together they will place Bangor University in the forefront of higher education provision in Wales. However, despite the new developments, it is the old Top College building that still dominates the city. Top College, now well over 100 years old, apes the oxbridge architecture being based around 'quads'. The library at Top College is still inspiring and continues to motivate students to higher things. The Shankland Room is perhaps the best example; earlier today I popped in and took this snap.

A bit like Hogwarts.

Politics and me

I spend my life teaching politics. I am entirely positive about politics and politicians; I always say that the alternative to politics is chaos, where bad people will abuse their power and we will all suffer. In addition, I have the greatest respect for politicians. They give a great deal and dedicate their lives to public service; I could not do it. Yet two pieces of news this week about our senior politicians are beyond my comprehension. First Dr Liam Fox. Whatever what might think of Fox he had achieved a serious Cabinet post, one with huge responsibility. Having achieved such a status why did he risk it with such an obviously dubious friendship. Did nobody warn him? What went wrong? Then there was Oliver Letwin doing his work in the park and then blithely dumping papers and letters in the nearest bin. Apparently they were not top secret (merely letters from constituents and the like), but even so it is hardly what one might expect. I find both of these events hard to explain to those eager to learn about politics. However, I suppose it does add spice to the soap opera that is our government; yet to my mind this is serious and  both of these men have brought politics into disrepute.

Caerwys and the Great War

I gave a talk yesterday evening to the Caerwys WI on life in the town during the Great War. As the 100th anniversary of the war rapidly approaches it may become a topic that interests more and more people. I appreciated the chance to share my research and thoughts on the impact of the war on this small Welsh community. The talk was accompanied by some of the well-known images of the period from 'Caerwys Since Victorian Times' book. I ended by reading some extracts from the diary of the teenage William Herbert Lloyd of Hyfrydle, Caerwys. Lloyd kept his diary in 1916 and it provides a fascinating insight into life in the town during those tumultuous years. The diary has added poignancy as Lloyd, who became eighteen before the war ended, was called up to serve in France. Tragically he was killed just weeks before the armistice. The talk appropriately took place in the Memorial Institute - a building erected to commemorate those that did not return to Caerwys after the war. William Herbert Lloyd's name is on a stone plaque near the entrance doors.

William Herbert Lloyd

A Shropshire lad's audax

Audax UK is the organisation that controls long distance cycling: audax uk
 I have been a member for many years, but this has primarily involved reading their excellent magazine (Arrivee) that describes the derring-do activities of those that cycle remarkably long distances. In my years as a member I have actually completed 23 events, and failed to finish a few others (most famously I packed after 190km of a 205km event due to the combination of exhaustion and the eating of too many Refresher sweets). Today I added another to my list when I rode 100km in Shropshire.

The definition of a 'long distance' event is not precise; but if they are shorter than 100km it is because they are very hilly. My event today was called the 'Shropshire Lad' and sub-titled 'The Land of Lost Content'; for added realism the Marshall at the half way point was reading a collection of Houseman's poems. There are no better counties for cycling in than Shropshire (except for Flintshire, obviously). The ride followed the direction of the Wenlock Edge hills as far as Acton Scott - the farm used for the TV series Victorian farm. Audax riding involves following a pre-set route in a given time; in this we partly failed as a group of riders mistakenly relied on one who professed local knowledge, this error led to a steep climb over Wenlock Edge, and then and even steeper one back again, thereby adding at least an hour to the ride.

The ride ended on the flat lands around the River Severn and very impressive Attingham Park National Trust property. Being much lighter than on previous Audax events I had hoped to find the hilly sections of the ride easier, but it was not noticeable. Before such rides I need to eat a bit more. So overall an excellent day.

A montage of my completed Audax cards; each one tells a story and not one was easy.

A year of inconsequential blogging

This weekend marks the first anniversary of my Blog. I had no idea of how it would develop, or what I would find to write about. Yet in the last twelve months I have written nearly 200 entries, and had almost 12,000 views. I have approached the Blog as though I were writing a series of postcards, with pictures whenever possible. I have tried to avoid putting in internet links; facebook and twitter seem to be the place for that.

Looking back over the year I think that many of the Blogs are nonsense, however I am pleased with a small number of them. My favourite individual blog was from back in January when I wrote a piece entitled 'Aw Bless' in which I criticised the current Boots the Chemist advert for being flippant about men's health. A close second favourite was one from June based upon a news report that I came across on my great grandfather's funeral.

Taken together, they represent a reasonable summary of my life in the last year. Rest assured, I will continue to Blog for a little while yet. 

Gwyl Famau 2011: Cor Meibion Caerwys

Last evening at a concert held  in Capal Gad Cilcain, Cor Meibion Caerwys performed for the first time under the direction of Ruth Evans. It proved to be a great success. The concert was part of the Gwyl Famau festival: http://www.gwylfama.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57%3Aprogramme-of-events-2011&Itemid=27&lang=en
There is a real sense that future of the choir is moving in a positive direction after the turbulence of recent times. 

Everton 0 Liverpool 2

I had been looking forward to this game all week; the pre-match build up was amazing, and as the Everton team took to the field the roar was deafening. For the first twenty minutes all went according to plan. Then Jack Rodwell got sent off for an inoffensive tackle on Luis Suarez, the Liverpool attacking player. Suarez is a man of immense talent, but he lacks sportsmanship. He fell to the ground and rolled around in agony, enough to convince the referee that Rodwell should get the red card. In reality the dismissal of Rodwell meant that Everton could not win and despite desperate defence it was inevitable that Liverpool would eventually score. Suarez was, inevitably, one of the goal scorers. The mood of the fans soured; it had all turned on a poor referring decision. The post match comments on the radio compared football to rugby where a 'video' referee would help make key decisions. It maybe the way forward, but football is such a fast game that the constant halting of the action might not be acceptable. However, it might have prevented the ruin of a big game on Merseyside today.

My view of the action; it was one of the warmest October days ever recorded with the temperature around 26 degrees.