Badger Cull in Wales

If you are in favour of the badger cull in Pembrokeshire that is due to start in April, stop reading now. This is not for you. It is an information post for those who, like me, have followed the arguments back and forth and reached their decision, and  want to let the Welsh Assembly know they do not approve. I am not posting this here because I want to have an argument, I just want to pass on some information to anyone who may be interested.

You can register your disappointment in the decision to go ahead with the planned cull by writing to

Ms Elin Jones

Welsh Assembly Government Senedd Building

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff CF99  1NA

or emailing her at correspondence.elin.jones@wales.gsi.gov.uk, remembering to include your full name and address.

All correspondence should of course be politely worded. If you have decided to cancel a visit Wales or to boycott Welsh goods as a result of the decision to cull the badgers it would be be an opportunity to let the Welsh Assembly know.

a life a bicycle

I never would have thought it possible, but I think I could write a book about my bicycle. It wouldn’t be one of those naff Thomas the Tank Engine books, after all, how could you write a story about a bicycle. “Boris the Bicycle pulled up to the kerb and toppled over…” can’t really go anywhere with that. I was thinking more about a catalogue of failures and repairs that I have experienced since I walked up to the bicycle emporium and handed over the princely sum of 8 quid for my steed. Tall enough for someone of my gait, but still low enough I can get my feet on the ground in a hurry. It was a match made in heaven.

Continue reading “a life a bicycle”

When Mayors weep…

Sorry, this is essentially a local blog. No idea why I’m writing it, really because no locals will read this blog – well maybe one, at the very outside.

The thing is, Gloucester Carnival procession has been cancelled for this summer.

The tall ships festival has been cancelled this summer.

The cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester has been stopped because it’s too popular.

Why does everyone take the easy option when logistics get a bit challenging?

It’s pure laziness. There are ways and means of making things happen. Continue reading “When Mayors weep…”

Storytime

A long time ago, when the world was young, I sat with a teenager who was reluctant to write and we composed a story. All the words had to be three letters long and no longer. I thought I had a copy, but If so I don’t know where it is. But it  started something like this:

Pip the Dog met Ron the Cat.

‘Hey Ron! Man, hip hat!’

‘Hey Pip!  Bow man wow! Say, you see the rat?’

‘The rat?’

‘The big rat.’

‘Reg the big Rat?’

‘Yeh. Man, the rat was hot.’

It was interesting (at least to us) how the word length created a distinctive sound and rhythm. So I was wondering if anyone would like to start a story on the same lines here, or go on with the one just started above.

It might be a bit of light, uncontentious stuff for a rainy Tuesday afternoon.

A view for Bearsy and Others

Good Morning:

Bearsy: if you re-read my comment #93, you will see that far from asking you to change your views, I was most emphatically suggesting that I feel exactly the same about some of the views expressed on  the thread of  Bravo’s post as a MEMBER of DNMT.   I hope that clarifies my position. I most certainly agree with your right to comment as you see fit.

I feel that of course discussion is reasonable on any of the subjects that arise out of this appalling event, but don’t feel personally that Bravo’s post is an appropriate place to do so.

This was the reason for my request that Bravo or an administrator remove some of my comments. If you or Bravo choose not to do so, then it is your prerogative of course. I stated that I would prefer this to happen, but no matter.

“I think Tocino makes a very valid point, Bravo. Historically, many so called terrorists are now respectable politicians. I’m sure you can think of many examples.”

Time permitting the above  may be an interesting subject for a post; it is, however, a viewpoint and not an endorsement by me of their actions in any way, nor should it be construed as such.

Orange Prize Long List 2010

Well here it is:

2010 Orange Prize for Fiction longlist:

Rosie Alison: The Very Thought of You
Eleanor Catton: The Rehearsal
Clare Clark: Savage Lands
Amanda Craig: Hearts and Minds
Roopa Farooki: The Way Things Look to Me
Rebecca Gowers: The Twisted Heart
M.J. Hyland: This is How
Sadie Jones: Small Wars
Barbara Kingsolver: The Lacuna
Laila Lalami: Secret Son
Andrea Levy: The Long Song
Attica Locke: Black Water Rising
Maria McCann: The Wilding
Hilary Mantel: Wolf Hall
Nadifa Mohamed: Black Mamba Boy
Lorrie Moore: A Gate at the Stairs
Monique Roffey: The White Woman on the Green Bicycle
Amy Sackville: The Still Point
Kathryn Stockett: The Help

I’ve read Wolf Hall and another one of  Andrea Levy’s, but I don’t know the others. Oh wait, maybe I’ve read a novel by Roopa Farooki too. Has anyone here read any of  the others? and if so, how did you get on with them?

thanks. 🙂