A princess who wants to find her prince will have to kiss a lot of frogs during the search. A young reporter seeking a page one byline will have to type up a lot of funeral and wedding reports on the way. The late 60s was still a time when weekly newspapers were considered aContinue reading “Kissing frogs is a job for a princess”
Author Archives: Robin
Caught having a crafty fag behind the bike sheds
Time to take another trip back in time and find out how young Robin Ace Reporter coped as the 60s came to an end. The first of my block release training courses in Cardiff came to an end and it was time to head home, not just for the weekend but for the next 10Continue reading “Caught having a crafty fag behind the bike sheds”
Old TV drama recalls the passions of youth
Regarding my regrets – I did not have a sudden realisation that I regretted not learning Welsh. I was not even hit by a revelation that I am proud to be Welsh. Similar to many of my compatriots who are far from home (I have, of course been much farther than Hampshire) I am surroundedContinue reading “Old TV drama recalls the passions of youth”
Gwalia Deserta XV
The poem on which the folk song The Bells of Rhymney was based by Idris Davies (1905-1953) O what can you give me? Say the sad bells of Rhymney. Is there hope for the future? Cry the brown bells of Merthyr. Who made the mineowner? Say the black bells of Rhondda. And who robbed theContinue reading “Gwalia Deserta XV”
My real regret – I don’t speak Welsh
I have one great regret in life (having lived for nearly 71 years) – I did not concentrate on learning Welsh 60 years ago. Personally I blame my teacher at Rhyl Grammar School. She was too pretty. I blame my Latin teacher for my failure to master Latin for the same reason. Beauty in theContinue reading “My real regret – I don’t speak Welsh”
Ave Maria Plena Gratia
by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Was this His coming! I had hoped to see A scene of wondrous glory, as was told Of some great God who in a rain of gold Broke open bars and fell on Danae: Or a dread vision as when Semele Sickening for love and unappeased desire Prayed to see God’sContinue reading “Ave Maria Plena Gratia”
My mate the Marmite Man
There are people (including politicians) who are loved by some and hated by others. Yet the majority don’t care one way or the other. Jeremy Corbyn, as we know full well from the media hype, is not one of these. He is like Marmite – you love him or you hate him. Love is maybeContinue reading “My mate the Marmite Man”
Not all lessons can be taught in a classroom
Now what was I saying when I so rudely interrupted my tales of a hardworking hack? I remember now, myself and my fellow journalism students were trying to cope with the trauma of a class “day out” to a psychiatric hospital – or mental asylum as it was called at the time. I know thatContinue reading “Not all lessons can be taught in a classroom”
It’s the little things in life that make you smile
There are times when you can feel down; or feel sorry for yourself; or just feel angry about something you can do nothing about. I’ve been through all three today and it took the smallest of incidents to cheer me up. It was the delivery of . . . Well let’s just wait a momentContinue reading “It’s the little things in life that make you smile”
London 1802
William Wordsworth (1770-1850) Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour; England hath need of thee: she is a fen Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen, Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, Have forfeited their ancient English dower Of inward happiness. We are selfish men; Oh! raise us up, return to usContinue reading “London 1802”
Robin's Nest 