When you write a feature piece for a newspaper you need a hook to hang it on. After all you cannot do a piece on a school trip abroad and present it as an essay “What I did in my holidays”. I was lucky with my feature on the Rhyl Grammar School trip to aContinue reading “Nothing beats a Beetle on an icy mountain road”
Author Archives: Robin
Television
by Roald Dahl (1916-1990) The most important thing we’ve learned, So far as children are concerned, Is never, NEVER, NEVER let Them near your television set- Or better still, just don’t install The idiotic thing at all. In almost every house we’ve been, We’ve watched them gaping at the screen. They loll and slop andContinue reading “Television”
Promises Like Piecrust
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) Promise me no promises, So will I not promise you: Keep we both our liberties, Never false, and never true: Let us hold the die uncast, Free to come as free to go: For I cannot know your past, And of mine what can you know? You so warm, may once haveContinue reading “Promises Like Piecrust”
Better to be a big fish than a tiddler
I wonder at times if being a big fish in a small pond is better than being a small fish in a big pond. In one you feel important and have a sense that the little fish are looking up to you thinking: “One day I’ll be the big fish and all the little fishContinue reading “Better to be a big fish than a tiddler”
Kissing frogs is a job for a princess
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”
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”
Robin's Nest 