Former Catatonia singer Cerys recorded the audio book which will be launched in Cardiff’s Borders bookstore on Saturday, 21st March, the first time she has undertaken such a project.
It’s only a matter of time before the police swoop on the publishers and confiscate all copies of Tracy’s Tits by Ponty author Amanda Weeks … so I thought I’d better blog a review here pretty sharp.
Tracy’s Tits is a collection of short stories by Amanda Weeks, a fresh and exciting new voice writing from Pontypridd, the second-most important South Wales Valleys town after Aberdare.
… Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person.
We are trying to re-enact the story of Ishmael in the photograph.
This is a fascinating novel by Daniel Quinn.
The story revolves around a socratic dialogue between a man and gorilla… the gorilla is the teacher.
See the Wikipedia article on Ishmael here
In his book Chapels of the Cynon Valley (Gomer, Llandysul, 2004 Alan Vernon Jones presents an accountant-like view of the Chapels of this Valley.
He presents a ‘Chapel Balance Sheet’ thus :
Chapels of the Cynon Valley as at Autumn 2004 (the publication date of his book)
Active Chapels = 63 35%
Vacant Chapels = 11 6%
Converted Chapels = 50 28%
Demolished = 56 31%
Total chapels built = 180
So in summary, a third of Cynon Valley’s Chapels no longer exist after being demolished. The highest rate of demolition took placed during the period 1960-2000 when 45 Cynon Valley Chapels were demolished.
Then around another third have been converted (and those conversions have not always been sympathetic to the architectural integrity of the original chapel design).
The other third are still active as places of worship and continue to contribute to the cultural and spiritual life of the Valley. A photographic record of the majority of the remaining Chapels (and Churches) of the Cynon Valley are available in the Gallery.
In the Photograph : Bethania Chapel, Wind Street, Aberdare. Hiding behind the Black Lion Hotel. This Chapel is no longer active, the building is now derelict. It closed in the 1990s.
Member of Parliament Ann Clwyd officially reopened the children’s room in the Library which has been revamped amidst much excitement for the many thousands of children who use it every year.
The Library on Green Street, Aberdare opened in 1963 and has remained virtually the same until recent refurbishments to improve access to the building.
A lift has been installed to the reference and local studies department upstairs to allow better access for members of the public, the foyer has been remodeled with a first-class reception area and a new teenage area has also been created.
The children’s room itself has been transformed with a bright and colourful underwater mural painted on the walls, which has delighted youngsters and parents alike.
The Cynon Valley MP also presented prizes to the local area winners of the “Big Wild Read” reading challenge.
Now in its ninth year, the summer reading challenge is the UK’s largest promotion of children’s books and aims to encourage children to read more and use the library regularly.
The Neath Bookshop in Neath town centre is currently holding a closing down sale.
50% off everything.
Amongst all the usual suspects, there were a couple of Rachel Tresize’s books for sale.
We opted for Cyril Treharne’s ‘Around God’s Acre (in South Western Wales)’ (Llanrwst, Gwasg Carreg Gwalch 2006 – ISBN 1-84527-087-8) : “This book takes us on a journey around some of the most interesting churches and churchyards in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Gower.”
Priceless.
Well worth three pounds fifty.
Nowadays the small independent bookseller faces being crushed between the mighty monopolistic supermarkets and their heavy discounting and fending off global giants like Amazon who announced earlier this year that they were investing in large distribution centre near Neath. It’s no surprise to see so many bookshops closing.
