The end of my story is this: the people of Aberdare are extraordinary, writes American Jane Powel Thomas.
The beginning lies in the very rich past of Aberdare when one (or possibly more) of my husband’s ancestors was the minister of the Ebenezer Chapel in Aberdare, now located in the Trecynon area. Both of us have a Welsh background, my husband’s family from North Wales and mine from the Brecon area. As a child, my husband was brought to Aberdare to see the church where his great, great grandfather was minister, and he was moved by the fascinating, still-operating chapel that included an interior plaque
commemorating his ancestor, the Rev. Edwards.
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Lynsey Richards muses on how to escape properly …
No matter how far we travel, or how many holidays we take…can we ever really escape our problems, stresses or worries?
This year has been a very stressful time. Nothing negative, just trying to get my columns as well as other pieces of writing done, moving home and fitting in my job.
Hard work to say the least. In 2009, I’ve had more holidays, weekends away and days out than I can remember! I noticed this whilst looking through my calendar (trying to find a free weekend to go away) we’ve just moved and it took its toll on me, so a weekend away was just what I need.
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Mae gwenynwr lleol yn ysgrifennu am ei brofiad o gadw gwenyn yn Aberdar…
Mmmm… mêl ar fy nhost y peth cyntaf yn y bore… mmm… arogl persawrus yn codi i’m ffroenau… mmm… mêl fy hunan o gwch gwenyn ar ddiwedd yr ardd… mmmm… miloedd o weithwyr fach ufudd yn paratoi bwyd melys o flodau hardd y Cwm…
Breuddwydiaf am fwyd yn aml ac fe freuddwydiais am fêl a chadw gwenyn mêl ers pan oeddwn i yn blentyn. Daeth cyfle i wireddu fy mreuddwyd y llynedd pan ddechreuais cadw gwenyn yn Aberdar.
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Lynsey Richards talks about the blues …
I don’t know about anyone else, but summer ‘09’ has been just as gloomy, as it’s been great for me. I had an on/off bout of the summer time blues. Some days I felt so fed up, I didn’t have a clue what to do with myself, the heat made me sleepy and every time I looked out the window others seemed to be having a wail of a time in the sun.
I’m in the middle of moving home, so that was the biggest weight on my mind; it is surprising how stressful it can be. Plus after all the tidying and boxing up, was it any wonder why I didn’t have any energy?
Looking back, I guess the mixture of dieting, as you do in the summer, ready for hitting the beach, or was that just me this year? The heat, and the stress of planning my holidays and plus knowing I had to get on an aeroplane really didn’t help!
Thankfully I did have brilliant holidays’ this year with my 007 (after I got off the plane) and didn’t look to bad in my bikini either, as I always say, I’m no Kate Moss though!
Next summer I will try my hardest not to let silly things get me down, everyone should enjoy every moment of the summer, especially the weather, as we are all aware, the rain likes to come back and visit us here in South Wales whenever he can! So I’m looking forward to autumn now and hoping it will be a better season for me.
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Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?
Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.
Christine Black Jones blogs about the loss of a great Maerdy institution …. the Maerdy Workingmens Hall and Institute.
Today I stopped to watch, as I was driving down the hill, As workmen chipped and hammered, then removed its pointed sill..
I swear I heard it cry with pain, as it was ripped away, Heard it beg them, to be left alone, to stand another day.
I wondered, did they realise, a 100 years and more, That builders gave their hearts and souls, for us to have somewhere to go?
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Lynsey Richards ponders the plight of British soldiers …
Recently I sat down to watch Black Hawk Down. Not my normal choice of film, it’s about U.S soldiers sent to Somalia, but their mission takes a turn for the worst. It was an amazing film, although very upsetting and violent, but it was just a film. An hour in, I picked up the back of the DVD case to read and realised it is based on actual events that happened in 1993. Being nine at that time, I would never have known about it.
Knowing the film was based on true events, I watched it in a different light. It is amazing what soldiers go through, not just from the U.S, but right here in Britain. It looks like a setting from a Hollywood movie; it is past comprehension what it is actually like in these real, dangerous situations.
Half way through the film I quickly picked up the newspaper only to see the headlines, but noticed more and more British troops are being killed in Afghanistan. Coincidently, pages later there was a short message asking for people to send shoe boxes out to Afghanistan for soldiers. I made up my mind there and then that I was going to try and send some out, they only ask for a few toiletries and biscuits. Considering what they are doing, I think that’s the least they deserve.
So, I urge everyone to realise what these young men and women are really doing for the country, and to join me in sending a shoe box and hopefully, one day soon this terrible war will end.
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Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?
Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.
Lynsey Richards asks some tough questions about relationships…
This year it’s seems everyone and their mother is getting married. Sometimes I think I should settle down (properly this time) soon. I really don’t want children, yes, regardless of everyone out there who says I’ll change my mind…it won’t happen! Then there’s the marriage issue. Not all that bothered(anymore), of course one day I would like to do the deed, but when I’m 100% sure and not because EVERYONE else is doing it.
I say that, as for the last few weeks, unfortunately for my 007, I did catch a bad case of wedding fever. Between the dresses, flowers, parties, oh and the heat outside, I caught an addiction. I wanted one and wanted a wedding now! Everyone else was doing it, so I wanted to. Now I see how ridiculously crazy that idea was, but at the time I felt a sense of being left out (not jealously, as my wedding would be the best, wink!)
However, and this is being slightly naughty, an acquaintances of mine very recently got married. We were friendly-ish in school, but we didn’t travel in the same circles. Didn’t bother with either of them after we left school, the odd hello, if that.
Nevertheless, eight plus years pass and I learn they are living together, and then I hear of their wedding. “How can they get married before me?” Nothing against the pair, it was the ‘W’ fever talking. Not long after a ‘so-called’ friend of the groom told me something this instantaneously stopped my wedding fever.
Not long ago Mr. Groom took a holiday (alone). Whilst on this holiday he was badly behaved and had a little fling. Now, if that wasn’t bad enough, it turned out that this little fling was not with some sexy senorita, no, it was with some sexy senor. Ok, now if that’s how you want to live your life, fab! But why marry a woman? Then again, Mr. Groom confessed this little indiscretion to Mrs. Bride and she turned a blind eye and married him regardless.
When it comes to weddings, sometimes it all looks too good to be true, and sometimes it is. We never know what goes on behind closed doors, so never wish for what other have. Whether that’s weddings, children, big houses or an alleged perfect relationship. Be happy with what you have and enjoy it.
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Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?
Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.
FOR MOST OF US, HOLIDAYS ARE AN EXCITING TIME. HOWEVER, BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE CONSTANTLY NEEDED. WITH YOUR HELP HOSPITALS CAN BE SUPPLIED WITH THE 600 DONATIONS THEY NEED EVERY DAY. IN THE EXCITEMENT OF YOUR HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS, PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO GIVE BLOOD BEFORE YOU GO!
You never know when you might need us.
Be a horizontal hero – GIVE BLOOD SAVE LIFE!
The Welsh Blood Service will be in Aberdare on Friday 10th July at the Function Room, Michael Sobell Sports Centre, Ynys, Aberdare from 10.00am until 4.30pm
Lynsey Richards writes about settling down …
As I spoke about last week, me and my 007 have decided to take our relationship to the next level. After much thought and discussion we have decided to buy a house and live together… and maybe more. It wasn’t an easy decision as I have lived with boyfriends before … and look how well that worked out! But how I felt about my exes, is no comparison to how I feel about 007. I know that this time it is right. I’m happy and settled in myself and am ready for all that adulthood entails.
Bond and I get on so well, we are always laughing together, we have a lot in common and the majority of the time we share the same thoughts and opinions. We both want similar things from life and from our relationship. For once, it is nice to be in a relationship where its pretty much smooth sailing, where we can just sit back, relax and enjoy each other. Don’t get me wrong, sparks do fly at times, but they quickly fizzles out and the laughter continues.
As Carrie Bradshaw said “Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies”.
When I first heard this quote, I instantly related to it. I know a lot of people who have settled down for the ’sake’ of settling down, because they are comfortable and don’t like the thought of change peeking its head around the corner.
Even more people are just settling. They are settling with the first person that comes their way. Not for a minute am I suggesting any person is better than another, but some people are not broadening their horizians and looking for their perfect match (If there is such a thing) … someone who is going to make them truly happy.
Then there’s those of us who will refuse to settle for anything less than something special and unique. If I’m completely honest a few years back I would have been one of the people who was just settling, but now I will only settle for my ‘butterfly’ who I’m hoping will be my 007 for many, many years to come.
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Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?
Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.
Lynsey Richards asks some tough questions about relationships…
In a relationship, what are the deal breakers? When you’re young its mainly if he’s caught looking at your best mate in ‘that’ way or kissing her behind your back, if he doesn’t ring or text you when he said he would, if he takes the mick out of you in front of his friends, goes back on his word or doesn’t take you to that disco you wanted to go to.
Now we’re adults, is anything different? Ok, the cheating issue, definitely. Every self respecting woman should never give a man another chance to hurt her feelings, no matter how much she loves him. You should get rid!
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Lynsey Richards muses on St Valentine’s Day …
A few weeks ago I asked 007 if he would like to do something for Valentines Day. As we talked we realised that it was the same day as the England vs Wales in rugby. With 007 being a huge rugby fan I knew it would be difficult to arrange something around the game, as my secret agent would be going to the pub to watch it with friends.
So it was decided that we wouldn’t do anything or see each other on Valentines Day (after all it is just another day ). 007 told me he thought the day was just an excuse to waste a lot of money. I guess I was a little dissapointed, but after all its only one day out of the year and since I wasn’t even expecting to be in a relationship this year, it isn’t too much of a let down.
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Lynsey Richards writes…
As you all know before 007 came along, I was completely happy being single, and had no intentions of becoming his bond girl. But, since being in a new relationship I have been doing a lot of thinking.
One night, after getting off the phone to my secret agent, I had a thought. “To be a couple, do you have to put your single self on a shelf?”.
In my opinion, for many women I think yes, but this is probably because they want to. Lot’s of women don’t like the idea of being single, and becoming a couple gives them a chance to finally shake off singledom.
However, for women like me who will always be singletons at heart, no! Just because I’m now in a relationship, why does everything have to change? Why will I have to change?
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Lynsey Richards writes… Many of you many know me from The Pontypridd Observer. I have had such great feedback from my column, i have decided to put them on this website! So, enjoy…
Defining Moments
This week’s column is a little different. As you all know for the last few months I have been dating my 007 and I have become increasingly fond of him. Even though we have a great time together and are constantly laughing, I never really considered that it would go any further than dating. That was until recently…
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Louise Rees blogs here looking for people to help her research project :
Hi, I am looking for people who are in receipt of Income Support/ Job Seekers Allowance or Incapacity benefit who live in the Merthyr area to discuss barriers that they are finding to getting work or training or support. This is anonymised and confidential and part of a University of Glamorgan research project. Thanks
To contact Louise use the email address louise.rees@wanadoo.fr
Jane from Mountain Ash blogs here with a story on the proposed opencast plans for Mountain Ash…
We had a knock at the door last night from a nice man called Ian. It was -3*C and he was going door to door with a petition. Ian was collecting residents signatures for his petition to raise awareness of one anonymous landowners intent to dig for coal on a small plot of land behind the graveyard in Caegarw, Mountain Ash.
We had been wondering about the sounds of heavy machinery and the Apex Drilling vans seen on our street over the past few weeks.
It appears that the plot of land was sold by Lord Aberdare in the ’60’s to this man and he has twice been denied permission to excavate the coal from a 100 year old tip.
We understand that the land has a preservation order on it due to its environmental value following the tree planting which has occured on it. It is close to a hospital and two
schools, not to mention hundreds of houses.
We wonder why this is being attempted again, when the council and Welsh Assembly Government have spent over £20 million on cleaning up the Cynon Valley, when there are plans for a new community hospital less than half a mile from the site and when there are concerned residents, the authorities have done nothing.
Has planning permission again been sought? If so, wouldn’t the residents who live within 500 metres of the plot have been told? Where is our voice in all this? We understand that the land is an old tip. We don’t want a return to dust and smoke – we value our environment and hope that the council and WAG do to. Anyone know anything about this???
The residents of Caegarw are a vociferous bunch and we welcome any information that can help us get to the bottom of the drilling, digging and the looming threat of coal dust again…
