Adventures in America 🇺🇸 part 1

From 1990 to 2002, and 2005 to 2013, my home was (and will be again) America. My America was mostly the wild west of Colorado, Kansas, and a year in California. 

I consider it my adopted home, so now living in the land of my birth, I consider myself an exile. 

In September, 2013 we (myself, wife and daughter) moved back to Wales, the land of my birth, to West Camp between Llantwit Major and St Athan, part of the old RAF St Athan. However things did not work out. My wife was going to teach, whilst I planned to get a job. 

However, the wife was let down by the agency she had worked quite well (and exploited by) who would let her work because she did not have QTS for Wales she did by the way have overseas QTS for England. Major difference in regulation between England and Wales. We pursued it but going to General Teaching Council and the then Welsh Assembly Government. It became a blame game between the 2. So we stayed. At the end of school year, my wife and daughter returned to the US. However when I was going to take a trip i discovered that I was, not allowed in. Due to the fact that I had overstayed in the US, I was banned from returning for a number of years. 

My wife visited me over the years. Unfortunately my daughter I could not see, she could not afford to visit, so that's why I had to go for a long overdue reunion with her and my other children 

Now finally after 10 years I was returning. I travelled up to London to the US Embassy

to  get the required Visitor's Visa which cost me a (worth it) chunk of cash. After a hard interview with a hard assed consular officer was finally approved after an afternoon of prayer at the spectacular Westminster Cathedral 

Surely God answered my prayers and I got it. This was October. I was able to plan my return. 

This was the first leg. I booked my time off and booked my flight with Jet Blue for this coming January (2024). Flying ✈️ to Raleigh, North Carolina via Boston. 

I was definitely excited. I was coming home! 

© [Michael Alan Cridland ] and [Morgan the Old ], [2024]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Michael Alan Cridland ] and [Morgan the Old] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Obituary for a church

St Timothy’s Church in Caerau, Cardiff will be holding its last service, Sunday , January 29th. St Timothy’s was a big part of the life of the Caerau community of Cardiff. it is the last (Anglican) church standing. built in 1957 to serve the new emerging council estate, as the then medieval church of St Mary's was too small and too isolated on the nearby hill. It was a large part of our family's life there. My father was People's Warden (an ancient post in the Anglican church stretching back to the Middle Ages) from 1976., he was also caretaker assisted by my mother. My sister sang in the choir, and I served at the altar.

St Tim’s (as it was affectionately known) what was known as a “dual purpose church” it was a church on Sunday, and a hall for social functions, such as the church’s popular bingo, numerous jumble sales and Christmas bazaars. It was a big part of the local community.

There were the people who made up that family. Joseph Barry (Joe) when we started there was Vicar’s Warden, Choirmaster, Lay Reader, bingo caller, treasurer. Joe was there when St Tim’s opened, where he was choirmaster, People’s Warden. He was a permanent fixture and since as Reader which is a type of “minor order” he was a type of minister. 

I remember the 1970s and 80s well, Father Jack (later Canon) Buttimore was the Vicar (based at St David’s). St Tim’s was served by curates (assistant parish priests) whilst vicar usually served for 10 or 20 years (Fr Buttimore stayed from 1970=97 his predecessor 1933-70] curates were apprentices and remained for 4 or 5 years. Fr Hugh Broad, 1975-79, Fr Colin Sutton, 1980-1985, Fr Bernard Sharp, 1986-91, they all had their strength (and weaknesses).

however, it was the people themselves that was the important part of this family Saint Tim's. Besides Joe, there were others that I remember,  May Collins, Lou Jenkins, Honor North Olive Newbury, Lily Nichols [with her husband Albert who had been caretaker before my father) Gwenny Wade, Melanie Sloman, Queenie Brown, Beaty Cozey, Nelly Cotta . They have all gone, all collaborated tirelessly with my mother and father.

The last years things kept ticking on with my Pauline Boughton and Barbara Cuddihy as churchwardens, Pauline raised money with her teas and legendary baking. There was Margaret Daniels and her husband Alpheus who returned to their home in St Kitts, Millie Parris an old friend my Mum’s who passed away after enduring a lengthy illness, she and her daughter Selma were pillars of the church as were Fred [a veteran of Anzio) and his wife Winnie Andrews good people. It pains me that they are gone. My time at St Tim’s effectively ended  when I went to the US in 1990,but never lost touch with the place where my faith was formulated though it is not what it was the loss of that still is sad.

St Tim’s was a important part of the community, its loss will be and already lost.

The reasons for its closure seems to be due to an inspection from the diocese of Llandaff that found cracks in the buttress that made it structurally unsound, and it was condemned. This survey happened out of the blue and I was told that the vicar had not been aware that this was going to happen. I was quite surprised. I remember talking to someone about replacing the current building with a new church. I suspect that individual knew that it would never happen. The Diocese sold the land for flats for £750k, the diocese got the bulk of it.

There was a building fund which for a permanent building to be built and thej current building would have functioned as a hall, the fact that this never happened was tragic.

People will say that the church are the people and not the building, church is the family! Yes that is true. Yet family lives in a house and that makes it a home. So losing St Tim’s closure is akin to having the family home demolished. 

To the those living and those who are gone, like my father, Joe and the rest it’s sad. 

May St Timothy’s rest in peace! 

What do we do about the Welsh Conservatives and Andrew? 🎶

The Dynamics of Welsh Conservatism: A Look at Andrew RT Davies' Leadership

Welsh Conservatism, under the leadership of Andrew RT Davies, has been a topic of robust discussion and analysis in recent times. Will Hayward, the Welsh Affairs editor of the Western Mail, has provided insightful commentary on the subject, highlighting the internal dynamics and public perception of the party's direction under Davies' maverick leadership style.

Andrew RT Davies, known for his vocal presence on social media, has taken a populist turn, frequently tweeting about contentious issues and adopting a combative tone towards opponents. This approach has drawn comparisons to the 'Trumpian' style of politics, characterized by direct communication with the public through social media platforms and a tendency to polarize opinion.

The Welsh Conservative leader's rhetoric has sparked debate within the party, with some members expressing concern over its potential impact on electability. The division within the party seems to be between those who appreciate a more assertive stance against the Welsh Government's policies and those who fear that such a confrontational approach may alienate voters.

Hayward's article delves into the nuanced opinions of party supporters, members, and insiders, revealing a mix of support and apprehension towards Davies' leadership. Some party members have called for a return to a more progressive form of conservatism, one that aligns with Welsh cultural values and prioritizes policy over divisive rhetoric.

The article also touches upon specific incidents that have heightened tensions within the party, such as Davies' comments on the 'New Elite' and the Welsh Government's implementation of a 20mph speed limit, which has been met with both support and opposition.

The fate of Welsh Conservatism under Andrew RT Davies is a reflection of the broader challenges faced by political parties in adapting to the changing landscape of public discourse and the role of social media in shaping political narratives. Hayward's article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of Welsh Conservatism, offering readers a detailed examination of the complexities involved in political leadership in the modern era.

For those interested in the intricacies of Welsh politics and the evolving nature of conservative ideology in Wales, Hayward's analysis serves as an essential read. It not only captures the current mood within the Welsh Conservative Party but also poses critical questions about the future direction of political discourse in the region.

As Welsh Conservatism continues to navigate through these turbulent times, the insights provided by Hayward and other political commentators will undoubtedly play a crucial role in understanding the shifting dynamics within the party and its impact on the political landscape of Wales.

Nye

NYE BEVAN, GREAT WELSHMAN?

Many people during lockdown have binged watched Netflix shows, me. I have been binge-watching lectures by Professor Vernon Bogdanor on the postwar Britain, and they are damn good viewing, this guy is so good, he is better than a watching a documentary, he is fair and objective about whoever he happens to be speaking about.  *This video about Nye Bevan is part of a series about great British politicians who may have made great prime ministers. its interesting that Hugh Gaitskell is missing from this list, and Bevan is, in fact, that Gaitskell's widow said that Nye should have been Labour leader than her own husband (something I never knew). This lecture gives meat to Nye's character and personhood.  instead of just a welsh windbag or firebrand, we see a man of integrity and passionate devotion to his country. Bogdnador's view that he was a "first-class minister" one should read John Pater's "Making of the National Health Service" he was a senior Civil Servant who saw the implementation of the Act that created it, and his view is that Bevan was the first-rate minister and that his talent was wasted by Attlee's poor choice of positions that he put him in. He was appointed as Minister of Labour when Bevan had wanted to be Colonial Secretary because he would have been a great help in working between the nations of the new Commonwealth, Attlee felt that Nye would be too "racially prejudiced" for the position (not in the way you would think). 

NYE'S WELSHNESS?

Those who know him so well are familiar with his view and the famous speech where he describes the "Tories being lower than vermin" his use of rhetoric was well known as he was regarded as only second to Churchill in speechifying! or perhaps equal to. What did he think of Wales and Welshness, devolution, and perhaps even there being a Welsh NHS, might be indicated by his view to a "Welsh Day" that was introduced in Parliament in 1944 (by the Coalition Government) by saying what is the difference between Welsh and Westmoreland sheep? and that problems should be dealt with within the context of Central government, he probably would not be happy with the current setup? We know what he thought of Tories,(but not Tories as people he was a friend of Iain McLeod, they used to go to rugby matches together). One suspects that his view of Welsh nationalism and perhaps Plaid Cymru was similar, llygodMawrr! which is probably why his place as the Greatest Welsh Person is so controversial, who many wanted Owain Glyndwr should be, personally I think that accolade as second should go to Hywel Dda, the first king of Deheubarth, who was the ruler of all wales (except Glamorgan where I live) who codified Welsh law and was progressive because it promoted sex equality, which was advanced not only for its time, but for the next 1000 years, but I digress. I think Bevan recognised his Welshness but thought it was not as important to the common good of all those living in the Isles!

HEALTHCARE REFORM IN AMERICA

what has Bevan to do with healthcare in the US?  Quite a bit actually, because of the same arguments used against the NHS are being used by those opposed to "Medicare for all" advocated by Sanders and Warren as opposed to the amended Obamacare advocated by Joe Biden (the current Democratic nominee). Not only was it affordable, but private hospitals existed alongside the NHS. So when Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune speaking on The McLaughlin Group that he "did not want to lose his insurance" which is simply not true. I can give an example when I worked for Tesco in the 1980s,  the company offered a private health insurance policy with BUPA, which I did take out, but there was private healthcare that existed alongside the NHS. its a shame that in this forthcoming election the best they could come up is a dried out guy like Biden, and i like him, however that is conditional on his current situation

CONCLUSION

I hope those who read this  (the ones I have tagged) listen to this lecture and i would love to listen to their views.

*I was wrong about Bevan being the Prime Minister that never was, a minister whose influence was greater than those who were.

Tale of Two Bus Stops

Tale of Two Bus Stops

A couple of years ago (can't remember what year with covid and lockdowns they ran into each other) a new road was built just above us (Eglwys Bewis Road). To make access to the Aston Martin factory easier. 

The West Camp community serves the military at MOD St Athan and private residents. That community is served by one bus (304) previously it was served by 5 buses.

When the road was being completed our road was closed until it was completed and the bus ran along the new road until was completed . I contacted both Adventure and the VoG if would be running on the old road. I was assured that it would and there were "temporary bus stops " until it ran again.

As you can see the stops look more permanent, and now the bus is running along the old road with a wrecked old shelter. Whilst you have 2 spanking brand new shelters on a road that has no buses! What sense does that make? Answers on a postcard.

Rings, of Power stinker?

I enjoyed it, I  don't know why, the writing is awful, the plot development seems a little lamentable, Galadriel comes across a little dim for one of the eldest of the Eldar, and not seeing through Hambone appears a bit much. I don't know, I'll stick to the books, Jeff Bezos, and his writers can join Gollum in jumping into Mount Doom aka Orodruin. Attacking Tolkien fans as unreconstructed racists, many of us are not concerned so much about the colour of the cast, but being more of a stream of consciousness, disconnected. The next season won't be out for nearly 2 years? Are these actors must have long contracts? I can't see Morfydd Clark committing a decade to this.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/17/now-its-over-lets-come-out-and-say-it-the-rings-of-power-was-a-stinker?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Frank's story is History

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10224228776092871&id=1406573608

FRANK'S STORY IS HISTORY 

Listened to this when my alarm came on at 622am, since I was not working I was not working I was going to turn it off. It was so compelling I couldn't listening to Frank's life as an old time butcher going on whilst new shops opened and closed around him. He kept on, sacrificing a life of happy marriage with children to keep his family business going, happy though. A relic of the 18th century seeing off the "progress" of the 20th century peeking into the 21st. Living in God's country of Llaniltud Fawr aka Llantwit Major in Wales, we have a local butcher's who does very well perhaps not having a Sainsbury, Tesco, or even Aldis is not a bad thing, because quality is more important than quantity and price. As my son a trained butcher pointed out, supermarkets give you more bone or fat and people to are being cheated.