SOME of you may suspect this already . . . but today will confirm it as fact. This column is going to the dogs.

Take a deep breath there. Trust me, it’s not a case of a lack of quality.

It’s just that the spotlight is falling on this week’s announcement in The Senedd (Welsh Parliament) that Wales will soon become the first nation in the UK to ban greyhound racing.

At the risk of offending some dear readers, I will try and give my verdict on the ban in what can be described as ‘short form’ and ‘long form’.

Short form first – It’s bonkers.

Long form next – It’s bat-poo bonkers . . . and I’ll explain why.

Call me old-fashioned, but many (probably misguided) folk in Wales have been living under the assumption that the 60 members we elected to The Senedd would concentrate on the important things in Welsh life.

You know the sort of thing . . . fixing the Welsh NHS and (er) giving us an education service which is the envy of the world, to name just two issues which are important to the man (and woman) in the street.

Instead, we get some random bits of policy which appear to be steered by ‘shouty’ minority groups.

As far as the greyhound racing ban goes, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies made the announcement in the wake of a petition to ban the sport in Wales.

Apparently, the petition received more than 35,000 signatures. Please note, dear readers, that the population of Wales is more than 3.2million, so you can see how it is possible for a community, say, the size of Port Talbot to steer the agenda in The Senedd.

Apparently, the above-mentioned petition resulted in a Welsh Government consultation which received more than 1100 responses (roughly equal to the size of Grovesend near Gorseinon), with two-thirds being in favour of the ban.

Huw Irranca-Davies told colleagues in The Senedd: “I believe that now is the right time to move to ban greyhound racing in Wales.

“There will be work to do in ensuring the dogs, their owners, and those involved in the industry around the racetrack, can wind down from this activity while still protecting the welfare of dogs currently within the industry, the local community and the local economy.”

The Welsh Government consultation, which ran between December 2023 and March 2024, found that around 50 per cent of people supported the idea of banning greyhound racing in Wales.

When asked if they supported the introduction of a phased approach to outlawing greyhound racing:

• 667 (64.69%) were in favour of introducing a phased ban. 375 (36.37%) were individual responses and 292 (28.32%) were from the League Against Cruel Sports.
• 259 (25.12%) were against a phased ban
• 105 (10.18%) were undecided

Those in support of the ban cited reasons of animal welfare and a belief that the industry is ‘unethical’. Key issues included injuries to animals, overbreeding, and a desire to prevent unnecessary suffering and deaths.

Respondents who opposed the ban argued it would have a negative economic and cultural impact, with many worried that this would set the precedent for banning other animal sports, such as horse racing.

Meanwhile, it might be worth considering how much Welsh Government time, effort, paperwork and money has been spent on this issue . . . particularly when you consider that Wales only has one licensed greyhound racing track (a stadium in Ystrad Mynach employing more than 30 people on site).

The Chief Executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, Mark Bird, responded to the Welsh Government announcement as follows –

“This announcement has nothing to do with greyhound welfare and everything to do with pressure from the extreme animal rights movement.

“The Welsh Government’s own summary of consultation responses highlighted the lack of evidence to support the case for a ban on the sport. This summary made clear there has been a coordinated campaign against licensed greyhound racing, seeking to drown out the voice of local people including those whose livelihoods rely on the sport.

“Questions should be asked as to why, despite repeated requests, the minister has failed to meet with the industry in Wales.”

DragonBet co-founder James Lovell, a major bookmaker in Wales, said: “There’s a real concern that this well-intentioned but misguided policy will be the thin end of the wedge in terms of other sports where dogs compete.

“And I find it frightening that such a decision could be made based on optics* and an attempt to appease the extreme animal rights groups, rather than considered and evidential welfare grounds.”

Perhaps the lack of ‘welfare evidence’ is the biggest (and most damning) issue for the Welsh Government as it pursues this piece of legislation.

Indeed, one greyhound racing commentator this week put forward the following view – “There are absolutely no welfare grounds for doing this. In fact, I would say it will have the opposite effect, as without a greyhound industry owners will not be able to afford to feed their greyhounds.”

Of course, the other factor which will worry sports fans throughout the land is, Where will it all end?

A ban on greyhound racing today? Tomorrow, a ban on fishing, shooting, horse racing, showjumping?

Why not go the whole hog and ban anything that involves animals? Dog shows? Agricultural shows?

Some of us are old enough to remember the days when there was greyhound racing at the old Arms Park (the home of Welsh rugby). Others will recall greyhound stadiums at Skewen and two tracks at Fforestfach, Swansea – one at White City and one at Ystrad Road.

As with any sport, the public can vote with their feet when it comes to deciding whether to support it or not.

Perhaps you can see a bigger example of that in declining (and very worrying) attendance figures for rugby in Wales.

Which brings me to my final point – if claims of cruelty and welfare are behind the ban on greyhound racing, surely there must be some appetite in The Senedd to investigate the hardship currently being experienced by the average rugby fan in Wales?

*Optics = the way a situation, action, event, etc is perceived by the public or by a particular group of people.

WORLD exclusive coming up. Just remember you read it here first!

Yes, it’s a ‘No’ from me.

After lengthy deliberation (Mrs L timed it at just under 30 seconds), I will not be applying for the position of head coach with the Wales rugby team.

True, I may not be qualified for the role.

The sum total of my rugby experience (as a player, not a spectator) can be traced on the back of a beermat – sponge bag holder for Llanelli Wanderers Under-11s (unpaid) and record-breaking winger for Nantgaredig RFC in the old Llanelli and District League (the record being Least Number Of Tries Scored By A Winger In A Season – ie one!).

Having said that, the lack of a lengthy rugby career should not be a bar to achievement in the Welsh Rugby Union. Just being a fan should be enough, as WRU chief executive Abi Tierney continues to prove.

And (as Mrs L pointed out before I came to my decision) the money is good.

Departing Welsh coach Warren Gatland was reportedly on more than £600,000 a year. Not bad when you consider the average annual pay in Wales (2024 figures) is reckoned to be £34,000.

Plus, you must also factor in parachute payments should you need to leave the job after (for example) losing 14 consecutive matches in a row.

That wonderful phrase ‘departing by mutual consent’ has so much more meaning when you consider how much negotiation will be going on behind the scenes to arrive at a ‘mutually agreeable’ cash parachute to exit the job.

In my humble opinion (which still counts for something in the privacy of my own home) three things should not be ignored –

• Gatland is both the most successful coach of Wales and the least successful. His first spell in charge saw three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals.
• The old saying, ‘Never go back’, remains true. Gatland should never have returned to Wales. The WRU should have looked at a fresh option.
• Gatland offered his resignation last year after leading Wales to their first Wooden Spoon in 21 years. WRU chief Abi Tierney should have accepted it.

On the streets (and in the rugby clubs and pubs around Wales), Gatland remains a talking point, but there’s a sense people are losing interest in rugby.

Here’s some examples of conversations on the streets of Llanelli this week –

“Do you want a ticket for Wales against Ireland?” “How much are they?” “£130 each.” “Nah, forget it.”

“Watch the Italy game last Saturday?” “Nah, didn’t bother.” “Went to play golf instead.”

“When’s the next home game for the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets?” “Dunno. Think it’s the end of March, but I couldn’t tell you who we’re playing.”

The cruellest comment of the week?

One rugby wag claimed the WRU chief now has a new nickname – ‘Downturn Abi’.

Perhaps you must be a fan of TV’s Downton Abbey to get the joke.

Cruel, yes, but most of us will have to admit that Welsh rugby is now something of a laughing stock.

———————————

WHEN the revolution starts, the first part of my grand plan will be to abolish this current trend for forming an orderly queue at pub bars.

For goodness sake, where do you think you are? The bank? The health centre? Morrisons? (As they say on the BBC: please note, other supermarkets are available!)

There’s a place for forming queues – and a pub isn’t one of those places.

Whatever happened to the time-honoured tradition of forming a scrum (or even a ruck in the most desperate of circumstances), developing razor-sharp elbows, adopting that tactical wave of a crisp tenner and trying to catch the barmaid’s eye? (Editor’s note: bit sexist here, please appreciate other genders may be employed on bar work!)

It’s a given that I am something of a dinosaur when it comes to views on how pubs should operate. Create a time warp that puts me back in the ’60s and ’70s and I’ll be quite happy.

For one thing, pubs shouldn’t have televisions. Pubs are for talking. If you want to watch sport, get off your backside and buy a ticket to visit (and support) a local team.

Mobiles phones should be banned.

Music is also out – and you can forget about games on video screens.

The only games allowed should be darts, dominoes and the occasional game of Tippit (Note: If you don’t know what Tippit it is, then you haven’t lived).

Pool tables are also a No-No on the grounds they take up too much space.

When I started work as a cub reporter in Carmarthen, one of our regular haunts was The Queens Hotel.

In those days, it boasted a (men only) public bar, a lounge and a small snug (for courting couples).

When legislation was brought in to prevent bars being labelled men only, the landlord removed the sign from the public bar . . . but left the stencilled outline of ‘Men Only’ on the faded paint.

The forthcoming ‘revolution’ will also see bans being imposed on serving cocktails in pubs. If you want a cocktail, go to a cocktail bar.

Those of us who need to quench our thirst with a pint of bitter do not want to be standing behind someone at the bar who orders “a Strawberry Daiquiri, five Espresso Martinis, an Old Fashioned and two Negronis”.

Finally, don’t get me started on people who order “Six pints of Guinness”.

It’s enough to drive you to drink!

GO on, I dare you! Ask me how I write this weekly column.

To begin, I usually invert the Thomas Edison quotation – “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.”

Not being in the genius category, my usual tactic is to rely on 99 percent inspiration and one percent perspiration – economy of effort being a highly-valued ability at my senior age.

The neatest trick for that Thursday morning moment when I come to sit down before that blank page of digital ‘paper’ is to get others to write the column for me.

Some folk (no names mentioned!) have ventured down the road of getting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to scribble their words, but I have a more trusted and valued resource to draw on – reader feedback.

Yes, the one thing guaranteed to cheer me up on a Friday morning is getting messages, emails, phone calls and stop-in-the-street chats about the latest weekly column.

For one thing, it provides welcome reassurance that loyal members of ‘Club Evening Post’ still read what I have to say. For another thing, it provides that ‘ker-ching’ moment when I realise I have stumbled across a rich topical seam which will provide enough material for a follow-up column.

And so it has been with last week’s column, which ventured to put to bed the ticklish (or Turkish?) question of why Llanelli people have been nicknamed Turks.

If you were paying attention to last week’s column, then you’ll appreciate that I skewered all the false so-called ‘historical’ evidence about why Llanelli people are nicknamed Turks.

Rather than trot out the main three theories again, I will simply reiterate that the name ‘Turks’ originated from 1970s media banter over the rivalry between the All Whites of Swansea (The Jacks) and the Scarlets of Llanelli RFC.

David Thomas, once the senior press officer with the old Llanelli Borough Council, agreed with me (breaking a long tradition of press officers never agreeing with journalists).

David wrote – ‘Wynford Vaughan-Thomas (the celebrated Swansea-born broadcaster and journalist) used to say he thought the name Jacks came from the fact that many Cornish people moved to the area with the copper industry.

‘He reckoned that Cornish people were called Jacks but there was no explanation for how they got the name.

‘I moved to Llanelli in 1969 . . . and I never heard the expression Turks until well into the ’70s!’

David Rees, once a senior committeeman with the old Llanelli RFC, wrote – ‘It’s a name I never ever heard in the ’60s or early ’70s and is simply a ‘modern’ media label created for banter.’

Carmarthen-born Hywel Emrys, the Welsh actor (best known for playing the garage owner Derek in the S4C soap opera Pobol y Cwm) also weighed in.

He wrote – ‘Many of my Cardiffian friends claim that the Turks nickname they give the Scarlets is because of the Welsh language! They said that it sounded like Turkish!’

A more academic view on the subject was provided by John Alban, Honorary Associate Professor at the School of History and Art History at the University of East Anglia.

Many readers will remember John for his work with the Swansea City Archives department and the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

He sent me the following email – ‘I read with great interest and amusement your article about Llanelli Turks in (the) South Wales Evening Post (January 31).

‘I completely agree with everything you said: none of these (‘historical’) theories can be substantiated in any way.

‘As you say, the probability is that the term resulted from fairly recent banter between supporters of Swansea and Llanelli. I don’t think I’d heard it until the 1970s, although I had attended All Whites games throughout the 1960s.

‘You may not want to hear or speak about this subject again, but I thought that you might be interested to learn of another ‘theory’ about the term.

‘Like all the ones you mentioned, this one also doesn’t really hold water, but it goes like this

‘Turk is an anglicisation of the Welsh word twrch (with the primary meaning ‘boar’ or ‘hog’ and the secondary meaning ‘mole’).

‘The person who explained this to me (in a pub, not in an academic setting!) suggested that the boar/hog element was intended to be highly derogatory of people from Llanelli.’

It was somewhat reassuring that I didn’t receive a single piece of feedback supporting any of the three wild ‘historical’ theories about the origin of the Turks nickname.

But . . . just when I thought I was winning the battle to get the Turks nickname consigned to the wastepaper bin, I received another blow to my campaign to get it erased.

It came from the good people who run the Phil Bennett Foundation charity. They staged a fundraising dinner at Llanelli’s Diplomat Hotel on the very day last week’s column was published. Guests included former players from the old Scarlets RFC and the All Whites.

And, yes, you guessed it – they billed the function as ‘Jacks v Turks’.

The suspicion is that trying to stop the Turks nickname now may be like trying to halt a heavy juggernaut from freewheeling down Swansea’s Constitution Hill.

Finally, I closed last week’s column by declaring I want to hear no more on the subject (Turks and Llanelli).

Obviously, my desire to do just that was overtaken by the presentation of a ‘gift horse’ for this week’s column.

I don’t expect to revisit the subject again . . . ever . . . unless, of course, you (my dear readers) tell me different!

Read More

LLANELLI Rotary Club members are embarking on their annual search for candidates for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA).

The Llanelli club has a long history of selecting candidates for the residential leadership course, usually selecting one student, sometimes two, to take a place on what is regarded as a prestigious programme.

Candidates should be aged 16 or 17 at the time of the course in July.

Youngsters can register their interest by emailing Llanelli Rotary’s RYLA coordinator, Dr Kevin Jones, on k305jones@gmail.com

Dr Jones said: “RYLA is a residential leadership course designed to meet the needs of 16 and17-year-olds.

“The course is basically an outdoor pursuit course which incorporates team building and problem-solving exercises. Our nearest RYLA centre is at Storey Arms in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

“The course begins on Sunday afternoon and finishes after lunch on the following Friday. The course is run by Cardiff City Council employees. All employees have the requisite qualifications and the Storey Arms staff are regarded as experts in their field.

“The cost of the RYLA programme is more than £400 per student, but Llanelli Rotary Club happily sponsors one candidate, or perhaps two, every year.”

“There will be a lot of walking and other physical activities, and so the candidate must be reasonably physically fit. They may have to walk up Pen Y Fan. No specialist skills are required. Being able to swim is not a necessity.

“The course is particularly useful for students wishing to add to the Duke of Edinburgh award qualifications.”

Llanelli Rotary President Cerith Owens said: “Each year, we encourage students who have participated on the RYLA course to come back to the club and give members a short talk about their experiences.

“Down the years, we have heard some great stories about how students have embraced the experience and used it as a building block for developing their leadership skills and future careers.

“Our RYLA candidate last year, Ross, gave us a very entertaining talk at The Diplomat Hotel on his experiences on the RYLA course.”

• Interested in joining Rotary? Contact Llanelli Rotary Club’s membership chair, Julie Jones, on 07929 444662 to become part of Llanelli Rotary Club’s continuing story of community service and friendship.

Photos – Ross (no surname), last year’s RYLA student, with Rotary President Cerith Owens – and with Dr Kevin Jones. Logos attached. And illustrations of RYLA poster and students.

PLAY JAZZ with BRECON JAZZ CLUB

“JAZZ SCHOOL – WORKSHOP & JAM”

Calling instrumentalists for 2pm Workshop & public for 4.15pm Jam

Theatr Brycheiniog 1st floor bar

Tutor : Joe Northwood saxophonist, educator, composer

Sunday 23rd February 2pm-5pm

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/breconjazz-jazzlivecymru/t-lnpxagr

Workshop @ 2pm a practical workshop for all instruments and levels, open to all players, plus a ‘lineup’ performance & ‘jam session’ finale open to the public. WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS please Pre-BOOK (just few places left) and arrive for the session by 1.50pm. Instrumentalists will be supported by a professional jazz lineup, and coached by JOE NORTHWOOD, a leading jazz teacher & performer. This is an opportunity to build confidence and skills, and for more experienced players to develop techniques & play with a top band!  TICKETS: £12 / PWYC option.

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/breconjazz-jazzlivecymru/t-lnpxagr

Audience @ 4.15 pm grab some drinks & cakes from the cafe and join us on Level 1 for a 45 minute set ‘In the Bar’ featuring the JazzSchool Ensemble. Public section is free and no need to book. We will invite donations to help fund these events. Venue: Theatr Level 1, onsite pay parking / LD3 7EW

LINEUP

Joe Northwood – sax    /   Newman Tai – piano

Aidan Thorne  – bass     /    Zach Breskal – drums

Workshop: please arrive in good time, for prompt start at 2pm.

Audience: ‘jam’ session opens to the public at 4.10pm.

Theatr cafe (ground floor) is open all day (food till 2.30pm); event closes c5pm.

JazzSchool is organised by Brecon Jazz Club in association with Theatr Brycheiniog

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~

Lleswyl 2025 @ 7pm on Fri 21 Feb: join the livestream link for a stunning free show, supporting this innovative ‘festival at home’

What is Lleswyl 2025?

Lleswyl 2025 will be hosted live by Siân Lloyd, Jason Harrold, and Tumi Williams. It brings the joy of music & connection to people who may be feeling isolated because of illness, disability or unable to come out for social events. Part of the Daring to Dream charity, LLESWYL supports the emotional health and wellbeing of adults in Wales living with physical illness. That is about 1.2 million people! Lleswyl is organised by a dedicated & largely volunteer team and  supported by our Brecon Jazz partners Ratio Productions.

PLEASE SHARE THE LINK. All welcome: event is live at 7pm this Friday, 21st February, and will remain online through the month and more.

What is Lleswyl 2025?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~

Next Brecon Jazz Club – Tues 11 March, Tammy Payne Quartet – Muse

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/breconjazz-jazzlivecymru/t-ojdexva

Celebrating Women in Jazz

TAMMY PAYNE QUARTET

Outstanding jazz vocalist & percussionist, plus

Ruth Hammond keys, Al Swainger bass, Liz Exell drums

Tuesday 8 April – Muse 8pm, tba

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/breconjazz-jazzlivecymru/t-ojdexva

Join our monthly Jazz Club events at the Muse, watching top quality jazz performances in friendly company & venue.

CONTACT:  info@breconjazzclub.org

IF folk music is your scene, then you are in for a treat at Ammanford’s Glowyr (Miner’s) Theatre this weekend.

Martha Tilston, 50, hails from Cornwall and has developed a successful musical career with a large and loyal following.

She has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals, recorded and released several critically-acclaimed albums and gained a nomination for BBC ‘Best Newcomer’.

She has also appeared as a guest vocalist for Zero 7, toured internationally and worked with the some of the world’s most inspiring performers, including Damien Rice, Nick Harper, Kae Tempest, and Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera).

Martha will be performing at the Glowyr theatre on Saturday, February 22.

The past few years have seen Martha venture into the world of film making, gaining nominations for Best Arts Film for The Clifftop Sessions and recently releasing her first feature film (with an accompanying soundtrack album) – The Tape – which is garnering much praise and excitement.

With her long-time collaborators and musicians, Matt Tweed and Matt Kelly, she works to entwine raw vocals, sparkling melodies and thought- provoking lyrics with filmic movements and earthy baselines.

To see them live is to connect with longed-for parts of ourselves, according to the publicity blurb.

The Guardian had this to say about Martha – ‘Sharp, original songs that dissect the modern world. She captures both the harshness and enchantment of life’.

Time Out magazine’s verdict was – ‘She has the power to draw an audience into her world, leaving all those present with a smile, and a few issues to ponder, too’.

The support act will be Nathan Ball

Tickets are £18.50 and the show starts at 8pm.

Meanwhile, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera members are busy preparing to stage Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The musical will be staged at The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen from February 26 to March 1 (7.30pm), with matinee shows at 2.30pm on Thursday, February 27, and Saturday, March 1.

Tickets, price £20 (concessions £15), are now on sale and available online via https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk, at The Lyric Box office, or by ringing 0345 2263510.

In other news, the countdown is also on to a series of special St David’s Day concerts in west Wales. Events include –

• St David’s Day celebration on Saturday, March 1, at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. Two award-winning choirs, Dunvant Male Choir and Morriston RFC Male Choir, will join forces for what promises to be a memorable evening. They will be joined by two guest soloists – soprano Lauren Elizabeth Williams and tenor James Oakley. The evening will also feature the talented youngsters from Ysgol Gymraeg Ffwrnes school choir. The evening will be hosted bilingually by award-winning BBC Wales journalist and presenter Garry Owen.
• An A Cappella Community Choir Concert in Narberth, on March 8 (7pm). The venue will be St Andrews Church, Narberth, and tickets are £12.50 and £8.50 (concession).
• A concert at Ammanford’s Miner’s Theatre (now known as Glowyr) on Friday, February 28 (7pm). Topping the bill will be Osian Clarke, from Tycroes, a recent graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. Young harpist Awel Grug Lewis will also perform and the choral element of the programme will be provided by the exceptional harmonies of Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm, led by Catrin Hughes.
• A concert in aid of the Burry Port RNLI lifeboat station at Tabernacle Chapel, Burry Port, on Saturday, March 1 (7.30pm). It will feature three young Welsh tenors – Ceri Davies, Rhodri Prys Jones and local favourite Osian Wyn Bowen. Male voice choirs from Burry Port, Carmarthen, Mynydd Mawr and Dyffryn Amman will also take to the stage.
• Côr Meibion Pontarddulais Male Choir’s St David’s Day concert at Capel Hope Siloh on Saturday, March 1 (7pm). Special guests include soprano Ros Evans, a choir from Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr and Penclawdd Junior Band.
• Pontyberem Memorial Hall will see a St David’s concert on March 7 at 7pm. The concert will feature Gwenda a Geinor, Meibion Elli choir, Lleisiau’r Cwm choir, local schools and soloists James Oakley, Betsan Daniel and Katie George. Tickets are £10 for adults and £6 for children.

Finally, Carmarthen’s Lyric Theatre will be rocking to the sound of The Guilty Men on Sunday, March 2, at 7:30pm, as the band visit the town as part of their UK tour.

The Guilty Men are a true modern-day supergroup, featuring five of the finest musicians from the northwest of England, with more than 10,000 gigs, thousands of recordings, and countless radio and TV appearances between them.

Tickets are priced at £18 and can be booked online at www.theatrausirgar.co.uk and with the box office on 0345 2263510.

After releasing their debut album “Invisible Confetti” in September, 2024, The Guilty Men are following up their first UK tour with 19 more dates in February/March, 2025.

A new single, “Dangerous Girl” has been released, complete with a video directed by Adam Dean. This follows up “Susan’s Back Drinking”, which was featured as ‘Single of The Week’ on more than 50 UK radio stations. The band’s debut album went Top 50 on the Amazon rock chart.

To say The Guilty Men are experienced would be an understatement!

In 2021, Clive Gregson (Any Trouble) and Neil Cossar (The Cheaters) sat down to write some songs together. Several weeks and quite a few songs later, they decided to expand the enterprise from a songwriting workshop to a full-blown band.

Clive recruited keyboardist Jez Smith and bassist Craig Fletcher from John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest and the lineup was completed with the addition of legendary drummer, Paul Burgess, who has played with 10cc since 1973.

Cut to 2024 . . . and The Guilty Men’s debut album “Invisible Confetti” is ready to roll. A total of 13 brand new songs recorded in the old-fashioned way: everybody playing live in the studio, intent on catching the moment. Most of the songs were laid down in no more than two or three takes… and with four featured lead vocalists, the album covers a lot of musical bases.

The Guilty Men are:

Paul Burgess (10cc, Jethro Tull, The Icicle Works, Camel etc).

Neil Cossar (The Cheaters).

Craig Fletcher (John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest).

Clive Gregson (Any Trouble, Gregson & Collister, Richard Thompson, Nanci Griffith).

Jez Smith (John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest).