YES, it’s time to get ready for pantomime season in west Wales.

Oh, yes it is. Oh, no it isn’t. Oh, yes it is!

Yes, it definitely IS as Llanelli Musical Theatre Group will be presenting Puss in Boots in Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre between December 19 and 23.

Llanelli Musical Theatre Group will present a fresh take on the classic pantomime tale of ‘Puss In Boots’ in the intimate setting of Stiwdio Stepni.

There will be music, dancing and laughter throughout for the Purrr-fect traditional family pantomime for Christmas!

Tickets are £13 each, £45 for a family of four, or £10 each when booking 10 or more. Last year’s run sold-out very quickly, so you are advised to hurry and get your tickets.

There’s a treat in store for lovers of rock’n’roll as Showaddywaddy arrive at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli as part of their 50th Anniversary concert tour.

Showaddywaddy are billed as ‘The greatest rock ’n roll band in the world’.

It is a bold statement, but Showaddywaddy have lived up to that title for the last five decades!

Formed in 1973 in Leicester from several local bands, they have sold more than 20 million records and have toured all corners of the world.

Their concert will be a dynamic and uplifting show featuring their greatest hits, many of which reached number one in the pop charts of Europe – Under The Moon of Love, Three Steps to Heaven, Hey Rock & Roll, When, Blue Moon, Pretty Little Angel Eyes and many, many more.

The show is on November 18 and tickets are £27 & £26.

In Carmarthen, The Mersey Beatles will be performing at The Lyric Theatre on November 24.

The Mersey Beatles have been rocking sold-out shows around the globe since 1999 with their authentic and widely-acclaimed celebration of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

The band, (who clocked up more than 600 appearances in a 10-year residency at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club) brilliantly exude the inner and outer spirit of the original Fab Four.

From the costumes, instruments, cheeky Scouse wit and, of course, that brilliant era-defining Mersey sound, The Mersey Beatles stunning live stage show is a gloriously presented hit-packed celebration of the music that changed the world.

Throughout two unforgettable hours, they take the audience on a fabulous ride through the ‘mop top’ hits of Beatlemania, the psychedelic creativity of Sgt Pepper to the melodic wonder and energy of the Fab Four’s later work.

Tickets are £25.

In Llanelli, the new Cradle Choir singing group is continuing its great work.

The next session at The Crochan room at Ffwrnes Theatre is on November 7.

You can book via the Ffwrnes box office or through the Theatrau Sir Gar website – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/cradle-choir

The Cradle Choir is for people with dementia, their friends and families.

The Welsh National Opera (WNO) project is guarantees to brighten Tuesday afternoons with some joyous music, singing and laughs among friends!

Visitors don’t need to be able to read music. There are no auditions, no cost, all standards welcome!

To find out more contact Jennifer Hill 029 2063 5063 or 07891 765696 or email: jennifer.hill@wno.org.uk

You can find out more about Cradle Choirs at wno.org.uk/cradle

The project is delivered in partnership with Carmarthenshire Theatres

Meanwhile, Llanelli’s Curtain Up Theatre Company have revealed their plans for Christmas.

They will be performing for two nights at Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli, on Tuesday, December 5, and Wednesday, December 6 (7pm).

The show is called ‘Christmas Magic’ and will feature best loved songs from musical and movies.

The concerts are in aid of the Breakthro charity.

Curtain Up musical director John-Paul Jones said the concerts will feature songs from many iconic Christmas films, including Home Alone, Elf, The Muppets Christmas Carol and White Christmas.

Finally, if you are a fan of ballet, Swan Lake will be coming to The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on November 10.

The Crown Ballet will present Tchaikovsky’s great work.

Swan Lake is regarded as one of Tchaikovsky’s best works, featuring some of ballet’s most memorable music and breath-taking dance.

Swan Lake is a tale of two young women, Odette and Odilie, who resembles each other so strikingly one can easily be mistaken for the other.

It is the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful young woman, he is instantly captivated – will his love prove strong enough to break the evil spell that she is under?

Swan Lake is full of mystery and romance and has captured the imagination of generations over the years and it continues to attract worldwide audiences, young and old.

For more information please visit: www.crown-ballet.co.uk

WE must begin with some sad news for followers of the music and choral scene in west Wales.

It was with great sadness that the members of Lleisiau’r Llan Choir learned of the sad passing of choir conductor Jill Evans.

It was a huge loss and the ‘hiraeth’ for her family, friends and community was considerable.

Jill received her education in Felinfoel Primary School, and later in Llanelli Girls’ Grammar School.

She then trained as a teacher at Cyncoed College in Cardiff.

Her first teaching post was as at Saron Primary School, and later she spent most of her career at Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, where she became the Deputy Head Teacher.

Jill was a highly regarded member of staff and contributed significantly to musical and cultural aspects of school life.

Under her leadership, the school had great success on a county and national level at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

As the co-founder of Lleisiau’r Llan choir, with the late Gaynor Long, Jill was a very accomplished conductor, and insisted on the highest standards as well as ensuring that rehearsals were an enjoyable and entertaining experience.

The choir was formed in 1995 with the intention of meeting together to sing, socialise and raise money for charities.

To date, more than £300,000 has been raised for both national and international charities including the Breast Care Unit at Prince Phillip Hospital, Tŷ Bryngwyn Hospice, Prada Willie Association UK, Maggie’s Swansea, Dementia Wales, the Salt Peter Trust and Llanelli Food Bank.

Under Jill’s direction, the choir has performed in many locations in south Wales.

Over the years, many concerts and different events have been organised, including grand concerts, charity dinners, Christmas carol services and Nosweithiau Llawen.

The choir also accepted invitations to participate in events organised by other societies and competed in Eisteddfodau.

2021 was the Choir’s 25th anniversary. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, it was impossible to make plans to note this special event.

However, in September 2022, a marvellous evening was held at the Diplomat Hotel to celebrate the special anniversary and to raise money for Marie Curie.

The choir presented a cheque of £4,400 to the charity in the 2022 Christmas concert.

Despite our sadness at the loss of our conductor and friend, members of the choir have decided to continue as a mark of respect and tribute to Jill.

A spokesman for the choir said: “We hope that this will prove to be Jill’s legacy to the choral and Welsh cultural life in Llanelli.”

In other news, just days after ‘wowing’ his home fans in Llanelli with a performance at Ffwrnes Theatre, Samuel Wyn-Morris now finds himself touring China.

Sam was one of the stars of the recent Loud Applause Rising Stars ‘Night With The Stars’ production staged at Ffwrnes.

He dashed home to take part in the show after completing rehearsals in London for the touring production of Titanic The Musical.

One of Sam’s roles will be as Frederick Fleet in the popular musical.

Sam recently completed a long series of shows with the UK touring production of Les Miserables, playing the role of Enjolras.

Before his departure for China, Sam said: “Titanic is a wonderful opportunity and a great show and I’m looking forward to the experience of touring China.”

Based on real passenger accounts, the musical premiered six months before the famous 1998 Titanic movie by director James Cameron.

“The musical is very much the beginning of this story, rather than a musical based on the movie,” said Danielle Tarento, the UK producer of the musical.

While the film focused on romance, this production emphasises more on the virtues of humanity.

“It is about a true story that happened. Every character you’ll see on the stage was a real person,” said Tarento when mentioning what makes this story so moving.

The latest touring production in China features a new cast of 25 actors who will play more than 126 roles. The cast includes eight members from the original London cast and 17 veteran West End performers.

All the sets, costumes and lighting have been shipped directly from London’s West End. The 600 costumes featured in the production are from the new movie musical.

Tarento said that the characters become a part of the crowd during the show, allowing the audience to feel as if they are passengers on the ship.

The winner of Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Scenic Design, Titanic The Musical also received a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations and a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Shanghai is the first leg of the production’s China tour. Shows will also be held in other cities including Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing.

Meanwhile, Llanelli’s Curtain Up Theatre Company have revealed their plans for Christmas.

They will be performing for two nights at Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli, on Tuesday, December 5, and Wednesday, December 6 (7pm).

The show is called ‘Christmas Magic’ and will feature best loved songs from musical and movies.

The concerts are in aid of the Breakthro charity.

Curtain Up musical director John-Paul Jones said the concerts will feature songs from many iconic Christmas films, including Home Alone, Elf, The Muppets Christmas Carol and White Christmas.

Finally, if you are a fan of ballet, Swan Lake will be coming to The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on November 10.

The Crown Ballet will present Tchaikovsky’s great work.

Swan Lake is regarded as one of Tchaikovsky’s best works, featuring some of ballet’s most memorable music and breath-taking dance.

Swan Lake is a tale of two young women, Odette and Odilie, who resembles each other so strikingly one can easily be mistaken for the other.

It is the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful young woman, he is instantly captivated – will his love prove strong enough to break the evil spell that she is under?

Swan Lake is full of mystery and romance and has captured the imagination of generations over the years and it continues to attract worldwide audiences, young and old.

For more information please visit: www.crown-ballet.co.uk

HATS off once again to the hard-working ladies of Cor Curiad choir in Llanelli.

Their Christmas By Candlelight concert at St Elli Parish Church on December 1 (7pm) is now officially sold out.

Anyone who has ordered tickets can collect them from the choir’s rehearsal HQ at The Lantern Centre in Hall Street, Llanelli, from 6.15 to 6.45 on Thursday, October 19, and Thursday, October 26.

Anyone who cannot make those times can get in touch with the choir via their Facebook page to arrange ticket collection – https://www.facebook.com/Corcuriad

In Carmarthen, the popular ladies choir called A Choired Taste are staging a rehearsals revival.

New members are welcome to rehearsals on Mondays, 7-9pm, at Christ Church Hall, Carmarthen.

The next rehearsal dates are November 6, November 20 and December 4.

Meanwhile, there’s good news for music fans in the Gwendraeth Valley as Symphonica Tywi get ready to arrive with their 30^th anniversary tour.

They will be performing at Pontyberem Memorial Hall on Saturday, October 21 (7.30pm).

The show is being billed as ‘Stars and Lovers’, a concert of thrilling and passionate music performed by the ‘Orchestra in the West’.

Featured items include the West Side Story Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, Star Wars, The Planets (Mars, Venus and Jupiter) and Rachmaninov’s Adagio Symphony No2.

Tickets are £12, with free admission for under-14s.

Tickets are available from Ticketline on 07876 727906 or mike.cottam@hotmail.com

In other news, Llanelli’s Curtain Up Theatre Company have revealed their plans for Christmas.

They will be performing for two nights at Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli, on Tuesday, December 5, and Wednesday, December 6 (7pm).

The show is called ‘Christmas Magic’ and will feature best loved songs from musical and movies.

The concerts are in aid of the Breakthro charity.

Curtain Up musical director John-Paul Jones said the concerts will feature songs from many iconic Christmas films, including Home Alone, Elf, The Muppets Christmas Carol and White Christmas.

On October 18 and 19, the Linzi Richards Drama Company will be bringing the ‘Annie Jr’ show to Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli. Both performances will be at 7pm.

Annie JR. features everyone’s favourite little redhead in her very first adventure.

Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

At Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on October 20 (7.30pm), Tunde, the Voice of the Lighthouse Family will be on stage.

Tunde Baiyewu is a British singer-songwriter of Nigerian descent and is a member of the multi-platinum selling, Lighthouse Family. Tunde met Paul Tucker when the pair were both studying at university in Newcastle and also working in the bar scene – their partnership began, and they formed Lighthouse Family.

The duo released their debut album Ocean Drive, with the lead single Lifted reaching the top five on the UK Singles Chart. Ocean Drive was certified six-times platinum by the end of 1997, selling more than 1.8 million copies in the UK alone and spending 154 weeks on the UK Album Chart. Lighthouse Family’s follow-up albums achieved similar status, with the band selling over 15 million albums throughout their career.

Tunde’s first self-titled solo album was released in 2004, with his second solo album, Diamond In A Rock, released in 2013.

In 2019, Lighthouse Family released a new album Blue Sky in Your Head. It was the group’s first album in 18 years and was supported with two sell-out UK tours.

More recently, Tunde has been working on a new collection of recordings, inspired by the artists and the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s. Reunited with Lighthouse Family producer Mike Peden, they have recorded a selection of Troubadour influenced songs. Songs recorded are gems written by Elton John, Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor, Leon Russell, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, America, David Gates, Bill Withers, Todd Rundgren and Barry White.

Tickets are £30 & £27.50.

Finally, if you are a fan of ballet, Swan Lake will be coming to The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on November 10.

The Crown Ballet will present Tchaikovsky’s great work.

Swan Lake is regarded as one of Tchaikovsky’s best works, featuring some of ballet’s most memorable music and breath-taking dance.

Swan Lake is a tale of two young women, Odette and Odilie, who resembles each other so strikingly one can easily be mistaken for the other.

It is the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful young woman, he is instantly captivated – will his love prove strong enough to break the evil spell that she is under?

Swan Lake is full of mystery and romance and has captured the imagination of generations over the years and it continues to attract worldwide audiences, young and old.

For more information please visit: www.crown-ballet.co.uk

CALL me daft (people frequently do), but I reckon I’ve come up with a new Game Show idea.

It’s called ‘Challenge the Chairman’ – and it could be coming to a TV near you very soon (once I’ve negotiated the lucrative rights, that is).

The game is based on regular appearances by our civic dignitaries – AKA The Chain Gang.

You know, the men and woman who are our civic leaders, who turn up at anything bigger than the opening of the envelope, wearing enough valuable metal bling to attract the attention of people who deal in industrial-size quantities of scrap.

Down the years, I’ve done a fair bit of teasing when it comes to The Chain Gang of Mayors, Mayoresses, Consorts and Chairmen/Chairwomen.

But, chwarae teg (fair play), they do add some sparkle and status to many civic events and charitable functions.

Some of them are darned good sports, who have survived years of public service with at least some of their sense of humour intact.

Take Councillor Louvain Roberts, the current Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council (I use the word ‘Chairman’ rather than ‘Chairwoman’ as I am old-fashioned and not necessarily politically correct in these things).

At the Bank Holiday Carmarthen River Festival, she was keen to try the ancient craft of coracle fishing – the coracle being a craft used on the famous Tywi since before Roman times.

Having once tried it myself, I can vouch for the fact that paddling and steering a coracle takes years of practice.

But Cllr Roberts is nothing if not bold.

They wouldn’t let her loose on the River Tywi, but she did try her hand on the coracle on a mini-pond at the festival site.

For that, she got a well-deserved round of applause – and the grateful thanks of yours truly for giving me the Challenge the Chairman idea.

Future episodes of this new series are likely to include Chris Peters-Bond, consort to the Mayor of Kidwelly and a member of the civic team at Swansea City Council, being challenged to eat 10 strips of liquorice (in line with the nursery rhyme theme of Hen fenyw fach Cydweli, Little old lady of Kidwelly, who used to sell ‘losin du’ in the ancient town).

This will probably be followed by the Mayor of Neath, Cllr Chris Williams, volunteering to take part in a charity rugby match and turning out at full-back for the Welsh All Blacks at The Gnoll.

Next up, of course, will be the Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr Graham Thomas, who will obviously volunteer for a spot of water-skiing off Mumbles Head!

Yes, I can see Challenge the Chairman has potential.

If you need me, I’ll be over at ITV HQ as I’m sure this TV idea can knock The Chase off the 5pm slot!

IT’S time for a quick diversion into the world of theatre and live entertainment, something which is making a slow and steady recovery from the barren years of coronavirus.

Concerts, plays, comedy night, they all need our support now, more than ever before. Switch off that telly one night and venture out to your local theatre and concert venue. You won’t regret it.

For example, you could try this concert, at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Saturday, September 9, in aid of Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.

Welsh singer-songwriter Cat Llewelyn has spent some time working with Maggie’s in Swansea and is recovering from Neuroendocrine Cancer.

Cat has joined forces with Bex Hazard to form an innovative duo called Zirenz.

They specialise in trance music, pop, and opera, with re-imagined arrangements of well-known opera arias, making “pOpera for the people”.

The concert is being billed as ‘Neuroendocrine Cancer UK presents pOpera by Candleight – Zirenz In Concert’. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Cat and Bex kicked off their career together winning an Honourable Mention Award from the world-renowned John Lennon Song writing competition USA in 2003, with their song Underworld Nation.

In 2021, their track Edge of Space became part of trance music history when it was included in the official A State Of Trance All Time TOP 1000 list ,which is the holy grail of trance and compiled by the five-time ranked world No1 DJ Armin van Buuren.

The show includes a fascinating and eclectic line-up, with the highly-regarded Cantamus Girls Choir from Nottinghamshire, the ever-popular Rock Choir, the Celtic crossover band The Meadows, the multi-award-winning composer and musician Lisa Mears, all joining the enigmatic, award-winning recording artists Zirenz.

Finally, it’s hats off to Swansea actor and author Richard Mylan. His play, Sorter, has been shortlisted for a gong at The Stage Debut Awards. The play, which debuted earlier this year, is based on the Welsh actor’s own experiences with heroin addiction. Richard is in the running for Best Writer at the awards.

Sorter tells the stories of two very different people with addiction in Swansea. The play was the first production from the new theatre company Grand Ambition and was performed at Swansea’s Grand Theatre.

Twitter: @rlloydpr

Latest On Song column from the Carmarthen Journal and the Llanelli Star –

WELSH singer-songwriter Cat Llewelyn is bringing her very different treatment of opera to Llanelli next week.

Cat and Bex Hazard are an innovative duo called Zirenz.

They specialise in trance music, pop, and opera, with re-imagined arrangements of well-known opera arias, making “pOpera for the people”.

The concert, at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Saturday, September 9, is in aid of Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.

Cat is a major supporter of the charity after surviving both Neuroendocrine Cancer of the stomach and Neuroendocrine Cancer of the liver.

The concert is being billed as ‘Neuroendocrine Cancer UK presents pOpera by Candleight – Zirenz In Concert’. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Cat and Bex kicked off their career together winning an Honourable Mention Award from the world-renowned John Lennon Song writing competition USA in 2003, with their song Underworld Nation.

Then, over the last decade as Trance DJ producers and vocalists, Zirenz chalked up No1 and Top 10 successes in the iTunes, Deezer and Beatport Charts with their vocal trance singles and album releases.

In 2021, their track Edge of Space became part of trance music history when it was included in the official A State Of Trance All Time TOP 1000 list ,which is the holy grail of trance and compiled by the five-time ranked world No1 DJ Armin van Buuren.

Cat was first diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer of the stomach in 2007 and treated in London at Queens hospital in Essex at a time when very little was known about this type of cancer.

It was Christmas 2014 when Cat was then diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer of the liver and was treated at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff.

Shortly after this, she met the specialist nurse from Neuroendocrine Cancer UK organisation who held a meeting at Swansea’s Maggie’s Centre. They gave her vital information and continued support to help understand her Neuroendocrine Cancer.

Today, Cat and Bex are published songwriters signed to the award-winning Bucks Music Group alongside a plethora of international writers.

Over the last four years, they have been working on their “pOpera project”, as they combine their love of trance, pop, and opera with re-imagined arrangements of opera arias.

The concert promises to be a must-see event for many reasons.

The show includes a fascinating and eclectic line-up, with the highly-regarded Cantamus Girls Choir from Nottinghamshire, the ever-popular Rock Choir, the Celtic crossover band The Meadows, the multi-award-winning composer and musician Lisa Mears, all joining the enigmatic, award-winning recording artists Zirenz.

Zirenz will bring you their re-imagined arrangements of well-known opera arias, including – Un Bel Di from Puccini’s Madame Butterfly; The Flower Duet from Delibes’ Lakme (the British Airways theme); Vivaldi’s Gloria, featuring the voice of Welsh Opera Tenor Aled Hall; Pie Jesu and Ave Maria.

These and many other classical songs will be set to dance, electro pop beats and sounds.

All performers taking part have donated their services for free and all ticket sales and proceeds from this performance will all be going to the Neuroendocrine Cancer UK Charity – www.neuroendocrinecancer.org.uk

Meanwhile, there’s a splendid concert lined-up for St Maelog’s Church in Llandyfaelog in the Gwendraeth Valley on Sunday, September 3.

Whitland Male Voice Choir will feature and will share the stage with popular soprano soloist Joy Cornock.

Proceeds from the evening will go towards the St Maelog’s Bell Appeal and maintenance fund.

There will be other guest artists on the evening.

Tickets for the concert are £10. Contact Lynwen on 07792956123 for more information.

Upcoming events at Carmarthenshire Theatres (Theatrau Sir Gar) include –

Edwina Hayes will be performing at the Miners’ Theatre in Ammanford on September 8.

Edwina brings together English folk, Americana and the rich Northern singer-songwriter tradition to create a sound that’s truly her own. She’s toured with Jools Holland, Van Morrison, Nanci Griffith and Loudon Wainwright III and played on some of the country’s biggest stages including Glastonbury and the Royal Albert Hall.

Edwina will be supported by The Eclectic Shed Experience.

Carmarthenshire-based band The Eclectic Shed Experience is made up of a trio of musicians – Ron Savory, Liz Crippin and Alan Thomas. Eclectic is the perfect word to describe the music ESE perform; having three songwriters means that there is a great deal of diversity in the style of their songs, and it would be impossible to limit the description of their material to one genre.

Eclectic Shed initially built a following as a duo, performing at festivals all over the UK and abroad. During this time, they shared the stage with luminaries including The Daoiri Farrell trio, Kieran Halpin, Edwina Hayes and Marla and David Celia.

Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. This column appears in the South Wales Evening Post, Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

WHAT’S THE POINT OF A CALENDAR WHEN HALLOWEEN ARRIVES IN AUGUST?

Readers who’ve followed my rambling ruminations for years will know that a handful of irritating things in life are a constant source of ‘Driving me up the wall-ness’ that I’ve returned to time and time again.

One that I regularly moan about – and I know from the feedback I get that I’m not alone here – is the pervasive manner in which large shops and supermarkets encourage people, including those with young families, to spend money on goods they probably can’t afford and could easily live without.

This has been going on for decades, but it’s astonishing it continues during a time when many people are struggling to pay their mortgages, rent and heating bills (Winter is already lurking in the wings, waiting to make its unwelcome return) and are relying on foodbanks to feed their family.

Think about that for a moment.

In 21^st Century Britain, thousands of people, including many who work for the NHS, couldn’t manage to get through the week without being given a box of free food.

I genuinely find that an appalling situation.

I’ve set up this preamble to explain (I hope) the reasons why I was so dismayed to see Halloween goods on sale in a Welsh branch of a UK wide chain store – on August the 14^th!

I won’t mention the store’s name, but it rhymes with Dee and Yem.

I’ve complained in the past about seeing Halloween and Christmas goods vying for space on shop shelves in September – but this was mid-August and the store had devoted a large section to cheap and nasty (not to say scary in some cases) plastic masks, costumes and other ghoulish goods.

I know there’s a generation of children now who absolutely love Halloween (encouraged by retailers of course) and I’m quite prepared to be labelled a killjoy.

But if just a few people diverted the money they might spend on a plastic skull or a Pennywise mask to make a contribution to their local food bank, wouldn’t that, in the spirit of All Hallows Eve, be one in the eye for the Devil?

……………….

Politeness and Appreciation: The Lost Arts?

Dear readers,

Call me old fashioned, but I believe in the power of please and thank you.

It’s amazing how something so simple can brighten someone’s day and create a ripple effect of positivity. Yet, it seems that in today’s fast-paced world, acts of kindness often go unnoticed. Let’s take a moment to reflect on this and share some amusing encounters.

Last week, I witnessed an extraordinary act of chivalry. A young man in a bustling Cardiff shop graciously held the door open for a middle-aged lady. However, to his astonishment, his gentlemanly gesture was met with complete indifference. Undeterred, he simply smiled and continued on his way. Kudos to him for maintaining his kindness despite the lack of acknowledgment!

Our roads, too, have become a stage for unappreciated acts of goodwill.

When I find myself stuck in traffic, I often allow fellow drivers to merge into my lane, if it’s safe to do so.

However, it seems that the art of a simple wave or nod of gratitude is dwindling. Are we becoming a nation of self-absorbed individuals, or are we so engrossed in our own little worlds that we forget the importance of acknowledging politeness and courtesy?

Now, dear readers, I turn to you. Have you experienced similar situations where your kind gestures have gone unnoticed? I invite you to share your stories with me. Whether it’s holding a door open, letting someone merge, or any other act of kindness, I want to hear from you!

And here’s the exciting part: the best story will be rewarded with an incredibly popular gift from Evans HQ! So, put your creative hats on and start writing. Let’s spread some laughter and remind ourselves of the power of politeness and appreciation.

Good luck, and may your stories bring a smile to our faces!