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Phil Evans

Blog posts

The latest Phil Evans column

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

………………………….

DRIVING ME CRAZY

As many more things irritate me now than 10 years ago, I think I’ve developed something that’s not mentioned in any medical dictionary – Low Tolerance Syndrome.

While I can tolerate background music in restaurants, I become infuriated when music from a radio in the adjacent kitchen creates the teeth-grinding cacophony of two different tunes playing at the same time. 

Because it’s absolute torture to me, after only a few minutes I’ve been known to blurt out, “You’ll only get my name, rank and serial number, you Nazi swine!”

Restaurant staff are oblivious to it, because when I complain they tilt their heads to one side . . . listen . . . and say, “Oh, yes. I can hear it now!”

Other drivers drive me crazy, too.

Driving a car during busy periods in Swansea is like being in a war zone because, in a war, you never tell your enemy your next move.

That’s probably why most drivers don’t use indicators.

Please tell me I’m not the only one seeing this. Is it any wonder that road rage is on the increase?

Very few road users have the time and patience for cyclists who whizz along our roads . . . and our pavements and canal tow paths, too, from what I’ve seen!

Motorists are in such a rush, safety goes out the window.

I’ve seen some ridiculous overtaking manoeuvres this week – the drivers in question risking their lives and those of other drivers just to get one space ahead.

It’s part of today’s “I’mmore important than you, mate!” selfishness.

But things could be changing . . .

North Wales Police have introduced a scheme named ‘Operation Snap’ that encourages drivers to submit dash cam footage of bad and reckless driving, including another thing that drives me crazy when I see it – idiots using their mobile phones when driving.

Let’s hope this idea is rolled-out throughout the UK, lowers accident figures and keeps us safe on the roads.

——————

So, the Christmas decorations are all down and safely stored away. When you think about it, Christmas is just a cardboard box in the attic now!

By the end of this week, it is most likely that I would have broken at least three of my New Year resolutions – and probably four of the Ten Commandments.

Why is it we head into January full of good intentions, yet find it so hard to stick to our goals?

On the 31stDecember I filled the fridge with salad and ironed my running vest.

By the 2ndJanuary, I’m sitting in a well known coffee franchise, writing this column while sampling their freshly baked goodies and cream topped hot chocolate.

At least I lasted one more day than last year.

For many, January is the time of year when we feel in ‘limbo’.

The fun and excitement is over and the harsh reality of paying for an elaborate Christmas hits home.

There’s one question I always ask myself during the Christmas period: Whatever happened to soap on a rope?

——————-

You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and www.philevans.co.uk

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Phil Evans

Blog posts

The latest Phil Evans column

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

………………………….

And so we say “Farewell” to another year.

Or, if you’re a Welsh speaker . . . “Hwyl Fawr!”

If you’re a Russian sleeper spy who’s been living undercover in West Wales for decades disguised as a Welsh speaker, you might whisper “Doh-Svee-Dan-Ya” in a Ceredigion accent – not something you hear every day.

Except at chucking-out time at Lampeter’s so-called ‘Stamp Collectors Social Club’ which is actually a front for a cabal of Soviet spies – something the locals have known since they discovered that to become a member (A) you have to complete the application form in Russian and (B) membership is only open to people who’ve been awarded the Order Of Lenin.

Something Ihaveheard every day lately is, “I didn’t think much of the TV programmes over Christmas and New Year!”

It’s difficult for me to make a judgement, mainly because I sat down with my mammoth Christmas edition of the Radio Times and a pen on December 24th, ready to plan my viewing over the next week – and by the time I’d gone through its 292 pages (a small forest was sacrificed to make every copy) filled with thousands of TV and radio programmes and marked-off what I wanted to watch and listen to, it was New Year’s Eve.

I found the enormous line-up of old and new films, Christmas ‘specials’, game shows, sitcoms, comedy panel shows, children’s animations, music shows, ballets, documentaries etc completely overwhelming and absolute proof that it ispossible to have too much of a good thing.

I’ve wanted to de-clutter my busy life for some time, so made the first move on January 1st. Even though it contained details of programmes yet to be broadcast, I dropped the Christmas Radio Time into the re-cycling.

Yes it took courage . . . but I did it!

Why don’t you de-clutter your life in 2018?

At least until December when the Christmas Radio Times arrives . . .

——————

Waitresses and waiters have a tough job.

Like me, they aim to give people an enjoyable experience.

However, when I finish my act, no one’s ever given me a tip . . . except oncein a club in Ruthin’s notorious downtown quarter when a bearded, six-foot seven audience member with cauliflower ears (wish I could remember her name) said “I’ve got a tip for you, Phil. Change . . . your . . . occupation!’

In cafes or restaurants my comedy radar’s always picking up the unintentionally amusing things people say, whether they’re fellow diners or waiting staff.

Recently I went out for a meal with three friends.

Our young waitress was pleasant and professional – but every time she brought a dish to our table, she’d say “Theeere you go!” in a high-pitched voice.

And as we all had three courses, that’s a lot of “Theeere you gos!”

By the time we got desserts I was biting my knuckles, because even when we’d asked for a clean fork or a spare napkin, when she brought it she’d squeak. “Theeere you go!”

After leaving a generous tip – because waiting at table is hard work and she was very attentive – we walked to the door and I turned to her, smiled and said . . .

“Heeere we go!”

——————-

You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and www.philevans.co.uk

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News

Touch of Mexicana leads the new products at Jenkins Bakery

Posted By RobertLloyd58

There’s a touch of Mexicana leading the new products being launched by the Jenkins Bakery.

The new products hit the shops on Monday (July 31).

They are –

Mexicana Cheese & Salsa Wrap – £2:60

BLT with Applewood Cheese Sandwich – £2:75

and

Mallow filled Oyster Wafer (“Ollie the Oyster”) – £1:00

Operations director Russell Jenkins said: “Our team at our bakery HQ in Trostre are always keen to try new products. We like to do plenty of market research to see what new taste sensations our customers fancy trying.

“This week, we have three new products making their debut on the shelves.

“The Mexican Cheese Salsa wrap is a tortilla wrap with spicy fire-roasted tomato sauce and spicy Mexicana Cheese. Mexicana cheese is a red Farmhouse cheddar cheese with bell peppers and Hot Chilli spices.

“The BLT with Applewood Cheese is on Multiseed bread with Reggae Reggae spicy sauce, rashers of streaky bacon, Lettuce, Sliced tomato and Applewood Smoked Cheese. Applewood cheese is a smooth textured Farmhouse cheddar with a delicate smoky flavour finished with a hint of paprika.

“Ollie the Oyster is a mallow filled oyster shell wafer with a mini chocolate egg “pearl”. Ollie is also dipped in milk chocolate and coated with coloured sprinkles. A treat for children – young and old!”

Mr Jenkins added: “We look forward in receiving valuable feedback from our customers about what they think about our new products.”

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News

Jenkins Bakery launch new recipe for cheese and onion pastie

Posted By RobertLloyd58

The cheese and onion pastie is one of the most popular snacks in the Jenkins Bakery product range.

Our bakers have just completed extensive research and testing at the Jenkins Bakery HQ in Trostre, Llanelli – and have come up with a new recipe.

The new recipe cheese and onion pastie has been released gradually through our shops.

The secret recipe contains a more mature cheese – but the full recipe remains a closely guarded secret!

Russell Jenkins, operations director at Jenkins Bakery, said: “We are always very aware of how our customers love our traditional products. We put a lot of care and attention to detail into our recipes and only change recipes after giving some very thoughtful consideration.

“We hope our customers enjoy the new cheese and onion pastie.

“And, of course, we will be interested in receiving their views.

“Please let us know what you think about the new recipe.

“We are a family bakery with a long proud history, but we are also a bakery continually striving for improvement. The cheese and onion pastie is one of our most popular products and we hope it is a hit with our customers.”

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News

Jenkins Bakery work to help Cancer Research UK campaign

Posted By RobertLloyd58

The team at Jenkins Bakery will next week (July 15) launch the firm’s annual campaign to support Cancer Research UK Breast Cancer Awareness.

The annual campaign runs during the rest of July.

The bakery has launched a new cupcake with a special Pink Ribbon motif.

The product will be in Jenkins Bakery shops from Saturday, July 15, and will run for two weeks.

The Jenkins Bakery will donate 10p for every cupcake sold.

There will also be collection tins in each shop.

Individual shops will be arranging local events in-store to support Cancer Research UK.

Russell Jenkins, operations director at Jenkins Bakery said: “We always like to do our bit to support charity whenever we can.

“We have been running charity campaigns to support Cancer Research UK for a number of years and they have been hugely successful.

“Our customers appreciate the effort we make – and our shop assistants go the extra mile to dress up in colourful costume and arrange special events to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“A big thank you goes to our customers, who always provide massive support for our charity campaigns.”

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News

Help Age Cymru Sir Gâr in Tesco Bags of Help appeal

Posted By RobertLloyd58

Age Cymru Sir Gâr in Carmarthenshire have applied to the Tesco Bags of Help scheme and needs your support to help win up to £4,000 to help us support older people with new technology.
Ann Dymock, chief officer of Age Cymru Sir Gâr, explained –
“Tesco donates all the 5ps that they charge for carrier bags to a charitable cause. Age Cymru Sir Gâr are in the final 3 for July 2017 and details about the charity and the work it wants to achieve with funding help from Tesco will be displayed in its Carmarthenshire stores throughout July.
“To help us win the £4,000 for the charity to help older people learn how to engage with new technology please vote for us. All you need to do is to make a purchase of any value from a Tesco store. You will receive one token per transaction (you may need to ask for the token) and it’s not necessary to purchase a carrier bag in order to receive a token. At the front of the store there will be three bins where you can place your blue token. Just pop the token into the one that says Age Cymru Sir Gâr and that gains us one vote.
“If your local Tesco does not have an Age Cymru Sir Gâr box and you’ve got tokens that you would like to use, please drop them into the office or ring and let us know and a member of staff can take them to our local Tesco and put them in the Age Cymru Sir Gâr box for you.
“We need your votes. Please ask friends and neighbours to support us, too.”

For more information on the Tesco bags of help, please click on the link below –
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/tescocommunityscheme/pages/Category/the-tesco-bags-of-help-programme-tes2
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