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!

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

CARL Orff’s Carmina Burana is coming to Llanelli on September 30.

Under the musical direction of Piet Zorn, Llanelli Chamber Choir are joining forces with organist William Reynolds, pianist Siân Davies, and percussionists Gareth Hamlin, Huw Griffiths, Graham Bradley, Dave Danford and Alun Hathaway.

So, if you remember the famous tune from the Old Spice advert, then you are already in the right zone.

Just imagine this live performance surrounded by the medieval features of St Elli Church, together with the beautiful voices of the soloists Morgan Summers (soprano) and Kieran Rayner (baritone) bringing an atmospheric performance of Carmina Burana, one of the most iconic compositions of the 20th century.

Llanelli Chamber Choir was founded by Piet Zorn in October, 2021.

The aim of the choir is to bring a variety of classical and traditional music to Llanelli and add to the rich musical culture in south Wales.

The Llanelli Chamber Choir is much more than just performance.

Piet hopes that by providing a space, where people are welcome to sing regularly, this will improve wellbeing and the mental health within our community.

He has ensured that joining the choir is accessible to everyone who has the desire to learn and sing, bringing joy to both the participants and the audience members.

Singing together is a fantastic experience – it can elevate, free up headspace, boost confidence, and keep the mind active.

Piet Zorn is a professional opera singer, vocal teacher, pianist, and composer.

He currently teaches music at a comprehensive school and has many of his private students go on to study singing, theatre and some who have become professional singers themselves.

He graduated with a master’s degree in music education from the Hamburg College of Music and Drama and went on to teach music teachers in Germany before moving to Wales eight years ago.

He has performed in many operas and oratorios both in Germany and Wales. Regular recitals and choral concerts round up his professional career.

Piet’s desire to start a chamber choir in Llanelli filled a gap within the community for this style of music.

You can find out more about the Llanelli Chamber Choir on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090227216918

Meanwhile, Welsh National Opera is delighted to announce a new WNO Cradle Choir in Llanelli, partnering with Carmarthenshire Theatres and Ffwrnes Theatre, where the choir will be based.

Expanding on existing choirs in Milford Haven and Llandeilo, the new branch in Llanelli will broaden the reach of the Cradle Project into more communities across Wales.

WNO Cradle Choirs are choirs for people living with dementia, their friends and families, Cradle Choirs aim to provide fun, inclusive sessions where daily challenges and cares can be left at the door and connections made and enabled through the joy of community singing.

Cradle Choirs have proved to be significant hubs for social connection within the community and encourages participants to step out of their typical daily routine with a dose of singing. Cradle Choir is part of the wider WNO Cradle Project, which seeks to raise awareness of the disease within school children through a variety of workshops.

The new WNO Cradle Choir in Llanelli starts on Tuesday, September 19, initially running for eight weeks.

Sessions are led by David Fortey (Cradle Choir Vocal Leader) and pianist Mark Jones, who will incorporate a wide range of music from stage and screen to folk songs and popular music.

After the session, there are refreshments and an opportunity to socialise with other members of the choir.

On the announcement, WNO Producer Jennifer Hill, said: “We’re delighted to be able to pilot a new Cradle Choir in Llanelli. Members of our existing choirs in Milford Haven and Llandeilo tell us how much they value the companionship and fun they have singing together on a weekly basis and so being able to further extend the reach to another area and a more urban setting is very exciting.

“We’ve been very lucky to have support on the ground from fantastic people and organisations who are embedded in their communities and hope to be able to add to their amazing work.”

Reflecting on previous success with the Llandeilo Cradle Choir, Sue Smith, Community Project Manager for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “The response from the community with the development of a Cradle Choir in Llandeilo has been very positive. The reason it worked so well is not only the ability of a small rural town to access the great partnership with Welsh National Opera but also the dynamic Llandeilo Dementia Friendly Community Group and their ability to draw on community skills to make this sustainable.”

If you would like to find out more about our Cradle Project or are interested in joining one of the choirs, please contact Jennifer Hill at jennifer.hill@wno.org.uk

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.

This is the text of the petition to stop the Home Office using the Stradey Park Hotel for asylum seekers –

Accepted an invitation to contribute to the Jason Mohammad radio phone-in on BBC Radio Wales this morning to discuss the Grand National.

You can hear my bit from about 16.25, but the whole show is here should you want to listen.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001l1q1

My South Wales Evening Post column – http://rlloydpr.co.uk/2023/04/14/south-wales-evening-post-column-april-14-2023/

Looking forward to being the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Men’s Fellowship at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli, this. evening (7pm start).

The topic is being decided later – have to  work out which of my talks the guys have heard before!

Photo is a Russ Myers watercolour.

Greenfield website – https://greenfieldchurch.net/gfwp/

IT’S a fair bet that, come 5.15pm tomorrow, many of you will be tuned in to watch or listen to the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree.

Of course, the Liverpool showpiece race is not to everyone’s taste – and the media has been full of alerts about possible protests at the 175^th annual running of the race.

Each to his own, I say, as everyone is entitled to (peacefully) express their view.

So, forgive me if what follows doesn’t sit well with those of you with strong views about banning horseracing.

Cards on the table – I come from a horsey family, know three Grand National winning jockeys from south Wales (Hywel Davies, Neale Doughty and Carl Llewellyn) and have worked with racehorses and on racecourses.

Activists who claim racing is cruel and want it banned focus on injury and deaths. They make no reference to the wonderful lives that the sport gives so many. Those wanting horse racing banned would effectively be exterminating the thoroughbred breed.

So, when the anti-racing lobby groups bombard you with messages on social media and through more traditional news outlets, consider these bullet points from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Government-recognised, independent body responsible for the regulation of horseracing –

• Racehorses lead an exceptionally high quality of life. They are bred for the sport and benefit from being involved in racing. They receive unparalleled care and attention, the best possible feed, bedding, facilities and a healthy lifestyle involving regular exercise.
• The 20,000-plus horses in Britain who race over the course of a year receive almost constant attention from the 6,000-plus stable staff who are dedicated to their care.
• While the sport carries some risk for its participants – as with all sporting activities or activities involving animals – this level of risk is very low and is outweighed by the benefits of racing, not only to humans but to horses, too.
• Over the last 20 years British Racing has invested more than £40 million in veterinary research and education with funding invested by the Horserace Betting Levy Board and, more recently, the Racing Foundation. The sport’s substantial investment in veterinary research and education brings benefits for all breeds of horse in Britain.
• The number of horses that have suffered fatal injuries on racecourses has decreased to just 0.21% of runners over the last 20 years. (Consider at the same time this random fact: every year in the UK, there are apparently 1.2 billion land animals slaughtered for human consumption)
• Faller rates during jump races have decreased to just 2.25%, their lowest figure on record as a result of initiatives to make racecourses and jump racing safer.
• No trainers or jockeys are licensed by the BHA unless they are proven to be suitable persons to look after or ride racehorses and they are subject to strict welfare standards.
• No racecourse is licensed, and no racing can take place unless the premises and facilities meet strict BHA equine welfare criteria, which far exceed those demanded by animal welfare legislation.
• There are minimum numbers of vets who officiate at every fixture. For example, at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival there were six Veterinary Officers and eight Veterinary Surgeons and every runner was checked by a vet before competing.
• The sport takes steps to look after horses at all stages of their lives, from the mandatory microchipping and registration of a foal within 30 days of its birth, through to the sport’s own charity – Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) – which is responsible for developing longer‐ term, sustainable solutions to the question of what happens to horses when they finish racing by generating a demand for these horses across a range of equine disciplines.
• Partly through the work of RoR, and due to the adaptability and versatility of the thoroughbred as a breed, an active market for the rehoming and retraining of racehorses has developed. Tens of thousands of former racehorses go on to fulfilling second careers ranging from polo, eventing, dressage, horseball and team chasing, right through to happy hacking and supporting equine therapy programmes for humans.

TV commentator Kevin Blake this week summed up how everyone in the racing industry feels about the Grand National –

‘For all the risks involved in the race, in a world that is being increasingly watered down by health and safety bores, there are no more thrilling 10-minute spectacles in sport than the Aintree Grand National. Racing should be proud to have it as our mainstream showcase and shouldn’t be afraid to celebrate it openly.’

You can find out more about equine welfare and the use of the whip in horseracing on the BHA website at https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/horse-welfare-british-racing/

PS: Reluctant as I am to give a tip for the big race, you might try 20p Each-Way on Longhouse Poet, currently a 14-1 shot with some bookmakers. Just back it for fun, so please don’t bet the farm on the gelding from Ireland.