Blog

I was recently engaged in a meeting with a mate in North Wales and travelled back down through Mid Wales.  As we were driving through Newtown we passed the train station and I happened to glance at the train and the bored commuters.  When lo and behold, I spotted the almost extinct Newtown Panda.  I kid you not.  There was a life-sized Panda sat in a seat on the train (and no, I hadn’t been drinking).  It must be a…

Much has happened over the Season of Good Will to All Men (and Women). Here’s an extract for you starting with a career development interview genuinely overheard in my local pub, The Foot-in-Mouth, between a disgruntled lady employee and her boss. I emailed this to myself having typed it into my phone in “real time” as the drama unfolded: “I don’t want to mention individuals’, I just keep my head down and avoid contact.” What about Shirley then? “Oh, she’s…

So I was in Sainsbury’s, Swansea Marina, hard at another well-deserved sandwich when one of life’s annoying little cameos developed in front of me.  Why is it that some people insist on sitting at a dirty and un-cleared table rather than find another one which is ready for occupation? Anyway, a wife who was very much in charge, sat husband down amongst somebody else’s dirty crockery and then proceeded to complain many times about the dirty table. Eventually the husband, in…

Love comes in all shapes, sizes and colours, which is why Carluccio’s is spreading the amore further this Valentine’s Day. Celebrate the day of love with a sweetheart, family or a best friend by poring over a chocolate-lover’s dream of smooth gianduja, moreish biscuit kisses and the classically-elegant chocolate rose, encased in gift set graphics inspired by iconic Italian brand Fiorucci. Carluccio’s Valentine’s collection has received an injection of Eighties nostalgia with neon lettering, graffiti prints and sharing boxes decked…

February is the month of love with Valentine’s Day upon us and shops laden with hearts, flowers and shelves of cards and gifts sporting ‘lovey dovey’ messages. Whether you love it, hate it, tolerate it or ignore it, I imagine you are definitely aware of it. But, whatever your marital status or attitude towards Valentine’s Day, I propose an idea this February – to show a little love to someone very special in your life – yourself. If there is…

My Dear Chums, Here’s another little story of big business and the way it operates from the shadows.  Upon a recent visit to a large supermarket with the Sainted Mother-in-Law, she dropped a jar of honey which she had secreted in her coat (only kidding).  It conveniently failed to bounce.  She then looked for an assistant and explained what had happened.  She was advised that no instore cleaner would be available for many hours (this being late morning) because the…

Le Cordon Bleu the world-leading culinary school has announced that they will be launching the UK Scholarship Award this year. They will be travelling the country and hosting exclusive events in different regions. These events are a great opportunity to find out more about Le Cordon Bleu and the UK Scholarship Award, and also a way for potential entrants to experience a taster of life at the prestigious school, with exclusive culinary demonstrations from Le Cordon Bleu London’s renowned Master…

FANCY a night of rocking riffs from some of the greatest bands to ever have rocked the earth?Well, get ready to turn the amps up to 11 as The Classic Rock Show: A-Z of Rock thunders through St David’s Hall, Cardiff, next Thursday (16 February) at 7.30pm. Now in its seventh year, this foot-stomping and fist-pumping extravaganza celebrates the ‘Alphabet of Rock’ with soaring solos and killer chords! Relive some of the most memorable six-string sounds from AC/DC, Aerosmith, The Eagles,…

My Dear Chums, It’s Election Time again and I have a number of comments to make.  So let’s start with our recent Assembly Elections?  I should emphasise at this point that I have no particular political affiliation but I have a number of overseas clients and trying to explain to them the outcome of the Election made me look at what really happened in a more critical way. The turnout was 45% of those entitled to vote.  This meant that…

My Dearest Chums, Is it just me or is there more than a passing resemblance between Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes to Hollywood fame and our World no 1 rugby referee Nigel Owens? Talking of singers, what about Gloria Leicester Fan?  Very popular of late. Staying with showbiz, I read that the recently departed David Gest was in the UK to tour in his musical show “David Gest Is Not Dead, But Alive With Soul”.  I must confess to having…