It is with sadness but also a sense of achievement that I’m announcing the closure and deletion of Kernow bys vyken.
The original thinking was to create a Sunday supplement type site, but over the past year it has become a distraction from my main creative focus, my fiction writing. Rather than carry on posting less and less, I’ve decided to do an Elsa and let it go.
My blogging will continue but centre on Lowena House Books.
Here the focus will be writing, of all types in different formats and will continue to feature short stories. I will be continuing to have a Cornish element to the site although this will now be about Cornish writing and culture. The musical element will now switch to looking at songwriters and lyrics. Sitcom heaven will also move.
Thank you to everyone who’s viewed, commented or subscribed. I hope you will understand that my bipolar means I have to be careful about trying to do everything. The result is overwhelming burnout and nothing is done. This way I can concentrate on my enthusiasm for writing and hopefully put out interesting content for anyone who wants to read it.
Thank you for your support and I hope my remaining blog will go forward and prove this decision was correct.
A scene from County Kerry. Photo: RhazinGG from wallhere.com
St Patrick’s Day usually occurs around the time the Six Nations rugby tournament concludes. Last year was an especially joyous time for the Irish as they won the Grand Slam. Yesterday, Irish eyes were smiling again, as they completed the defence of their title. 🏉
Away from the sport, there was a programme celebrating Irish popular music at the BBC last night. It was great, songs from the Cranberries, the Pogues, Sinead O’Connor, U2, the Saw Doctors, Ash and the Undertones amongst others. It highlighted the verve and imagination of Irish musical culture and that’s before you look at Irish folk music.
Ireland is also a literate country producing great writers like James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Lawrence Sterne, Oscar Wilde, Edna O’Brien, Maeve Binchy and Miriam Keyes. Irish people seem to enjoy talking as well as writing. This has translated into producing talented natural broadcasters like Gloria Hunniford, Terry Wogan, Patrick Kielty, Graham Norton and Angela Scanlon.
Irish television comedy has a rich seam of content to enjoy from Dave Allen’s freewheeling monologues to the hilarious antics of the Derry Girls. The surreal fantasy of Father Ted always makes me smile, as does Sharon Horgan’s relatable and funny Motherland.
Of course we can’t talk about Ireland without discussing its troubled history. Like many places, the decisions made by leaders of the past have affected the people living in Northern Ireland and Eire today. It is a credit to the ordinary people, the peacemakers, the innovators and the artists that the island of Ireland has become more peaceful and forward-looking. Long may this continue.
We visited Southern Ireland around Easter 2000. We travelled from Rosslare to the Ring of Kerry and back again. We visited Wexford, Dungarvan, Waterford and its famous crystal factory, BlarneyCastle, Cork and spent Easter weekend in Killarney.
It was a memorable trip, wet at times as the climate is similar to Cornwall. However, the welcome from the B and B owners, the food and the scenery were wonderful.
Today, there will be much joy and family celebration as St Patrick’s Day ☘️ falls on a Sunday. Happy St Patrick’s Day to one and all.
As is my wont when I’m in the kitchen, I often have BBC Radio 4 on. After an interesting book of the week, 10:00 means it is time for Woman’s Hour. Today the venerable Radio 4 institution was presented by Anita Rani.
There was the usual mix of topics and interviews. They started with the surprise news of former Prime Minister Teresa May’s decision to step down as a MP at the next election. Whatever you think of her tenure as PM, there’s no doubting her commitment to Maidenhead and her constituents. Her work with other charities on tacking modern slavery is to be commended.
An unofficial Woman’s World Cup in Mexico in 1971 was largely forgotten by history. A new film, Copa 71, tells the story of the young women who were ignored by the English football establishment. The Mexicans wanted more football after their successful staging of the 1970 Men’s World Cup and wondered why their wasn’t a Women’s version, FIFA refused to ratify it. Undeterred the organisers set it up themselves. An English side went out and played in front of crowds of 100.000, while their training sessions were watched by local children. You’ll have to watch the film to see how England got on!
As the father of three daughters it is important to me that girls and women are able to live their lives without fear. Men need to responsibility for their behaviour towards women. Even this week, we heard some dreadful banter about the girlfriends in the lives of a group of young men on the bus.
It is unacceptable and the males in society need to take responsibility for their behaviour to woman. They must realise the need to change their attitude towards and treatment of women. Woman just want respect, equality and to be treated as valued members of their family and communities.
In my current work in progress, my main character is an alien who visits our dimension. She has to become a humanoid female to survive and in one of the acts of the novel she ends up as a nightclub owner in the 1940s during the London Blitz.
In this scene she’s talking to her new boyfriend – Brad the nightclub pianist – after a passionate experience…
It was the most intimate connection two people could make, thought Verity.
Both needed to consent and give themselves completely and unselfishly to the other. Her brain was trying to remember every aspect of their lovemaking as each moment had brought new sensations and emotions.
“Hmm, you did get carried away,” she murmured. “They do say watch the quiet ones. That felt… nice, I can sense happy hormones racing round my brain.”
Brad for his part was overwhelmed. He heard the guys discussing sex, but compared to this experience, their boasts of recent conquest were totally inadequate to describe the connection he felt towards her after their intimacy.
He wanted to be with her for the rest of their lives. He didn’t care whether she was French, coloured or even an alien. She was gorgeous and clever and witty and talented too, of course he was hooked.
He turned to her and whispered, “Vert, your beautiful. Thank you for making my first time so magical. Would you consider being my lover on a permanent basis?”
“Ooh, you forward young man, you’ve made me feel quite touched by your proposal. My body is yours and your body is mine, but no proposals of marriage please. I’m not up for that. You need to commit to a human, not a flighty old Maestrin like me.”
“Is that what you are? A Maestrin, a visitor from another world?”
“Yes Brad, now we’d better get some sleep.”
“Aren’t you worried about your reputation?”
“Are you? You’ve just made love with a beautiful female. I’m allowed to choose to mate with whoever I like, and I chose you. Let them gossip, Brad. Now, goodnight my old fashioned lover boy.”
She kissed him and then turned away pulling the blanket over her naked form.
“I’m gonna keep asking you every Valentine’s day. But Vert, if you leave and I go back to the States broken-hearted. When I’m an old man – sitting on a swingseat on a porch in Florida – holding hands with a lovely, all American girl. I will always remember my first time with you. Thank you for choosing me.”
“You’re welcome, just ensure you’re as tender and generous a lover to her, as you are to me. Treasure us females, without us there would be no men.”
“You really say it like it is, that’s what I like about you.”
“Shh… snuggle up and go to sleep.”
And that’s the message of this post to us men. Treasure the females in your life. Support them. Try to say and do things that make them feel valued. Whoever they are: grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, granddaughters or work colleagues. Those women you encounter in everyday life: the cashier behind a till in a shop, the doctor in your local surgery, rhe teacher who educates your child, lawyer who drafts your contracts the woman repairing your plumbing and the woman driving you by bus or taxi.
Be kind and show them the respect they are entitled to. And guys, try not to mansplain!.
Today was Cornwall’s national day named after St Piran, who became the patron saint of tin miners.
Now, although I am not Cornish, I have great respect for the people, history, traditions and language of the county. I’ve been visiting Cornwall since I was five in 1978. In 2000, I got married at Redruth Baptist Church and have lived here for 22 years. My children and granddaughter were born in Truro. I may not be Cornish, but I am very much a local.
Cornwall is unique. Its landscape, surrounded by the sea on three sides. The first and last county in England. With little towns and villages dotted around the countryside, Cornwall has been inhabited since the Bronze age and even earlier.
Cornwall’s towns all have different characters from Penzance at the end of the rail network with its lido and views of St Michael’s Mount via tin-mining country and industrial powerhouses of Redruth and Camborne to the administrative capital, Truro with its three spired cathedral. And that’s just four of them.
Cornwall has its difficulties like everywhere in the UK at the moment. Housing, the environmental pollution of our seas, low pay and the NHS: lack of dentists, overwhelmed gp surgeries and mental health services. It’s not easy for ordinary people.
That said, the Cornish are a resolute, entrepreneurial and imaginative people and outsiders are attracted to the county by this inspirational spirit. All of us who live can here work in our small way to make things better.
On this day, we remember how blessed we are to live here, both the Cornish and incomers too can shout: Cornwall Forever!
Our politicians are our elected representatives who govern us. They make decisions about everything that concerns us as citizens. They debate the state of the country, they create the law and cross-examine those in charge of our institutions and companies. Some governments have even decided the direction of a country for a generation.
Why are so many MPs feckless, incompetent and have lost sight of their duties as public servants? Of course, it’s the bad apples who taint the whole barrel. However, it is clear that the next government has an opportunity to raise the quality of debate, to take seriously the crucial issues that matter to us all and above all be honest with us
The British people need honesty about what is possible and what is not. We also need a clear vision from the next government. Finally, the next administration must do their best to improve the lives of the ordinary citizens of this country who have been through austerity, Brexit, a pandemic, a breakdown in world order and a cost of living crisis.
We must ask the candidates as they bombard us with flyers and doorstop visits:
Where is your party going to take the country?
If elected, name three practical steps your government will take to make our lives better?
How are you going to support my locality?
What will be your priorities as a new MP?
Of course expecting any government to tackle even one of the many challenges of the mid-2020s is a big ask. No party has all the answers, no party leader is going to get everything right and we need to do our part too. More on our duties as citizens in coming weeks.
In the A Little Bit of Politics section of the site over 2024, I’ll be looking at different issues and what could be done. I’m not going to look at the problems, I’m going to look at what works, what doesn’t and what solutions could be implemented. This is an important year for the United Kingdom and indeed the world.
Let’s hope that things can only get better…
I’ll end with some apposite lyrics taken from Billy Joel’s hit, Honesty.
Ben Elton’s well-known catchphrase introduces the political column for the site. I make no apology for discussing politics. It impinges on every part of our daily lives. I’m not going to be party political, my aim is to look at the issues.
Topics I hope to look at in 2024 include:
The UK Constitution, Education, Health, Finance, the Environment, Defence, Culture, Housing, Britain and the world and Immigration and Community pride amongst others.
I don’t intend to take these subjects in a dry, analytical way. I’ll include quotes, musical references and satire.
Politics is everyone’s business because the decisions taken by governments and MPs affect us all.
March is a busy month for Celtic saints. We begin today as March 1st is St David’s Day, who is the patron saint of Wales. I have enjoyed my visits to Wales. 🏴
My first visit was when my class teacher, Mrs Arch and the headteacher, Mr Pitson took Y6 to Capel Y Ffin youth hostel. Unfortunately, it’s no longer a hostel however, I have great memories of my stay.
We visited the Raglan Castle, the Big Pit Mining museum at Blaenavon, a woollen mill and a salmon fishery. We also explored Hatterall Ridge, near Llanthony Priory and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
It was a magical school trip. When we returned we created our own project book about our trip. We also did an assembly for our parents where we sang the Welsh national anthem in English. At the end of the assembly as a surprise for our headteacher we sang it again in Welsh! He was not expecting it, and was kind enough to compliment our efforts.
I can still remember the chorus of the anthem— as sung with pride during the current Six Nations rugby tournament.
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad, Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau, O bydded i’r heniaith barhau.
I am also fond of the marvellous Welsh hymn tunes including Hyfrydol orI will Sing the Wondrous Storywhich we had at our wedding.
I’ll leave the final words to Cerys Matthews and Catatonia who in their song from the album International Velvet declared: ‘Every day, when I wake up, I thank the Lord I’m Welsh!’
Bob dydd pan fydda i’n deffro dwi’n diolch i’r Arglwydd dwi’n Gymro
Valentine’s Day has been and gone and for some people it’s a difficult time. I was single for ten years and it passed me by completely. Ten years of ‘have you got a nice girlfriend?’ from well-meaning relatives! Single people are often looked down on by those in pairs as peculiar or selfish and yet…
For some it is an ideal state, they have all their time and energy to pursue their passions. Some of the most unselfish and hardworking people are single. They are able to dedicate their enthusiasm to helping others, protecting wildlife, invention or research. Some focus on successful careers and while others devote their time to charity.
Love is a single word that describes a whole gamut of relationships and emotional states. We can love a food, have brotherly love for a comrade soldier in our unit, romantic love for the boy/girlfriend, parental love for a child, express love for a good friend or even love for an inanimate object like our car!
One word, with a myriad of complex patterns and relationships. No wonder it’s been the focus of much of our creative output as a species. Literature, art and music have all attempted to express the various faces of love.
This musical trip through lover’s lane illustrates the many moods and types of love in our relationships.
1 Love : Petra
A musical interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13 vs 4-8: the high standard Christian’s need to aspire to show in speech and action. As everyone is imperfect, we fall short, but Christians especially should always endeavour to show love in action.
2 She makes my day : Robert Palmer
A song I’ve loved for years. I was blessed enough to meet her and next year we celebrate 25 years of marriage.
3 Kiss me : Sixpence None the Richer
Our song. The song that was in the charts when we got engaged. A sweet escapist song.
4 Only you : Yazoo
A simple but beautiful marriage of Alison Moyet’s soulful singing and Vince Clark’s plaintive melody and lyrics.
5 Mad about the boy : Dinah Washington
Noel Coward’s classic has been sung by many over the years. Although written about pining about an unattainable movie star it gets to the heart of that yearning to be with someone.
5 I want love : Elton John
A song for people everywhere who’ve lost hope of ever finding someone. The song can also describe seeking uncomplicated love from a good friend. I think it also speaks to those who’ve had rotten relationships and want something better.
6 There’s more to love than boy meets girl: The Communards
A risky song on its release in the 1980s in the UK. It resonates and speaks for many young people and older people who have hidden their identities and suppressed their love. The song’s lyrics are still relevant today.
7 Love is a stranger : The Eurythmics
A haunting take on obsession and the dangers of letting love blind you to unsuitable relationships.
8 Thin line between love and hate : The Persuaders
A strange choice but important, as it explores an unfortunate truth. Relationships need to be nurtured or they can wither into a seething ball of rage and resentment. Douglas ‘Smokie’ Scott sings the tale of a relationship where love has fractured with terrible consequences.
A beautiful multi-layered song with Tracy Thorn’s lyrics sung by her with such emotion. My interpretation is that it’s about how we need to protect the vulnerable. Even when we don’t want to get involved, although we can’t change the way they feel, we can put our arms around them…
10 All together now : The Farm
‘War! What is it good for? absolutely nothing’. However in devastation there is hope. The song describes the moment when soldiers united and celebrated their common humanity.
11 How can I tell you : Madness
A parent telling their child they love them and trying to advise them on the potential perils as they step into adult life. You always love your child, no matter how old they are, although sometimes you don’t love what they do.
12 He ain’t heavy he’s my brother : The Hollies
A rousing ballad about supporting those in need. Who is my brother or sister in need? Just open your eyes. ‘They’re worthy of your concern’. A song about family too, how families support each other through the bad times.
13 Treat her right : Lennie LeBlanc
I found this one recently. It just sums up perfectly how you should treat the ones you love. Standing by them through the storms of life.
14 Little Bit of Love : J P Cooper
That’s all everyone needs: recognition, support and not to be left dancing on their own.
‘I’ve seen highs and I’ve seen lows, I’ve taken shots, I’ve taken blows
They give me strength, they gave me hope, When I’m alone, oh
Sometimes everybody needs a little bit of love.’
15 Love moves in mysterious ways : Julia Fordham
There are countless examples of love overcoming evil. This song can be interpreted on many levels besides purely being about romantic love.
A Cornish Camelia : A. Kernow
The Aspects of Love playlist to explore.
Of course we can’t talk about love songs without noting the sad death of Steve Wright, talented DJ and broadcaster. Thank you for all the poptastic memories, Steve. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Finally, love is not some weak emotion for the feeble-minded nor an airy nebulous feeling we think about once a year. Love is hard work. Treating others as we wish to be treated ourselves is a challenge, however the alternative to love is hate.
Hate gets us nowhere. Show love to those around you with your actions and the way you speak to them. If you get it wrong, say sorry and mean it. What does love look like to you?
Activities and bands will be found at several venues throughout the town. The parade and the Trelawney Shout are the main business of the day. Let’s hope the weather is kind.
Kernow bys vyken! 