Pittsburgh reminded me in so many ways of my home region especially Port Talbot. In some ways the regeneration of that old steel town gave me hope that with the right investment and leadership our old steel town could once again rise from the ashes but…
The temperature is still hovering around 80 degrees and all I can hear coming from the bar is the sound of Welsh hymn singing. The accents all mingle together with the vowels and drawl of Ohio, Pennsylvania and California mixing in a cocktail with Swansea, Ynys Mon and Brecon. This is the North American Festival of Wales and I love it
Greenbelt was the first time I met Cliff Richard, although I’m sure he wouldn’t care to remember, and try as I might I really can’t forget. The mainstage acts get to use portaloos. Etiquette demands you stare straight ahead but above the little bowls there were mirrors for the artistes to check themselves as they prepared to go on stage. I foolishly took a quick glance at the mirror and there was Cliff!
When you think again it, you know stepping back dispassionately, kissing really does seem a rather odd thing to do to another human being.
Standing late at night at a Swansea bus stop I knew it was only a matter of time before the advert for my Golden Jubilee Celebration Concert at Swansea Arena would appear. When it did I stood up and started to take a selfie. ‘Mate’, said my new friend, ‘that’s you!’. To be honest it wasn’t a hard connection to make. I actually had the same hat, jacket, t shirt as well as similar glasses on as I was wearing in the poster.
It was dark by the time we walked out of the studio. As we left I must admit I pinched myself to make sure that I wasn’t dreaming and smiled to myself at another amazing chance with work with some of the greats.
Talking Pictures is a shining example that having passion and a stubbornness not to take no for an answer can sometimes make the wildest dreams come true.
Realising that we are ignorant, that there are still many unknown unknowns maybe the start of humility when it comes to dealing with people and our world.
I think two different images will stay with me as I look back at a momentous week. The shortest serving Prime Minister in history Liz Truss lost her seat on Thursday. She left the stage as soon as she could without saying a word. Then there was Andy Murray losing on Centre Court but cheered to the rafters. Sir Andy Murray we will miss you, as for the others…I’ll leave that up to you.
