I know I have been given many wonderful opportunities in my life but this week I had probably one of the greatest honours of my life in my own community, lighting the Oystermouth Castle Beacon and Lamp of Peace to commemorate VE Day.
The sun shone brightly overhead as I pulled into Parc Tawe riding in the back of a Chauffeur driven Jaguar Limousine. As I got out of the car I was greeted by a solitary photographer, Mr Williams from Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn School. Even my chauffeur was only giving me a lift because I’d put my back out. Ed Thomas is the man who had got me involved in the film and I think he felt a responsibility to make sure I arrived in one piece.
Since Wednesday we’ve been posting and sharing messages on social media hoping to spread the word about my concert being broadcast on Sunday. The strange thing is people are more impressed that Catherine Zeta Jones calls me Mr Pope than the fact that my concert will be on the radio this weekend. As someone said to me…Mal…that’s showbiz.
A funny thing has happened to me over the past few weeks. I think I’ve gone viral and I’m not exactly sure how.
You just never know what you will find if you pay a visit to the Gwyn Hall in Neath. This week I’ve been twice and met Welsh Icons galore.
Tonight I am hosting an evening with one of the Greatest Welshmen of his generation. This is the headline for tonight’s event at the Gwyn Hall. ‘Join us for An Evening with The Greatest player ever to don a Welsh jersey Sir Gareth Edwards.’ I can’t wait.
I was walking along the Bay yesterday morning when something hit me like a thunderbolt out of the blue, to the point where I really did find myself stopping in my tracks.
As if to celebrate the start of Astronomical Spring on Thursday Swansea Bay was at its most beautiful best. As I strode out for my daily constitutional I found myself peeling off layer after layer as the morning sun bathed my poor old pale, stale body. (For the avoidance of any confusion and the risk of any legal proceedings I must add I kept my T-Shirt on!)
Forty years ago yesterday I took on a job for which I was totally unqualified. I had had no formal training, the hours were 24 hours every day, 7 days a week. It wasn’t just demanding with my time. I’m pretty sure that if I added up all the expenses incurred over that period I have spent a small fortune. I know I’m not painting a great picture, but I have to say, with a very few exceptions, it’s all been worth it because forty years ago yesterday I became a dad!
I once found myself surprised and delighted to smell Welsh Cakes in the United Nations Building in New York. This week it was Joe’s Ice Cream in Downing Street.
