Putting on a show

IF you grew up in the Valleys any time over the past 30 or so years, you’ll be used to the labels.

Deprived. Run-down. Devoid of hope. Back of beyond.

We’re used to the tags and yes, there may…

Clowning Around

Josie Long describes herself as some sort of clown but there is clearly a lot more to her than that. ‘The Future is Another Place’ is Josie’s 5th tour and by her own reckoning is something that…

‘Joe Bach’ and the Holocaust

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day when we pledge to challenge the language of hatred, give voice to the voiceless and work to create a society free from persecution and hatred.

Whenever I think of the Holocaust I…

Christmas Quiz

Round 1 – Festive Facts

1. On average how much will Welsh people spend on food, drink and entertainment this festive season?

a)    £166.44         b)    £186.44           c)    206.44

2. How many square kilometres…

Spend on arts to solve Wales’s crisis

In hard times, spending on the arts and cultural activity is typically first in line for the chop, regarded as a luxury that can no longer be afforded. But Professor Dai Smith, in his lecture…

Dying to be Pale

During last weeks Welsh heatwave, our summer competition reopened. Every year it hits from Barry beach to Bali. The competitions best loved name is the who-will-get-most-tanned competition. We all know the dangers of tanning, sun bed-ing, and…

Digital by default?

Our latest report warns that a third of people in Wales could miss out as public services go online.  People who are offline already miss out on cheaper goods and services and information about everything from health…

Everyone starts somewhere

After Fiona Stewart’s excellent post about work experience at the 2011 Green Man Festival, Jon gives us a firsthand account of working his first music festival.

I arrived at Green Man…

Working for the Green Man

Fiona Stewart is Managing Director, Organiser, Designer and Promoter of the Green Man Festival Wales. Here she describes how the festival is engaging with the local community and helping to develop skills through experience.

Jon Howells, 18, came from…

The Bevan Legacy

This is an extract from a speech by former First Minister Rhodri Morgan first given at the National Eisteddfod in 2010 for the Bevan Foundation. The speech has ben reproduced to mark the anniversary.

It’s a great honour for…