No Egos

 

Powerhouse Gina and The Velvet Voiced Linda

Well,I’ve said it this morning and I will say it again, that Linda sets the tone when it comes to teamwork. She is the voice of optimism and of sanity and of order, and this morning she rang me to express just how happy she was that the show was a success. Linda is an old hand at smoothing the waters when it comes to teams, but in this case , last night she acknowledged that there were no egos in the production, no personal dramas, just “people getting on with the jobs they needed to do.

“ That is down to you, you set the tone” I told her and I meant it.

A lot of people worked together well last night, and it may sound corny, but even the slightly cynical Jason was caught up in the bon Vivre of the night, likening it a film script. Director Kira was beaming 

And the two readings one by Filapina Nina ( a tribute to her love for wife Chelsea ) and the other by Linda ( A Child’s Christmas in Wales) were incredibly moving.

 The hall was packed, its numbers swelled by the acts and the Gwaenysgor Community Choir, who jumped into the show, filling a major gap in the second half. They closed the show with a bang

My job, was taking tickets and manning the main entrance, which proved to be rather busy given the number of vapers, a drunk from outside who wanted a free admittance and a rather assertive woman who had been blocked in the car park by an audience member. I managed to watch most of the acts but as Imogen finished her Anastasia piece, a messenger note flitted over my iPad screen. 

It was from my cousin Mathew ( my mother’s brother’s son) who said that he was in Rotherham Hospice with his mother Dena, my aunt, and that she had just opened the Christmas Card I had sent her.

I am the only one of the my family to keep in touch with her and although I hadn’t seen her for a decade, this news literally took the wind out of my sails, 

So  I sat quietly, for a bit in the quiet , cold foyer  of the Memorial Hall, 

And folded my hands into my lap, 

And thought of my aunt

As the applause grew and the acts sang their best….

My aunt Dena 

The Production

We opened the doors at 6.30 pm and the hall was packed to capacity by 6.50. It was a grand night , which I shall share properly tomorrow. 

Velvet Voiced Linda almost stole the show with her spirited A child’s Christmas In Wales by Dylan Thomas  and I loved Nina’s “ A Filipina In Trelawnyd “ which had the same vibe 

But it was the music won the night, The Folk group Cecryn my dear Gwaenysgor Choir, Chelsea Cameron , ten year old Imogen .all were amazing, and I watched it all from my fire exit duty position as the team produced a night of fun and community .

Much love to the eclectic committee….we made 1000£ in 2 hours

Gop

 The Gop has almost been cleared of trees, leaving the Neolithic burial mound clear for everyone to see

Enjoy this video of it and the village

I’m off to the Hall shortly

The Night Before The Show

 The Hall is prepared , the Trelawnyd Productions committee are shit hot when preparation is concerned. The lighting is up and running thanks to Velvet Voiced Linda’s son in law and Village Leader Ian . Pa Manley is on the lights . Affable Despot Jason and Will are manning the stage with Dave and director Kira.

We have a compare, sorted. All the acts have been sound checked, and powerhouse brummie local counsellor Gina is on raffle sales with Sandra C. The ice creams have been delivered. The health and safety stewards nominated, I’m on the door and local actor and singer Philip Hughes is playing the piano before we start . 

Filipina Nina, who is new to the village and who is reading her own little reading A Filipina in Trelawnyd hugged us in excitement “ I feel welcomed” she said sweetly

And ten year old Imogen is singing this lovely song in the second half

Statue Of My Liberty

 I have a family here in my village.

And just like a blood family , I don’t always see some of them that often ,

But our lives are intertwined by a commonality of history, and sociability and events and community ..

And I love that 

Monday many of the villagers went to the Trelawnyd Community Association’s quiz held in the pub .

I met up with  Affable Despot Jason , his wife Clare and daughter Liv 

Liv was the wisecracking 8 year old I used to babysit who used to back comb William into a Tina Turner lookalike and who would make zombie cookies with me before smashing windfall apples with me for the pigs to eat in her new school shoes.

I haven’t seen her for an age, 

Now she’s talking about university planning 

At the quiz I told her that last year I bought a Lego Statue of Liberty and shared that I hadn’t made time to construct it 

“I could make it in a day “ she boasted

“I bet you 10£ that you couldn’t “ I challenged 

I lost 10£

Quirks

The living Room Cards years ago

 We all have personal little quirks 

I know I do.

And mine , at this time of year, do centre about posted Christmas Cards 

Since 1989 I have the slightly irrational wish to have enough Christmas cards to hang around my living room. In Providence Road in Walkley, Wynyard Road in Hillsborough and in Bwthyn y llan in Trelawnyd , I have always surrounded the living room with Christmas Cards. And I’ve always been pleased that it has happened…every year…….every year for 36 years….

Is it all about ego? ….perhaps?……is it about validation ? Could be …..Neediness?  …….you never know 

Habit? …too right ….

Last night I posted my Trelawnyd Productions! Christmas Cards…thirty cards all told  …..26£ 

A reduced number than I usually send ….

A statement which is sad ….that posted Christmas cards seem to be a bit of a dinosaur nowadays 

I have to accept that because of financial constraints people just don’t send Christmas cards anymore

Hey ho😩

Gifts

 I’ve been on a study day for half the day and shopped the rest. I bought bits and pieces for the Show’s raffle prize - a Christmas hamper and then purchased a light up Father Christmas for a second prize. The cardboard cottages which house my family gifts  needed a clean and a dry after Weaver had weed on the table which featured them. Each one of my family will get a selection of small tiny gifts then a certificate of donation to a charity which I hope is close to their heart. 

It’s stormy today ,,wild and stormy.

Pub Quiz

Tonight was fun. 

Affable Despot Jason , wife Claire and wisecracking daughter Liv and I formed two teams in the newly resurrected pub quiz at The Crown. 

What fun

The place was busy and Liv & Claire were third placed and me and Jason were second 

( Beaten by villager leader’s Ian and Helen et al) 

Nice to see that it’s going to be a regular night out….

Liv was a joy to catch up with too, after much discussion she’s agreed to complete my Lego Statue of Liberty set in one day 

We bet 5£ on the outcome 

Liv and Mary in 2017