Thought for the day:'- "I'll dig
another ditch around the castle" Tom said remotely
Tree came down yesterday - and the decorations were put away
so though I would add this for next year ....
But on other matters - Trump decided that after the publication of a rather damning book about the White House and thereby himself and which suggested that he was childlike and instable - that he would declare that the book was false facts and that in actual fact he could best be considered as a Stable Genius ...... "My two greatest assetts have been mental stability and being really really smart!"
Donald Trump...
A STABLE GENIUS PRESIDENT (With apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan)
"I am the very model of a stable genius president On Pennsylvania Ave you'll find I'm not a frequent resident The Legislative Branch is something I can always circumvent Colluding with the Russians was most certainly a non-event...
"I'm honored to reveal that I possess the greatest temperament I didn't drain the swamp I just replaced it with a circus tent And as for gorgeous women I can grab them all with no consent And still give lots of tax breaks to my cronies in the one percent...
"I'm very good with signing things no one will ever implement I have the best and biggest words but no clue what they represent I'm going to build the biggest wall and make Mexico pay the rent I am the very model of a stable genius president."
I am the very model of a very stable genius I have a mighty button and no problems with my penius I have no time for television, golf or social media Since my brain is way much better than the best encyclopaedia
or I like to tweet the lies of racist grievances historical When Russian ties are mentioned I deny them categorical I do not feel the sting of words because I am avenious I am the very model of a very stable genius..
Thought for the day:"I don't snore - I dream of being a motorcycle"
FOLLOWING THE NEWS COVERAGE IN THE GUARDIAN, TIMES, SUN, MAIL ONLINE AND INDEPENDENT ONLINE RELATING TO FREEMASONRY AND POLICE FEDERATION REFORMS, DR DAVID STAPLES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND, HAS SENT THIS LETTER (TAILORED) TO EACH OF THESE NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS
The articles show a complete and disappointing misrepresentation of Freemasonry. Furthermore, we understand, having spoken to the outgoing Chairman of the Police Federation, that recent media coverage does not accurately reflect his views.
We are quietly proud that, throughout history, when people have suffered discrimination both in public and social life, Freemasonry has welcomed them into our Lodges as equals. It is a shame that Freemasons are now quite openly discriminated against and that too many of our members, therefore, feel the need to keep their membership to themselves.
The idea that reform within the Police Federation or anywhere else is being actively thwarted by an organised body of Freemasons is laughable and suggests an unbelievable element of will and influence from an organisation which is non-political, non-religious, values integrity and upholds the law.
In 2001 and again in 2007 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Freemasonry was not a secret or unlawful organisation.
There is absolutely no reason why police officers, or anyone from any other walk of life, should not be a Freemason and we highlight our shared organisational values of integrity and service to the community.
Dr David Staples Chief Executive Officer United Grand Lodge of England
Thought for the day:"Being happy does not mean everything is perfect - it means that you found the medication"
Had the funeral today ... seemed to go well..
Celebrating
The Life
of
Jan Sewell
Mother,
Grandmamma,
Peta Jan
Passed away peacefully on
Monday 11th
December 2017
90 years young.
Order of Service
Funeral
Friday 5th
January 2018
at
Llanelli Crematorium
11:00 a.m.
THE PINACATE TALE;
TAMARA WAS SITTING IN THE CIRCLE OF THE SILVER ONES. HER LONG, GOSSAMER HAIR FRAMED HER FACE. HER EMERALD GREEN EYES DREAMING AS SHE STRETCHED OUT HER HAND AND FELT THE GENTLE TOUCH OF THE WINGS OF A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY.
SHE LOOKED AROUND AND SAW KNOWLEDGEABLE EYES WATCHING HER.
IT WAS A SIGNAL…….
GRACEFULLY SHE STOOD UP AND THE BUTTERFLY FLEW AHEAD OF HER ACROSS THE SEA OF CORTEZ NEAR THE PINACATE MOUNTAINS. SHE DANCED OVER GENTLE WAVES UNTIL SHE REACHED THE GOLDEN BEACH WHERE MAMMA JAN WAS SLEEPING. ……
TAMARA’S FEET ONLY TOUCHED THE GRAINS OF SAND, MAKING NO NOISE…..
HER FINGER SMOOTHED THE CHEEK OF THE CHOSEN ONE……
“IT’S NOT TIME YET” SHE WHISPERED ……..LETTING THE BUTTERFLY SETTLE ON THE HAND OF THE CHOSEN ONE.
TAMARA RETURNED TO THE WAVES, DANCING FROM ONE SILVER TIPPED RIPPLE TO ANOTHER………HOLDING THE BUTTERFLY GENTLY IN HER HAND.
TURNING BACK TOWARDS THE SLEEPING ONE SHE SAID: “YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOUR LOVED ONES WHENEVER A BUTTERFLY LANDS BESIDE THEM -----THEY WILL ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOU ARE THERE.”
A BRIGHT GREEN LIGHT FLASHED IN THE SKY. TAMARA HAD RETURNED TO HER BELOVED MOUNTAINS TO SIT AGAIN WITH THE WISE ONES.
SO WHENEVER YOU SEE A BUTTERFLY, PLEASE THINK OF JAN. LOVING YOU.
THIS WAS WRITTEN BY MY MOTHER, JAN SEWELL ……. WHILE AT PAUL AND MY BEACH HOME IN MEXICO, ON THE WEDNESDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DECEMBER, TWO THOUSAND AND TEN
SHE CALLED IT THE “PINACATE TALE,” A RANGE OF MOUNTAINS, THE PINACATES, NEAR THE MEXICAN OCEAN, THAT WAS FAMED FOR FAIRIES AND SPRITES AND OTHER….. SPECIAL AND FANTASTICAL CREATURES……
Thank you all for coming this morning to help the family to celebrate the life of Jan Sewell and thank you all for the messages of sympathy and condolences that we have all received….
WINIFRED JOAN SEWELL – born 9th June 1927..
She hated the name Winifred.
She never used it, and whenever it was called, by the doctor or Pharmacy, she would delight in telling the story of how she was named after a rich Great Aunt Winifred in the hope that some of the wealth would be passed on to her as a namesake – and how it totally failed to happen….
So Winifred was never used - “Little Winnie Weston – Hasn’t got a vest on”
She was a Shropshire lass, born in Brosely but brought up in Bridgnorth where Chrissie and I remember her at the family home – built and carved out of the red sandstone of the biggest geographical feature of the area – High Rock.
And so we have chosen to sing “Rock of Ages” in memory of those early days, walking through the woods – we the first generation of many to learn how to swing a stick at the weeds and brambles, shouting “Off with their head”…
ROCK OF AGES:
Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labour of my hands Can fulfil Thy law’s demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.
While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death, When I rise to worlds unknown, And behold Thee on Thy throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.
Early days were not always easy.
She trained as Nurse and Teacher leaving home to study in Bristol.
Upon a railway station she met a Glaswegian PTI in the RAF – stationed in Bridgnorth. One day, having invited him to tea with her parents, she proudly showed off her piano skills in the back sitting room – not knowing that he was a virtuoso on the instrument having played professionally from the age of 14. He did not let on until much later….. She always enjoyed her piano – and one of her later regrets was that there was no place to “tinkle a few bars” as she went from room to room after she left Albert Street.
Moving to Glasgow, things did not improve. With both children under 2 years old, Eric caught Tuberculosis, and was confined to the sanatorium – where in those days there was slim chance of complete recovery…
One of the earliest cases successfully treated with the new antibiotics he continued in his work with the Empire News and soon they traveled to London moving into the exciting world of Fleet Street.
And exciting it was – from the travels around the world to the move to the Daily Mail as Parliamentary Correspondent, placing her into the world of the House of Commons, the glamorous, celebrities, the politicians of the world, and royalty.
Always ready with a smile and charm, they worked the room like professional hosts. Several parties at Park Grove saw numerous prime ministers, statesmen, TV and radio personalities, the Rich and Famous attending. Christine and I were to be seen (briefly) and not heard. We were introduced, we said hello and shook hands and were required to retire to our rooms – Those were not the days of family style gatherings….
Breaking into TV and Radio – it was Eric and Joan….. Always recognizable – she immaculately dressed with a distinct blaze of white in her hair -
Sadly, following an accident and head injury, that life changed and leaving London - Sewell of the Severn – self employed journalist came into being with Joan supporting and at one time driving him all around the country.
They moved from Bristol back to Brosely – a full circle for Joan and for the last years she was devoted as he failed in health. He said that he would come back as an eagle or a hawk and many is the time we have seen him watching over us …. She thought maybe she too would soar in the skies
They had great memories – traveling with the family, traveling with business, rubbing shoulders with Movie stars – she never told me all the truth about her evening with Yul Bryner…
– and music was always a great part of that life.
In particular – she loved Leonard Cohen – even the way I played it – and one of her favourites was Hallelujah…
HALLELUJAH
A new stage of life occurred after the death of Eric in August 1986.
Joan became Jan – as simple as that. She moved to Llanelli and loved her house in Albert Street with her garden, her walk to town, her trips to the beach. But above all, she had Kenneth.
Kenneth Wolstenholme, “they think it is all over” – war hero, sports commentator, after dinner speaker, celebrity golfer – they traveled the world, were wined and dined, feted and feasted. They secretly got engaged but she never quite forgave him for buying a house in Devon without asking her, and she was reluctant to leave Llanelli – so he remained a regular visitor in the town.
But traveling to Italy for Football, all over the World for Celebrity Golf tournaments or just dinner in the best restaurants she retained her role as charming support for him in every company.
And amongst their traveling, they loved America. And even more so when it became clear that Christine and Paul were going to get married. She would always talk about meeting the “Silver Fox” Paul ….
And during all this time she was writing her poetry –mainly for her own pleasure, occasionally being published, and occasionally as special gifts to people that meant a lot to her…..
Paul…. The Silver Fox
MAY 1993 -
While dating Christine, now my wife of 20 years, JAN came over from the UK to stay with her daughter for a few weeks.
During this time, Christine and I had planned to go to a Country & Western Dance at a local Bar.
When I came to pick up Christine, I wore what I am now wearing. The door bell buzzed and to my surprise, JAN answered the door…
She stood at the door and looked me up and down and said ..
“My My – I have finally met my Silver Fox.”
With that – we became very close – with a shared love of Christine…
She wrote this in May 1993..
SILVER FOX
Out of the shadows
He walked tall, in Stetson
Steel Grey Hair
And magnetic eyes
Infectious smile
Seductive Voice
Heeled boots trod soft
On pale grey carpet
In the mellow glow
A softly lit room
Energy abounded
Filling the scented air
With scintillating shards
Of electricity
She stood, golden brown, glowing
In vivid patterned cotton
A foil for the rugged masculinity
Of Paul
-o0o-
Joan, Jan, Mama Jan…
She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren
She had a huge imagination and never forgot her own personal child within.
When Susie was expecting for the first time, she decided that she would never be a Nanny or Nan, a Granny or Gran or even a Grandma – She would be a Grandmama!!! I am sure that she envisaged herself in a Victorian Parlour, sitting in a high back chair with a silver topped walking stick – surrounded by attentive children…
From turning the Clock to the wall so no-one knew when bedtime was, to cardboard box beds for dolls with handmade dresses.. the poorly shawl for days when young ones felt unwell, dressing up and makeup… and walks in the woods …. And of course – “chopping their heads off”
And then the next generation and she re-invented herself again, inspired by the native American stories she became Peta Jan – and captivated another generation. And Peta Jan completed a full circle – for Peta Loutha is Greek for Butterfly – she did not know that when she chose it
Sadly, she now was restricted to her high back chair – but loved to have the family around her – perhaps the reality to the Grandmama image ….
She was able to move around less and less and hated it – and allowed herself “one moan a day” I would have let her have more ….
She loved her flat in Plas y Mor, and could never get over the kindness and caring of the staff – though she never once went to the day room – which she said was full of “old people” – she loved the view over the fields, the Church Steeple, and watching the doves on the balcony, and wrote poems for many of the staff.
She also wrote to others who were special to her..
Bunnie – The Balcony
The Balcony
You promised me a balcony,
And helped my dreams come true.
We sat together side by side
And talked of “What to do”
You had your dreams A brand new world
And bravely faced the task
To sail away And make a life
From what e’er The world would ask
And now my darling Bunnie
You do not sit with me
You found the life With your true love
Rather far away
But I still fill a glass or two
and raise a toast to you
For you are always here by me
On our balcony...
My glass is full I raise a toast
To your new family
To the lovely girl Who sat by me
Upon our balcony
-o0o-
She had her lucky cork, Dor was passed on to the next generation of travelers, she taught us how to find lost items by putting a pin into the arm of the chair and wrapping cotton around it – and most recently she had the Vollsanger Coin for luck.
She knew what she wanted She was surrounded by love – and she expressed her own feelings to all those around her
and she knew what she wanted for this day
She wanted me in a kilt
She wanted Paul in the black clothes and a Stetson – her Silver Fox
She wanted no-one in somber clothes – to be happy at her passing
She wanted to be an eagle or hawk with Eric
She wanted to be a Blue Bird with Kenneth
She said she would be a butterfly with us all –
when you see a butterfly – remember and smile
She wanted the pipes to play as she moved from here to the great adventure that may await…
And the pipes will play the Dark Isle.
Chrissie tells me that this was the first tune that our father played on the piano for her.
She named her house in Albert Street “Yr Ynys Ddu” the dark (or black) Isle …. It was always dear to her…
The Black Watch Pipes and drums
-o0o-
"Are we nearly there yet?"
Red phone box on the horizon.
Pristine green grass with roses of every colour and scent
Skyscraping lilandie trees line the path
doors leading to warmth and love.
Pantry filled with jams and goodies waiting to be savoured.
Warm apple pie scents the air yearning for squirty cream.
Walking sticks at the ready, time to go.
Down a path, over a style, through a kissing gate.
Inquisitive cows approach bringing small pangs of fear.
But she defends and marches on leading the way.
Windswept hair and rosy cheeks, feet a little sore.
Home beckons.
A warm glow emits from the large yellow shade, shinning on baby dolls wrapped in butter trays. Baths filled with magic bubbles taller than trees.
Cozy bed with freshly ironed sheets invite the guest to blissfully dream of adventures passed.
Love from our Grandmamma which keeps us warm through the night.
Thank you all for coming and supporting us
A special thank you to Côr Curiad for singing and Erin for the Solo
and Craig Oldham for playing
If you wish to join us for refreshment you are welcome at the house… Thank you all..
Thought for the day:"I am in a good place just now - not emotionally but this bar has a happy hour"
Borrowed from a friend:
When God was creating Police Officers he was into his 6th day of overtime when an angel appeared besides him and said;
“Boss, you appear to be having a bit of trouble with this one.”
God replied, “have you read the job profile for this one? Police Officers have to be able to run for five miles through alleys and fields in the dark, climb walls, enter houses that Rentokill wouldn’t touch and do all this without creasing their uniform.”
“They have to be able to sit in an unheated, unmarked police car for at least eight hours without needing a toilet, then stand out in the pouring rain guarding a crime scene that night.”
“Physically, they should be supremely fit, ready to deal with anything at the drop of a hat. This peak of fitness must be maintained on a diet of black coffee, coca-cola and half eaten hamburgers and pizzas. Oh, and they must have six hands.”
The angel shook her head slowly and said “Six pairs of hands…. isn’t that a bit difficult?”
“It’s not the hands that are causing the problem,” said God, “it’s the three pairs of eyes that they’ve each got to have.”
“Is that on the normal Police Officer?” asked the angel.
God nodded, “one pair for seeing through bulges in clothing to identify potential threats, a second pair in the side of his head to watch out for the safety of his colleagues and a third set to look reassuringly into the eyes of a badly injured person whilst the mouth convincingly tells the necessary lies.”
“God,” said the angel, touching his sleeve, “ rest and carry on working tomorrow.”
“I can’t,” said God, “I have already managed to produce a model that can wrestle a 16 stone belligerent drunk into the back of a small police car without using excessive force and without upsetting anybody else. It is programmed to feed a family of five in an exceptionally low salary.”
The angel slowly walked all round the partly formed police officer and then turned to God and asked, “Can it think?”
“You bet,” said God, “it can recite the definitions of multiple offences, give the caution with no hesitation, detain, investigate, search and arrest violent offenders in the street in less time that it takes for the CPS to debate the legality of his actions…and it retains its sense of humour.”
“This officer also has phenomenal personal control. Dealing with crime scenes that would sicken an abattoir worker, coaxing a confession from a child abuser, comforting the family of a murder victim are part of the job specification. The sad this is that the police officer then has to read in the paper that he is insensitive to the rights of criminal suspects or convicted offenders.”
The angel was quiet for a minute or two before bending over and running her finger across the cheek of the police officer. She looked at her finger and said to God,
“There’s a leak. I told you that you were trying to put too much into one person.”
“That’s not a leak,” said God, “that’s a tear…”
“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.
“it’s for bottled up emotions, for a multitude of sad sights and occasions, for injured friends and colleagues, for a misplaced faith in humanity, and for an unswerving dedication to duty and truth.”
“You are a genius,” said the angel.
God looked at the police officer for a minute, turned to the angel and said,
Iain Sewell is a man of many talents and varying careers. The son of a former journalist at the Daily Mail. Iain climbed through the ranks and became a Chief Inspector in Dyfed Powys Police Force. He was in the chair of the St Teilo Lodge of the Freemasons again in 2015-6. Iain was also known as the owner of the Crimson Moon Tavern a wandering minstrel and ardent participant in mediaeval re-enactments going by the name of Vollsanger. He was born in 1954 and raised in Glasgow. He left when he was around four years of age when his father moved to London to work for the Daily Mail as a political correspondent.
Iain’s father was a journalist working for the Empire News as a foreign correspondent. Here Iain speaks about his father’s working life. He began by saying: “My Dad felt that journalism gave him the big break and he was able to go anywhere. My Dad was working at the Daily Mail, as political correspondent so home life was interesting. Parliament didn’t start until lunchtime and there were late sittings in the early hours of the morning. There were around 13 bars in the House of Commons and therefore he did a lot of drinking, everybody did. At least seven Prime Ministers visited our house over a period of time, not all when they were serving prime Ministers. It was an interesting childhood rubbing shoulders with these people even though we lived in a semi detached in Edgware.”
Eric James Sewell - Journalist
Marriage and a job with Dyfed-Powys Police
Iain left school with his A Levels and began work with a cleaning company in London rising to a management position. Talking about his early career and getting into the police force in the late 1970’s he said: “I took a year out and began working. I had met my wife Susie by now and we were living in a small flat. I wanted to do political history so I applied for a place at Southampton and Aberystwyth and took the place at Aberystwyth.
“We packed everything up and started our married life in a tent in a field in a farm called Troed-y-rhiw in Rhydyfelin. We began looking for a home and rented a house at no1 New Road at Llanfarian paying £20 a month rent. I was too young for a grant so I had to look for work again. I started at Newman’s grocers as a driver whilst still going to lectures. One day I saw a sign in the window of the local police station asking ‘Have you thought about a career in the police?’. I hadn’t really thought of it but I had ten minutes spare so I went in and asked for some information. I told the person behind the desk that I was just finishing university. With that an inspector came down and asked me to come back later in the day. I went back and there was a chief inspector there waiting to chat to me.
“Dyfed-Powys had not had a graduate entry so I was one of the first. Within 28 hours I was in Carmarthen having an interview with the Chief Constable in the suit I got married in. I was told I would start in the October of 1976. At that time if you wanted to join South Wales police you had to be a rugby player, 6ft and good if in trouble in an alleyway at night.
“My first station was Tenby. There were two police officers and a sergeant. If we got in trouble the officer manning the station would have to walk or run to help. People ask how much fighting skill you need as a policeman and my answer is, you need to be able to talk people down, to know how to take charge and how to reduce friction. When I went to work in Llanelli if something kicked off there were six officers and they would grab someone and bang them in the cells. There is a different style of policing nowadays. I left before the police began wearing body armour. There was a lot more respect for the uniform at that time.”
Freemasonry
Iain has been a freemason since 1983 and has held a number of high positions in the society. He maintains that there is a lot of misconception about the society, which he says is no different to the structures within rugby or football clubs.We asked Iain to provide a layman’s guide to Freemasonry. Beginning with the way in, which members join the freemasons he said: “Freemasonry is not an invitation order. The fundamental principle of freemasonry is ‘to be one, ask one’. Anyone can ask to join it is like any other group although we don’t want friction so checks are made to see if you have a criminal background, if you are financially unviable, if you are antisocial then we don’t want you. If you are a good egg and you want to make society a bit better and if you care for your fellow man and are interested in intellectual challenges you can ask and your name goes forward.
“My father was a freemason and that allowed me to enquire about freemasonry locally. Last week I went back into the chair of St Teilo lodge for the third time. The society went through a long period of bad publicity. A lot of it was aimed at the police. After the war during the reconstruction freemasons were instructed by the grand lodge that they should not take advantage of their membership of the free masons. It went towards anonymity for that reason.
“The past masters in Llanelli were huge people in the town who built Llanelli. We are a lot more open now and you can see who we are by going online to our website. In freemasonry I have no badge to say what I do, I am there in my own right according to my rank within the masons so nobody can ask me to help them just because I happened to be a Chief Inspector. We are not allowed to talk business or politics. It allows me to switch off completely. If I pull over my neighbour I am under certain pressure because I know them. It is no more than that if you happen to know them through the freemasons. The same rules apply to all regardless. In freemasonry we don’t make good people but we just might make a good man a little better.”
Vollsanger, a travelling minstrel
Iain is quite a distinguished looking gentleman with long white hair often tied back into a ponytail. His alter ego is a Vikingesque character by the name of ‘Vollsanger’. His weekends are often spent at re-enactments. Explaining how he came to be a viking character he said: “In 1999 my daughter brought home a ‘geek’, (her boyfriend) for Christmas and we asked him what he did. He talked at length about going off on weekends, dressing up as an Orc or a Knight and doing battle in a game system like Lord of the Rings. Very shortly he had a pair of old timers joining him.
“You play one of these characters and you fight in full costume and for two or three days you go away somewhere and it is good fun. From there we began a small business running the Crimson Moon Tavern, which is still going today.”
Iain takes the fighting side seriously and wears chain mail weighing in at around 9 stone. On a recent visit to Germany he got into battle and broke his arm. Now in his 60’s Iain shows no sign of slowing down and says he is busier than ever with all of his roles including being president of the NSPCC in Carmarthenshire.
Thought for the day:"I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions"
So - starting thinking of CMVQ's for this year's staff party .. (Crimson Moon Vocational Qualifications) and looking at those areas of expertise that we need to foster in the community..
also some rules for the customers..
and of course we have to get ourselves into shape for the new season ...
Thought for the day:""If you're excited at finding your name on a coke bottle, then imagine how I feel every time I go B&Q" - Matt White Start of another year... A houseful of family. and the occasional small oasis of calm. A quiet New year, with no additional guests - other than some mysterious fellow who called just as we sat down for dinner and Freja answered with a "we are just sitting down to eat" so he went!! Have no idea who it was - but we would have brought you in and given you a glass of something while we ate - Honest! And so we start the New Year... an new Cover picture for pages ....
So whoever you were - we will see you again next year !!! Cheers! and on the subject of political promises for the ensuing year
