Welsh Journals

That's the worst of letting these South Walians read the Welsh news- they mangle oat-cakes and everything else she said, brightly. Now you know why we laugh in Pennant Valley, if anyone mentions the Welsh news. As a matter of fact it is mentioned quite often, especially in the parliaments that meet daily in the universal store, the post-office, and the village inn. The oracles have it that it isn't Welsh news at all but a hash-up of the news they have already heard or are going to hear in English. And such Welsh-"on stilts They think it is at the wrong time of day, anyway far too early for most Welsh listeners. According to Sherlock, that is why only Tomos actually heard about those oat-cakes Most of the folk in our valley don't want to hear about the war in the Welsh news-they get a sickener of it in the six main news bulletins in English. We've only got a few minutes a day for news in Welsh, so why can't we have news about Wales ? they ask, logically enough. There are other criticisms, too, about the Welsh religious services for instance-" How do they pick these preachers is it out of a bran tub ? asks our local wit. But I only promised to tell the B.B.C. about these news headaches on this trip to Cardiff. Let the Welsh radio officials tune in to the listeners for a change. It might shock them out of their complacency. At Segontium 0 FIRE and frost of star-light that enchants The dark towers of the castle by the sea, O wind that whispers over Roman graves, An ancient sorrow do you sing to me? This night within these walls the living weep For sons and lovers lost in far-off lands; Here one with steadfast eyes has looked in mine, And one has touched my grief with tender hands. Here I have looked upon the primrose sky, The Western light that stills the soul's desire. O night of wind and stars, sing thou to me Courage, the shining virtue, the heart's fire. MARY CROZIER.