Dyfi Valley artist puts National Library art on sale to save critically ill cat
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The Herald Scotland
38 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Irvine Welsh puts in double shift on publicity round
EDINBURGH festival time and the quest for publicity is in full swing. Smart operators like Irvine Welsh know it's best to plug early and often, even if it means a Sunday morning shift. Sunday Brunch was a mix of celebrity chat, cooking, and anything else the producers could throw in the pot to fill three hours of live television, including a competition to guess the age of expired food. This was the 'zoo' format revived, with too many guests talking at once and the crew supplying chortles off. When not gabbing, the celebs stuffed their faces with whatever came out of the kitchen. Not an appetising sight at 10am. Welsh was there to flog his new book, Men in Love, and accompanying album. All was well until he referred in less than flattering terms to the vocal styles of some singers today. It was enough that the presenter, Tim Lovejoy, felt he had to apologise. Contrast this with Katie Razzall's Irvine Welsh: The Next Chapter, which has been aired on the BBC News channel and has its network debut on Monday. This was an old-school, pre-recorded sit-down, largely consisting of Razzall lining up a subject and allowing Welsh to talk at length. It didn't always work. On Scottish independence, for instance, Razzall asked if he thought 'the steam had gone out of the fight'. 'The steam's gone out of every fight now,' said Welsh. 'People are very despondent about the mainstream political institutions and their ability to change and adapt. Whether it's supporters of Scottish independence or supporters of anything, whether it's any kind of radical or revolutionary change or any kind of political change, people are just waiting for the system to fall apart rather than push it.' What did he think about the current political landscape in Scotland, or the swell in support for Reform UK? Detailed follow-ups might have produced tighter, more interesting answers. The chat occasionally wandered, at one point ending up in Alan Partridge territory. After footage of Welsh sparring, Razzall asked if boxing was useful to his writing. 'Boxing keeps me thin,' he said. 'Does that make you a good writer? 'Yeah, being thin does make you a good writer, because you have to be comfortable in a chair. If you're sitting down and you're overweight, it must be quite uncomfortable.' Was he being serious? It was hard to tell. Never mind, Razzall was on a roll. Should Trainspotting have won the Booker prize? 'Emphatically no, it would have been the kiss of death. Because I would just have been another writer, another writer who won the Booker prize. Because I became the anti-Booker prize writer, I was pushed into a different category, and it gave me a radical, anti-establishment cachet that I maybe didn't deserve even, but I'll take it anyway.' Did he still feel anti-establishment? Sir Irvine Welsh, if they came offering? 'I've no interest in that kind of thing. They've got nothing I want,' he said. Good publicity, though. Irvine Welsh: The Next Chapter, BBC2, 7pm tonight
Leader Live
41 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Wrexham MS looks ahead to the National Eisteddfod
MS for Wrexham Excitement is building as a major national cultural event gets underway in Wrexham at the end of this week. Taking place from 2 – 9 August, the National Eisteddfod is returning to Wrexham for the first time since 2011. The Eisteddfod dates back to 1861 and is a celebration of Welsh language and culture through music, performance and other competitions. As well as celebrating history, the festival has modernised and developed extensively in recent years. Up to 170,000 visitors are expected to visit and it is considered to be the largest cultural event in Europe. Over the 8 days, the festival site, or 'Maes', is a centre for hundreds of cultural, recreational and commercial events from all round Wales. There is also evening entertainment from Saturday to Monday night in the Pavilion. As you will expect, all activities and events are delivered through the medium of Welsh but regardless of whether you speak Welsh or not, you are more than welcome on the Maes. There is also a translation centre on site. The Maes will be located in Isycoed, a village five miles away from the city centre. In recent months, I have been communicating with Transport for Wales and I am aware it has been engaging with Wrexham Council and festival organisers to ensure attendees have public transport options for getting to and from Y Maes. Existing train services will be strengthened and there will also be additional rail services throughout the week. A shuttle bus will be in operation between 8am and midnight which will call at Wrexham General station, Wrexham Bus station on King Street and the Maes. Safe routes are also being identified to encourage cycling and walking, and there will be 400 bike parking spaces on site. Ensuring people can rely on public transport to attend the Eisteddfod is crucial and I am grateful to Transport for Wales as these initiatives will not just help attendees travelling from Wrexham, but also those coming from further afield. It promises to be a special occasion and I am looking forward to spending a few days at the Maes. All the information about the Eisteddfod can be found on the website but, as always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743.
Perth Now
43 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Wallaroos aim to head into World Cup with Welsh scalp
The Wallaroos are hoping that lightning doesn't strike twice as they get the chance to square the ledger with Wales in their final Test before the Women's Rugby World Cup. The Australians will take on the Welsh at North Sydney Oval on Friday with the match following a 21-12 loss to the tourists in Brisbane last weekend. The Wallaroos got off to a positive start, with Annabelle Codey crossing in the eighth minute. But after a 30-minute delay, with the teams ordered off Ballymore due to lightning, the hosts lost their way to fall to Wales for just the second time in 10 meetings. While they created plenty of opportunities they recorded 24 turnovers in the greasy conditions, with about half from dropped balls, while their usually dependable lineout faltered, losing five of their own throws. Winger Desiree Miller said the review was "tough to watch", with the team putting the error-riddled effort down to an off day. The Australians will fly to the UK and face Samoa in their opening World Cup pool game in Salford on August 23 and Miller said that after three successive losses, they wanted to arrive with confidence. "It was pretty tough to watch and it definitely doesn't reflect what we've been working on the last few months," the 23-year-old said. "It's just upsetting to see that we couldn't put out on the field what we've been working so hard for. "Fortunately enough, we have this next round versus Wales again to rectify that and produce a result we're happy with and build some confidence, especially leading into the World Cup in a couple of weeks." Almost a year ago the Wallaroos were edged by Wales at home but a week later faced them again and rebounded with a thumping 37-5 victory which helped Australia clinch the WVX2 trophy in South Africa. "I guess we can reflect back on last year and see that we can do it," said the NSW Waratahs star. "So, yes, something that we can definitely focus on in the days leading up but like I said, it wasn't acceptable what we produced and we're looking to really rectify that and produce a better result because that's not who we are." A big crowd is expected given the Welsh supporters who are in Sydney ahead of the third Test between the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions 24 hours later at Accor Stadium. "It's predicted to be the biggest World Cup to date, which is awesome, and it's great for the women's game, so getting a taste of that, kind of acclimatised to that, it's a good preparation heading into the World Cup," said Miller.
