Is it time to scrap exam grades?

GCSE and A-Level results have been pounced on as usual. Is it time to scrap traditional grading altogether, before everyone loses confidence in the exam system? (Pic : The Guardian) (Owen : I've been on a break by my standards, but rest assured normal service will be resumed next week – big time.)Over the last fortnight, students...

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On rape....

If only attitudes to rape were as clear cut as this public information campaign. (Pic : West Mercia Police) When men get involved in any debate on rape, they sometimes come across as patronising one-eyed dinosaurs. There've been many examples in the last week or so. I hope that won't be the case now, but it's time I kicked the...

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Could Wales host a Commonwealth Games?

Dai Green won gold for Wales in Delhi 2010. Could Wales be preparing a bid for the Commonwealth Games in 2026? (Pic : BBC) Continuing the sporting theme this week....In the last few days it's been (re)announced that the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council are considering a bid for the Commonwealth Games at some point in...

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Whatever happened to Welsh baseball?

                        A few weeks ago, I posted on Basketball Wales' rejection of a merger with British Basketball on a permanent basis. Although unrelated, an interesting discussion took place in the...

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A spunky Welsh Public Policy Institute

Hat tip to A Change of Personnel.The First Minister launched his government's proposed Public Policy Institute earlier this week. He's initiated a "pre-tendering process" to encourage the "brightest minds" to apply – from academia, presumably parts of the public sector, existing think-tanks and private sector too.I was pleased when Carwyn Jones first announced a "new deal" with the civil service, of which this forms a part, as it was in the fallout...

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The case for Cornwall

A national flag, or a "regional" one? (Pic : Via Flickr) We've often heard that Wales is England's biggest county. It certainly feels like it's treated like that sometimes, but I don't think that quip holds much water anymore other than as a wind-up, especially since devolution – however weak a settlement it is.There are campaigns...

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Offa's Gap - What? When? Where? & Why?

Offa's Dyke might be nothing more than a ditch, but Offa's Gap is looking distinctively deeper and wider - and Wales is quickly sinking into the sea on one side of it. (Pic : Britannica) Plaid Cymru recently launched a comprehensive discussion paper, co-authored by Dr Eurfyl ap Gwilym and Adam Price, on the "relative health"...

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